¶. A SHORT Catechism, or plain instruction, containing the sum of Christian learning, set fourth by the King's majesties authority, for all Schoolmasters to teach.  
¶ To this Catechism are adjoined the Articles agreed upon by the Bishops & other learned and godly men, 〈◊〉 the last convocation at London, in the year of our Lord, 〈◊〉. D. L I I. for to root out the discord of 〈◊〉 opinions, and establish the ●…ment of true religion: Likewise published by the kings majesties authority. 1553.  
〈◊〉 Imprinted at London by Ih●… Day with the kings most gracious licence 〈◊〉 privilege: Forbidding all other to print the same Catechism.   

¶ An Injunction given by the king our sovereign Lord his most excellent majesty to all schoolmasters and teachers of youth, within all his Grace's realm and dominions, for auctorising and establishing the use of this catechism.  
EDwarde the sixth, by the grace of God king of England, France and Ireland: defender of the faith: and of the church of England and also of Ireland in earth the Supreme head: to all Schoolmasters and teachers of youth.  
¶ When there was presented unto us, to be perused, a short and plain order of Catechism written by a certain godly and learned man: we committed the debating, and diligent examination thereof, to certain bishops, and other learned men, whose judgement we have in great estimation. And because it seemed agreeable with the scriptures, and the ordinances of our Realm, we thought it good, not only, for that agreement to put it forth abroad to Print: but also, for the plainness and shortness, to appoint it out for all Schoolmasters to teach. That the yet unskilful and young age, having the foundations laid, both of religion and good letters, mai learn godliness together with wisdom: and have a rule for the rest of their life, what judgement they ought to have of god: to whom all our life is applied: and how they may please God, wherein we ought, with all the doings and duties of our life, to travail.  
¶ We will therefore and command, both all and each of you, as ye tender our favour, and as ye mind to avoid the just punishment of transgressing our aucthoriti, that ye truly and diligently teach this Catechism in your schools, immediately after the other brief Catechism which we have already setforth: that young age, yet tender and wavering, being by authority of good lessons and instructions of true religion stablished, may have a great furtherance to the right worshipping of God: & good helps to live in alpointes according to duty. Wherewith being furnished, by better using dew godliness toward God the author of all things: obedience toward their King, the shepherd of the people: Loving affection to the common weal, the general mother of all: they may seem not borne for themselves: but be profitable and dewtyfull, toward God, their King, and their country.  
¶ Given at Grenewyche the. xx. of May the. seven. year of our Reign.   

¶ The Copy of the Kings Majesties letters patents for the Printing of this and the little catechism.  
EDWARD the ●…irte by the grace of God King of England. France and Ireland, defender of the faith, and of the church of England and also o●… Ire land in earth the supreme head.  
TO all manner of Printers, Bokesellers; and other our Officers, Ministers and Subjects greeting.  
We do you to understand, that of our grace especial, we have granted and given Privilege and licence, and by these presents do grau●…t, and give privilege and licence to our well-beloved subject john day, of our City of London Printer, unto his factors & assigns, to Print, or cause to be printed, as well this catechism i English, which we have caused to be set fourth for the better instruction of ●…outh, to be taught in english Schools, as also an A. B. C. with the B●…ife catechism, already printed, Any other privilege to the contrary in any wise not withstanding.  
AND furthermore our pleasure is that the same john Day, his factonres & assigns, shall and may have the only printing from time to time of the same catechisms in recompense of his industry pains and charges to be sustained in that behalf. ¶ straightly forbidding by these presents all and singulec, our subjects, aswell priuters as bokesellers, as all other parsos within our Realms and dominions whatsoever they be, to print, or cause to be printed▪ within any our fair●… dominions, these catechisms aforesa●…d or any of them, but only the said john Day▪ and his assigns, neither to buy any other sorts of impressions than such as shall be printed by the said john Day and his assigns, upon pain of our high displeasure, and that every offender therein shall forteit to our use▪ xls▪ for every such catechism, so, or bought, contrari to the true meaning of this our present licence and privilege, over & besides all such catechisms to be forfeited to whom soever shall sustain the charges and sue the said forfeiture in our behalf.  
¶ Willing therefore and commanding all our officers & ministers as they tender our favour and will avoid our displeasure and indignation for the contrary, that they and every of them (if need shall require) do aid and assist the foresaid john Day, his factors and assigns, in due exercising & execution of this our present licence & privilege with the ffect according to the true meaning of the same. I●… witness whereof we caused these our letters to be made patents. Witness oureselfe at Westemynstre thee, xxv, day of March thee, vi●…, year of our ●…aygue,   

The Table.  

A  
Absent. 

Chris●…e goverueth his church absent. fol. 24. b.  
How Christ is absent, and present in the world. fol. 25. a▪    
Adam. 

The names of Adam & ●…ue. fol. 16, a.    
Adultery. 

Adultery. fol. 7. a.    
Ascension. 

Christ's ascension. fol. 20. b, fol. 26. a.  
Out profit by Christ's ascension. fol. 30. a.  
Causes of Christ's ascens●…on. fol. 30. b.     

B  
Baptism. 

The ministration of bap tisme. 48. b.  
The meaning of baptism. fol, 50. a.    
Bread. 

The bread. fol. 50. a. Our day●…y bread. fo. 59 a.  
what br●…ad meaneth. fol. 19 a.  
Daily bread or supernatural. 60. a.  
Wvh●… we ask our bread to be daily. fol 60. a.    
Brother. 

The name of brethren. fol. 66. a.     

C  
Ceremonies of the law.  
Ceremonies. 

fol. 12, a.    
Charity. 

Charity. fol. 66, ●…  
Degrees of Charity, fol. 67. b.    
Children. 

Children to be taught●… true religion. fol. 2. a,    
church. 

The church. fol, 41. b.  
Christ governeth his Church absent, fol, 24. b.  
The holy Church, fol. 37. a,  
Wuho be of Christ's church. fol, 38, a,  
Marks of the Church. fol. 42. b.  
Wuhy the Church is called universal. fo. 45. a.    
Christ. 

Christ's doings for our behoof. fol. 32. b.  
Christ an example of life unto us. 33. b.  
Honour of Christ. 34. b  
Christ's benefits to us. fol. 66. a.    
Communion. 

Communion of saints. fol. 45. a. b.    
Contention. 

The harms of contention. fol. 62.    
Covenant. 

God's covenants, foe, 19, b  
Our covenant with god: as we forgive. etc. fo. 61. ●…    
Covetise. 

Covetise of an others. ●…ol. ●…. b.    
Crede. 

The Creed. fol. 4. a. ●…ol. 13. b.  
Wuhy the Crede is called a symbol. fol. 4. b.     

D  
Death. 

Christ's death. f●…. 20. b    
Dome. 

The day of doom. 36. b.    
Epiousion. 

Epiousion. fol. 60. a.     

E  
Eue. 

The names of Adam and Eue. fol. 16. a.    
Example. 

Christ an example of life ●…nto us. fol. 33. b.     

F  
Faith. 

justification by faith. 40, ●…  
Trem faith and works vnseparat●…. fol. 41. a.  
Faith the mouth of the soul. fo. 5●…. b.  
Faith in prayer. fo. 64. b.    
Father. 

Wuhy we call God father. fol. 15. a.  
what we gather of (our father.) fol, 54. b    
Feed. 

●…ow we feed upon Christ's body & blood. fol. 51. a.    
Forgiveness. 

Forgiveness of trespasses. passes. fol. 60. b.  
Charitable forgiueness●… one to an other ceaseth brawls. fol. 61. b.     

G  
God. 

what God is. fol. 3. b.  
One God. fol. 5. a.  
Caking the name of God. fol. 5. a.  
God is each where. fo. 56. a  
God alway present to help us. fol. 56. ●….  
Knowledge, desire, fear and love of God. fo. 65. b    
Gadlessnesse. 

Gadlessnesse. fol. 66. a.    
Godly. 

The bliss of the G●…ly. fol. 68 b.    
Good. 

Good not evil to be r●… dread for evil. fol. 62. ●….    
Gospel. 

The law and the Gospel. fol. 4. ●….     

H  
hallow. 

●…ow God's name is to be hallowed. fol. 57 ●….    
Heaven. 

what is meant by (which ●…t in heaven) fol. 55. a.    
Holly Ghost. 

The holy Ghost. 4●…. ●….  
Why the holy Ghost is called holy. fol. 4. b.  
〈◊〉 resteth the holy Ghosts sanctification. fol. 44. a▪    
Honour. 

Honour of Christ. 34. b    
Hypocrisy. 

Superstition and hypocrisy. fol. ●…6, a,     

I  
Ignorance. 

Ignorance brought in by corruption of nature. fol. 10. a,    
Image. 

Images. fol. 5. a.  
The image that man was made after, fol, 16, a,  
God's image def●…ed in man. fol, 10, b,    
Iu●…ificationr 

Causes of our justification, 39 a,  
I●…stification by faith, fol. ●…0, a,     

K  
Key. 

Keys to by●…de & lose. fol. 43. a.    
Kingdom▪ 

Christ's kingdom not yet perfect. fol, ●…7, b,  
Christ's kingdom. fo, 58, a  
Why this is added: for thine is the kingdom, f, 63, b     

L  
Law. 

The Law and the Gospel, fol, 4, a,  
Laws of the first table, fol, 4, b,  
Laws of the second table, fol. 5, b,  
The sum of the law by Christ. fol▪ 9, b,  
Why the law was written in tables. fol, 10, b,  
None ●…ade righteous by the law, fol, 11▪ b,  
Why the law was given to one people▪ fo. 12, b  
The moral law commune to all, fol, 1●…, b,    
〈◊〉▪ 

Honest frame of life fol. 65, a,     

M  
Man. 

The making of man, f, 15. ●…  
The image that man w●…s made after, fol, 16, a,  
Man's fall, fol, 17. a,    
Measure. 

Measure an other by thyself, fol, 67, a,    
Mouth▪ 

Faith the mouth of the soul, fol. 1, b,    
Murder▪ 

Murder. fol, 6, b,     

N  
Nature 

The law of nature▪ fol, 10, a, 67, a,     

O  
Original sin. 

Original sin, fol, 18, b     

P  
Parents. 

Honour of parents, foe, 6, b    
Passion. 

Christ's passio●…, foe, 20, b    
Prayer. 

Prayer, fol, 52, b,  
The Lords prayer. f, 53, a  
●…●…herher we may use any other prayer but the pate●… noste●…, 53, b,  
Nothing in the lords prayer ha●…d to understand, fol, 54, b,  
Faith in prayer, fol, 64, b  
What to be asked in praer, fol, 64, b,    
Preacher 

Office of Preachers, fol, 52, a,    
Presence▪ 

Christ's bodily presence, fol, 27, b,    
Present▪ 

How Christ is absent and present in the world. fol, 25 a,  
God alway present to help us, fol, 56, b,    
profession. 

All Christian▪ should know their profession. fol, 1, a,     

Q  
Question▪ 

Teaching by questions fol. 1, a.     

R  
Redemp●…ion, 

The means of redemption, fol. 9, a,    
Religion▪ 

Children to be taught true religion, fol, 2, a.  
Christian religion, foe, 2, ●…  
Parts of Christian religion. fo, 3 a,    
Resurrectyo●…▪ 

Christ's resurrection, 20, ●…  
The resurrection of Christ necessary, fol▪ 22, b,  
The resurrection, foe, 36, ●…    
Reward 

The reward of the godly and ungodly, fol, 9, a,    
Righteous 

None made righteous by the law, fol, 11, b,     

S  
Sabbat. 

The sabbat. fol. 5. a. 46. ●…▪    
Sacrament▪ 

●…vhat Sacraments are. fol. 48. a.    
sanctification 

●…vherin re●…eth the holly Ghosts sanctification. fol. 44. a.    
Scripture 

The scriptures preserved from the beginning. fol. 4. a.    
Sede 

The seed of the 〈◊〉 fol. ●…0. a.    
Serpent 

The Serpent's head▪ fol, 19, b,    
Service 

Parts of Gods t●…ewe inward service, fol. 46, a,  
Outward service of god, fol, 47. b,    
Sin●…e 

Sins forgiven by Christ's death only, fol, 12, a,    
Son 

Christ compared to the son, fol, 28, a,    
Spirit, 

The spirit sent down, fol, 22, a,    
Superstition 

Superstition and hypocrisy, fol, 66, a.    
S●…pper, 

The use of the lords Supper, fol, 49, b,  
The meaning of the lords Supper, foe, 50,    
Symbol▪ 

●…hy the Crede is cal●…ed a Symbol, fol, 4, b,     

T  
Table 

Laws of the first ta●…le, fol. 4, b,  
Laws of the second●…●…able, fol, v, b,  
●…vhy the law was written in tables, fol, 10, b,    
T●…utation 

●…entation, fol, ●…2, b,    
Theft. 

Theft, fol, 7, b,     

V  
Vice, 

Vices to be rooted dut●… that virtues may be planted in their place, fo, 69, ●…    
Universal 

Why the church is called universal. fol, 45. a.     

W  
Weakness. 

Our weakness, fol, 62, ●…    
Will. 

God's will to be done, fol, 58, b.    
Wine, 

The wine, fol, 51, a,    
witness 

False witness, fol, 8, ●…    
Work▪ 

True faith and work ●… v●…separate, 41, a,    
World▪ 

The making and preservation of the world, fol, 14, b,  
The end of the world, fol, 35,     
¶ The end of the Table.   

THE catechism.  
IT is the duty 
All Christians should know their profession.  of them all, whom Christ hath redeemed by his death, that they not only be servants to obey, but also Children to in herite: so to know, which is the true trade of life, & that God liketh, that they may be able to answer to every demand of Religion, and to render account of their faith and profession.  
And this is the plainest 
Teaching by questions.  way of teaching: which not only in philosophy Socrates, but also in our Religion Apolina●…ius, hath used: that both by certain questions, as it were by poynctinge, the ignorant might be instructed: and the skilful put in remembrance, that they forget not what they have learned. Weather fore having regard to the profit, which we ought to seek in teaching of youth: & also to shortness, that in our●… hole schooling, there should be nothing, either over flowing or wanting: have conveyed the whole sum into a dialogue, that the matter itself, might be the plainer to perceive, & we the less stra●… in other matters beside the 〈◊〉▪ Thus than beginneth the Master to appose his scholar.  Master. 
Sith I know (dear 
Chyl●…rē to be taught true religion.  〈◊〉.) that it is a great part of my duty, not only to see that thou be instructed in ●…d letters: but also earne●…y and diligently to examine what sort of Religion, thou 〈◊〉, in this thy tender 〈◊〉: I thought it b●…st to 〈◊〉 thee by certain questi●…, to the intent I may perfectly know, whether thou hast well or il travailed therein. Now therefore te●… me (my son) what Religion that is which thou professest.  Scholar. 
That, good Master I profess, which is the 〈◊〉 ligion of the Lord 〈◊〉: 
Christian religion.  which in the. xi. of the Acts is called the christian 〈◊〉.  Master. 
Do●…st tho●… than 〈◊〉 fesse thyself to be a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Christian godliness▪ 〈◊〉 religion, and a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our Lord Christ▪  Scholar. 
That forsooth 〈◊〉 I coufesse, and play●… 〈◊〉 boldly pro●… yea, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 accom●…t ●…the who●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all my 〈◊〉, as in the th●… which is both of 〈◊〉 ●…uour, then that the ●…nesse of my wit may ●…tayne 〈◊〉 it▪ and also more approaching to God des majesty, than that I, by any 〈◊〉 of v●…eraunce, may easily express it.  Master. 
Tell me then (dear s●…n) as exactly as thou canst, in what points thou thinkest that the sinnne of Christian Religion standeth.  Scholar. 
In two poin●…tes, 
Parts of Christian religion.  that is to say: true faith in God, and assured persuasion mncè●…ed of all those things, which are contained in the holy Scriptures: and in charity, which belongeth both to God & to our neigh bower.  Master. 
That faith which is 〈◊〉 by hearing and reading of the word, 〈◊〉 doth it teach the concerning God?  Scholar. 
This doth it principally 
What god is.  teach: that there is one certain nature, one substance, one ghost and heavenvly mind, or rather an everlasting spirit, without beginning or ending, which we call God: whom all the peoples of the world ought to worship, with sovereign honour, and the highest kind of reverence. Moreover out of the holy words of GOD, which by the prophets and the beloved of almighty God, are in the holy ●…okes published, to the eternal glory 
The 〈◊〉 and the gospel.  of his name. I learn the law and the threatenings thereof: then the promises & the gospel of god These thin 
The scriptures preserved from the beginning.  ges first written by Moses and other men of God, have been preserved hole & uncorrupted, even to our age: and sithence that, the chief articles of our faith, have been gathered into a short abridgement, which is commonly called the Creed, or Symbol 
The cre●…e  of the Apostles.  Master. 
Why is this abridgement of the faith termed with the name of a symbol▪ Scho. A symbol is as much to say, as a sygnt, mark, pr●…uye 
called a ●…mbole.  token, or watch word, whereby the soldiers of one camp are known from their enemies. For this reason the abridgement of the faith, whereby the Christians are known from them that be no Christians, is rightly named a Symbol.  Master. 
first tell me somewhat what thou thinkest of the law: and then afterward of the Crede or Symbol.  Scholar. 
I shall do (good Master) with a good will as you command me. The 
●…awes of the first table.  Lord God hath charged us by Moses, that we have none other God at all, but him: that is to say, that we take him alone, for our one only God, our maker, and 
One God  saviour. That we reverence not, nor worship any portraiture or any image what 
Images,  soever whether it be painted, carved, graven, or by any mean fashioned how soever it be. That we take 
Takyug the name of God.  not the name of our Lord God in vain: that is either in a matter of no weight or of no truth▪ Last of all this aught we to hold steadfastly 
The Sabbat.  and with devout conscience: that we keep holily and religiously the Sabbat day: which was appointed 〈◊〉 from the other, for rest, and service of God.  Master. 
very well. Now haste thou rehearsed unto me the laws of the first table: wherein is, in a sum, contained the knowledge, & true service of God. Go forward and tell me, which be the duties of charity, and our love toward men.  Scholar. 
Do you ask me (master) what I think o●… the other part of the law, which is commonly called 
●…awes of the second table.  the second table?  Master. 
Thou sayest new, my son, that is it in deed that I would feign hear of.  Scholar. 
I will in few w●…des dispatch it, as my simple wit will serve me. Moses hath knit it up in a sh●…rte sum: that is, that with all loving affection, we honour and reverence our father & mother. That we●… k●…ll no man. That we commit no adultery. That we steal nothing. That we ●…are false witness against 〈◊〉. Last of all that we co●… nothing, that is our ●…yghboures.  Master. 
How is that commandment, of the honoringe father and mother, 〈◊〉 be understanded?  Scholar. 
Honour of father 
Honour of Parents.  and mother containeth love, fear, and reverence: yea 〈◊〉 it further standeth in obeying, succouring, defe●…ding, and nourishing them, if need require. It bindeth us also most h●…ly, and with 〈◊〉 natural affection, to 〈◊〉 the magistrate: to reverence the Mi●…ysters of the church, our ●…cholemasters, with all our elders, and betters.  Master. 
What is 〈◊〉 
Murder.  in that commaundement●… do not kill.  Scho. 
That we hate, 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 revile no man. 〈◊〉 i●… 〈◊〉 us, that we 〈◊〉 t●…en our f●…es: do good to them that hate us: and 〈◊〉 we pray for all prospe●… and good hap to our very mortal enemies.  Master. 
The 〈◊〉 not committing adultery, what thinkest tho●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  〈◊〉. 
Forsooth this com●… 
●…duoutry.  containeth many things For it forbid●… not only to talk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 man's wy●…e, or any other woman unthastly: bu●… also to touch her, yea, or to cast an eye at her wāton●…e: o●… with lustful look to behold her: or by any 〈◊〉▪ nest mean to w●…oe her▪ 〈◊〉 there ourselves, or any other in our behalf: finally hear in is debarred all kind of 〈◊〉 thy, & straying lust▪  Mast. 
What thinkest thou of the commandment▪ not to steal?  Scholar. 
I shall show 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
●…heft.  briefly as I have done the rest▪ if it please you to 〈◊〉 me▪ It commandeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beguile no 〈◊〉▪ to 〈◊〉 no unlawful wares: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…e no man his wealth: & to think nothing profitable, that either is not just▪ or 〈◊〉 ●…reth from right and honesty: Briefly, rather willingly lose that is thine own, than thou wrongfully take that is another's, and turn it to thine own commodity.  Master. 
How may that commandment be kept, 
False witness.  of bearing no false witness?  Scholar. 
If we neither ourselves speak any false or vain lie: nor allow it in other, either by speech or silence, or by our present company. But we ought, always to maintain truth, as place and time serveth.  Master. 
Now remaineth the last commandment, of 〈◊〉 coveting any thing that is our neighbours: what meaneth that?  Scholar. 
This law doth 
Covetise of another's.  generally forbid all sorts 〈◊〉 evil lusts: and commandeth us to bridle & restrain all greedy unsatiable desire of our will, which holdeth not itself within the bonds of right and reason: and it willeth that each man be content with his estate. But who so ever coveteth more than right▪ with the loss 〈◊〉 his neighbour, and wrong to an other: he breaketh & utterly looseth the bond of charity, and fellowship among men, Yea and upon 
The reward of the godly and ungodly.  him (unless he amend) the Lord God, the most stern revenger of the breaking his law, shall execute most grievous punishment. On the other side, he that liveth according to the rule of these laws, shall find both praise and bliss: and God also his merciful and bountyfull good Lord.  Master. 
Thou haste shortly set out the. x. commandments: Now then tell me, how all these things, that thou haste particularly declared, Christ hath in few words contained, settyng●… forth unto us in a sum, the whole pith of the law.  Scholar. 
Will you that I knit up in a brief abridgement, all that belongeth both to God & to men?  Master. 
●…ea.  Scho. 
Christ sayeth thus: 
The sum of the law by Christ.  Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart: with all thy soul: with all thy mind: and with all thy strength. This is the greatest commandment in the law. The other is like un▪ to this: Thou shal●… love thy neighbour as thyself. Up▪ on these two commandments hang the whole law▪ and the Prophets.  Master. 
I will now that thou tell me further, what law is that which thou speakest of: that which we call the law of nature? or 
The law of nature.  some other besides?  Scholar. 
I remember master that I learned that of you long ago: that it was engraffed by God in the nature of man, while nature was yet sound and uncorrupted. But after the ētrā●… 
Ignorance brought i●… by corrup●…ion of nature.  of sin, although the wise were somewhat after a sort ●…ot utterly ignorant of that ●…yght of nature: yet was it ●…y that time so hid from the greatest part of men, that they scant perceived any shadow thereof.  Master. 
What is the cause, that god willed it to be written out in tables: and that i●… should be privatli appointed to one people alone?  Scholar. 
I will show you▪ 
Why the law was written in tables.  By original synn●… and evil custom, the image of God in man, was so, at the beginning darkened: & the judgement of nature, so corrupted: that man himself doth no●… snfficiently understand, wha●… difference is between ho●… sty and dishonesty, rygh●… and wrong. The bountiful God thearefore minding to renew that image in us: first wrought this by the law written in tables, that we might know ourselves, & therein, as it were in a glass, behold the filth and spots of our soul, and stubborn hardness of a corrupted heart: that by this mean yet, acknowledging our sin: & perceiving the weakness of our flesh: and the wrath of God fear●…ely bend against us for sin: we might the ●…ore fervently long for our ●…ior Christ jesus: which ●…y his death and precious sprinkling of his blood, hath cleansed and washed away our sins: pacified the wrath of the almighty father: by the holy breath of his Spirit createth new hearts in us: and reneweth our minds after the image and likeness of their Creator, in true righteousness, & holiness. Which thing neither the justice of the law, nor any sacrifices of Moses were able to perform. And 
None made righteous by y ● ●…awe.  that no man is made righteous by the law, it is evident: not only thereby, that the righteous liveth by faith: but also hereby that no mortal man is able to fulfil all that the law of both the tables commandeth. For we have hindraunces that strive against the law: as the weakness of the flesh: froward appetite, and lust naturally 
Ceremonies of the law.  engendered. As for sacrifice, cleansings, washings, and other ceremonies of the law: they were but shadoes, likenesses, images and figures of the true and everlasting sacrifice of jesus Christ, done upon the cross. By the benefit whereof alone all the sins of all believers, even from the beginning 
Sins for given by Christ's death only  of the world▪ are ●…ardoned, by the only mercy of God, and by no desert of ours,  Master. 
I hear not yet, why almighty God's will was to declare his secret pleasure to one people alone, which was the Israelites.  Scholar. 
Forsooth that had 
Why the law was given to one people  I almost forgotten, I suppose it was not done for this intent, as though the law of the. x. commawdements did not belong generally to all men: for asmuch as the Lord our God is not only 
The moral law commune to all  the God of the jews, but also of the Gentiles: but rather this was meant thereby that the true Messiah, which is our Christ, might be known at his coming into the world: who must needs have been borne of that nation, and none other, for true perfourmannce of the promise. For the which cause, God's pleasure was to appoint out for himself one certain people, holy, sundered from the rest, and as it were peculiarly his own. That, by this mean his divine word might be continually kept holy, pure, and uncorrupted.  Master. 
Hitherto thou hast well satisfied me, dear son. Now let us come to the Christian confession, which I will that thou plainly rehearse unto me.  Scholar. 
It shall be done. I 
The creed.  believe in God, the father all mighty: maker of heaven and earth. And in jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord: which was conceived by the holy Ghost: borne of the virgin Mary: Suffered under Ponce Pilate: was crucified: dead: and buried. He went down to hell: the third day he rose again from the dead. He went up to heaven: sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty: from thence shall he come, to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy ghost. I believe the holy universal church: the communion of saints: the forgiveness of sins: the rising again of the flesh: & the life everlasting.  Master. 
All these (my son) thou hast rehearsed generally and shortly. Therefore thou shalt do well, to set out largely, all that thou hast spoken particularly: that I may plainly perceive what thy belief is concerning each of them. And first I would hear of the knowledge of god, afterward of the right serving of him.  Scholar. 
I will with a good 
The ma●…uge and preservation of the world.  will obey your pleasure (dear Master) as far as my simple wit will suffer me. Above all things we must steadfastly believe and hold: that God almighty, the father, in the beginning, & of nothing, made & fashioned this whole frame of the world, and all things what soever are contained therein: and that they all are made by the power of his word, that is of jesus Christ the son of God. Which thing is sufficiently approved by witness of scriptures. Moreover that, when he had thus shapen all creatures, he ruled, governed & saved them by his bounty and liberal hand: hath ministered, & yet also ministereth most largely all that is needful, for maintenance and preserving of our life: that we should so use them, as behoveth mindful and godly children.  Master. 
Why dost thou call God father:  Scholar. 
For two causes, the 
Why we call God fa ther.  one, for that he made us all at the beginning, and gave life unto us all: the other is more weighty, for that by his holy spirit and by faith he hath begotten us again: making us his children: giving us his kingdom and the inheritance of lyf●… everlasting, with jesus Christ his own, true, and natural son.  Master. 
saying then God hath created all other things to serve man: and made man to obey, honour, & glorify him: What canst thou say more of the beginning and making of man?  Scholar. 
Even that which Moses wrote: that God shaped 
The making of man  the first man of clay: and put into him soul and life: them, that he cast Adam in a dead sleep, & brought forth a woman, whom he drew out of his side, to make her a companion with him of all his life & wealth. And therefore was man called Adam, because he took 
The names of Adam & 〈◊〉  his beginning of the earth: and the woman called Eue. because she was appointed to be the mother of all living.  Mast. 
What image is that, after the likeness whereof, thou sayest that man was made?  Scholar. 
That is most absolute 
The image that man was made after.  righteousness and perfect holiness: which moste nearly belongeth to the ●…ry nature of God: and mos●… clearly appeared in Christ our new Adam. Of the which in us, there scant are to be seen any sparkles.  Master. 
What▪ are their sc●… to be seen?  Scholar. 
It is true forsooth: 
God's image defaced in man.  for they do not now so shi●…, as they did in the beginning, before man's fall: for as much as man by the darkness of sins, and mist of errors, hath corrupted the brightness of this image. In such sort hath God i●… his wrath wreaked him upon the sinful man.  Master. 
But I pray the tell me, wherefore came it thus to pass▪  Scholar. 
I will show you. When the Lord God had made the frame of this world, he himself planted a garden, full of delight and pleasure, in a certain place, Eastward, and called it Eden. Wherein beside other passing fair trees, not far from the mids of the garden was there one specially called, the tree of life, and another called the tre of knowledge of good & evil. Herein the Lord of his singular love placed man: and committed unto him the garden to dress, and look unto: giving him liberty to eat of the fruits of all the trees of paradise, except the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good & evil. The fruit of this tree if ever he tasted, he should without fail die for it. But Eve, deceived by the devil counterfeiting the shape of a serpent, gathered of the forbidden fruit: which was for the fairness to the eye to be desired: for the sweetness in taste to be reached at: and pleasant for the knowledge of good & evil▪ and she eat thereof, and gave unto her housba●… to eat of the same. For which doing, they both immediately died, that is to say: were not, only subject to the death of the body, but also lost the life of the soul, which is righteousness. And forthwith the image of God was defaced in them: and the most beautiful proportion of righteousness, holiness▪ truth and knowledge of God, was confounded and in a manner utterly blotted out. There remained the earthly image, joined with unrighteousness, guile, fleshly mind, & deep ignorance of godly and heavenly things. Hereof grew the weakness of our flesh●…▪ hereof came this corruption, and disorder of lusts & affections: hereof came that pestilence: hereof came that seed and nourishment of sins wherewith mankind is infected, and it is called sin 
original sin.  original. Moreover thereby nature was so corrupted, & overthrown, that unless the goodness, and mercy of almighty God had holpen us by the medicine of grace, even as in body we are thrust down into all wretchedness●… of death: so must it needs have been, that all men of all sorts should be thrown into everlasting punishment, and fire unquenchable.  Master. 
Oh the unthankfulness of men! But what hope had our first parents, and from thence fourth the rest; whereby they wear releue●…▪  Scholar. 
When the Lord 
The means of 〈◊〉 tion.  God had both with words and deeds chastised Adam and Eve (for he thrust them both out of the garden with a most grievous reproach) he then cursed the serpent, threatening him, that the time should one day come, when the seed of the ●…oman should break his head. After ward the Lord God stablished that same glorious and most bountiful promise: first with a covenant made 
God's 〈◊〉.  between him and Abraham, by circumcision, and in Isaac his son: then again by Moses: last of all by the oracles of the noble prophets.  Master. 
What meaneth the serpent's head: & that seed that God speaketh of▪  Scholar. 
In the serpent's head 
The Serpent's head  lieth all his venim●…, ●…d the whole pith of his life and force. Therefore do I take the serpent's head to betok●… the whole power, and king doom, or more truli the tyranny of the old serpe●…t the devil. The seed (as saint▪ Paul 
The seed of the woman.  doth plainly teach) is▪ jesus Christ the son of God, very God and veri man: conceaned of the holy Ghost: engendered of the womb and substaū●…e of Marie, the blessed pure & undefiled maid: and was so borne & ●…ostred by her as other babes de, saving that he was most far from all infection of sin.  Master. 
All these founda●…ions that thou hast laid are most ●…rew. Now therefore let us: go forward to those his doings, wherein lie●… our salua●…ion and conquest against that old serpent.  Scholar. 
It shallbe done, good Master. After that Christ jesus had delivered incharge to his Apostles that most joyful, and in all points heavenly doctrine, the gospel, which in greek is called Euangelion, in English good tidings: and had as by sealing established the same with tokens, and miracles 
Christ's 〈◊〉, death▪ resurrection and ascension.  innumerable, whe●… of all his life was full: at length was he sore s●…urged: mocked with potting, sco●…nyng, and spitting in his face: last of all his hands and ●…ete bored thorough with nails: and he fastened to a cross. Then he truly died: and was truly buried: that by his most sweet sacrifice, he might pacify his father's wrath against mankind: and subdue him by his death, who had the authority of death, which was the devil: forasmuch not only the living, but also the dead, wear they in hell, or else where, they all felt the power & force of this death: to whom lying in prison (as Peter sayeth) Christ preached, though dead in body, yet relieved in Spirit. The third day after, he uprose a gain, a live in body also: and with many notable profess, the space of xl days, he abode among his disciples, eating and drinking with them. In whose sight he was conveyed away in a cloud, up into heaven, or rather above all heavens: where he now sitteth at the right hand of God the father: being made Lord of all things, be they in heaven, or in earth: king of all kings: our everlasting & only he bishop: our only attournye: only mediator, onely●… peace maker between God 
The spirit sent down.  and men. Now sithence that, he is entered into his glorious majesty: by sending down his holy spirit unto us (as he promised) he lighteneth our dark blindness: moveth, ruleth, teacheth, cleanseth, comforteth, and rejoiceth our minds: and so will he still continually do, till the end of the world.  Master. 
Well, I see thou hast touched the chief Articles of our religion, and hast set out, as in a short abridgement, the Creed, that thou didst rehearse. Now therefore I will demand the questions of certain points.  Scholar. 
Do as shall please you Master: for ye may more perfectly instruct me, in those things that I do not thoroughly understand: and put me in remembrance of that I have forgotten: and print in my mind deeper, such things, as have not taken steadfast hold thearin.  Master. 
Tell me th●…. ●…f by his death we get pardon of our sins: was not that enough, but that he must also rise again from the dead▪  Scho. 
It was not enough, 
The resurrection of Christ necessary.  if ye have a respect, either to him, or to us. For unless he had risen again, he should not be taken, for the son of God. For which cause also, while he hung upon the cross, they that saw him upbraided him and said: he hath saved other, but can not save himself. Let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. But now uprising from the dead to everlasting continuance of life, he hath showed a much greater power of his godhead, then if by coming down from the cross he had fled from the terrible pains of death. For to die is common to all men: but to louse the bonds of death, and by his own power to rise again, that properly belongeth to jesus Christ the only begotten son of God, the only author of life. Moreover it was necessary, that he should rise again with glory, that the sayings of David and other prophets of God might be fulfilled, which told before: that neither his body should see corruption: nor his soul be left in hell. As for us, we neither had been justified, nor had had any hope left to rise again, had not he risen, again, as Paul doth in diverse places plainly show. For if he had remained in the prison of death, in grave: and been holden in corruption, as all men beside: how could we have hoped for saf ty by him which saved not himself? It was meet therefore, & needful, for the part that he had in hand: and for the chief stay of our safeguard: that Christ should first deliver himself from death, and afterward assure us of safety by his uprising again.  Master. 
Thou hast touched (my son) the chief cause of Christ's rising agay●…▪ Now would I feign heart thy mind of his going up into heaven. What answer thinkest thou is to be made to them, that say: it had be●… better for him, to tarry hear with us, presently to rule & govern us? For, beside other diverse causes, it is ●…lye, that the love of the people toward their prince, specially being good and gracious, should grow the greater by his present company.  Scholar. 
All these things 
Christ governeth his Church ab ●…ent.  which he should do present, that is to say, if he were in company among us, he doth them absent, He ruleth, maintaineth, strengtheneth, defendeth, rebuketh, punisheth, correcteth: and performeth all such things as do become such a prince, or rather God himself. All those things (I say) performeth he, which belong either to our need or profit: honour or commodity. Beside this, Christ 
God Christ is absent and present in the worrd.  is not so all together absent from the world, as many do suppose. For albeit the substance of his body be taken up from us: yet is his godhead perpetually present with us: although not subject to the sight of our eyes. For things that be not b●…dylye, can not be perceived by any bodily mean. Who ever saw his own soul●… No man. Yet what is thea●… more present? or what to 〈◊〉 man nearer, than his own soul. Spiritual things 〈◊〉 not to be seen, but with the eye of the spirit. The arfe●… he that in earth will see the Godhead of Christ: let him open the eyes, not of his body, but of his mind, but of his faith: and he shall set him present, whom eye hath not seen: he shall see him present, and in the mids of them, wheresoever be two or three gathered together in his name: he shall see him present with us, even unto the end of thee▪ world, What said▪ I●… shall he see Christ present▪ Yea, he shall both see & feel him dwelling within himself: in such sort as he doth his own proper soul. For he dwelleth and ●…ydeth in the mind and heart of him which fasteneth all his trust in him.  Master. 
Very well, but our 
Christ's 〈◊〉 cension.  confession is that he is ascended by into heaven. Tell me therefore how that is to be understanded.  Scholar. 
So use we commonly to say of him, that hath attained to any high degree or dignity: that he is ascended up, or advanced in to some high room: some high place or state: because he●… hath changed his forme●… case, and is become of more honour, than the rest. In sut●… case is Christ gone up, as h●… before came down. He came down from highest honour to deepest dishonour, even the dishonour and vile state of a servant, and of the cross▪ And likewise afterwards he went up, from the deepest dishonour, to the highest honour, even that same honour, which he had before, his going up into heaven, yea, above all heavens, to the very royal throne of god, must needs be evident by most just reason, that his glory and majesty might in comparison agreeably answer to the proportion of his baseness and reproachful estate. This doth Paul teach us, in his writing to the Philippians: he became obedient even unto death: yea, the very death of the cross. Whearfore God bath both advanced him to the highest state of honour: and also given him a name above all names: that at the name of jesus every knee should bow, of all things in heaven, earth & hell. But although he be already gone up into heaven: nevertheless by his nature of godhead, & by his spirit, he shall always be present in his church: even to the end of the world. Yet this proveth not that he is present among us in his body. For his Godhead hath one property: his manhood another. His manhood 
Christ's bodily presence  was create: his godhead uncreate. His manhood is in sō●… one place of heaven: his godhead is in such sort each where, that it filleth both heaven▪ earth. But to make this point plainer, by a similitude or comparing of like to like. There is nothing that doth 
Christ compared to the son.  trulier, like a shadow, express Christ, them the son: for it is a fit image of the light and brightness of Christ. The some doth always keep the heaven: yet do we say that it is presene also in y●▪ world: for without light there is nothing present, that is to say, nothing to be seen of any man: for the son with his light fulfilleth all things. So Christ is lifted up above all heavens, that he may be present with all, and fully furnish all things as S. Paul doth say. But as touching the bodily present of Christ hear in earth (if it be lawful to place in comparison, great things with small) Christ's body is present to our faith: as the son, wh●… it is seen, is present to the ey●…▪ the body whereof, although it do not bodily touch the eye, nor be presently with 〈◊〉 together hear in earth, yet is it present to the sight, notwithstanding, so large a distance of space between. So Christ's body which at his glorious going up was conveyed from us: which hath left the world, and is gone unto his father: is a great way absent from our mouth, even then when we receive with our mouth, the holy sacrament of his body and blood. Yet is our faith in heaven: and beholdeth that son of righteousness: and is presently together with him in heaven, in such sort as the sight is in heaven with the body of the son: or in earth the son with the sight. And as the son is present to all things by his light: so is Christ also in his godhead. Yet neither can from the body the light of the son be sundered: nor from his immortal body the godhead of Christ. We must therefore so say, that Christ's body is in some one place of heaven, and his godhead everywhear: that we neither of his godhead make a body: nor of his body a God.  Master. 
I see (my son) th●…n art not ignorant, after what sort Christ is rightly said, to be from us in body, and with us in spirit. But thy●… one thing would I know of thee: why Christ our lord is thus conveyed away from the sight of our eyes: and what profit we take by his going up to heaven.  Scholar. 
The chief cause the●… 
Our profit by Christ's ascenci●….  of was, to pluck out of us that false opinion, which sometime deceived the Apostles themselves: that Christ should in earth visibly reign, as other kings, and ruffling princes of the world. This error he minded, to have utterly suppressed in us: and that we should think his kingdom to consist in higher things. Which thing he therefore thought fitter, because it was more for our commodity and profit: that some such kingdom should be set v●…, 
Causes of Christ's as c●…tion.  as the foundations thereof should rest upon our faith. Whearfore it was necessary that he should be conveyed away from us, past perceiving of all bodily sense: that by this mean our faith might be stirred up and exercised to consider his government and providence, whom no sight of bodily eyes can behold. And forasmutch as he is not king of some one country alone: but of heaven and earth: of quick and dead: it was most convenient that his kingdom should be otherwise governed then our senses may a●…teine unto. For else he should have been constrained, some time to be carried up to heaven: sometime to be driven down to the earth: to remove sometime in to one country, sometime into another: and like an earthly prince to be carried hither & thither, by diverse change of chanceable affairs. For he could not be presentli with all at once, unless his body wear so turned in to godhead, that he might be in all or in many places together: as Eutyches, and certain like heretics held opinion. If it so wear that he might be each where present with all, at one very instant time: then wear he not man, but a ghost▪ neither should he have▪ had a true body, but a fantastical: whereof should have sprung forth with a thousand errors: all which he hath dispatched by carienge his body up whole to heaven. In the mean season he▪ remaining invisible, governeth his kingdom and comen weal, that is his church▪ with sovereign wisdom and power. It is for men to rule their common weals, by a certain civil policy of men: but for Christ and God, by a heaven lie godlike▪ order. But all that I have hitherto said containeth but a small parcel of the profit, that we take by the carrying up of Christ's body into heaven. For there are many more things, that hear might be rehearsed, whereof large store of fruit is to be gathered. But specially this may not be left unspoken: that the be nefits are such, & so great▪ which come unto us by the death, rising again, and going up of Christ: as no tongue either of men or angels is able to express. And that you may know my mind herein: I will rehearse certain of the chief: whereunto as it wear two principal points, the rest may be applied. I say therefore: that both by these and other doings of Christ, two commodities do grow unto us: the one, that all the things that ever he hath done▪ for our profit and behoof he 
Christ do ing●…s for 〈◊〉 behoof  hath done them: so that they be as well our own, if we will cleave thereunto with steadfast and lively faith, as if we had done them our selves. He was nailed to the cross: we wear also nailed with him: and in him our sins punished▪ He died: & was buried: we likewise with our sins are dead, & buried: & that in such sort that all remembrance of our sins is utterly taken out of mind. He is risen again: and we are also risen again with him: that is, are so made partakers of his rising again and life, that from henceforth death hath no more rule over us. For the same spirit is in us that raised up jesus from the dead. finally, as he is gone up into heavenly glory: so are we lifted up with him. Albeit that these things do not now appear: yet then shall they all be brought to light, when Christ the light●… of the world, shall show himself in his glory, in whom all our bliss is laid up in store, Moreover by his going up are granted us the gifts of the holy ghost: as Paul doth sufficiently witness. Ephe. iiii. The other 
Christian ex ample of life unto us.  commodity, which we take by the doings of Christ, is: that Christ is set for an example unto us, to frame our lives thereaster. If Christ hath been dead: if he hath been buried for sin? he was so but ones. If he be risen again: if he be gone up to heaven: he is but ones risen: but once gone up. From henceforth he dieth no more, but lf n with God: & reigneth in everlasting continuance of glory. So if we be dead: if we be buried to sin: How shall we hear after live in the same? If we be risen again with Christ: if by stead fast hope we live now in heaven with him: heavenly and godly things, not earthly and frail, we ought to set our care upon. And even as heretofore, we have borne the image of the earthli man: so from henseforward let us bear the image of the heavenly. As the Lord Christ never ceased to do us good, by bestowing upon us his holy spirit: by garnyshinge his church with so many notable gifts: and by perpetual praying to his father for us: Like reason ought to move us to ayd●… our neighbour with all our endeavour: to maintain as much as in us lieth, the bond of charity. And to honour Christ our Lord and 
Donor of Christ.  saviour: not with wythed traditions and cold devices of men, but with heavenly honour & spiritual in deed, most fit for us that give it, & him that shall receive it, even as he hath honoured & doth honour his father. For he that honoureth him honoureth also the father, of which he himself is a substantial witness.  Maist. 
The end of the world ho●… scripture calleth the full filling & parformaunce of the kingdom and mystery of Christ, and the renewing of all things: For (saith ●…he Apostle Peter in his se●…ōd Epistle the third chapter.) We look for a new heaven: and a new earth, according to the promise of God: wherein dwelleth righteousness. And it seemeth reason that corruption, unsteadfast change, and sin, whereunto the whole world is subject, should at length have an end. Now by what way, and what fashion circumstances these things shall come to pass▪ I would fain hear the tell.  Scholar. 
I will tell you as 
The end of ●… world  well as I can, according to the witness of the same, Apostle. The heavens shall pass away like a storm▪ ●… elements shall melt away: the earth, & all the works therein▪ shall be consumed with fire: as though he should say: as gold is wont to be fined: so shall the whole world be purified with fire, and be brought to his full perfection. The lesser world, which is man, following the same, shall likewise be delivered from corruption and change. And so for man this greater world (which for his sake was first created) shall at length be renewed: & be clad with another hue, much more pleasant and beautiful.  Master. 
What then remaineth?  Scholar. 
The last and general 
The ●…ay of doom.  doom. For Christ shall come: at whose voice all the dead shall rise again▪ perfect and sound both in body and soul. The whole world shall behold him, sitting in the Royal throne of his Majesty: and after the examination of every man's 
The resurrection.  conscience, the last sentence shallbe pronounced. Then the children of God shall be in perfect possession of that kingdom of freedom from death and of everlasting life: which was prepared for them, before the foundations of the world were laid. And they shall reign with Christ for ever. But the ungodly that believed not, shall be thrown from thence into everlasting fire, appointed for the devil and his angels.  Master. 
Thou haste said enough 
The holly Church.  of the again rising of the dead. Now remaineth, that thou speak of the holy church: whereof I would very fain hear thy opinion.  Scholar. 
I will rehearse that in few words shortly: which the holy scriptures set out at large and plentifulli▪ Afroe that the Lord God had made the heaven and earth: he determined to have for himself a most beautiful kingdom and holy common wealth. The Apostles and the ancient fathers that wrote in Greek, called it Ecclesia, in english, a congregation or assemble: into the which he hath admitted an infinite number of men: that should all be subject to one king as their sovereign and only one head: him we call Christ, which is as much to say as anointed▪ For the high bishops, and kings among the jews, (who in figure betokened Christ, whom the Lord anointed with his holy spirit,) wear wont by God's appointment at their consecration, to have material oil poured on them. To the 
Who be of Christ's churthe.  furnishing of this common weal belong all they, as many as do truly fear, honour & call upon God, whole lie applying their mind to holy and godly living: and all those that putting all their hope & trust in him, do assuredly look for the bliss of everlasting life. But as many as are in this faith steadfast▪ wear forechosen, predestinate, & appointed out to everlasting life, before the world was made. witness hereof they have within in their hearts the spirit of Christ, the author, earnest & unfailable pledge of their faith. Which faith only is able to perceive the mysteries of God: only bringeth peace unto the heart: onli taketh hold on the righteousness, that is in Christ jesus  Master. 
Doth then the spirit alone, and faith (sleep we never so soundly, or stand we never so reckless & slothful) so work all things for us, as without any help of our own to carry us idle up to heaven?  Scholar. 
I use (master) as you have taught me, to make a difference between the cause and the effects▪ 
Causes of our justification.  The first, principal & most perfect cause of our justifying and salvation, is the goodness and love of God: whereby he chose us for his, before he made the world. After that, god granteth us to be called by the preaching of the Gospel of jesus Christ, when the spirit of the Lord is poured in to us: by whose guiding and governance we be led to settle our trust in God: and hope forth performance of all his promises. With this choice is joined, as companion, th●… mortifying of the old man, that is of our affection & lust. From the same spirit also tometh our sanctification: the love of God, & of our neighbour: justice: and uprightness of life: finally, to say all in sum, whatsoever is in us▪ or may be done of us, pure, honest, true and good, that altogether springeth out of this most pleasaunt●… root, from this most plentiful fountain, the goodness, love, ●…hoyse and unchangeable purpose of god. He is the cause, the rest are the fr●…tes and effects. ●…et are also the goodness, choice & spirit of God, and Christ himself, causes conjoined and coupled i'the with other: which mai be reckoned among the principal causes of our salvation. As oft 
justification by faith.  therefore as we use to say, that we are made righteous and saved by only faith: it is meant theareby: that faith, or rather trust alone, doth lay hand upon, understand and perceive, our righteousmaking to be given 〈◊〉 of God freely: that is to say▪ by no deserts of our own▪ but by the free gra●…e of the almighti father▪ Moreover saith doth engender in us the love of our neighbour▪ and such works as god is pleased with all. For if it 〈◊〉 a lively & true faith, quickened by the holy ghost, she is the mother of all good saying and doing. By thy●… short tale is it evident, whence, and by what means we attain to be made righteous For not by the worthiness of our deservings, were we either heretofore chosen, or long ago saved: but by the only mercy of god, and pure grace of Christ our Lord: whereby we wear in him made to those good works, that God hath appointed for us to walk in. And although 
Irewe faith and works unseparate.  good works can not deserve to make us righteous before god: yet do they so cleave unto faith: that neither can faith be found without them, nor good works be any where without faith.  Master. 
I like very well this short declaration of faith and works: for Paul plainly teacheth the same. But canst thou yet further depaint me out that congregation, which thou callest a kingdom or common weal of christians: and so set it out before mine eyes, that it may severally and plainly be known asunder from each other fellowship of men?  Scholar. 
I will prove how well I can do it, your pleasure is (master) as I take it, that I point ye out some certain congregation, that may be seen.  Master. 
That it is in deed: & so it shall be good for y● to do.  Scholar. 
That congregation 
The church.  is nothing else but a certain multitude of men: which, where soever they be, profess the pure & upright learning of Christ, and that in such sort, as it is faithfully set fourth in the holy testament, by the Evangelists and Apostles: which in all points, are governed and ru led by the laws & statutes of their king and high bishop Christ, in the bond of charity: which use his ho lie mysteries, that are commonly called sacraments, with such pureness & simplicity (as touching their nature and substance) as the Apostles of Christ used and left behind in writing. The marks therefore of 
Marks of the church  this church are: first, pure preaching of the gospel: them brotherly love, out of which as members of all one body, springeth good will of each to other: thirdly upright and uncorrupted use of the lords sacraments, according to the ordinance of the Gospel: last of all brotherly correction, and excommunication, or banishing those out of the church, that will not amend their lives. This mark the holy fathers termed discipline. This is that same church, that is grounded upon the assured rock jesus Christ and upon trust in him. This is that same church, which Paul calleth the pillar, and upholding stay of truth. To 
Keys to bind and loose.  this church belong the keys, wherewith heaven is locked and unlocked: for that is done by the ministration of the word: whereunto properly appertaineth the power to bind and louse: to hold for guilty, and forgive sins. So that whosoever believeth the Gospel preached in this church, he shall be saved: but whoso believeth not, he shall be dampened.  Master. 
Now would I fain hear thy belief of the holy ghost.  Scholar. 
I confess, him to be 
The holly Ghost.  the third person of the holy trinity: Andsith be is equal with the father & the son, & of the very same nature, that he ought equally to be worshipped with them both.  Mast. 
why is he called holy?  Scholar 
Not only for his 
Why the holy ghost is called holy.  own holiness: but for that by him are made holy the chosen of God, and members of Christ. And therefore have the scriptures termed him the spirit of sanctification or making holy.  Master. 
Wherein consisteth this sanctification?  Scholar. 
first, we be new 
Whearin resteth the holy gost●… sanctification.  gotten by his inward motion. And therefore, said Christ: we must be new borne of water, and of the spirit. Then by his inspiration are we adopted, & as it were by choice made the children of God. For which cause he is not causeless called the spirit of adoption. By his light are we lightened, to understand God's mysteries. By his judgement are sins pardoned and retained. By his power is the flesh with her lusts kept down & tamed. By his pleasure, are the manifold gifts dealt among the holy. finally by his means shall our mortal bodies be relieved. Therefore in the author of so great gifts, we do not without a cause believe: honour, & call upon him▪  Master. 
Well, thou hast now said sufficiently of the holly ghost. But this would I hear of thee: why it immediately followeth, that we believe the holy universal church and the communion of Saints.  Scholar. 
These two things I have alwai thought to be most fitly coupled together, Because the felowshyppes and incorporations of other 
Communion of Saints.  men, proceed and be governed by other means & policies: but the church which is an assemble of men called to everlasting salvation, is both gathered together, & governed by the holy ghost of whom we even now made mention. Which thing, sith it can not be perceived by bodily sense or light of nature, is by right and for good rea son, hear reckoned among things that are known by 
Why the church is called universal.  belief. And therefore this calling together of the faith full is called universal, because it is bond to no one special place. For God throughout all costs of the world, hath them that worship him. Which though they 
Communion of saints.  be far scattered a sunder, by diverse distance of countries, and dominions: yet are they members most nearly joined of that same body, whereof Christ is the head: and have one spirit, faith, sacraments, prayers, forgiveness of sins, and heavenvly bliss, common among them all: and be so knit with the bond of love, that they e●…deuour themselves in nothing more, than each to help other, and to build together in Christ.  Master. 
saying thou haste already spoken of the knowledge of god, and his members: I would also hear▪ what is the true service of God,  Scholar. 
first we must consider, 
Pa●…tes of godstrew inward ser vice.  that the right & true knowledge of God, is the principal and only foundation of God's service. The same knowledge, fear doth foster and maintain, which in scriptures is called the beginning of wisdom. Faith and hope are the props and stays, whereupon lean all the rest that I have rehearsed. Furthermore, charity which we call love, is like an everlasting bond, by the straight knot whereof all other virtues be bound in one together, and their force increased. These be the inward parts of God's service, that is to say, which consist in the mind.  Master. 
What hast thou to say of the Sabbat, or the ho lie day: which even now thou madest mention of, among the laws of the first table?  Scholar. 
Sabbat is as much 
The Sabbat.  to sai, as rest, It was appointed for only honour and service of God: and it is a figure of that rest and quiet quietness, which they have that believe in Christ. For our trust in Christ doth set our minds at liberty, from all slavish fear of the law, sin, death and hell: assuring us in the mean season, that by him we please God, & that he hath made us his children and heiers of his kingdom: whereby there groweth in our hearts peace and true quietness of mind: which is a certain foretaste of the most blessed quiet, which we shall have in his kingdom. As for those things that are used to be done on the sabbothe day, as Ceremonies, and exercises in the service of God, they are tokens and witnesses of this assured trust. And meet it is, that faithful Christians, on such days as are appointed out for holy things, should lay aside unholy your kes: and give themselves earnestly to religion and serving of God.  Master. 
What be the parts of that outward serving God? which thou saidest even now, did stand in certain bodily exercises: which are also tokens of the inward serving him.  Scholar. 
first, to teach, and 
Outward service of God.  hear the learning of the gospel: them the pure and natural use of the ceremonies and sacraments: last of all prayer made unto God by Christ, and in the name of Christ, which without fail obtaineth the holly ghost, the most assured author of all true serving God, and upright religion.  Master. 
Tell me what thou callest sacraments?  Scholar. 
They are certain 
What sacraments are.  customeable reverent doings and Ceremonies ordained by Christ: that by them he might put us in remembrance of his benefits: & we might declare our profession, that we be of the number of them, which are partakers of the same benefits, and which fasten all their affiance in him: that we are not ashamed of the name of Christ, or to be termed Christ's Scholars.  Master. 
Tell me (my son) how these two sacraments be ministered: baptism: and that which Paul calleth the supper of the Lord.  Scholar. 
Him that believeth 
The ministration of baptism.  in Christ: professeth the Articles of the Christian religion: & mindeth to be baptized (I speak now of them that be grown to ripe years of discretion: sith for the young babes, their parents or the church's profession sufficeth) the minister dyppeth in, or washeth with pure & clean water only, in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost: & then commendeth him by prayer to God, in to whose church he is now openly as it wear enrolled, that it mai please God to grant him his grace, whearhy▪ he may answer in belief and life agreeably to his profession.  Master. 
What is the use of the lords supper?  Scholar. 
Even the very same, 
The use of the Lords supper.  that was ordained by the Lord himself jesus Christ▪ Which (as S. Paul sayeth) the same night, that he was betrayed, took bread: and when he had given thanks, broke it: & said, This is my body, which is broken for you: Do this in the remembrance of me. In like manner, when supper was ended, he gave them the cup, saying: This cup is the new testament in my blood▪ Do this, as oft as ye shall drink thereof, in the remembrance of me. This was the manner and order of the lords supper: which we ought to hold & keep: that the remembrance of so great a benefit, the passion and death of Christ, be alway kept in mind: that, after that the world is ended, he may come, and make us to fit with him at his own board.  Master. 
What doth baptism represent & set before oureyes?  Scholar. 
That we are by the 
The meaning of baptism.  spirit of Christ new borne, and cleansed from sin: that we be members and parts of his church, received into the communion of saints. For water signifieth the spirite . Baptisive is also a figure of our burial in Christ and that we shall be raised up again with him, in a new life, as I have before declared in Christ's resurrection.  Master. 
What declareth & betokeneth the supper unto us: which we solemnly use in the remembrance of the Lord▪ 
The meaning of the Lords sup per.   Scho. 
The Supper (as I have showed a little before) is a certain thankful remembrance, of the death of Christ: for asmuch as the bread representeth his body, 
The bread  betrayed to be crucified for us: The wine standeth in 
The wine  stead & place of his blood, plenteously shed for us. And even as by bread and wine, our natural bodies, are sustained and nourished: so by the body, that is the flesh & blood of Christ, the soul is fed through faith, and quickened to the heavenly and godly life.  Master. 
How come these things to pass?  Scholar. 
These things 
How we feed upon Christ's body and blood.  come to pass by a certain secret mean, and lively working of the spirit: when we believe that Christ hath, ones for all, given up his body and blood for us, to make a sacrifice, and most pleasant offering to his heavenly father: and also when we confess and acknowledge him our only saviour, high Bishop, mediator, and redeemer: to whom is dew all honour and glory.  Master. 
All this thou dost 
faith the mouth of the soul.  well understand. For me thinketh thy meaning is: that faith is the mouth of the soul: whereby we receive this very heavenly meat, full both of salvation and immortality, dealt among us, by the means of the holy ghost. Now, sith we have entreated of the sacraments, pass forward to the other parts of God's service.  Scholar. 
I will do your commandment. There remain two things, belonging to the perfection of God's service. First our Lord jesus Christ's will was, that there 
office of Preachers  should be teachers and Evangelists, that is to say preachers of the gospel: to this intent, that his voice might continually be hard sound in his church. He that coveteth (as all ought to covet) to bear the name of a Christian, may have no doubt, that he ought with most earnest affection, and fervent desire, endeavour himself, to hear and soak into his mind, the word of the Lord: not like the words of any man, but like (as it is in deed) the word of almighty god. Secondarily, because all that is good, and that aught of a Christian to be desired, cometh unto us from God, and is by him granted: 
Prayer.  thearefore of him, we ought to require all things: and by thanksgiving acknowledge them all received of him. Which thing he so well liketh, that he esteemeth it in stead of a passing pleasawt sacrifice: as it is most evident by the witness of the prophets & Apostles.  Master. 
Hast thou any certain and appointed manner of praying?  Scho. 
Yea forsooth: even the 
The lords prayer.  very same, that our Lord taught his disciples, and in them all other Christians. Who, being on a time required to teach them some sort of prayer, taught them this. When ye pray, quoth he, say: Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom power & glory for ever. Amen  Maist. 
How thinkest thou●… is it lawful for us, to use any other words of prayer? 
Whether we may use any other prayer but the pater noster.   Scho. 
Although in this short abridgement are suffiently contained all things that every Christian ought to pray for: yet hath not Christ in this prayer tied us up so short, as that it we are not lawful for us to use other words and manner of prayer. But he hath set out in this prayer certain principal points, whereunto all our prayers should he referred. But let each man ask of God as his present need requireth. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name (saith Christ) he shall give it you.  Master. 
For as much as there is in all this prayer nothing doubtful or beside the purpose: I would hear thy mind of it.  Scholar. 
I do well perceive what the words do signify.  Master. 
Thinkest thou then that there is in it nothing ●…arcke, nothing hid, nothing hard to understand?  Scholar. 
Nothing at al. For 
Nothing in the lord's prayer hard to understand.  neither was it Christ's pleasure, that there should be any thing in it dareke or far from our capacity, specially sith it belongeth equally to all, and is as necessary for the lewd as the learned.  Mast. 
Therefore declare unto me, in few words, each part by itself.  Scholar. 
When I say our 
What we gather of our father  father which art in heaven: this do I think with myself: that it can not be but that he must hear me, and be pleased with my prayers For I am his Son (although unprofitable & disobedient) and he on the other side is my most bountiful father, most ready to take pity and pardon me.  Maist. 
Why dost thousaye, 
What is meant by, which are in heaven.  he is in heaven? is he in sō●… o●…e certain and limited place in heaven▪ what me●…▪ n that which he saith of himself: I fill both heaven and earth: again, the heaven is my seat and the earth my footstool.  Scholar. 
Hereof have I spoken, some what before: where unto I will join this that followeth. first of all, as oft as we do say (which art in heaven) it is as much to sai, as heavenvly and divine. For we ought to think much hire of our heavenly father than of our earthly. He is also said to be in heaven for this cause: that in that high and heavenvly place the n●… ble and wonderful works of God, do the more clearly and gloriously show themselves: and he is now declared to be in everlasting and full felicity: whereas we abide, yet banished in earth full wretchedly. Moreover as the heaven by unmeasurable wideness of compass, containeth all places, the earth, and the sea: and no place is there, that may be hid from the large reach of heaven, sith it is at every instant of time, to every thing present: So hereby may we understand, that god is likewise present to each thing 
God is each wheat  in each place. He seeth, heareth and governeth all things: he being himself a spirit, and most far from all earthly and mortal state. witness whereof Hieremy the Prophet. Am not I (saith the Lord) a God near unto you? and am not I a God far of? shall any man be able to shroud himself in such a corner, that I can not espy him? This is a pithy sentence, to drive fear into us, that we offend not that Lord of so large a dominion: whereby also we 
God alway present to help us.  are persuaded assuredly to believe, that God will hear whensoever we shall stand in need. For he is at all times and in all places present, This foundation then laid: and so sweet and pleasant entrance prepared: there followeth the first part of the lords prayer: wherein we require, that not only we, but also all other who soever, may in holiness, honour, reverence, and worship his name.  Master. 
How is that to be done?  Scholar. 
I shall show you, 
How gods name is to be hallowed.  than we do that, when leaving all those that have the name of gods, be they in or in earth, or worshipped in temples, in diverse shapes and images, we acknowledge him alone our father: Prai to the true god, and jesus Christ his only son, whom he hath sent: and by pure unfeigned prayer call upon him alone, with uprightness of life and innocency.  Master. 
Thou hast said bury well proceed.  Scholar. 
In the second part 
Christ's kingdom not yet per fect.  we require that his kingdom come. For we see not yet all things in subjection to Christ: we see not the stone he wed offron the mountain without work of man, which all to bruised and brought to nought the image which Daniel, desc●…iueth, that the only rock Christ may obtain and possess the dominion of the hole world, granted him of his father. Antichrist is not yet slain. For this cause do we long for, and pray that it may at length come to pass and be fulfilled, that Christ may reign with his saints, according to God's promises: that he may live and be Lord in the world, according 
Christ's kingdom.  to the decrees of the holy Gospel: not after the traditions and laws of men nor pleasure of worldly tyrants.  Master. 
God grant his kingdom may come: and that speedily.  Scholar. 
Moreover sith it is the children's duty to frame their life too their father's will: and not the fathers, to bow to the children's pleasure: 
God's will to be done  forasmuch as our will is ●…ommonly by tickling of affections, and stirring of lusts, drawn to do those things, that God is displeased with: it is reason, that we hang wholly upon the b●…k of our heavenvly father, & wholly submit ourselves to his heavenly govermnent. Wherefore, for this cause, we mortal men do pray, that we may in like case be obedient to his commandment, as are the son and Moon and other stars in heaven which both by ordinary courses, and by lightening the earth with vncessaun●…e beams, execute the Lords will continually: Or that we, as the angels and other spirits▪ divine, in all points obey him: which bestow all their travail diligently, to accomplish his godly commandments. Next after that he teacheth us, to ask of our heavenly father, our bread: whereby he meaneth 
Our daily bread.  not meat only, but also all things else needful for maintenance, and preserving of life: that we may 
What bread meaneth.  learn, that God alone is author of all things: which maketh the fruits of the earth both to grow and increase to plenty. Wherefore it is meet that we c●…ll upon him alone in prayer: which (as David saith) ●… love feedeth a●…d maintaineth all things.  Master. 
Some suppose this place to mean, that bread, that Christ maketh men●…on of, in the vi of Ihon. That is, of the true knowledge and taste of Christ, that was borne and died for us: wherewith the faithful soul is fed. The reason whereupon they gather this is the greek word epiousion 
Epiousion.  whereby they understand supernatural, ghostly, heavenly 
Daily bread or supernatural.  and divine. This meaning I refuse not: for both these expositions may fitly agree with this place: but why calleth he it daily bred, which is also signified by this word epiousion.  Scholar. 
We ask daily bread, 
Why we ask our bread to be daily.  that might be always present and accompany us continually: to slake and satisfy our thirsty desire, and unsatiate stomach: lest otherwise, we should be, as Christ sayeth, careful for to morrow: because the morrow shall care for itself.  
For it shall come not without his own discommodity & care, Wherefore it is not reason, that one day should increase the evil of another.  
It shall be sufficient for us, daily to ask, that our most bountiful father is ready daily to give. Now followeth the fifth request: wherein we beseech the father to forgive us our trespasses and de●…auts, that we have committed. This request, 
forgiveness of trespasses.  doubtless is veri necessary: sith there is no man living, free from sin. Here therefore must we cast away all trust of ourselves. Hear must we pluck down our courage. Here must we prai our most merciful father, for the love of jesus Christ his most dear and obedient son, to pardon, forgive and utterly blot out of his book, our innumerable offences. Hear ought we in the 
Our covenant with god, as we forgive. etc.  mean season, to be mindful of the covenawte we make with God: That it may please God so to forgive us our trespasses, as we our selves forgive them that trespass against us. Therefore it is necessary, that we forgive and pardon all men, all their offences, of what sort or condition so ever they be. If we forgive men there faults, our heavenly father shall forgive us ours.  Master. 
Were these things 
Charitable forgiveness one to and there ceaseth brambles.  (my son) thus used: there should not, at this day, thus violently reign, so many brawls, so many contentions, so many & so heinous disagrements, eninities and hatreds of one man to another. But now whereas each man, so standeth in his own conceit, that he wy●… not les●… an inch of his right, neither in honour or wealth, it chanceth oft that they lease both their wealth, 
The harms of contention.  their honour; and their life itself withal. Yea they put from themselves, and turn away the favour of God, and everlasting glory. But thou (my son) must not be ignorant of Christ's commandment: nor of that which Paul teacheth, that thou 
Good not evil to be rendered for evil.  suffer not thyself to be overcome of evil, that is suffer not thyself foe to be seduced by any other man's offence, as to repay evil for evil, but rather overcome evil with good. I mean by doing high good, that hath done the evil: by using him friendly, that hath showed himself thy most cru ●…ll foe. Now go forward to the sixth request.  Scholar. 
I will, with a good 
Our weakness.  will, as you command me. Forasmuchas we be feeble, weak, subject to a thousand periles, a M. temptations, easy to be overcome, ready to yield to every light occasion, either to men fraught with malice, or to our own ●…ste and appetit, or finally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 crafty malicious serpent 〈◊〉 devil: Therefore we beseech our father, that he bring 
Temptation.  us into no such hard 〈◊〉 and peril: nor leave us in the very plunge of danger, but if it come to that point, that he rather take us away from the present mischief, and engines of the devil, the author and principal cause of all evil, then suffer us to run headlong into destruction. Now have you good Master, in few words, all that you have taught me, unless peradventure, somewhat be overslipped in the rehearsal.  Master. 
Because thine is the kingdom power and glory for ever. Amen. Why was it Christ's pleasure to knit up our prayer, with this clause in the end,  Scholar. 
Partly that we should 
why this is added: for thine is the kingdom. etc.  declare our assured trust, to obtain all things, that we before have required. For there is nothing which, if it be asked with faith, he is not able or not willing to give, who ruleth & governeth all things, who is able to do all things, who is garnished with endless glory.  
These things when we rehearse, of God our father, there remaineth no cause to doubt, or suspect, that we shall receive, denial. partly by so saying, we teach our selves, how meet it is, to make our suit to God, sith beside him, none glistreth with so shining glory, none hath dominion so large, or force so great, to be able to stay him from giving that he hath appointed according to his pleasure, or to take away that he hath already given us. And there is no evil of ours so great that may not be put away by his exceeding great power, glory and wisdom.  Master. 
I like well (my son) this thy short declaration: and I see nothing left out, that ought to have been spoken.  Scholar. 
But yet this one thing will I add thereto 
faith in prayer.  The chief and principal thing, required in prayer, is that without all doubting we stedfastli believe, that god our father will grant what we do ask: so that it be neither unprofitable for us to receive, nor unfit for him to give. For he that is not, assured but doubtful, let him 
What to be asked in prayer.  not think (as James. saith) to get any thing at the hands of God.  Master. 
I see now (my dear son) how diligently and hedefullye thou hast applied thy mind, to those things that I have taught y● how godly and upright a judgement thou haste of gods true service: and of the duites of neighbours one to another. This remaineth 
●…onest frame of life.  that from henceforth thou so frame thy life, that this heavenly and godly knowledge decai not in thee, nor lie soulless and dead, as it were in a tomb of the flesh. But rather see that thou wholly give thyself continually & earnestly to these godly studies. So shalt thou live, not only in this present life, but also in the life to come▪ which is much better and blesseder, than this life present. For Godliness (as Paul saith) hath a promise, not in this life only, but in the other. It is convenient therefore, that we earnestly follow godliness, which plainly openeth the way to heaven, 
Knowledge desire fear & love of God.  if we will seek to attain thereunto. And the principal point of godliness is (as thou hast declared even now veri well) to know God only: to covet him only as the chief felicity: to fear him as our Lord: to love and reverence him as our father: with his son our saviour jesus Christ. This is he that hath be gotten and regenerate us. 
Christe●… benefits to us.  This is he which at the beginning, gave us life and soul: which maintaineth: which blesseth us with life of everlasting continuance. To 
Godlessnesse.  this godliness is directly contrary godlessnesse. As for superstition and hypocrisy 
Superstition & hip●… crisie.  they counterfeit in deed, and resemble it, where as nevertheless they are most far different from all true godliness: & therefore we ought to avoid them, as a pestilence, as the venom, & most contagious enemies of our soul and salvation. The next point of godliness, is to love 
Charity.  each man, as our brother, For if God did at the beginning create us all: if he doth feed and govern us: finally if he be the cause and author of our dwelling in this wide frame of the world: the 
The name of brethren.  name of brother must needs most fitly agree with us: & with so much straighter bond, shall we be bound together, as we approach nearer to Christ, which is our brother, the first begotten & eldest: whom he that knoweth not, he that hath no hold of, is unrighteous in deed, & hath no place among the people of God. For Christ is the root and foundation of all right and justice: & he hath poured into our hearts certain natural lessons, as: Do that (sayeth he) to another, that 
The law of nature.  thou wouldest have done unto thy self. Beware therefore, thou do nothing, to any man, that thou thyself wouldst not willingly suffer. Measure all ways another by thine own mind, & as thou select in thyself. If it grieve 
Measure another 〈◊〉 thyself.  the to suffer injury: if thou think it wrong that another man doth to thee: judge likewise the same in the per son of thy neighbour that thou feelest in thyself: and thou shalt perceive, that y● dost no less wrongfully in hurting another, than other do in hurting the. Hear if we would steadfastly fasten our foot: heareunto if we would earnestly travail: we should attain to the very highest top of innocency. For the first degree thereof is to offend ●…oman: The next to help as much 
Degrees of charity.  as in us lieth, all men: at least to will & wish well to al. The third (which is accounted the chief and perfectest) is to do good even to our enemies the wrong us. Let us therefore know ourselves: pluck out the faults that are in us, & 
vices to be rooted out the virtues may be planted in their place.  in their place plant virtues: like unto the husbandmen that first use to shrub and root out the thorns, brambles and weeds, out of their leyland and unlooked for: & then each where therein scatter and throw in to the wō●…e of the earth good & fruitful sedes, to bring forth good fruit in their due season. Likewise let us do. For first let us labour to rote out froward & corrupt lusts: & afterward plant holy and fit conditions for Christian hearts. Which, if they be watered, and fatted with the dew of god's word, and nourished with warmth of the holy ghost, they shall bring forth doubt less the most plentiful fruit of immortality and blessed 
The bliss of the god lie.  life: which God hath by Christ prepared▪ for his chosen, before the foundations of the world were laid. To whom▪ be all honour and glory. Amen.  
¶ The end of the Catechism.   

¶ Articles agreed upon in the Convocation, and published by the kings Majesty.  

¶ Of faith in the holy Trinity.  
There is but one living, and true God: and he is everlasting: with out body, parts, or passions: of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness: the maker, and preserver of all things, both visible, & invisible. And in unity of this godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: the father, the son, & the holy Ghost.   

¶ That the word, or Son of God, was made very man.  
THe Son, which is the word of the father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary: of her Substance: so that two hole, and perfect natures, that is to say, the godhead, and manhood were joined together into one person, never to be divided: whereof is one Christ very God, & very man: who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his father to us, and to be a Sacrifice for all sin of man, both original, and actual.   

¶ Of the going down of Christ into Hell.  
AS Christ died, and was buried for us: so also it is to be believed, that he went down into Hell. For the body lay in the Sepulchre, until the resurruction: but his Ghost departing from him, was with the Ghosts that were in prison, or in Hell: and did preach to the same: as the place of S. Peter doth testify.   

¶ The Resurrection of Christ.  
CHrist did truly rise again from death: and took again his body: with ●…teshe, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of m●…ns nature: where with he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge men at the last day.   

¶ The doctrine of holy scripture is sufficient to Salvation.  
Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: So that what soever is neither read therein, nor may be proved thereby, although it be sometime received of the faithful, as Godly, and profitable for an order, and comeliness: Yet no man ought to be const●…eigned to believe it as an article of faith, or repute it requisite to the necessity of Salvation.   

¶ The old Testament is not to be refused.  
THe old Testament is not to be put away, as though it we●… contrary to the new: but to be kept still. For both in the old, & new Testaments, everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ: who is the only mediator between God, and man, being both God, & man. Wherefore they are not to be heard, which feign, that the old fathers did look only for 〈◊〉 promises.   

¶ The three Credes.  
THe three Credes, Nicene crede Anathasius Crede, and that which is commonly called the Apostles Crede, ought thoroughly to be received: for they mai be proved by most certain warrauntes of holy Scripture.   

Of original, or birth sin.  
Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam, as the pelagians do vainly talk, which also the Anabaptists do now a days renew: but it is the fault, and corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the of springe of Adam: whereby man is very far gone from his former righteousness, which he had at his creation: and is of his own nature given to evil: so that the f●…eshe desireth always contrary to the sp●… rit: and therefore in every person, born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation: And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are baptized: whereby the lust of the flesh called in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (which some do expone, the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh) is not subject to the law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe, and are baptized: yet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence, and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.   

¶ Of Free will.  
VUe have no power to do good works, pleasant, and acceptable to God, without the Grace of God by Christ, preventing us, that we may have a good will: and working in us when we have that will.   

▪ Of Grace.  
THe Grace of Christ, or the holy Ghost by him given doth take away the stony heart, & giveth an heart of flesh. And although, those that have no will to good things, he maketh them to will: and those that would evil things, he maketh them not to will the same: Yet nevertheless he enforceth not the wil And therefore no man when he sinneth, can excuse himself, as not worthy to be blamed or condemned, by alleging that he sinned unwillingly, or by compulsion.   

¶ Of the justification of man.  
Justification by only faith in jesus Christ, in that sense, as it is declared in the homely of justification, is a most certain, and wholesome doctrine for Christian men.   

¶ Works before justification.  
VUorks done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his spirit, are not pleasant to God: forasmuch as they spring not of Faith in jesus Christ: neither do they make men meet to receive Grace, or (as the Scholeaucthours say) deserve Grace of congruity: but because they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not, but they have the nature of sin.   

¶ Works of Supererogation.  
VOluntary works besides, over, and above God's commandments: which they call works of Supererogation: cannot be taught without arrogancy, and iniquity. For by them men do declare, that they do not only rendre to God, asmuch as they are bound to do: but that they do more for his sake, then of bound duty is required: whereas Christ saith plainly: when you have done all that are commanded, you say: we be unprofitable servants.   

¶ No man is without sin, but Christ alone.  
CHrist, in the truth of our nature, was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, from which he was clearly void both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the lamb with out spot: who by Sacrifice of himself, made once for ever, should take away the sins of the world: and sin (as saint John sayeth) was not in him. But the rest, yea, although we be baptized, and borne again in Christ: yet we offend in many things: and if we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.   

¶ Of sin against the holy Ghost.  
Every deadly sin, willingly committed after Baptism, is not Sin against the holy ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the place for penitents, is not to be denied, to such as fall into sin, after baptism. After we have received the holy ghost, we may departed from grace given, and fall into sin: and by the grace of God we may rise again, and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned, which say: they can no more Sin, as long as they live hear: or deny the place for penitents, to such as truly repent, and amend their lives.   

¶ Blasphemy against the holy Ghost.  
blasphemy against the holy Ghost is, when a man of malice & stubbournes of mind▪ doth rail upon the truth of God's word, manifestly perceived: and being enemy thereunto persecuteth the same. And because such be guilty of god's curse, they entangle themselves with a most grievous, & heinous crime: whereupon this kind of sin is called and affirmed of the Lord, unpardonable.   

¶ Of predestination, and Election.  
PRedestination to life, is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed, by his own judgement, secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation, those whom he hath chosen out of mankind: and to bring them to everlasting salvation by Christ, as vessels made to honour. Whereupon, such as have so excellent a benefit of God given unto them, be called, according to god's purpose, by his spirite working in due season: they through grace obey the calling: they be justified freli: they be made sons by adoption: they be made like the image of Gods only begotten son, jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works: and at length, by God's mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity.  
As the Godly consideration of Predestination, and our election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort, to godly parsons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high, and heavenly things: aswell because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation, to be enjoyed through Christ: as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards god: So for curious, and carnal persons, lacking the spirit of Christ to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God's predestination, is a most dangerous down fall: whereby the devil may thrust them either into despe ration, or into a recklessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation.  
Furthermore, although the decrees of predestination are unknown unto us: yet we must receive God's promises, in such wise as they be generally settefourthe to us in holy scripture: and in our doings, that will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us, in the word of God.   

¶ We must trust to obtain eternal Salvation, only by the name of Christ.  
THey also are to be had accur said, and abhorred, that presume to say, that every man shallbe saved by the Law, or sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame hislife according to that law, and the light of nature. For holy Scripture doth set out unto us, only the name of jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.   

¶ All men are bound to keep the Moral commandments of the Law.  
THe law, which was given of god by Moses, although it bind not christian men, as concerning the ceremonies, and Rites of the same: Neither is it required, that the civil Precepts and ordres of it, should of necessity be received in any common we ale: yet no man (be he never so perfect a christian) is exempt and lose from the Obedience of those commandments, which are called Moral. Wherefore they are not to be hearkened unto, who affirm that holy Scripture is given only to the weak: and doo●… boast themselves continually of the spirit, of whom (they say) they have learned such things as they teach, although the same be most evidently repugnant to the holy Scripture.   

¶ Of the Church.  
THe visible Church of Christ, is a congregation of faithful men: in the which the Pure word of god is preached: and the sacraments be duly ministered, according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.  
As the church of jerusalem, of Alexandria, and of Antioch hath erred: So also the Church of rome hath erred, not only in their living, but also in matters of their faith.   

¶ Of the authority of the Church.  
IT is not lawful for the church, to ordain any thing, that is contrary to God's word written. Neither may it so expone one place of scripture, that it be repugnant to an other. Wherefore although the church be a witness and a keeper of holy writ: yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same: so besides the same, ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed, for necessity of Salvation.   

¶ Of the authority of general Counsels.  
General counsels may not be gathered together, without the commandment, and will of Princes: and when they be gathered (for as much as they be an assembly of men, whereof all be not governed with the spirit▪ and word of God) they may err▪ and sometime have erred: not only in worldly matters▪ but also in things pertaining unto God. Wherefore things ordained by them, as necessary to Salvation, have neither strength, nor authority, unless it may be declared, that they be taken out of holy scripture.   

¶ Of purgatory.  
THe Doctrine of School aucthoures concerning purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and adorotion aswell of Images as of relics, and also invocation of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly feigned, and grounded upon no warrant of scripture, but rather repugnant to the word of God.   

¶ No man may minister in the Congregation, except he be called.  
IT is not lawful for any man, to take upon him the office of Public preaching, or mynystringe the Sacraments▪ in the congregation, before he be lawfully called, and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called, and sent, which be chosen, & called to this work by men, who have public authority given unto them in the congregation, to call, and send ministers into the lords vinyeard.   

¶ Men must speak in the Congregation in such tongue, as the people understandeth.  
IT is most seemly, and most agreeable to the word of God, that in the congregation nothing be openly read, or spoken in a tongue unknown to the people. The which thing saint Paul did forbid, except some were present that should declare the same   

¶ Of the Sacraments.  
OUr Lord jesus Christ hath knit together a company of new people, with Sacraments moste few in number, most easy to be kept, most excellent in signification: as is baptism, and the Lords Supper.  
THe Sacraments were not ordained of Christ, to be gazed upon, or to be carried about: but that we should rightly use them. And in such only, as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect, and operation: and yet not that of the work wrought, as some me speak. Which word, as it is strange, and unknown to holy Scripture: so it engendereth no Godly, but a very superstitious sense. But they that receive the Sacraments unworthily, purchase to themselves Damnation, as saint Paul sayeth.  
Sacraments ordained by the word of God, be not only ●…. Badges, and tokens of christian men's profession: but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace, & Gods good will toward us: by the which he doth work invisibly in us: and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen, and confirm our faith in him.   

The wickedness of the Ministers doth not take away the effectual operation of gods ordinances.  
ALthough in the visible church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evil have chief authority in the ministration of the word and sacraments: Yet forasmuch as the●… do not the same in their own name, but do Minister by Christ's commission, and authority: we may use their ministry both in hearing the word of God, and in the receiving the sacraments, Nether is the effect of gods ordivaunces taken away, by their wickedness: nor the grace of gods gifts diminished from such, as by faith, and rightly receive the Sacraments ministered unto them: which be effectual, because of Christ's institution & promise, although they be ministered by evil men. Nevertheless it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that enqui●…ie be made of such: and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences: and finally being found guilty by just judgement, be deposed.   

Of Baptism.  
Baptism is not only a sign of profession, & mark of difference, ●…. whereby Christian men are discerned from other that be not chri●…aned: but it is also a sign and seal of our new birth: whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly, are grafted into the church: the promises of forgiveness of sin, and our adoption to be the sons of God, are visibly signed and sealed: faith is confirmed: and grace increasced, by virtue of prayer un to god. The custom of the church to christian young children, is to be commended, and in any wise to be retained in the Church.   

Of the lords Supper.  
THe Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves, one to an other: but rather it is a sacrament of our redemption, by Christ's death. insomuch that, to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break, is a communion of the body of Christ. Like wise the Cup of blessing, is a Communion of the blood of Christ.  
transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread▪ and wine, into the substance of Christ's body, & blood, can not be proved by holy writ: but is repugnant to the plain words of scripture, & hath given occasion to many superstitions.  
FOr asmuch as the truth 〈◊〉 man's nature requireth, that the body of one, and the self same man, can not be at one time in diverse places, but must needs be in some one certain place: therefore the body of Christ can not be present at one▪ time in many, and diverse places. And because (as holy Scripture doth teach) Christ was taken up into heaven and there shall continue unto the end of the world: a faithful man ought not, either to bele●…e, or open●…ye to confess the real & bodily presence (as they term it) of Christ's flesh, and blo●…d▪ in the Sacrament of the lords Supper.  
THe Sacrament of the Lords Supper was not commanded, by Christ's ordinance, ●…o be kept, carried about, lifted up, nor worshipped.   

¶ Of the perfect oblation of Christ made upon the cross.  
THe offering of Christ, made once for ever, is the perfect redemption, the pacif●…ynge of god's displeasure and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual: and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of masses, in the which, it was commonly said, that the Pr●…est did offer Christ for the quick▪ and the dead, to have remission of pain or sin, were forged fables, and dangerous deceipts.   

¶ The state of single life is commanded to no man by the word of God.  
Bishops, priests, and Deacons are not commanded to vow the state of single life without marriage: nether by gods law are they compelled to ab●…ein from matrimony.   

¶ Excommunicate persons are to be avoided.  
THat person, which by open denunciation of the church, is rightly cut of from the v●…ti of the Church, and excōmunicat●…, ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faithful, as an Heathen, and publican: until he be openly reconciled bipenance & received into the church by a judge that hath authority thereto.   

Traditions of the church.  
IT is not necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like. For at all times they have been divers: and may be changed, according to the diversity of countries, and men's manners: so that nothing be ordained against god's word.  
Whosoever through his ●…uate judgement willingly and purposedly▪ doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the church, which be not repugnant to the word of god, and be ordained, and approved ●…y common a●…cthority: ought to ●…e rebuked openly (that other may fere to do the like) as one that offendeth against the common ordre of the church, and hurteth tha●…ctority of the Magistrate, & woundeth the consciences of the we●… brethren.   

¶ Homilies.  
THe Home lies of late given, & set out by the kings authority, be godly and wholesome: containing doctrine to be received of all men: and therefore are to be red to the people diligently, distinctly▪ and plainly▪   

Of the book of Prayers, and Ceremonies of the Church of England.  
THe book, which of very late time was given to the church of England by the kings authority, and the Parliament, containing the manner and form of praying, and ministering the sacraments in the church of England, likewise also the book of ordringe Ministers of the church, setforth by the foresaid authority: are godly, and in no point repugnant to the wholesome doctrine of the Gospel, but agreeable there unto, furthering and beautifying the same not a little: and therefore of all faithful membres of the church of England, and chief of the ministers of the word, they ought to be received, and allowed with all readiness of mind, and thanks giving and to be commended to the people of God.   

¶ Of civil Magistrates.  
THe king of England is Supreme head in earth, next under Christ, of the church of England, and Ireland.  
THe bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction, in th●…s realin of England.  
THe civil magistrate is ordained, and allowed of god: where fore we must obey him, not on lie for fear of punishment, but also for conscience sake.  
THe civil laws may punish christian men, with death, for heinous, & grievous offences.  
IT is lawful for Christians, at the commandment of the ma gistrate, to were weapons, and to serve in lawful wars.   

Christian men's goods are not commune.  
THe riches & goods of Christians are not commune, as touching the right title, and possession of the same (as certain Anabapti●…es do falsely boast) not withstanding every man ought of such things, as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.   

¶ Christian men may take an Oath.  
AS we confess that vain, & rash swearing is forbidden Christian men, by our Lord jesus Christ, & his apostle james: so we judge that Christian religion doth not prohibit, but that ●… man may swear, when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith, and charity: so it be done (according to the prophets teaching) in justice, judgement and truth.   

The resurrection of the dead is not yet brought to pass.  
THe resurrection of the dead is not as yet brought to pass: as though it only belonged to the soul, which by the grace of Christ is raised from the death of sin: but it is to be looked for at the last day. For then (as Scripture 〈◊〉 most manifestly testify) to all that be dead their own bodies ste she, and bone shallbe restored: that the whole man may (according to his works) have other reward, orpu nishment, as he hath lived virtuously or wickedly.   

The souls of them that depart this life do neither die with 〈◊〉 the bodies, nor sleep idly.  
THey which say, that the souls of such as departed hence, do sleep, being without all sense feeling, or perceiving, until the day of judgement▪ or affirm that the souls die with the bodies, and at the last day shallbe raised up with the same: do utterly dissent from the right belief, declared to us in holy Scripture.   

Heretics called Millenarii.  
THey that go about to renew the fable of heretics called Millenarii, be repugnant to holy scripture, and cast themselves headlong into a jewish dotage.   

¶ All men shall not be saved at the length.  
THey also are worthy of condemnation, who endevout at this time to restore the dangerous opinion, that all men, be theineves so ungodly, shall at length be saved, when they have suffered pains for their sins, a certain time appointed b●… God's justice.   
The end of the Articles.   

¶ A general Confession to be said in the Morning.  
ALL mighty and most merciful father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways, like lost sheep. We have followed to much the devices, and desires, of our own hearts. We have offended, against thy holy la●…es. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done: ●… we have done those things which we ought not to have done: and there is no health in us: but thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that be ●…tent, according to thy prompses, declared unto mankind, in Christ Ieso our Lord. And grant, O most merciful father, for his sake, that we may here 〈◊〉 li●…e a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy name.  
Amen.   

A prayer to be said in the Morning.  
OMercifull Lord God, he●…uenlye father, I tender most high laudes, praise and thanks unto thee, that thou hast preserved me both this night, and all the time and days of my life hitherto, under thy protection: and hast suffered 〈◊〉 to live until this present hour. And I beseech the heartily, that thou wilt vouchsafe to receive me this day, and the residue of my whole life from hence forth, into thy tu●…ion▪ ruling and governing 〈◊〉 with thy holy spirit: that all manner of darkness of misbelief, infidelity, and of carnal lu●… and affections, may be utterly chased and driven out of my heart: and that I may be justified and saved both body and soul thorough ●… right and a perfect faith: and so walk in the light of thy most godly truth, to thy glory and praise, and to the profit and furtherance of my neighbour, thorough jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.  
Amen.   

¶ A Praiet to be said of Children before they study their lesson at school.  
OBlessed Lord, which art the wellspring of all wisdom and knowledge, sithence it hath pleased the of thy mercy to provide for me such means to be instructed in my tender age, as whereby I may have knowledge to use myself honestly, and to behave myself godly, to lead the whole course of my life in thy holy service: let it be thy pleasure also to illuminate my dark wit and blind understanding, so that it may be able to receive accordingly, the learning that shall be uttered: refresh thou my memory, yea imprint thou it in my remembrance, that I may keep it assuredly: dispose thou my heart also (〈◊〉 〈◊〉) and frame my will, that ●…mape apply my mind to recei●…e it, with such affec●…ion and fervent desire, as it beho●…eth: to to this end, that the most happy occasion which thou offerest unto me, do not pea●…ish through my vnth●…kfulnes: and that these things may come to pass, let it stand with thy gracoius pleasure to power out thy holy spirit into my heart, thy spirit I say of understanding; of truth, judgement, wisdō●… knowledge: whe●…eby I may become apt to learn, and my schoolmaster not lose his pain in teachyug me: and what study soever I apply my mind unto, I may reduce ●… bring it to the right end (that is) to glorif●… the in our saviour Christ, to who●…e with the and the holy ghost be all honour and glory for ever and ever.  
Amen.   

¶ A Prayer for the kings Majesty.  
Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and power infinite: have mercy upon the whole congrega●…yon, and so rule the heart of thy chose●… servant Edward the sixth, ou●… king and governor, that he (knowing whose myny●…er he is) may above all things seek thy honour and glory: and that we his subjects (duly considering whose authority he hath) may faithfully, serve, honour, and humbly obey him, in thee, and for thee, according 〈◊〉 thy blessed word and 〈◊〉: Thorough jesus Christ our Lord, wh●… 〈◊〉 the, and the holy ghost liveth and 〈◊〉 ever one God, world without 〈◊〉.  
Amen   

¶ A Prayer to be said at night going to bed.  
OMercifull Lord God heavenly 〈◊〉 there, whether we sleep or wake, live ordye, we are always thine. Whe●… fore I beseech the heartily, that thou wy●…●…ouchsafe to take care and charge of me, & not to suffer me to pe●…ysh in the worc●…es of darkness, but to kindle the light of thy ●…ountenaunce in my heart, that the godly knowledge may daily increase in me, thorough a right and pure faith, and that I may always be ●…ounde to walk and live a●…ter thy will and pleasure, thorough ●…sus Christ ou●…e Lord and Sanio●…re.  
Amen.  
Lord into thy hands I commend my sprite, thou haste redeemed me Lord God of truth.   

¶ Imprinted at 〈◊〉 ●…y 〈◊〉 Day dwelling over Alber●… gate beneath Say●…ct Marty●…s.  
☞ These catechisms are to be ●…olde at h●… 〈◊〉▪ b●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coun●…uit in Che●…syde at the sign of the 〈◊〉. ☞ (?) ☞ ☜   

Cum p●…iuilegio adimpri m●…ndum solu●….