The A. B. C.  
✚ A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s s t v u w x y z &.  
✚ A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y z.  
A a b c d e f g h i k m n o p q r s s t v u w x y z. &.  
A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z.  
A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s s t v u w x y z. &.  
A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q ● S T V W X Y Z  
an. est. in. ō. un. st. sh. the y●. y●. 〈…〉.  
a e i o u ab eb ib ob ub ac ec ic oc uc ad ed it odd ud of ef if of uf ag egg ig og ug ak ek ik ok uk all el il ol ul  
a e i o u an en in on un ap ep ip op up are ere it or ur as es is os us at et it ot ut au eu iu ou vu axe ex ix ox ux  
In the name of the Father, and of the, Son, and of the holy Ghost, Amen   

The vow and promise made in Baptism.  Master. 
WHat is your name?  Scholar. 
N. or M.  M. 
Who gave you this name?  S. 
My Godfathers, and Godmothers in my Baptism, wherein I was mad● a member of Christ; the child of God, ● an inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven  M. 
What did your Godfathers, and Godmothers then for you?  S. 
They did promise and vow thr●● things in my name.  
First, that I should forsake the Diue●… and all his works, and pomps, the vanities of the wicked World, and all t … sinful lusts of the flesh.  
Secondly, that I should believe the Articles of the christian faith.  
And thirdly, that I should keep 〈◊〉 … lie will and commandments 〈…〉 walkein the same all the days of my life.  M. 
Dost thou not think that thou art bound to believe, and to do as they have promised for thee?  S. 
Yes verily. And by God's help so I will. And I heartily thank our heavenly Father, that he hath called me to this state of salvation, through jesus Christ our Saviour. And I pray God to give me his grace that I may continue in the same unto my lives end.  M. 
Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief.  S. 
I Believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of Heaven and earth. And in jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, which was concei●ed by the holy Ghost. Born of the Virgin Marie. Suffered under Ponce P●late. Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hell, the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, & sitteth at the right hand of God the father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy Ghost. The holy Catholic Church. The Communion of Saints. The forgiveness of sins, The resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting, Amen.  M. 
What dost thou chief learn in these Articles of thy belief?  S. 
First, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me and all the World.  
Secondly, in God the Son, who hath redeemed me and all mankind.  
Thirdly, in God the holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me and all the elect people of God.  M. 
You said that your Godfathers & Godmothers did promise for you, that you should keep God's commandments: tell me how many there be?  S. 
Ten.  M. 
Which be they?  
THe same which God spoke in the xx. Chapter of Exodus, saying, I am the Lord thy GOD, which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  
i. Thou shalt have none other Gods but me.  Lord have mercy upon us and incline our hearts to keep this Law. 
two. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven Image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, nor in the earth beneath, nor in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them. For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, & visit the sins of the fathers upon their children, unto the third & fourth generation of them that hate me, & show mercy unto thousands of them the love me, & keep my Commandments.  Lord have mercy upon us, etc. 
iii. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  Lord have mercy upon us, etc. 
iiii. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day, Six days shalt thou labour & do all that thou hast to do. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou & thy son, & thy daughter, thy man servant, & thy maid servant, thy cattle & the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made Heaven & Earth, the Sea, & all that in them is, & rested the seventh day: wherefore the lord blessed the seventh day, & hallowed it.  Lord have mercy upon us, etc. 
v. Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that thy days may be long in the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  Lord have mercy upon us, etc. 
vi. Thou shalt do no murder.  Lord have mercy upon us, etc. 
seven. Thou shalt not commit adultery.  Lord have mercy upon us, etc. 
viii. Thou shalt not steal.  Lord have mercy upon us, etc. 
ix. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour.  Lord have mercy upon us, etc. 
x. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbour's Wife, nor his Servant, nor his Maid, nor his Ox, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is his.  Lord have mercy upon us, & write all these thy laws in our hearts we beseech thee. M. 
What dost thou chief learn by these Commandments?  S. 
I learn two things. My duty toward god. And my duty toward my neighbour.  M. 
What is thy duty towards GOD?  S. 
My duty towards God, is to believe in him, to fear him, & to love him, with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength. To worship him, to give him thanks, to put my whole trust in him: to call upon him: to honour his holy name & his word: and to serve him truly all the days of my life.  M. 
What is thy duty towards thy Neighbour?  S. 
My duty towards my Neighbour, is to love him as myself. And to do to all men as I would they should do unto me. To love, honour, & succour my Father and Mother. To honour, & obey the Queen, & her Ministers. To submit myself to all my governors, teachers, spiritual Pastors, & Ministers. To order myself lowly, and reverently to all my betters. To hurt no body by word nor deed. To be true and just in all my dealing. To bear no malice nor hatred in my heart. To keep my hands from picking & stealing. And my tongue from evil speaking, lying & slandering, to keep my body in temperance, soberness, & chastity. Not to covet nor desire other men's goods: but learn & labour truly to get my own living, & to do my duty in that state of life, unto which it shall please God to call me.  M. 
My good Child know this, that thou art not able to do these things of thyself, nor to walk in the commandments of God, & to serve him without his especial grace, which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer: let me hear therefore if thou canst say the Lord's prayer.  
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, the power and the glory for ever and ever, Amen. M. 
What desirest thou of God in this prayer?  S. 
I desire my Lord God our heavenvly father, who is the giver of all goodness, to send his grace unto me and unto all people. That we may worship him, serve him, and obey him as we ought to do. And I pray unto God, that he will send us all things that be needful both for our souls and bodies. And that he will be merciful unto us, & forgive us our sins. And that it will please him to save & defend us in all dangers ghostly & bodily. And that he will keep us from all sin & wickedness, & from our ghostly enemy, and from everlasting death. And this I trust he will do of his mercy & goodness, through our Lord jesus Christ, & therefore I say, Amen. So be it.  Maist. 
I would my good Child hear of thee yet more largely the special duties of certain persons: and first of those duties that do stand chief in obedience, and virtue, (by reason of thine age and condition) specially appertaining unto thee. Tell me therefore first, what is the duty of Subjects towards their Prince?  Scholar. 
The holy Apostles saint Paul & saint Peter declaring that the higher powers are ordained of god, & that whosoever do resist the power, resist the ordinance of God, and do purchase to themselves damnation: do straightly charge all Subjects to fear, love, and to honour their Prince. Humbly to obey all their Prince's Laws, Commandments, & Ministers or Officers. And that not for fear only, but for conscience sake also. To pay all Tributes, & Subsidies due to their Prince. And with all their goods & body, faithfully to serve their Prince. Heartily to pray to God for their Prince, that he may continue, and increase in all goodness & godliness, Or for his amendment if it chance that he be evil. And in all things to be themselves good Subjects, that they may the better deserve to have a good Prince.  M. 
Now tell me the duties of Children towards their Parents.  S. 
The holy Scriptures do teach Children to obey their Parents, and to serve them, to fear, love, honour, and reverence them, not only in word and deed, but in their hearts and minds also. To follow their good precepts and examples of life. And patiently to take correction at their hands. And to make continual and hearty prayers to God for them. And to relieve & nourish their Parents in case they shall fall into poverty or decay. And in all points (by showing themselves obedient and good children) to move their parents to be loving and good to them.  M. 
I would now have thee to show me what thou hast learned concerning the duty of spiritual Children, as Parishioners and Hearers, towards their Pastors & Preachers, as their spiritual Fathers.  S. 
Parishioners and Hearers are commanded in the word of GOD, to give double honour unto their Pastors, & preachers, that is, aswell to reverence and obey them, as also to assist and aid them in word & deed. And they ought to take great care, that the good seed of God's word by them sown, through the lack of their good heed taking, and following of the same, do not perish, as cast into stony and barren grounds.  M. 
Declare now the duty of Servants.  S. 
Servants are thus taught their duties to their Masters in the holy Scriptures: servants obey them that are your bodily Masters in all things with fear & trembling, in singleness of your heart as unto Christ, not with eye service as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, & whatsoever you do, do it as the will of God, heartily & with good will, as serving the Lord and not men: Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.  M. 
Now my good Child, though thou by age haste as yet more need of thy precepts of obedience, then of government, yet because God may & will I trust make thee a good old man, I would not have thee ignorant how to behave thyself in any estate of life, whereunto God may call thee hereafter. Wherefore I would have thee to tell me, what on the other part thou hast learned touching the duties of Parents, Masters, or Householders, & also of Husbands & Wives: and first what is the duty of Parents toward their Children?  S. 
The duty of Parents towards their children (as the same Apostle S. Paul teacheth) is to bring them up even from the cradle, in the fear and nurture of the Lord, in shamefastness, hatred of vice, and love of all virtue. And to be themselves unto their children, examples of all godliness, and virtuousness. And they ought to see their children kept from idleness, the Mother of all mischiefs, and brought up either in learning, or in some good science or Art, whereby they may get their livings with honstye & truth, when they do come to age.  M. 
proceed now to the duties of Masters and Householders.  S. 
I have learned that Masters and Householders, as they are become in the stead of Parents to their Servants and families, so ought they to refrain them from idleness, and by diligent instruction and good example, to bring up their servants and households in honest and comely manners, and in all virtue. And they ought to instruct their Apprentices in the knowledge of their occupations, even as Parents would teach their own Children, without all fraud, delaying, or concealing: and when correction is necessary, they ought to give it them with such discretion, pity, and desire of their amendment, as loving Parents use to deal with their dear children, remembering alway that they have also a Master in Heaven.  M. 
Tell me now the duty of Husbands toward their Wives.  S. 
I have learned that the holy Apostle Saint Peter, (who was himself a married man) and S. Paul also, do teach married men to live with their wives discreetly, according unto knowledge and without all bitterness. And to love, cherish, and to nourish their wives, even as their own bodies. Yea that Husbands ought to love their wives even as Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it to sanctify it.  M. 
Show me now how Wives ought to behave themselves towards their Husbands.  S. 
I have learned also, that the same holy Apostles S. Paul and S. Peter do teach that wives ought to reverence their Husbands, and that they should submit themselves, and be obedient unto their own husbands, as unto the Lord: for the Husband is the wives head, even as Christ is the head of the Church. Therefore as the Church or Congregation is subject unto Christ: so likewise the Wives also should be in subjection unto their own Husbands in all things as is convenient in the Lord, even as Sara obeyed Abraham & called him Lord. And Wives are forbidden in the holy scriptures to wear gorgeous or sumptuous apparel, or broidered hair trimmed with gold. But that after the example of holy women that trusted in god, they should be sober in outward apparel and be decked inwardly with virtues of their minds, as with gentleness, meekness, quietness, and chastity, which are most precious things in the sight of god.  M. 
How many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church?  S. 
Two. Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.  M. 
What meanest thou by this word Sacrament?  S. 
I mean an outward and visible sign, representing an inward and invisible spiritual grace, ordained by Christ himself, to testify Gods good will and bountifulness towards us, through the same Christ our Saviour, by the which Gods promises, touching forgiveness of sins, and eternal salvation, given through Christ, are as it were sealed, & the truth of them is more certainly confirmed in our hearts.  M. 
How many parts then be there in a Sacrament?  S. 
Two: the outward visible sign, and the inward spiritual grace.  M. 
What is the outward sign or form in Baptism?  S. 
Water, wherein the person baptized is dipped or sprinkled with it, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost.  M. 
What is the secret and spiritual grace?  S. 
Forgiveness of sins, & regeneration or new birth. Both which we have by the death & resurrection of Christ, & thereof we have a pledge & seal in this Sacrament.  M. 
Show me the effect of Baptism yet more plainly.  S. 
Where by nature we are none of God's Church or household, but through sin are the children of wrath, most worthy of eternal damnation: we are by baptism received into the Church, and assured that we are now the Children of God, joined and grafted into the body of Christ, and become his members, and do grow into one body with him.  M. 
What is required of persons to be baptised?  S. 
Faith and Repentance.  M. 
Declare this more largely.  S. 
First, we must earnestly repent us of our former wicked life, and believe assuredly that we are cleansed from our sins by the blood of Christ, and so made acceptable to God, and that his holy spirit dwelleth in us. And according to our profession & promise made in baptism, we ought to endeavour ourselves to mortify our flesh, and by our godly life to show that we have put on Christ, and have his spirit given us.  M. 
Why then are Infants baptised, when by reason of their tender age, they cannot yet perform these things?  S. 
Because they belong to GOD'S Church, and God's blessing and promise made to the Church by Christ, in the faith of the which Christ our Saviour they are baptised, pertaineth unto them. Which when they come to age, they must themselves learn, believe, and acknowledge, and endeavour in their lives to express the duty at their baptism professed and promised.  M. 
What is the order of the Lords Supper?  S. 
The same which the Lord Christ did institute, who in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after Supper, he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying: Drink ye all of this, for this is my blood of the new Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for remission of sins: do this as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. This form and order we ought to hold, truly to keep, and to celebrate devoutly till he come again.  M. 
To what use?  S. 
For a continual thankful remembrance of his death, and the benefits that we receive thereby. And that as in baptism we are borne again, so with the Lords Supper we are always fed and sustained to spiritual & everlasting life. And therefore it is enough to be once baptized, as to be once borne: but as we need oft to be fed, so is the Lords Supper oft to be received.  M. 
What are the parts and matter of this Sacrament?  S. 
The matter and parts hereof, even as of baptism, are of two sorts: the one is earthly and sensible, the other is heavenly & removed from all outward senses.  M. 
What is the earthly and sensible part?  S. 
Bread and Wine: both which matters, the Lord hath expressly commanded all to receive.  M. 
What is the heavenly part and matter removed from all outward senses?  S. 
The body & blood of Christ, which are given, taken, eaten, and drunken of the faithful in the Lord's supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual manner, but yet verily & indeed. Insomuch that as the Bread nourisheth our bodies: so Christ's body hath most singular force spiritually by faith to feed our souls. And as with wine men's hearts are cheered, and their strengths confirmed, so with his blood our souls are refreshed through faith, which is the mean whereby the body & blood of Christ are received in the Supper. And that Christ as surely maketh them that believe in him, partakers of his body and blood, as they surely know that they have received the bread & wine with their mouths and stomachs.  M. 
Is then the bread and wine changed into the substance of the body & blood of Christ?  S. 
No. For that were to destroy the nature of a sacrament, which must consist both of heavenly and earthly matter.  M. 
Was this Supper ordained of Christ to be offered as a Sacrifice to God the Father for remission of sins?  S. 
No. For the burden of sin, and damnation due unto it, is so great & horrible that the son of God jesus Christ only was able to offer sacrifice for our deliverance from the same. When Christ therefore our Saviour died upon the cross, he once for all fully made that everlasting sacrifice acceptable to God the Father, for the propitiation of sin, washing us from the same in his blood for our salvation for ever: & hath left nothing for us to do, but firmly to fix our faith in him, and thankfully to take the use and benefit of that eternal sacrifice which we chief do in the lords Supper.  M. 
What is our duty to do, that we may come rightly to the Lords Supper.  S. 
To examine ourselves whether we be true members of Christ.  M. 
By what token shall we know this?  S. 
First, if we heartily repent us of our sins. Next, if we stay ourselves and rest in a sure hope of God's mercy thorough Christ, with a thankful remem●rance of our redemption purchased by his ●eath. Moreover, if we conceive an earnest mind & determinate purpose to lead ●ur life godly hereafter. Finally, if seeing 〈◊〉 the Lords Supper is contained a to●en of friendship & love among men, we ●eare brotherly love to our neighbours, ●hat is, to all men, without any evil will ●r hatred.  
The end of the Catechism.   

¶ Godly Graces to be said before or after meat  

Grace before meat.  
THe eyes of all things do look up & trust in thee O Lord, thou givest thy meat in due season, thou openest thy hand, and fillest with thy blessing every living thing, Good Lord ●lesse us & all thy gifts which we receive of thy bounteous liberality, through Christ our Lord, Amen.   

✿ Our Father which art. etc. Grace after meat.  
THe King of eternal glory make us partakers of his heavenly table, Amen.  
God save his Church, our Queen, & the Realm, and send us peace in Christ our Lord, Amen.   

✿ Grace before meat.  
whether ye eat or drink (saith Sain● Paul) or whatsoever ye do else, let a●… be done to the praise and glory of God, Amen.   

Grace after meat.  
Glory, honour, and praise be given to thee O Lord, which hast fed us from our tender age & givest sustenance to every living thing: replenish our hearts with joy & gladness, that we alway having sufficient, may be rich & plentiful in all good works, through our Lord jesus Christ So be it. God save his Church our Queen, etc.   

Grace before meat.  
Grant, O most merciful Father, that hunger and thirst being satisfied with moderate use of these thy gifts sanctified with thy holy word, both our bodies and minds may so be refreshed, that we may be made more apt & able to do good works, to the glory of thy holy name, Amen.   

Grace after meat.  
WE yield our hearty thanks unto thee most loving father, by whose bountiful goodness our bodies are continually refreshed: beseeching thee to refresh our souls also with thy heavenly grace, and with thy lively bread of thy most holy word, and true faith in the same, and with certain hope of life everlasting: through our Saviour jesus Christ: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour & glory, Amen.   

✿ Grace before meat.  
THe Father of mercy, and God of all consolation, give us grace to consent together in●o the knowledge of his truth, that we may with one mind and one mouth, glorify God the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, Amen.   

Grace after meat.  
THanks be unto thee O Lord God almighty, most dear Father of Heaven, for bringing again from death our Lord jesus Christ, the great sheapeheard of thy sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Testament. And we beseech thee to make us perfect to do his will, working in us that which is pleasant in his sight, that we be not only the speakers of his word, but the unfeigned followers of the same, Amen.   

Grace before meat.  
CHrist which at his last Supper gave himself unto us, promising his body to be crucified, and his blood to be shed for our sins, bless us and our meat, Amen.   

Grace after meat.  
THanks be unto thee O Lord God almighty, most dear Father of Heaven, which at this time hast fed us with meat not only the perisheth, but with the word which abideth into everlasting life. Grant most merciful Father, we having the knowledge of thy word, may also practise th● same in our conversation, that we both entirely loving and unfeignedly believing thy holy word may after this life, live with thee for ever, Amen.   

✿ Grace before meat.  
Receive your meat without grudging,  
Take heed ye never abuse the same:  
Give thanks to God for every thing,  
And always praise his holy name:  
Who doth not so, is sore to blame.  
No evil example see that ye give,  
Thus doth god's word teach us to live.   

✿ Grace after meat.  
Whatsoever ye do either in word or deed, do all in the name of our Lord jesus Christ. giving thanks unto God the Father by him.  
✿ Blessing, glory wisdom, thanks, honour, power, and might be unto our God, for evermore, Amen.   


This little Catechism learned,  
by heart, (for so it ought:)  
The Primer next commanded is  
for Children to be taught.     
 blazon or coat of arms 
LONDON Printed by Thomas Purfoot, for th'assigns of Richard Day.  Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis. 
Forbidding all other to print this Catechism. 1601.   

 woodcut of the adoration of the magi