execute moste greuous punyshmente On the other side he that liueth accordynge to the rule of these lawes shal fynde both prayse and blysse and God also hys mercyful and boūtyfull good Lord. Master Thou haste shortlye sette out the. x. commaundementes Now then tell me how all these thinges that thou haste particularlye declared Christe hath in fewe wordes conteyned settyng◅ forth vnto vs in a sūme the whole pyth of the law Scholer Wil you that I knit vp in a briefe abrydgement all that belongeth bothe to God to men Master ◅ea Scho. Christ sayeth thus Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God wyth al thy hart wyth all thy soule wyth all thy mynde and with al thy strength Thys is the greatest commaundement in the lawe The other is lyke vn ▪ to this Thou shal◅ loue thy neyghbour as thy selfe Up ▪ on these two commaundemētes hang the whole law ▪ and the Prophetes Master I wyll nowe that thou tell me further what lawe is that whyche thou speakest of that whych we call the lawe of nature or some other besydes Scholer I remēber maister that I learned that of you longe ago that it was ingraffed by God in the nature of man whyle nature was yet sounde and vncorrupted But after the ētrā◅ of synne although the wyse were somewhat after a sort ◅ot vtterly ignorant of that ◅yght of nature yet was it ◅y that tyme so hydde from the greatest part of mē that they scāt perceyued any shadow thereof Master What is the cause that god willed it to be written out in tables and that i◅ should be priuatli appointed to one people alone Scholer I wyll shewe you ▪ By oryginal synn◅ and euel custome the image of God in mā was so at the begynning darkened the iudgemēt of nature so corrupted that man him selfe doth no◅ snfficiently vnderstād wha◅ difference is betwene ho◅ stye and dyshonestye rygh◅ and wrong The bountyfull God thearefore myndynge to renewe that image in vs fyrst wrought this by y ◠law wrytten in tables that wee myght knowe our selues therin as it were in a glasse behold the fylthe and spots of oure soule and stubborne hardnes of a corrupted hert that by thys meane yet acknowledgynge our synne perceiuing the weakenes of our fleshe and the wrathe of God fear◅ely bent agaynste vs for synne we myghte the ◅ore feruently long for oure ◅ior Christ Iesus which ◅y hys deathe and precious ◅prynklynge of hys bloude hath clensed and washed away our sinnes pacified the wrath of the almyghtye father by the holye breathe of hys Spirite createth newe hartes in vs and reneweth our mindes after the image and lykenesse of theyr Creator in true ryghteousnes holynes Whych thyng neither the iustyce of the lawe nor any sacrifices of Moses were able to performe And that no man is made ryghteous bi the law it is euidēt not onelye thereby that the ryghteous lyueth by fayth but also hereby that no mortal man is able to fulfyll all that the law of both the tables commaundeth For we haue hindraūces that striue agaynste the lawe as the weakenes of the fleshe frowarde appetite and lust naturally engēdred As for sacrifice cleansynges washinges and other ceremonies of the lawe they were but shadoes lykenesses images and figures of the trew and euerlastyng sacrifice of Iesus Christ done vppon the crosse By the benefit wherof alone all the synnes of all beleuers euen from the begynnynge of the worlde ▪ ar ◅ardoned by the onlye mercye of God and by no desert of ours Master I heare not yet why almyghty Gods wyll was to declare hys secrete pleasure to one people alone whi che was the Israelites Scholer Forsooth that had I almost forgotten I suppose it was not don for this entent as thoughe the lawe of the. x. commauudements dyd not belong generally to ail men for asmuche as the Lord our God is not onelye the God of the Iewes but also of the Gentiles but rather this was ment thearby that the true Messias whiche is our Christ myght be knowen at hys commynge into the worlde who muste nedes haue beene borne of that natiō and none other for true perfourmannce of the promise For the whych cause Gods pleasure was to appoynt out for hymselfe one certaine people holy sōdred from the rest and as it were peculiarly hys owne That bi this meane his diuine worde might be continually kept holy pure and vncorrupted Master Hitherto thou hast wel satisfied me deare sōne Now lette vs come to the Christian confession whych I wyll that thou playnlye reherse vnto me Scholer It shall be done I beleue in God the father al myghty maker of heauen and earthe And in Iesu Christ hys only sonne our Lorde whych was conceiued by the holy Gost borne of the virgin Mary Suffered vnder Pōce Pilate was crucified dead and buryed He went downe to hell the thyrde daye he rose agayne from the deade He went vp to heauen sytteth on the ryght hande of God the father almighty from thence shall he come to iudge the quycke and the dead I beleue in y ◠holy gost I beleue the holy vniuersall church the communion of sayntes the forgeuenes of synnes the rysynge agayne of the flesh the lyfe euerlastynge Master All these my sōne thou hast rehersed generallye and shortelye Therefore thou shalt do wel to set out largelye all that thou hast spokē particularlye that I may playnly perceiue what thy belefe is concerning ech of them And fyrst I wolde heare of the knowledge of god afterward of the right seruing of hym Scholer I wil wyth a good wyl obey your plesure dear Maister as far as my simple wytte wyll suffer me Aboue all thynges we muste stedfastly beleue and holde that God almyghtye the father in the begynnyng of nothyng made fashyoned this whole frame of the world and al things what soeuer are conteined therin and that they all are made by the power of hys worde that is of Iesu Christe the sonne of God Which thing is sufficientlye approued by witnes of scriptures Moreouer that whē he had thus shapen all creatures he ruled gouerned saued them by hys bountie and liberall hand hath ministred yet also ministreth most largelye all that is needefull for mayntenaunce and preseruynge of oure lyfe that we should so vse them as behoueth myndeful and godlye chyldren Master Why dost thou call God father Scholer For two causes the one for that he made vs all at the beginning and gaue life vnto vs all the other is more weyghtye for that by hys holy spirit and by faith he hath begottē vs agayne makynge vs hys chyldren gyuing vs hys kyngdome and the enheritaunce of lyf◅ euerlastynge wyth Iesu Christ hys owne trew and naturall sonne Master Seynge then God hath created all other thinges to serue man and made man to obey honour gloryfye him What canst thou say more of the
that shall receyue it euen as he hathe honoured doth honour hys father For he that honoureth him honoreth also the father of whiche he him self is a substantiall witnesse Maist. The end of the world hoâ—… scripture calleth the ful fyllynge parformaunce of the kyngdome and mistery of Christ and the renewing of all thynges For saythe â—…he Apostle Peter in his seâ—…oÌ„d Epistle the third chapter We loke for a new heauen and a new earth according to the promise of God whearin dwelleth ryghteousnesse And it semeth reason that corruption vnstedfaste chaunge and synne wherunto the whole world is subiect shoulde at length haue an end Now bi what way and what fasshioÌ„ circumstaunces these thinges shal come to passe â–ª I would fayne heare the tell Scholer I will tell you as well as I can accordyng to the wytnesse of the same Apostle The heauens shall passe awaye like a storme â–ª â—… elementes shal melt awaye the earthe all the workes therein â–ª shall bee consumed wyth fyre as thoughe he shuld say as gould is wont to be fined so shal the whole world be purified with fire and be broughte to hys full perfection The lesser world whiche is man folowynge the same shall lykewyse bee delyuered from corruption and chaunge And so for maÌ„ this greater worlde which for hys sake was first created shall at leÌ„gth be renewed be clad wyth another hew much more pleasaunt and beutifull Master What then remayneth Scholer The laste and generall dome For Christe shall come at whoes voice al the deade shall ryse againe â–ª perfecte and sound both in bodi and soule The whole world shall beholde hym sittynge in the Royall throne of hys Maiestie and after the examination of euerye mannes conscience the laste sentence shalbe pronouÌ„ced Then the chyldren of God shall bee in perfecte possessyon of that kingdome of fredome from death and of euerlastig life whyche was prepared for theim before the foundacyons of the world were layd And they shal reygne wyth Christe for euer But the vngodlye that beleued not shall be throwen froÌ„ thense into euerlastynge fyre appoynted for the deuyll and hys angelles Master Thou haste saide ynoughe of the agayn rising of the deade Nowe remayneth that thou speke of the holye churche whearof I would very fayne hear thy opinion Scholer I wil rehearse that in fewe words shortly whiche the holye scryptures set out at large and plentifulli â–ª Afroe that the Lorde God had made the heauen and erth he determined to haue for himself a most beautiful kyngdome and holy comoÌ„ wealth The Apostles and the auncient fathers that wrote in Greeke called it Ecclesia in englyshe a congregation or assemble into the whych he hath admytted an infinite noÌ„ber of meÌ„ that should all be subiect to one king as their souereign and only one head hym we call Christe whythe is as mutch to say as anoynted â–ª For the hye byshoppes and kinges among the Iewes who in fygure betokened Christ whom the Lord annoynted with his holy spirite wear wont by Gods appointment at theyr consecration to haue materyall oile poured on them To the furnishyng of this common weale belonge all they as many as do truly feare honour cal vpon God whol ly applyeng theyr mynde to holy and godly lyuing and all those that puttynge all theyr hope trust in hym do assuredlye looke for the blisse of euerlastig lyfe But as many as ar in this faith stedfast â–ª weare forechosen predestinate apoynted out to euerlastig lyfe before the world was made Wytnesse hereof they haue wythin in theyr hartes the spirite of Christ the author earnest vnfailable pledge of theyr fayth Whych faith only is able to perceyue the misteries of God only bryngeth peace vnto the hart onli taketh hold on the righteousnes that is in Christ Iesus Master Doth then the spirite alone and fayth sleepe we neuer so soundlye or staÌ„d we neuer so recklesse slothfull so woorke all thynges for vs as without any help of our owne to carye vs idle vp to heauen Scholer I vse maister as you haue taughte mee to make a dyfference betwene the cause and the effectes â–ª The first principall moste perfect cause of oure iustifyenge and saluation is the goodnesse and loue of God wherby he chose vs for his before he made the worlde After that god grauÌ„teth vs to be called by the preachiÌ„g of y e Gospel of Iesus Christ when the spirit of the Lord is poured in to vs by whose guyding and gouernaunce we be led to settle our truste in God and hope forthe per formaunce of all hys promises With thys choyse is ioyned as companion thâ—… mortifyeng of the old man that is of our affectioÌ„ lust FroÌ„ the same spirit also tometh our sanctification the loue of God of our neighbour iustice and vpryghtnesse of life finally to say all in summe whatsoeuer is in vs â–ª or maye be done of vs pure honest true and good that altogether spryngeth out of thys most pleasauntâ—… roote from this most plentyfull fountayne the goodnesse loue â—…hoyse and vnchauÌ„geable purpose of god He is the cause the rest are the frâ—…tes and effectes â—…et ar also the goodnesse choise spirit of God and Christe himselfe causes conioyned and coupled ethe wyth other which mai be reckened amonge the principall causes of our saluation As ofte thearfore as we vse to saye that wee are made ryghteous and saued bi only faith it is meante theareby that fayth or rather truste alone doth lay hand vpon vnderstaÌ„d and perceyue our righteousmakyng to be geueÌ„ 〈◊〉 of God freely that is to say â–ª by no desertes of oure own â–ª but by the free graâ—…e of the almighti father â–ª Moreouer sayth doth engender in vs the loue of our neyghbour â–ª and sutch workes as god is pleased wyth all For if it 〈◊〉 a liuely true faith quikâ—… ned by the holy ghost she is the mother of all good sayinge and doynge By thyâ—… short tale is it euideÌ„t wheÌ„ce and by what meanes we attayne to be made righteous For not by the worthynesse of our deseruinges were we eyther heartofore chosen or long ago saued but by the only mercy of god and pure grace of Christ oure Lorde whearby we weare in hym made to those good workes that God hath apointed for vs to walke in And althoughe good woorkes can not deserue to make vs righ teous before god yet do thei so cleaue vnto faythe that neither can fayth be founde without theÌ„ nor good workes be any whear wythout faythe Master I lyke verye well thys shorte declaration of fayth and workes for Paul playnly teacheth the same But canst thou yet further depaint me out that coÌ„gregacion whych thou callest a kingdome or comoÌ„ weale of Christianes and so set it out before mine eyes that it may seuerally and playnly be knowen asonder froÌ„ eche other fellowshyppe of men
that it canne not be but that he must heare me and be pleased wyth my praiers For I am hys Sonne although vnprofitable disobedient and he on the other side is my moste bountyfull father moste readye to take pity and pardon me Maist. Why doste thousaye he is in heauen is he in sō◅ o◅e certayne and lymited place in heauen ▪ what me◅ ▪ neth that which he sayth of hym selfe I fyll bothe heauen and earthe agayn the heauen is my seate and the earthe my footestoole Scholer Hereof haue I spoken some what before wher vnto I wyl ioyne this that foloweth Fyrst of all as oft as we do say which arte in heauen it is as much to sai as heauēly and diuine For we ought to thyncke much hier of our heauenly father thā of our earthly He is also sayde to be in heauen for this cause that in that hye and heauēly place the n◅ ble and wonderful workes of God do the more clearly and gloriously shewe them selues and he is now declared to be in euerlasting and full felicity whereas we abide yet banyshed in earthe full wretchedlye Moreouer as the heauen by vnmeasurable widnesse of compasse conteyneth all places the earthe and the sea and no place is thear that maye be hidde from the large reatch of heauen sith it is at euery instāt of time to euery thing present So hearby may we vnderstād that god is likewyse present to eche thynge in eche place He seeth heareth and gouerneth al thinges he beyng hym self a spirite and moste farre from al earthlye and mortall state Wytnesse whereof Hieremy the Prophete Am not I saythe the Lorde a God neare vnto you and am not I a God farre of shall anye man be able to shroude hym selfe in suche a corner that I can not espye hym This is a pithye sentence to driue feare into vs that we offend not that Lorde of so large a dominion wherby also we are perswaded assuredly to beleue that God wyll heare whensoeuer we shall stande in nede For he is at al times and in all places presente This foundacion then laid and so sweete and plesaunte entraunce prepared ther foloweth the fyrst parte of the Lordes prayer wherein we requyre that not onlye wee but also all other who soeuer maye in holynes honor reuerence and worshyp hys name Master Howe is that to bee done Scholer I shall shewe you then we do that when leauing all those that haue the name of gods be thei in hea uen or in earthe or worshipped in temples in dyuerse shapes and images wee acknowledge him alone oure father Prai to the true god and Iesus Christ hys onlye sonne whome he hath sent and by pure vnfained praier call vpon him alone wyth vprightnes of life and innocencye Master Thou hast sayd berye well proceede Scholer In the second parte we require that hys kyngedome come For we see not yet all thynges in subiection to Christe we see not the stone he wed offrō the moūtayne wythoute woorke of mā which all to brosed and brought to nought y ◠image whiche Daniell desc◅iueth that the onlye rocke Christe may obtayn and possesse the dominiō of the hole world graūted him of his father Antichrist is not yet slayne For thys cause do we longe for and praye that it may at length come to passe and be fulfylled that Christe may reign with his sainctes accordinge to Gods promises that hee maye lyue and bee Lorde in the worlde accordynge to the decrees of the holye Gospell not after the traditions and lawes of mē nor pleasure of worldlye tyrauntes Master God graunte hys kyngdome may come and that spedilye Scholer Moreouer sithe it is the chyldrens duty to frame theyr lyfe too theyr fathers wyll and not the fathers to bowe to the childrens pleasure forasmuch as our wyl is ◅ommonly by tickling of affeccions and stirringe of lustes drawen to dooe those thynges that God is displesed with it is reasō that we hange whollye vppon the b◅k of our heauēly father wholy submit oure selues to his heauenli gouermnēt Wherefore for thys cause we mortall mē do pray that we maye in like case be obedient to his commaūdemēt as are the sonne and Mone and other sterres in heauen whiche bothe by ordinarye courses and by lightninge the earthe with vncessaun◅e beames execute the Lordes wyll continuallye Or that we as the āgels and other spirites ▪ diuine in al pointes obey him which bestowe al theyr trauayle diligently to accomplish hys godly commaundementes Next after that he teacheth vs to aske of our heauenly father our breade wherby he meaneth not meate onlye but also all thynges elles needefull for maynetenaunce and preseruinge of life that we maye learn that God alone is authoure of al thynges which maketh the fruytes of the earthe bothe to growe and encrease to plentye Wherefore it is meete that we c◅ll vpon hym alone in prayer which as Dauid sayth ◅ loue feedeth a◅d maynteyneth all thinges Master Some suppose this place to meane that bread that Christe maketh men◅on of in the .vi. of Ihon. That is of the true knoweledge and taste of Christe that was borne and dyed for vs wherwyth the faithfull soule is fedde The reasō wherupon they gather this is the greke woorde epiousion whereby they vnderstande supernaturall ghostly heauenly and diuine This mea nynge I refuse not for both these expositions may fitlye agree with this place but whi calleth he it daily bred whiche is also signified by thys worde epiousion Scholer We aske daily bread that myghte be alwayes presente and accompanye vs contynuallye to slake and satisfye oure thyrstye desyre and vnsaciat stomacke least otherwise we shuld be as Christ sayeth carefull for to morowe because the morowe shall care for it selfe For it shall come not wythout his own discōmoditie care Wherfore it is not reason that one day shoulde encrease the euell of another It shall be sufficient for vs dayly to aske that our most bountifull father is readye dayly to gyue Now foloweth the fifthe requeste wherein we beseeche the father to forgeue vs oure trespasses and de◅auts that we haue committed This request doutles is veri necessarye sithe there is no man liuinge free from sinne Here therfore must we cast away all trust of our selues Heare must we plucke downe our courage Here must we prai oure moste mercifull father for the loue of Iesu Christe hys moste deare and obedyent sonne to pardō forgeue and vtterly blot oute of hys boke our innumerable offēces Heare oughte we in the meane seasō to be myndfull of the couenauute we make wyth God That it maye please God so to forgeue vs our trespaces as we our selues forgiue theim that trespasse agaynste vs. Therfore it is necessarye that we forgyue and pardone all men all theyr offenses of what sort or condition so euer thei be If we forgiue men there faultes our
euen to our enemies y â— wrong vs. Let vs therefore know our selues plucke out the faultes that are in vs in their place plaÌ„t vertues like vnto the husbandemen that fyrst vse to shrubbe and roote out y â— thornes braÌ„bles and wedes oute of their ley land and vnloked to then eche wher therin scatter and throw in to the woÌ„â—…e of the earth good frutfull sedes to bryng forth good fruite in their dew season Likewyse let vs do For first let vs laboure to rote out froward corrupt lustes afterward plant holy and fit condicioÌ„s for Christian harts Which if they be watered and fatted with the dew of goddes worde and nourished wyth warmth of the holye ghost they shall brynge forth dout lesse the most plentifull fruit of immortalitye and blessed lyfe whych God hathe by Christ prepared â–ª for his chosen before the foundacyons of the world were layde To whome â–ª bee all honoure and glorye AmeÌ„ ¶ The ende of the Catechisme ¶ Articles agreed vpoÌ„ in the Conuocacion and published by the Kinges Maiestie ¶ Of faith in the holy Trinitie THeare is but one lyuing and true God and he is euerlasting with out bodie partes or passions of infinite power wisdome and goodnesse the maker and preseruer of all thinges both visible inuisible And in vnitie of thys Godheade ther be thre persones of one substaunce power and eternitie the father the soÌ„ne the holy Ghost ¶ That the worde or SoÌ„ne of God was made very maÌ„ THe SoÌ„ne which is the word of the father tooke mans nature in the wombe of the blessed virgine Mary of her SubstaÌ„ce so that two hole and perfecte natures that is to say the godhode and manhoode were ioygned together into one persone neuer to be diuided wherof is one Christe very God very man who truly suffred was crucified dead and buried to reconcile hys father to vs and to be a Sacrifice for all sinne of man both originall and actuall ¶ Of the goinge downe of Christ into Hell AS Christ died and was buried for vs so also it is to be beleued that he went downe into Hell For the bodie laie in the Sepulchre vntill the resurruction but his Ghost departing from him was with the Ghostes that were in prison or in Hell and dyd preache to the same as the place of S. Peter doth testifie ¶ The Resurrection of Christ. CHrist dyd truelie ryse agayne from death and tooke again his bodie with â—…teshe bones and all thynges apperteyning to the perfection of mâ—…ns nature where with he ascended into heauen and there sitteth vntil he retourn to iudge meÌ„ at the last day ¶ The doctrine of holy scrip ture is sufficient to SaluacioÌ„ HOlie Scripture conteineth all thinges necessarye to saluatioÌ„ So that what soeuer is neither read therein nor maye be proued thereby although it be sometyme receyued of the faithfull as Godlie and profitable for an ordre and comelinesse Yet no manne ought to be constâ—…eigned to beleue it as an artycle of faith or repute it requisite to the necessitie of Saluacion ¶ The old Testament is not to be refused THe olde Testament is not to be put away as though it weâ—… contrarye to the newe but to be kept still For both in the old newe Testamentes euerlasting lyfe is offered to mankynde by Christ who is the onelie mediatour betwene God and man beyng both God manne Wherefore they are not to be heard whiche feigne that the olde fathers did looke onlye for 〈◊〉 promises ¶ The three Credes THe thre Credes Nicene crede Anathasius Crede and that which is commonly called the Apostles Crede ought throughly to be receiued for they mai be proued by most certaine warrauntes of holy Scripture Of original or birthe sinne ORiginall sinne standeth not in the folowing of Adam as the Pelagianes doe vainely talke which also the Anabaptists do now a daies renue but it is the fault and corrupcioÌ„ of the nature of euerye man that naturallye is engendred of the of springe of Adam whereby manne is very far gone from his former righteousnesse whiche he had at hys creation and is of his own nature geuen to euyll so that the fâ—…eshe desyreth alwaies contrary to the spâ—… rit and therfore in euery person born into this world it deserueth Goddes wrathe and damnacion And this infection of nature doeth remayne yea in them that are baptyzed whereby the luste of the flesh called in greke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some do expoune the wisdome some sensualitie some the affection some the desire of the flesh is not subiect to the lawe of God And although there is no coÌ„ demnation for theim that beleue and are baptised yet the Apostle doeth confesse that concupisceÌ„ce and lust hath of it self the nature of sinne ¶ Of Free wyll VUe haue no power to doo good works pleasaÌ„t and acceptable to God without the Grace of God by Christ preuenting vs that we may haue a good wil and working in vs when we haue that wille â–ª Of Grace THe Grace of Christ or the holie Ghost by him geuen dothe take awaie the stonie harte geueth an harte of fleshe And although those that haue no wil to good thinges he maketh them to wil and those that woulde euyll thinges hee maketh them not to wille the same Yet neuertheles he eÌ„forceth not the wil. And therfore no man when he sinneth can excuse himself as not worthye to be blamed or condemned by alleging that he sinned vnwillingly or by compulsion ¶ Of the Iustification of manne IUstification by onelye faythe in Iesus Christe in that sense as it is declared in the homelye of Iustification is a moste certeine and holesome doctrine for Christian menne ¶ Workes before Iustification VUorks done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of his spirite are not plesauÌ„t to God forasmuch as they spring not of Faithe in Iesu Christ neither do they make menne mete to receiue Grace or as the Scholeaucthours saie deserue Grace of congruitie but because they are not done as God hath willed and commauÌ„ded them to be done we doubte not but they haue the nature of sinne ¶ Woorkes of Supererogation VOluntary woorkes besides ouer and aboue Gods commaundements whych they call workes of Supererogation caÌ„not be taught w tout arrogancy and iniquity For by them men dooe declare that they dooe not onelye rendre to God asmuch as they are bounde to dooe but that they do more for his sake then of bouÌ„den duetie is required wheras Christe saieth plainelie when you haue done all that are commaunded you saye we be vnprofitable seruauntes ¶ No maÌ„ is without sinne but Christe alone CHrist in the trueth of our nature was made like vnto vs in all thinges sinne onely except from which he was clearely void bothe in his fleshe and in his spirit He came to be the lambe with oute spotte who by Sacrifice of himself made once for euer shold take
although it do not bodylye touche the eye nor be presently wyth 〈◊〉 together hear in earthe yet is it present to the sight notwithstanding so large a distaunce of space betwen So Christes body which at his glorious going vp was coÌ„ueyed from vs which hath left the worlde and is gone vnto hys father is a greate way absent froÌ„ our mouth euen then when we receyue wyth our mouth the holye sacrament of his body and bloude Yet is oure fayth in heauen and beholdeth that sonne of righteousnesse and is presently together wyth him in heauen in sutch sort as the syghte is in heauen with the body of the sonne or in earthe the sonne wyth the syght And as the sonne is present to all thinges by hys light so is Christe also in hys godhead Yet neither can from the body the light of the sonne be sondred nor from hys immortall bodye the godhead of Christe We muste thearfore so say that Christes bodye is in some one place of heaueÌ„ and hys godhead euerywhear that we neyther of hys godhead make a body nor of hys bodye a God Master I see my son thâ—…n art not ignorant after what sorte Christ is rightly sayd to be from vs in bodye and with vs in spirit But thyâ—… one thyng would I knowe of thee why Christ our lord is thus conueied awaye froÌ„ the syghte of oure eyes and what profit we take by his goyng vp to heauen Scholer The chefe cause theâ—… of was to plucke out of vs that false opinion whyche sometyme deceaued the Apostles theymselues that Christ should in earth visibly reigne as other kinges and rufflyng princes of the world This errour he minded to haue vtterly suppressed in vs and that we shuld thyncke hys kyngdome to consyst in hyer thynges Which thinge he thearfore thoughte fytter because it was more for our comoditie and profitte that some such kyngdome should be set vâ—… as the foundacions thearof should rest vpon our fayth Whearfore it was necessary that he shoulde be conueyed away from vs past perceyuing of all bodily sense that by thys meane oure faythe might be styrred vp and exercised to consyder hys gouernement and prouidence whom no syght of bodylye eyes can behold And forasmutch as he is not kyng of some one country alone but of heaueÌ„ and earth of quick and dead it was moste conuenient that hys kingdome should be otherwyse gouerned then our senses may aâ—…teine vnto For ells he shold haue bene constrained some tyme to be caried vp to heauen sometyme to be dryuen downe to the earthe to remoue sometyme in to one countrey sometyme into another and lyke an earthly prynce to be caryed hether thether by dyuerse chauÌ„ge of chaunsable affayres For he could not be preseÌ„tli with all at once vnlesse hys body weare so turned in to Godheade that he myght be in all or in many places together as Eutyches and certeyne lyke heretykes helde opinion Yf it so wear that he myghte be eche whear present with al at one verye instaunt time then wear he not man but a ghoste â–ª neyther shoulde he haue â–ª had a trewe bodye but a fantasticall whearof shoulde haue spronge foorth with a thowsaÌ„d errors all whych he hath dispatched by carienge hys bodie vp whole to heauen In the meane season he â–ª remaynynge inuisible gouerneth his kingdoÌ„e and commen weale that is his church â–ª with soueraign wysdome and power It is for men to rule theyr commune weales by a certayne ciuile policie of men but for Christ and God by a heaueÌ„ lye godlyke â–ª order But all that I haue hetherto sayde conteyneth but a small parcell of the profytte that we take by the caryenge vp of Christes body into heauen For ther ar many mo thinges that heare might be rehearsed whearof large store of fruite is to be gathered But specially this may not be left vnspoken that the be nefits are sutch so greate â–ª which come vnto vs by the deathe risynge agayne and goinge vp of Christ as no tonge eyther of men or angeles is able to expres And that you maye knowe my mynde hearein I wyll rehearse certayne of the chefe whearunto as it wear two principall poyntes the rest may be applyed I say therfore that both by these and other doings of Christ two coÌ„modities do growe vnto vs the one that al the thinges that euer he hath don â–ª for our profyt and behofe he hath done theÌ„ so that they be as well oure owne yf we will cleaue thearunto wyth stedfast and lyuely faith as if we had done them oure selues He was nailed to the crosse we wear also nayled with him and in him oure synnes punished â–ª He dyed was buryed we lykewyse with our sinnes are dead buried that in sutche sorte that all remeÌ„braunce of our synnes is vtterly taken out of mynde He is risen again and we are also risen again wyth hym that is are so made partakers of hys rysyng againe and lyfe that from hensforth death hath no more rule ouer vs. For y â— same spirit is in vs that raised vp Iesus froÌ„ the deade Finallye as he is gone vp into heauenly glorye so are we lifted vp with hym Albeit that these thynges do not nowe appeare yet then shall they all be broughte to light wheÌ„ Christ the lightâ—… of the world shal shew him self in his glorye in whome all oure blisse is layde vp in store Moreouer by hys goyng vp are grauÌ„ted vs the giftes of the holy ghost as Paule doth sufficiently witnesse Ephe. iiii The other commoditie which we take by the doinges of Christ is that Christe is set for an example vnto vs to frame our lyues thereaster Yf Christe hath bene deade if he hath bene buryed for sin he was so but ones If he be risen agayne if he be gone vppe to heauen he is but ones risen but ones gone vp FroÌ„ hensforth he dieth no more but lf neth with God reygneth in euerlastyng continuauÌ„ce of glory So if we be deade if we be buried to sin Howe shall we heare after lyue in the same If we be rysen again with Christ if by sted fast hope we lyue nowe in heauen with him heauenlye and godlye thinges not earthly and frail we ought to set oure care vpon And euen as hearetofore we haue borne the image of y â— earthli man so from henseforward lette vs beare the image of the heauenly As the Lord Christ neuer ceased to do vs good by bestowing vpoÌ„ vs his holye spirite by garnyshinge his churche wyth so many notable giftes and by perpetual praying to his father for vs Lyke reason oughte to moue vs to aydâ—… oure neyghboure wyth all our endeuoure to maintain as much as in vs lyeth the bond of charity And to honoure Christ our Lord and sauioure not wyth wythed tradicions and cold deuises of men but wyth heauenly honour spiritual in dede most fyt for vs that giue it hym
Scholer I will proue howe well I can do it your pleasure is maister as I take it that I point ye out some certaine congregation that may be seene Master That it is in dede so it shal be good for y ◠to do Scholer That congregation is nothing elsse but a certayne multytude of menne which wher soeuer they be professe the pure vprighte learning of Christ and that in such sort as it is faithfully set fourth in the holye testamēt by the Euangelists and Apostles whiche in al points are gouerned and ru led by the lawes statutes of theyr kinge and hye Byshoppe Christe in the bonde of charity which vse his ho lye misteryes that are commonlie called sacramentes with such purenesse simplicity as touchinge theire nature and substaunce as the Apostles of Christ vsed and left behinde in writing The marckes therefore of this churche are firste pure preachyng of the gospel thē brotherly loue out of which as members of al one body springeth good wyl of eche to other thirdlye vprighte and vncorrupted vse of the Lordes sacraments accordynge to the ordynaunce of the Gospell laste of all brotherlye correction and excōmunication or banishynge those out of the church that wyll not amend their liues This marcke the holye fathers tearmed discipline This is that same churche that is grounded vpon the assured rocke Iesus Christ and vpō trust in hym This is that same church which Paul calleth the piller and vpholding stay of truth To this church belōg the keies whearwyth heauen is locked and vnlocked for that is done by the ministration of the worde wherunto properly appertayneth the power to bynde and louse to holde for gylty and forgiue synnes So that whosoeuer beleueth the Gospell preached in thys church he shal be saued but whoso beleueth not he shal be dāpned Master Now wold I fain heare thy beliefe of the holy ghost Scholer I confesse him to be the thyrd person of the holy trinitie Andsith be is equal with the father the sonne of the verye same nature that he ought egally to bee worshipped with thē bothe Mast. Whi is he called holy Scholer Not onelye for hys owne holynesse but for that by hym are made holye the chosen of God and members of Christe And thearfore haue the scriptures termed him the spirit of sanctification or makyng holy Master Wherin consysteth thys sanctification Scholer Fyrste we be newe gotten by his inward motion And therfor said Christ we muste be newe borne of water and of the spirit Thē by his inspiration are we adopted as it wer bi choise made the chyldren of God For whych cause he is not causelesse called the spirit of adoption By his lyght are we lightened to vnderstand Gods misteryes By hys iudgemēt are sinnes pardoned and reteined By his power is the fleshe wyth her lustes kept downe tamed Bi his pleasure ar the manifold gyftes dealt amonge the holye Finallye by hys meanes shal our mortal bodies be relyued Therfore in the author of so great gifts we do not wythout a cause beleue honor cal vpō him ▪ Master Wel thou hast now said sufficiently of the holly ghost But thys woulde I heare of thee why it immediatelye foloweth that we beleue the holye vniuersall churche and the communiō of Sayntes Scholer These two thinges I haue alwai thoght to be most fitly coupled togither Because the felowshyppes and incorporacions of other men procede and be gouerned by other meanes policies but the church whyche is an assemble of men called to euerlastinge saluacion is bothe gathered together gouerned by the holy ghost of whom we euē now made mention Which thyng sith it can not be perceiued bi bodily sense or light of nature is by right and for good rea son heare reckened amonge thynges that are knowē by beleife And thearfore thys calling togither of the faith full is called vniuersall because it is bonde to no one speciall place For God thorowout al costes of y ◠world hath them that worshyppe hym Whych thoughe they be far scattered a sonder by diuerse distāce of countries and dominions yet ar they members most nearlye ioyned of that same bodi wherof Christe is the heade and haue one spirit fayth sacramētes prayers forgiuenesse of sinnes and heauēly blisse common among them all and be so knyt with the bōd of loue that they e◅deuour thēselues in nothyng more than eche to help other and to build together in Christ. Master Seynge thou haste already spokē of the knowledge of god and his members I woulde also heare ▪ what is the true seruyce of God Scholer Fyrst we must consider that the right trewe knowledge of God is the principal and onli fundatiō of Gods seruyce The same knowledge fear doth foster and mayntayne whyche in scriptures is called the begynnyng of wisedōe Faith and hope are the proppes and staies whearupō leane all the rest that I haue rehearsed Furthermore charitie whych we call loue is lyke an euerlastyng bonde by the strayght knot wherof al other vertues be boūd in one together and theyr force encreased These be the inward partes of Gods seruice that is to say whyche consyst in the mynde Master What hast thou to say of the Sabbat or the ho ly dai which euē now thou madest mention of amonge the lawes of the firste table Scholer Sabbat is as much to sai as rest It was apoin ted for onlye honoure and seruice of God and it is a figure of that reast and quiet nes whiche they haue that beleue in Christe For oure trust in Christ doth set our myndes at liberty from all slauishe feare of the law sin deathe and hel assuring vs in the meane season that by him we please God that he hath made vs hys chyldren and heiers of his kingdome wherby thear groweth in our hartes peace and true quietnes of mind whiche is a certayn foretaste of y ◠moste blessed quiet whiche we shall haue in hys kyngdome As for those thynges that are vsed to bee done on the sabbothe daye as Ceremonies and exercises in the seruyce of God they are tokens and wytnesses of thys assured truste And mete it is that faithfull Christiās on such daies as are apointed oute for holye thynges shold lay asyde vnholy your kes and gyue them selues earnestly to religion and ser uynge of God Master What be the parts of that outwarde seruynge God whyche thou saydest euen now dyd stand in certain bodily exercises which are also tokēs of the inward seruinge hym Scholer Fyrst to teache and heare the learnynge of the gospel thē the pure and naturall vse of the ceremonies and sacramentes last of all prayer made vnto God by Christe and in the name of Christ which without faile obteineth the holly ghoste the moste assured author of all trew seruynge God and vpryght religion Master Tell me what thou callest sacramentes Scholer
thaÌ„kes geuing and to be commended to the people of God ¶ Of ciuile Magistrates THe king of Englande is Supreame head in earth next vn der Christe of the churche of England and Ireland THe Byshoppe of Rome hathe no iurisdiction in thâ—…s realin of Englande THe ciuile magistrate is ordeined and alowed of god wher fore we must obey him not on ly for feare of punishment but also for conscience sake THe ciuile lawes may punyshe christen men with deathe for hainous greuous offences IT is lawfull for Christians at the commaundement of the ma gistrate to were weapons and to serue in lawfull warres Christian mennes gooddes are not commune THe riches gooddes of Christians are not commune as touchinge the righte title and possession of the same as certayn Anabaptiâ—…es do fasly boast not withstanding euery man oughte of such thinges as he possesseth li berally to geue almes to the pore according to his hability ¶ Christian menne maye take an Othe AS we confesse that vayne rashe swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lorde Iesu Christ his apostle Iames so we iudge that Christian religion doeth not prohibite but that â—… man may sweare when the Magistrate requireth in a cause of faythe and charitye so it be done according to the Prophetes teachynge in iustyce iudgemente and truthe The resurrectioÌ„ of the dead is not yet broughte to passe THe resurreccioÌ„ of the dead is not as yet brought to passe as though it only belonged to the soule which by the grace of Christ is raised from the death of synne but it is to be loked for at the laste day For then as Scripture 〈◊〉 most manifestly testifie to all that be dead theyr owne bodies ste she and bone shalbe restored that the whole maÌ„ may accordinge to hys workes haue other reward orpu nishment as he hath liued vertuoufly or wickedly The soules of them that depart this life doe neither die wyth 〈◊〉 the bodies nor sleape idly THey which say that the soules of suche as depart hence dooe sleepe beyng wythout al sence feling or perceiuing vntyl the day of iudgmente â–ª or affirme that the soules dye with the bodies and at the last day shalbe raised vp wyth the same do vtterly dissente from the righte belefe declared to vs in holye Scripture Heritikes called Millenarii THey that go aboute to renewe the fable of heretickes called Millenarii be repugnaunt to holy scripture and cast theÌ„ selues headlong into a Iewishe dotage ¶ Al men shall not be saued at the length THey also are worthy of condeÌ„nation who endeuout at thys tyme to restore the dauÌ„gerous opinion that al men be theineues so vngodly shal at length be saued wheÌ„ they haue suffered paynes for theyr synnes a certayne tyme appoynted bâ—… Gods iustice The ende of the Articles ¶ A generall Confession to be sayd in the Morning AL mighty and most merciful father we haue erred and strayed from thy wayes like lost shepe We haue followed to mutche the deuises and desires of our owne hartes We haue offended agaynst thy holye laâ—…es Wee haue lefte vndone those thynges whyche we ought to haue done â—… we haue done those things whiche we ought not to haue done and ther is no health in vs but thou O Lord haue mercye vpon vs miserable offendours Spare thou them O God whych confesse theyr faultes Restore thou them that be â—…tent accordyng to thy prompses declared vnto mankynde in Christ Ieso our Lord. And graunt O most mercifull father for his sake that we may here 〈◊〉 liâ—…e a godly righteous and sober lyfe to the glorye of thy holy name Amen A prayer to be sayd in the Mornynge OMercifull Lord God heâ—…uenlye father I reÌ„der most high laudes praise and thanks vnto the that thou hast preserued me both thys nyght and all the tyme and dayes of my lyfe hitherto vnder thy protection and hast suffered 〈◊〉 to liue vntill this present houre And I beseeche the hartely that thou wilt vouchesafe to receiue me this day and the residue of my whole lyfe from hence forth into thy tuâ—…ion â–ª rulyng and gouernyng 〈◊〉 with thy holy spirite that all maner of darkenesse of misbeliefe infidelitie and of carnal luâ—… and affections may be vtterly chased and driuen oute of my hearte and that I may be iustified and saued both bodye and soule thorow â—… ryght and a perfect fayth and so walke in the light of thy most godlye truth to thy glorye and prayse and to the profyt and furtheraunce of my neighbour thorow Iesus Christ our Lorde and Sauiour Amen ¶ A Praiet to be saied of Children before they studie their lesson at schole OBlessed Lorde whiche arte the welspring of al wisdom and knowledge sitheÌ„s it hath pleased the of thy mercy to prouyde for me such meanes to be instructed in my teÌ„der age as wherby I may haue knowledge to vse my selfe honestlye and to behaue my selfe godlye to leade the whole course of my life in thy holy seruice let it be thy pleasure also to illumynate my darke wyt and blynde vnderstandinge so that it may be able to receyue accordyngly the learning that shall be vttered refreshe thou my memorye yea imprinte thou it in my remembrauÌ„ce that I may kepe it assuredlye dispose thou my hearte also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and frame my wyll that â—…mape apply my minde to receiâ—…e it with such affecâ—…ion and feruente desire as it behoâ—…eth to to this end that the most happye occasyon which thou offerest vnto me do not peaâ—…ish through my vnthâ—…kfulnes and that these thinges may come to passe let it staÌ„d with thy gracoius pleasure to powre out thy holy spirit into my heart thy spirit I saye of vnderstanding of truth iudgment wisdoÌ„â—… knowledge wheâ—…eby I may become apt to learne and my scholemaster not lese his payne in teachyug me and what study soeuer I apply my mynd vnto I may reduce â—… bryng it to the right end that is to glorifâ—… the in our sauiouâ—… Christ to whoâ—…e wyth the and the holye ghost be all honoure and glorye for euer and euer Amen ¶ A Prayer for the Kinges Maiestye ALmightye God whose kingdome is euerlastyng and power infinit haue mercye vpon the whole congregaâ—…yon and so rule the heart of thy choseâ—… seruaunt Edward the sixth ouâ—… king and gouernoure that he knowyng whose mynyâ—…er he is may aboue al thynges seeke thy honour and glory and y â— we his subiectes duly coÌ„sidering whose authority he hath maye faythfullye serue honour and humbly obey him in the and for the according 〈◊〉 thy blessed woorde and 〈◊〉 Thorow Iesus Christ our Lord whâ—… 〈◊〉 the and the holy ghost liueth and 〈◊〉 euer one God worlde wythout 〈◊〉 Amen ¶ A Prayer to be sayde at nyghte going to bed OMercifull Lorde God heauenly 〈◊〉 ther whether we sleepe or wake liue ordye we are alwayes thyne Wheâ—… fore I beseche the hartelye that thou wyâ—…â—…ouchsafe to take care and charge of me not to suffer me to