The first section .

Question . 1 WHerefore hath God placed vs in this world ?

Aunswere . To know and serue him .

Q 2. Wil he be knowen and serued according to our vnderstanding and will : or according to that , which it hath pleased himselfe , to declare and set out vnto vs touching the same ?

Answere . According to that which he hath declared vnto vs concerning the same .

Q 3. Where hath he declared and set out the same vnto vs ?

A. In that booke which we call the Bible , comprehending , togither with diuers histories , the law and the gospel .

Q 4. Who hath made this booke ?

A. God him selfe , by the ministerye of hys holy Prophets and Apostles .

Q. 5. What is the law ?

A. The doctrine which teacheth vs what we ought to do , as well towards God , as one of vs towards an other .

Q. 6. What is the Gospel ?

A. That heauenly doctrine which teacheth vs , what we must beleeue to our saluation thorow Iesus Christ only .

Q. 7. Doth this word conteine al that which we must beleeue and doe ?

A. Yea , without hauing any neede to adde or ioyne any thing thereto , or to take anye thing therefrom .

Q. 8. Say now the articles of your beleefe .

A. I beleue in God , the father almighty . &c

The second section .

Q. 1. Doth this Doctrine teach vs , that there is but one onely God , or that there are more gods then one ?

A. It teacheth that there is but one God only , and that we may not haue more .

Q. 2. Wherfore say you so ?

A. Because it must needes be , that he whiche is God , should be aboue all other thinges , and therfore he may not haue a fellowe or companion ioyned with him .

Q. 3. Yet you in naming God haue seemed to rehearse three , that is to say , the father , the sonne , and the holy Ghost .

A. In deede there are three persons , in one only Godhead : but yet these three persons , are but one , and the selfe same onely God .

Q. 4. Meane you that God is diuided into three partes ?

A. No , for God can not be diuided , but I say , that euery one of these three persons is one , and the selfe same onely God altogeathere perfect .

Q. 5. How can this be ?

A. It is a misterie or secreat beyonde al our vnderstanding , and yet notwythstandyng most certayne and sure , for God hath so declared it and set it forth vnto vs , by hys holy word .

Q. 6. Doe you then beleeue in one onelye God , the father the sonne , and the holy ghost .

A. Yea : and by Gods goodnes , will . dye in this faith .

The third section .

Q. 1. How is the sonne of God called ?

A. IESVS CHRIST .

Q. 2. What meane these wordse IESVS CHRIST ?

A. Iesus is as much to say , as Sauior , and Christe is as muche as annoynted and consecrated to be our soueraigne king , hauing power ouer all creatures , our soueraigne or high prophet , who hath fullye declared vnto vs the wyl of God his father , touching our saluation , and our soueraigne or high prieste , which hath fullye appeased an pacified the wrathe of God agaynste vs for our sinnes .

Q. 3. What hath hee done and suffered to saue vs ?

A. He was conceiued by the holy ghoste , and borne of the virgin Mary , suffered vnder Pontius Pilate , &c.

Q. 4. Can God suffer or dye ?

A. No.

Q. 5. Is not Iesus Christ true and very God , eternall , with his father and the holy ghost ?

A , Yea.

Q. 6. How then is he sayd to haue dyed ?

A. Because that being verye God , he was made man also , to the end that in his person our nature mighte beare or suffer the whole punishment due to our sinnes and traunsgressions .

Q. 7. Doe you meane that the sonne of God , was changed into man ?

A. No , because then he should be no more God : and god can not eyther change him selfe or be changed . But being of himselfe verye God , he hath taken our nature vnto himselfe , that so he might be very god and very man .

Q. 8. If he had not bin God coulde he haue bin our sauiour ?

A. No , for it belongeth vnto God onely to pardon and forgiue sins , and to giue eternall life .

Q. 9. And if he had not bin man , coulde he haue bin our sauiour ?

A. If he had not bin man he could not haue dyed , and therefore we our selues shoulde haue bin subiect vnto death .

The fourth section .

Q. 1. Shall all the world be saued .

A. No , for the greater part of the world refuse their saluation .

Q. 2. Who then are they which shal be saued ?

A. They that haue faith and beleeue .

Q. 3. And what is fayth ?

A. A certaine perswasion and assurance , which euery true christian man oughte to- haue , that God the father loueth him , for Iesus Christ his sons sake .

Q. 4. Wherefore doe you say for Iesus Christes sake ?

A. Because that we being altogither corrupted and wholly peruerse in our selues , God could not loue vs , but in respecte of him onely , which is man altogither iuste and perfect , that is to say Iesus Christ his sonne .

Q. 5. Commeth this fayth of our selues ?

A. No , but from the onely grace and goodnes of God , which doth frely giue it to his elect and chosen ones .

Q. 6. And they which haue this fayth , are they saued ?

A. Yea of necessitie , for god hath giuen his sonne to the ende that euery one which beleueth in him , should haue life euerlasting : and he is not a lyer .

The fifth section .

Q. 1. But wherby may a man knowe whether he haue fayth or no ?

A. By good workes .

Q. 2. Which be good woorkes , and which be euill ?

A. Those onely are good which he himselfe hath commanded , and those euill which he hath forbidden .

Q. 3. Rehearse nowe the commandements of God .

A. Heare Israell &c. The summe wherof is , thou shalt loue the Lord thy God .

Q. 4. To knowe Gods commandements , is not onely to know to say them , but men must also vnderstand that which they say : wherfore I demaund of you , what meaneth that which is sayd in the third commaundement , to take the name of God .

A. It is to name God , which we muste neuer doe , but vpon iust and good cause , and with feare of his maiesty whom we name .

Q. 5. Then it is by stronger and greater reason more forbidden to sweare by God in vain that is to say , to take him for a witnes and iudge , without iust and good cause why .

A. It is so in deede ,

Q. 6. What meaneth it to sanctifie the Sabaoth day , or day of rest .

A. It is to dedicate and consecrate it to the glory of God .

Q. 7. Ought we not also to dedicate vnto him all the rest of the dayes of our life ?

A. Yea , but this day is particularlye and cheefely ordayned for this end and purpose .

Q. 8. Doe men forbid to trauaile or worke on the Saboth day , as though to labor were a thing euill of it selfe ?

A. No , but they forbid ordinary and vsuall labor , to doe a worke which is better and more profitable .

The sixt section .

Q 1. You haue sayde that they only are good workes which God hath commanded . Wherfore tell me can we accomplish and fulfyll the commandements of God ?

A. No , not so muche as begin to doe anye thing , but by a certaine singuler and speciall grace of God . Yea there neuer hath bin or shall be a man , excepting Iesus Christe only , which hath perfectly fulfilled the same .

Q. 2. Wherefore say you so ?

A. Because God will saue vs thorowe his only mercy in Iesus Christ .

Q 3. Yet so it is that a good lyfe is the way to saluation .

A. It is true that repentaunce and amendment is ioyned with the forgiuenes of our sinnes : but yet it followeth not therevppon , that we be saued by our workes .

Q. 4. And why shall we not be saued by our workes seing that they are good ?

A. Because they be not good inough for that purpose .

Q. 5. Wherefore then are they good ?

A. To sette forth Gods honor : to winne or else to strengthen our neighbors , and to make vs know and feele in our selues , that we are the children of God .

Q. 6. Good workes then make vs not Gods children ?

A. No , for contrariwise a man must firste be the child of GOD , before he can doe good woorkes : but this is a marke or badge , whereby men may knowe the children of God .

Q. 7. What then maketh vs the children & sonnes of God ?

A. The onely grace and mercye of God , by his holy spirite , because he hath elected and chosen vs from before all euerlastingnes , according to his good pleasure .

The seuenth section .

Q. 1. The holy ghost then is hee which maketh vs the children of god : but what instruments or meanes , doth he ordinarily & commonly vse to bring vs to that honor and kepe vs in the same ?

A. The preaching of the word praier , and the vse of the sacraments .

Q. 2. What call you preaching of the word ?

A. An exposition of the writinges of the Prophets and Apostls , which is don in the Churche , by such as he hath called to that holy ministery : of Whom it is sayd the that receiueth you receiueth me .

Q. 3. And how doe you pray ?

A. Saying . O our father which art in heauen . &c.

Q. 4. To whom speake you these wordes ?

A. To God the Father .

Q. 5. How is he your father , seeing that he hath but one onely sonne , that is to say IESVS CHRIST ?

A. First , because that Iesus Christe hys eternal sonne being made man , is become our brother : secondly , because he loueth me in Iesus Christ his sonne , with a greater then a fatherly loue and affection .

Q. 6. Albeit then that you directe not your speach and wordes eyther to the sonne or to the holy ghoste , yet you doe not exclud or shutte out eyeher the one or the other .

A. No , For I can not call him Father , but in the name of his sonne IESVS CHRISTE , nor praye vnto hym but by the holy ghost .

Q. 7. And is it not lawfull for a man to frame or make his prayer to the person of the sonne and of the holy ghost .

A. Yea in deede . For seeing that the three persons are one onely , and the selfe same God , inuocation or prayer dooth equallye belong vnto them . And whether I call vpon the father in the name of the sonne by the holy ghost , or that I make my prayer vnto the sonne to leade and bring mee to the father , or that I pray the holy ghost to teache me the father and the sonne , all commeth to one .

The eyght section .

Q. 1. And what is a Sacrament ?

A. It is a thing which God setteth before mens eyes in his church , to signify vnto vs for our saluation , an other thing which men see not .

Q. 2. And wherfore hath God ordeined these signes to his promises ?

A. For to make vs so much the more assured of the certainty of them .

Q. 3. How many such signes are there in the christian Church ?

A. Two , that is to say , Baptisme , and the holy Supper .

Q. 4. What see you in Baptisme ?

A. Water .

Q. 5. What dothe thys water signifye vnto you ?

A. The bloud of Iesus Christ .

Q 6. To what end ?

A. To make cleane my sins , as the water being occupyed , maketh cleane the filthines of the body .

Q 7. Doth this water make cleane and purge sinnes ?

A. No , but it signifyeth vnto me that which washeth my sinnes , to wit , the bloud of Iesus Christ .

Q 8. Meane you that this matter or substance of the bloud of Iesus Christe washeth our soules ?

A. No , for our soules can not be clensed with any matter as our bodyes . But thys bloude maketh me cleane , because the Iesus Christe hath shed it for satisfaction and full recompence of my sinnes .

Q. 9. Is there then anye difference betweene the water of Baptisme , and common water ?

A. No , as concerning the matter and substance ( for it is alwayes water ) but there is very great difference , as concerning the vse : for the common water serueth to wash and make cleane our bodilye filthinesses , and the water vsed in Baptisme , is a sacrament , of the washing of our soules .

The ninth section .

Q. 1. What see you in the supper ?

A. The bread and the wine , which is there giuen and receiued according to the ordinaunce and institution of God .

Q. 2. What doth this breade and this wine signifie vnto you ?

A. The bread signifieth to me , the bodye crucified for mee , and the wine signifyeth vnto mee , the bloudde shedde out for me .

Q. 3. To what end ?

A. To testifie vnto me , & to assure me , that euen as this bread & this wine , are ordeined for the maintenance and nourishment of this life , so our Lorde Iesus Christe hath giuen his body & his bloud for me , and giueth himselfe to mee , to the ende that from him , as from a fountaine there may flowe vnto me eternal life .

Q. 4. Are this bread and wine our spirituall nourishment ?

A. No , but they signifie vnto vs that from whence verye eternall lyfe it selfe proceedeth , that is to saye , from hym which hath suffered his death and passion to take away the cause of our death , that is to say sins , and to renue vs vnto eternall life , thorow a spiritual liuelines , which resteth and remaineih in him .

Q. 5. Is there anye difference betweene the bread and wine vsed in this sacrament , and common bread and wine ?

A. No , as touching the matter and substaunce ( for it is alwayes bread and wine ) but there is very great difference , as concerning the vse : for ordinary and common meates are appointed for the vse of thys present life , but this sacrament is ordeyned to signify and seale vnto vs our spirituall and euerlasting nourishment .

The tenth section .

Q. 1. Wherefore hath the Lorde ordeined & instituted two signes in his holy supper seeing that in Baptisme there is but one only ?

A. To assure vs that he doth not feede vs to the halues , but wholly , being not onelye our meate but also our drinke .

Q. 2. Where is Iesus Christ nowe according to his humane nature ?

A. In heauen , from whence he shall come to iudge the liuing and the dead .

Q. 3. By what meanes can you then whiche are on the earth receiue him ?

A. As I receiue with my hande and my mouth the sacrament , that is to saye , that bread and that wine , for the nourishment of thys bodye , euen so by the vertue , and power of the holye Ghoste , I doe inwardly and in my soule receiue and imbrace thorowe faythe our Lorde Iesus Christ , verye God and verye man , that by him I may liue eternally .

Q. 4. Doe they which haue no fayth receiue Iesus Christ in the supper ?

A. No , for Iesus Christe is not receaued but by fayth , yet doe they in deede receiue the sacrament , but to theyr condemnation .

Q 5. How so ?

A. Because that they make no difference betwene common bread and common wine , and that which is the sacrament of the body and bloud of Iesus Christe , whom they reiect and throw from them thorowe theyr vnbeliefe .

Q 6. Howe must a man prepare himselfe t● come worthily to the supper ?

A. If he haue true repentance of the life that is passed , confessing their sins before God , and amending them towards God and his brethren , so much as in him lyeth , with aful● deliberation & purpose to be better in time to come , and embracing Iesus Christ by a● true fayth in his promises and sacraments for the alone and only sauior ,

Q. 7. But hath Iesus Christe left it vnto our liberty and choyse ▪ whether we will go to the supper , or not goe to it ?

A. In forbidding men to resort thether vnworthily , he commandeth all them whiche haue iudgement and discretion , to prepare themselues that they may repaire worthily to it .

God giue vs all grace to go to it to his honor and glory , and to our saluation . So be it .

A prayer to be sayd of children before they study their lesson .

Wherein shall a child addresse his way , in guiding himselfe according to thy word O Lorde Open our eyes and we shal consider the merueilous things of thy law . Giue vs vnderstanding , and we shall keepe thy law , yea we wil I keepe it with our hart .

O Lord whych art the fountaine of al wisedom and knowledge , seeing it hath pleased thee to giue vs the meane to bee taught in our young age , to knowe how to guyde our selues holily and honestly , in all the rest of our life hereafter to come , let it please thee also to lighten our vnderstanding ( whiche of it selfe is blind ) that it may comprehend and receiue that doctrine and learning , which shall be taught vs , confirme also and strengthen our memory to keepe it wel : dispose our harts to receiue the same willingly , & with such desire as is mete , least that thorow our vnthankfulnes , the occasion that thou dost offer vnto vs , shuld perish and be lost . To this end powre vpon vs we pray thee thy holy spirit , which is the spirite of all vnderstanding , truth , iudgement , wisedome and learning , which may make vs able to profit so wel that the pains which shall be taken in teaching vs be not lost . And to whatsoeuer study , that we apply our selues , graunt that we may refer it to the true and right end , which ys to know thee , in our Lord Iesus Christe , that wee may haue ful trust of our saluation and eternall lyfe in thy grace , and may serue thee vpryghtlye and purely , accordyng to thy good pleasure , so that al that which we shal learn , may be an instrument to helpe vs therto . And seeyng that thou doest promyse to giue wysedome to the little ones , and such as are humble , and on the otherside to confound the proude in the vanity of their wits and vnderstandinges : & likewise to make thy selfe knowne vnto them that bee of an vpryghte hart , & on the otherside to make blinde the wicked & vngodly , we besech thee to fashion and subdue vs to true humility , that thereby we may be made apte to learne & obedient also , first vnto thee , secondly vnto our superiors which thou hast appoynted to gouerne and teach vs . Moreouer we hartily prayer thee to dispose and frame our harts , vnfeynedly to seeke thee , forsaking all fleshly and euil affections , & that we may now in such sorte prepare our selues , to serue thee hereafter in that estate & calling , which it shal please thee to ordeine & appoynt for vs , when we shal come to age . Heare vs O father of al mercy , thorow our Lord Iesus Christe . So be it .