IT IS MOre euident and known to all men , them well considered and thankfully receyued of many , with what greate mercies , and especiall graces god enduede our countrye of England in these latter days : when from 1 1 Ose. 2. d. Rom. 9. e. 1. Pet. 2. b. idolatrie he called vs to the knowledge of his gospell , and of no people made vs his people , a holie people , the people of god : sendinge vs a kinge moste godly , learned , zealous , wyse , and such one as neuer sate in that royall chaire before : Gods woord vniuersally spred ouer all the lande , repentance preached , Christes kingdome offered , sinne rebuked : so that none coulde excuse him selfe , either that he had not hearde , or els was not taught gods holy ghospell : yet it came to passe , and this day , that is verified on vs , which the lord reproued Israell fore , sayinge , 2 2 Esa. 65. a. Rom. 10. d. I haue stretched forthe my handes all the day longe , vnto a people that beleueth not , but rebelleth againste me , and walke after their owne ymaginations . For whose ways were not corrupt ? euen from the 3 3 Esa. 1. b. 7. Hier. 2. b. highest to the lowest , from toppe to toe , there was no part sownde . Suche contempt of gods word , aswell on their behalf to whom charge of preachinge was commytted , as on the other syde , negligence to heare and learne to frame their lyues accordinge ther vnto : that yf the lord had not hastened this plague , and preuented , it wolde certenly haue come to passe , whiche those wycked men of Anathoth sayed to the prophet Hieremie , 4 4 Hier. 11. d. speake no more to vs in this name of the lorde . The which vnkyndnes and contempt , wold god we coulde as earnestly repent , as we nowe feele the lacke of these accustomed mercies for nowe the day of our 5 5 Luke . 19. f. visitation is come , and the lorde hath broght the 6 6 Leu. 26. c. Deut. 27.28.30.7 . 1. king . 22. c. 2. Chro. 18. e. Eze. 14. e. plagues vpon vs , wherof before we were admoneshed , and moste iustely menaced . For the false ⁷ prophets are sent forthe with lies in their mouthes to deceyue England , and the scarsetie of gods worde is so great that althogh they seke it from one 8 8 Amos. 8. d. sea coaste to an other , yet they can not finde yt , but as men affameshed deuoure the pestiferous dounge of papistrie , to the poisoninge of their owne sowles .

Let vs therfore bretherne 9 9 Ioel. 2. c. Psal. 68. a. Ion. 3. d. 4. a. tourne wholy to the lord , by repentance , fastynge , and prayer , earnestly besechinge him to receyue vs once agayne to his fauor , who willeth not the death of a synner , but his amendement , offeringe him selfe to all theym that in their necessitie seeke vnto him , and like a moste mercifull father , proueth all 10 10 2. Chro. 36. c. remedies for our betteringe : not cruelly ponishinge to destroy vs , but gently chastisinge to saue vs .

Esa. 5. a. Prou. 3. b. Heb. 12. b. Reuel. 3. d. Beware then ye 11 11 Heb. 3. b. 4. b Psal. 94. c. harden not your hartes agaynst this mercifull lord , and tempt hym as the stubburne Iewes dyd , whom he therfore delyuered vp into their enymies handes , to perishe with the swoorde , hunger , and pestilence : for god wyll not be 12 12 Gal. 6. b. mocked , but lyke a 13 13 Heb. 12. g. Deu. 4. d. consuminge fier will destroye aswell the wicked contemners of his worde , as the craftie dissemblers , which go abowte to measure god by their fantasies : not consideringe that they 14 14 Rom. 2. a. Iam. 5. a. heape damnation against theim selues in the day of his anger : which nowe already is kindled , and begynneth to flame , to the condemnation of their sowles and bodies , who knowinge Iesus Christ to haue 15 15 Heb. 9. a. Rom. 5 , b. 1. Pet. 3. c. once fully satisfied for our synnes : cease not dayly either in hart , mowth , or owtward consent to blaspheme his precious death , and ( asmoche as in them lyeth 16 16 Heb. 6. a. 10. c. 1. Cor. 6. b. ) crucifie him a newe . Do you not remember that 17 17 Gal. 5. c. Apo. 21. c. 22. c. Esa. 66. g. Mark . 9. g. idolaters haue no portion in the kingdome of god , but are throwne into the lake of fyer and brymstone , where their worme shall neuer dye ? Can not the examples of gods fearfull 18 18 2. Pet. 2. a. b. Iude. a. Iob. 4. d. iudgements moue you , who spared not his verie angells when they trespassed , but hitherto reserueth theym in hell chaynes , to be tormented in the day of the lorde ? and wyll he then fauor idolaters , dissemblers , blasphemers , mockers , contemners ? and not rather in this lyfe verifie that which the holie ghost pronownceth against the children of gods wrath , who becawse they do not receyue the 19 19 2. Thes. 2. c. Ioh. 3. c. trueth for their saluation , are led by lyes to their endeles condemnation ? at the least let gods forwarnings some what moue you to pitie your owne state , who for your instructions , suffereth your owne bretherne emongst you to die so terribly , some in dispaire , others to kyll theym selues , and many vtteringe moste horrible blasphemies euen to their last breathe . The which thinges are so fearfull for vs to heare , that we tremble , in thinking ther vpon . yf you wyll therfore be counted in the nombre of gods people , and be so in deede , loke 20 20 Luk. 9. g. 2. Pet. 2. d. Pro. 26. b. Rom. 11. a. 3. kyng . 19. b 1. Cor. 6. c. not backwarde frome the plough , returne not to your vomit , bowe not your knee to Baal , pollut not the temple of the holie ghost , in presentinge your selues before idolls : but either stand in the trueth , and so rather 21 21 Luk. 12. a. Act. 5. c. obey God then man : or els followe gods callinge who hath so mercifully prouyded for you : mouinge the hartes of all godlie rulers and magistrates , to pitie your state , and do you good , so that at Emden , Wesell , Franckford , and in this Citie he hath appointed godlye Churches , wherein you may learne to feare him , repent your synnes , amende your lyues , and recouer agayne his fauour and mercie . And becawse there is no way more ready or sure to come to him , then by framynge our selues altogether to his blessed 22 22 1. Sam. 15. e. Mat. 7. e. Ioh 9. f. wyll , reueiled vnto vs in his worde : we , to whome thogh God hath geuen more libertie , yet no lesse lamentinge your bondage , then reioysinge in our owne deliuerance , frome that Babylonicall slauery and Antichristian yooke , haue earnestly endeuored emongste other thinges which might bringe vs to the woorthy 23 23 Iohn . 5. g. Luk. 1. g. 2. Pet. 1. c. consideration of gods woorde , to frame our lyues , and refourme our state of religion in suche sort , that neither doute of the certeintie therof , shuld make vs feare , nor yet mans iudgement discourage vs , and cause vs shrincke from this entreprise : moste acceptable to God , comfortable to his churche , and necessarely apparteyning to euery christian mans duetie . We , therfore not as the greatest clearkes of all , but as the lest able of many , do present vnto you which desire the increase of gods glorie , and the pure simplicitie of his woorde , a forme and order of a reformed churche , lymited within the compasse of gods woorde , which our sauiour hathe left vnto vs as onely 24 24 Gal. 1. a. 3. c. 2. Tim. 3. d. Reue. 22. d. sufficient to gouuerne all our actions bye : so that what so euer is added to this worde by mans deuice , seme it neuer so good , holy , or beautifull , yet before our God whiche is ielous and can not admitt any cōpanyon or counseller , it is euell , wicked , and 25 25 Luk. 16. d. abominable . For he that is the 26 26 1. Cor. 1. d. Ioh. 1. a. 14. a. Hebr. 1. a. wisdome of the father , the brightenes of his glorie , the true light , the woorde of lyf yea trueth , and lyf it self , can he gyue vnto his churche ( for the which he payed the raunson of his bloode ) that which shulde not be a sufficient assurance for the same ? can the woorde of trueth deceyue vs ? the way of life misguyde vs ? the worde of saluation damne vs God kepe vs from suche blasphemies , and so direct our hartes with his holy spirit , that we may not onely content our selues with his wisdome , but so reioyse in the same , that we may abhorre all thinges which are contrarye .

The which considerations dere bretherne , when we waighed with reuerent feare and humblenes : and also knowing that negligence in reforming that religion , which was begone in Englande , was not the leaste cause of gods rodds light vpon vs , hauing now obteyned by the mercifull prouidence of our heauenvly father a free churche for all our nation in this moste wourthy Citie of Geneua , we presented to the iudgement of the famous man Iohn Caluin , and others learned in these parties the order which we mynded to vse in our churche : who approuing it , as sufficient for a christian congregation , we put the same in execution : nothing douting but all godly men shall be muche edified therbye : and as for the Papistes , or macilious men and vngodly , we haue not laboured to satisfie them , becawse we knewe no souueraigne medecine for their cankered sore , except it may please God , by our prayers , to be mercifull to them , and call them home , if They be not allready forsaken . But yet for as muche as there are summe , which through contynuance in their euell ●ather deliting in custome , then knowlage , can not suffer that men shuld once open their mouthes , against certeyne olde and receyued ceremonies , we thoght good in this place , some what to touche that scrupulositie . For as ceremonies grounded vpon Gods woorde and approuued in the newe Testament , are commendable ( as the circumstance therof doth support ) so those that man hath inuented , thogh he had neuer so good occasion thervnto , if they be once abused , import a necessitie , hinder gods woorde , or be drawen into a superstition , without respect oght to be abolished . For if 17 17 4. kyng . 18. a. Ezechias was commended by the holy ghoste , for breaking in pieces the brasen serpent , which Moses had erected by gods commandement , and now had continued aboue 800. yeres , which thing of it self was not euell , but rather put men in remembrance of gods benefit : yet becawse it began to minister occasion to the people to committ idolatrie was not to be borne withall : how muche more oght we to take heed , that through our occasion men committ not idolatrie with their owne imaginations and phantasies ? It was not with out great cause commanded by almyghtye god that the 28 28 Deu. 12. a. d. 13 c. d. 4. kyngs . 18. a places , and other appertinances , which had serued to Idolatrie shuld be vtterly consumed , lest babes and children , through occasion remembring the same , shuld falle into like inconuenience . And thinke you that we oght to be wiser ? and not rather take heede , that those things which the papistes , and other idolaters haue inuented , or els obserue as inuented by man , may not enter in to Christes churche as well to th ende that the weake may not be 29 29 1. Cor. 8. c. 10 rom. 14. c. confirmed in their error , as that we may altogether 30 30 2 Cor. 6. d. Esa. 52. c seperate our selues from that idolatrous Babylon and temple of Belial wherwith Christ hath no concorde nor agrement ? Ther was no one ceremonie more auncient , nor yet of better autorite , then the wasshing of the Disciples feet , which was obserued alonge time in the church , and institute by 31 31 Ioh. 13. a. Christ him selfe : yet when some wer persuaded , that it was a portion of the lordes supper , and others thoght it serued in steade of Baptisme : the godly churches in S. 32 32 Epist. 119. ad Ian. August . tyme , thoght it better to leaue that which was ordeyned for a good vse , them by reteyning the same , confirme an error , or superstition . The Corinthians for the relief of the poore , and to increase brotherly amytie together dyd institute 33 33 1. Cori. 11. d a feast immediatly 34 34 Chrisost. in . 11. cap. 1. Cor Tertul. lib. ad vxorem . after the lordes supper : but how sharply S. Paul did reprehende the same , condemning in comparaison , that men shuld adde any thing to the lordes institution , it appeareth by that he saith , I haue receyued of the lorde , that whiche I gaue you . We reade also that Ezechias and his nepheu Iosias 35 35 2. Chro 30. a 4. king . 23. e 2. Chro. 30. a restored the vse of the passeouer , which had bene a very long tyme discōtynewed , but in the ministration therof , they obserued non other ceremonies , than God had left to 36 36 Exod. 12. c. Leu. 23. c. Deu. 16. a. Moses from the beginning . Circumcision likewise a Sacrament , was euermore after one sort ministred 37 37 Gene , 17. b. Iosu. 5. b. euen as the lord commanded it . But such is the nature of fleshe , it wil be wise , and haue astroke in gods doinges , yea and how wilfully it causeth man to maynteyne his owne phantasies , it is manifest to them , which haue perused the auncient recordes of the churche . For begynning at Hierusalem , and so comming to the rest of the churches as Constantinople , Antioche , Alexandrie , and Rome , he shall see playnly , that their greatest disturbaunce , and ouerthrowe , chanced through ceremonies . What conflict was at all tymes betwixt the Latine and Greeke churches for the same , no Christian can consider without teares . And was ther any thinge more obiected against . S. Paul both of the 38 38 Gal. 1.2 . Act. 21. d. Galatians , and also of others , then that he woulde not obserue the Ceremonies as the chiefe Apostles dyd ? and yet he kept them whiles any hope was to gayne the weake bretherne , and therfore circumcised 39 39 Act. 16. a. . Timothe : but when he perceyued that men wolde retayne them as necessarie thinges in the churche , he called that which before he made indifferent , wicked and impious , saing , that 40 40 Gal. 5. a. Act. 15. a. who so euer was circumcised Christ coulde nothyng profitt them fearing also , lest he had taken paynes amonges them in 41 41 Gal. 4. b. vayne , which ioyned Christ with beggerly ceremonies . Therfore deare bretherne , being hereby persuaded , and with many moo● reasons confirmed ( which opportunitie permitteth not here to writ ) we haue contented our selues , with that wisdome , which we haue learned in godes booke , where we be taught to 42 42 Act. 2. g. Matt. 26.28 . preache the woorde of god purely , minister the Sacramentes sincerely , and vse prayers , and other orders therby approued to the increase of godes glorye , and edification of his holye people . As touchinge preaching , for asmuche as it is allowed of all godly men , we may at this tyme leaue the probation therof : and also for the ministration of the two sacramentes , our booke geueth sufficient ꝓffe . But because prayers are after two maner of sortes , that is , either in wordes only , or els with songe ioyned ther vnto : and thys later part , as well for lack of the true vse therof , as due consideration of the same , is called by many into dout , whether it may be vsed in a reformed church : it is expedient , that we note briefly a fewe thinges perteyning therunto . S. Paul geuing a rule how men shulde singe , first saith , I 43 43 .2 . Cor. 14. c. will singe in voice , and I will sing with vnderstanding : and in an other place shewing what songes shulde be songe , exhorteth the Ephesians to 44 44 Ephes. 5. d. Iam. 5. c. edifie one an other with psalmes , songes of praise , and such as are spirituall , singinge in their heartes to the lord with thankes geuing . As if the holy ghoste wolde saye , that the songe did inflame the heart to call vpon god , and praise him with a more feruent and lyuely zeale . and as musike or singinge is naturall vnto vs , and therfore euery man deliteth therein : so our mercifull god setteth before our eyes , how we may reioyce and singe to the glorie of his name , recreation of our spirites , and profit of our selues . But as ther is no gift of god so precious or excellent , that Satan hath not after a sort drawen to him selfe and corrupt : so hath he most impudentlye abused this notable gifte of singinge , chieflye by the papistes his ministers in disfiguring it , partly by strange language , that can not edifie : and partly by a curious wanton sort , hyringe men to tickle the eares , and flatter the phantasies , not esteminge it as a gifte approued by the worde of god , profitable for the churche , and confirmed by all antiquitie . As , besides other places , is moste manifest by the wordes of 45 45 Epist. li. 10. Plinius , called the younger , who , when he was depute in Asia , vnto the Emperour Traian , and had receyued charge to enquire out the Christians , to put them to deathe , writ emongs other thinges , touchinge the Christians , that their maners were to singe verses , or psalmes earely in the morninge to Christ their god . yf any paraduenture wolde doute , when , or by whom these churches or assembles were institute , it is likewise euident , that S. 46 46 Eccle. hist. lib. 3. cap. 22. Iohn the Apostle , who , althogh in Domitians tyme he was banished in the Ile Pathmos : yet when Nerua his successor , and next before Traian raigned retourned to Ephesus , and so planted the churches , as the stories reaport . Seinge therfore gods woorde dothe apꝓue it , antiquitie beareth witenes therof , and best reformed churches haue receyued the same : no man can reproue it , except he will contemne gods worde , despice antiquitie , and vtterlie condemne the godlie reformed churches . And there are no songes more meete , then the psalmes of the Prophete Dauid , which the holy ghoste hath framed to the same vse , and commended to the churche , as conteininge the effect of the whole scriptures , that hereby our heartes might be more lyuelie touched , as appereth by 47 47 Exo. 25. a. Esa. 38. c. Iud. 16. a. Iug. 5. a. Luk , 1. f. Luk. 1. c. Moses , Ezechias , Iudith , Debora , Marie , Zacharie and others , who by songes and metre , rather then in their commune speache , and prose , gaue thankes to god , for suche comfort as he sent them . Here it were to longe to intreate of the metre . but for asmuche as the learned dout not therof . and it is playnly prouen that the psalmes are not only metre , and conteyne iuste Cesures : but also haue grace and maiestie in the verse more then any other places of the scriptures , Reade Moses Chabib in his bookes called , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we nede not to enter into any probation . For they that are skilfull in the hebrewe tounge by comparinge the psalmes with the reste of the scriptures easelie may perceyue the metre . and to whome is it not knowen , how the holy ghoste by all meanes soght to helpe our memorie , when he facioned many psalmes accordinge to the lettres of the Alphabet : so that euery verse beginneth with the lettres therof in ordre ? sometimes . A. beginneth the halfe verse . and . B. the other halfe , and in an other place thre verses , yea and eight verses with one lettre , euen the psalme throughout : as if all men shulde be inflamed with the loue therof , bothe for varietie of matter , and also briefenes , easines , and delectation . Nowe to make you priuie also , why we altered the ryme in certeyne places , of hym whome for the gyftes that God had geuyn him we estemed and reuerenced , thys may suffice : that in this our entreprise , we did onely set God before our eyes and therfore wayed the wordes and sense of the Prophete : rather consideringe the meanyng therof , then what any man had wrytt . and chiefly beinge in this place where as moste perfite and godly iudgement dyd assure vs , and exhortations to the same encorage vs , we thoght it better to frame the ryme to the Hebrewe sense , them to bynde that sense to the Englishe meter . and so either altered for the better in suche places as he had not attayned vnto , or els where he had escaped parte of the verse , or some tymes the whole , we added the same : not as men desyrous to finde fautes , but onely as suche which couuete to hyde theym , as the learned can iudge . It remayneth last of all that you vnderstande the reasons which mouede vs to chuse owte and followe this Catechisme of Geneua rather then any other for consyderinge that the true vse of a Catechisme is to instruct a christian fully in all pointes of belief , and christian religion , and wherein this is moste easely , order , ly , and perfitely taught , that to be the best : we coulde fynde none in so great a nombre which either for the facilitie is equall , or els for the perfection to be compared . Moreouer the daungers which hang ouer Christes Church in these dais moued vs verie muche : for as men may see present signes of certaine barbarousnes , and puddells of errors whiche are lyke to chaunce in the chur , che of god : so there is no better preseruation against the same , then if all godly churches wolde agre in one kinde of doctrine and confession of faith , which in all points were agreable to gods holy worde : 48. Psal. 89. a. that our posteritie might be confirmed , by the vniuersall example of Christes Churche against all heresies , persecutions and other daungers : perceuinge that it is not onely the doctrine of one man , but the consent of the whole christian church , and that wherein all yowthe hathe bene broght vp and trayned in . The which thinge seinge none hath so farre performed , nor yet is in such towardnes to the same as this Catechisme is , being for the worthines therof already translated into Hebrue , Greeke , Latin , frenche , Italian , Spaynishe , Dutch , and Englishe , we cowld do no lesse , but willingly and gladly embrase the same . Wherfore we beinge nowe vnder the same crosse of affliction that you owr deare brethern are , and yet altogether the children of God our mercifull father through Iesus Christ , desir you , in his name , with iudgement to reade our doings , tryinge theym onely by the towchestone of his worde , that either if they be founde fawtie , they may be reiected , or els if they be profitable , god may be glorifyede , his churche edifyed , and the malicious confounded . Fare wel deare bretherne , and let vs all pray to our louinge god , that he wold be mercifull vnto vs , restore his holy woorde , comfort and strengthen his children , and finally confounde Satan , Antichrist , and all his enymies . At Geneua . the .10 . of february . Anno. 1556.