Whosoever through his private judgment willingly and purposely doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the church, which be not repugnant to the word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly (that other may fear to do the like), as one that offendeth against the common order of the church, and hurteth the authority of the magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.

34. Of Homilies.

The Homilies of late given and set out by the king's authority, be godly and wholesome, containing doctrine to be received of all men, and therefore are to be read to the people diligently, distinctly, and plainly.

35. Of the Book of Prayers and Ceremonies of the Church of England.

The book which of very late time was given to the church of England by the king's authority and the parliament, containing the manner and form of praying and ministering the sacraments in the church of England: likewise also the book of ordering ministers of the church, set forth by the aforesaid authority, are godly, and in no point repugnant to the wholesome doctrine of the Gospel, but agreeable thereto, furthering and beautifying the same not a little; and therefore of all faithful members of the church of England, and chiefly of the ministers of the word, they ought to be received and allowed with all readiness of mind and thanksgiving, and to be commended to the people of God.

36. Of Civil Magistrates.

The king of England is supreme head in earth next under Christ of the church of England and Ireland.

The bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm of England.

The civil magistrate is ordained and allowed of God, wherefore we must obey him, not only for fear of punishment, but also for conscience sake.

The civil laws may punish Christian men with death for heinous and grievous offences.

It is lawful for Christians at the commandment of the magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in lawful wars.

37. Christian Men's Goods are not common.

The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor according to his ability.

VOL. II.

38. Christian Men may take an Oath.

As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesu Christ, and his Apostle James: so we judge that Christian religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.

39. The Resurrection of the Dead is not yet brought to pass. The resurrection of the dead is not as yet brought to pass, as though it only belonged to the soul, which by the grace of Christ is called from the death of sin, but it is to be looked for at the last day. For then (as Scripture doth most manifestly testify), to all that be dead, their own bodies, flesh, and bone, shall be restored, that the whole man may, according to his works, have either reward or punishment, as he hath lived virtuously or wickedly.

40. The Souls of them that depart this Life do neither die with the Bodies, nor sleep idly.

They which say that the souls of such as depart hence do sleep, being without all sense, feeling, or perceiving, until the day of judgment; or affirm that the souls die with the bodies, and at the last day shall be raised up with the same, do utterly dissent from the right belief, declared to us in holy Scripture.

41. Heretics called Millenarii.

They that go about to renew the fable of the heretics called Millenarii, be repugnant to holy Scripture, and cast themselves headlong into a Jewish dotage.

42. All Men shall not be saved at the length.

They also are worthy of condemnation, who endeavour, at this time, to restore the dangerous opinion, that all men, be they never so ungodly, shall at length be saved, when they have suffered pains for their sins a certain time appointed by God's justice.

AN INJUNCTION

Given by the King our Sovereign Lord His most excellent Majesty, to all Schoolmasters, and Teachers of Youth, within all His Grace's Realm and Dominions, for authorizing and establishing the Use of this Catechism.

EDWARD the Sixth, by the grace of God, king of England, France, and Ireland: defender of the faith, and of the church of England, and also of Ireland, in earth the supreme head: to all schoolmasters and teachers of youth.

When there was presented unto us, to be perused, a short and plain order of catechism, written by a certain godly and learned man; we committed the debating and diligent examination thereof to certain bishops, and other learned men, whose judgment we have in great estimation. And because it seemed agreeable with the Scriptures, and the ordinances of our realm, we thought it good, not only for that agreement to put it forth abroad to print; but also, for the plainness and shortness, to appoint it out for all schoolmasters to teach: that the yet unskilful and young age, having the foundations laid, both of religion and good letters, may learn godliness together with wisdom; and have a rule for the rest of their life, what judgment they ought to have of God, to whom all our life is applied; and how they may please God; wherein we ought, with all the doings and duties of our life, to travail.

We will, therefore, and command, both all and each of you, as ye tender our favour, and as ye mind to avoid the just punishment of transgressing our authority, that ye truly and diligently teach this Catechism in your schools, immediately after the other brief Ca

techism, which we have already set forth: that young age, yet tender and wavering, being by authority of good lessons and instructions of true religion established, may have a great furtherance to the right worshipping of God, and good helps to live in all points according to duty. Wherewith being furnished, by better using, due godliness toward God, the author of all things: obedience toward their king, the shepherd of the people: loving affection to the commonwealth, and general mother of all: they may seem not born for themselves; but be profitable and dutiful toward God, their king, and their country. Given at Greenwich, the twentieth of May, the seventh year of our reign.

THE

CATECHISM*.

Ir is the duty of them all, whom Christ hath redeemed by his death, that they not only be servants to obey, but also children to inherit: and so to know, which is the true trade of life, and that God

* It was of this Catechism that bishop Ridley wrote in two instances, during his imprisonment previous to his martyrdom.

The first is in a letter " to the brethren which constantly cleave unto Christ, in suffering affliction with him, and for his sake." "Finally, I hear say, that the Catechism, which was lately set forth in the English tongue, is now" (viz. after the restoration of Popery, by queen Mary)" in every pulpit condemned. O! devilish malice, and most spitefully injurious to the salvation of mankind, purchased by Jesus Christ. Indeed Satan could not long suffer, that so great light should be spread abroad in the world. He saw well enough that nothing was able to overthrow his kingdom so much, as if children, being godly instructed in religion, should learn to know Christ, whilst they are yet young, whereby not only children, but the elder sort also and aged folks, that before were not taught to know Christ in their childhood, should now even with children and babes be forced to learn to know him. Now therefore he roareth, now he rageth."

Fox, iii. 446. The other is taken from his last farewell to his friends. "So I say, know ye, that even here in the cause of my death, it is with the church of England: I mean the congregation of the true chosen children of God in this realm of England, which I acknowledge not only to be my neighbours, but rather the congregation of my spiritual brethren and sisters in Christ: yea, members of one body, wherein by God's grace I am and have been grafted in Christ. This church of England had of late, of the infinite goodness and abundant grace of Almighty God, great substance; great riches of heavenly treasure; great plenty of God's true sincere word; the true and wholesome administration of Christ's holy sacraments; the whole profession of Christ's religion, truly and plainly set forth in baptism; the plain declaration and understanding of the same, taught in the holy Catechism, to have been learned of all true Christians.” Fox, iii. 505.