three parts; of the which the first shall be of the Creation, the second of the Redemption, and the third of Sanctification.

And first, we will entreat of the Creation, which is expressed in these words: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth." Where note, good children, that this word ("I believe") signifieth as much in this place as ("I trust,") so that this sentence, "I be-lieve in God the Father," is as much to say, as, "I trust in God the Father, and look assuredly to receive all good things at his hand." Wherefore this is the meaning of the foresaid article, that we ought to put our trust in no creature, but in the true and living God only. For no creature can do us any good or harm, without the will of him. We of ourselves made not ourselves (as it is written in the Psalms), nor we can neither save ourselves, neither deliver us from any peril. Therefore we ought to put our trust in God only, stick fast to him, hang upon him, and to look for all good things at his hand. They, therefore, that trust in men, in their favour or friendship; they that trust in their own learning, wisdom, riches, power, friends, or any such thing; they do not truly believe in God, truly and wholly trust in him, nor look for all good things from him, but rather despise him, and worship for their god, and make an idol of that thing, wherein they put their trust, and so grievously offend God. Wherefore it must needs be, that at the length they must be brought to confusion and

rain, that they may learn, by their own fall and decay, that those were but vain things wherein they put their trust and confidence, and that only God is the sure rock and stay, upon whom whosoever leaneth, shall not be deceived nor confounded. For it is the Lord God, which daily poureth upon us infinite benefits, which giveth us all things that we have need of, and defendeth us from all things that may hurt us either in body or in soul. And this is the fatherly love which he beareth towards us, to do all goodness towards us without our merits or deservings: wherefore we ought to trust in him, yield ourselves wholly into his protection, to look for all good things at his hands, and with a merry heart and constant faith, to cleave to his goodness in all things. And this is the highest and chiefest sacrifice; wherewith God is pleased and worshipped. And whosoever believeth in him after this sort, those he taketh for his well-beloved children, and in all things he declareth to them that he is their loving Father. Wherefore (good children) let us not put our trust in any creature, or in any worldly thing, but at all times let us fasten our sure trust in our Lord God. So we shall be made his children, and enjoy life everlasting.

Now consider, good children, what a God he is, in whom we believe, and in whom we put our trust. He is God the Father, the almighty maker of heaven and earth. And these words, good

for they be of great weight and importance. Wherefore, I pray you, as it were in balance, to weigh them diligently, and learn to understand them. For these words contain not in them worldly philosophy or man's sapience, but heavenly and godly wisdom. Wherefore, I pray you, give good heed whilst I do declare them unto

you.

First, this article teacheth us, that God is almighty, that is to say, that he hath power to work and do all things whatsoever pleaseth him, and no creature in heaven or earth is able to let or withstand him, and that nothing is impossible unto him. And this is the foundation and beginning of Christian knowledge and faith, to believe that God is almighty: the which many men do not believe, and yet nevertheless they will be counted Christian men, or rather great clerks.

KING EDWARD THE SIXTH'S CATECHISM.

Master. And first, I would hear of the knowledge of God; afterwards, of the right serving of him.

Scholar. I will with a good will obey your pleasure, dear master, as far as my simple wit will suffer me. Above all things we must stedfastly believe and hold; that God Almighty, the Father, in the beginning, and of nothing, made and fashioned this whole frame of the world; and all

things whatsoever are contained therein: and that they all are made by the power of his word, that is, of Jesus Christ, the Son of God: which thing is sufficiently approved by witness of Scrip

Moreover, that when he had thus shapen all creatures, he ruled, governed, and saved them by his bounty and liberal hand: hath ministered, and yet also ministereth most largely, all that is needful for maintenance and preserving of our life; that we should so use them, as behoveth mindful and godly children.

Mast. Why dost thou call God, Father?

Scho. For two canses; the one, for that he made us all at the beginning, and gave life unto us all: the other is more weighty, for that by his Holy Spirit and by faith he hath begotten us again making us his children: giving us his kingdom and the inheritance of life everlasting, with Jesus Christ, his own true and natural Son.

NOWELL'S CATECHISM.

Master. Why dost thou call God Father? Scholar. Beside the same principal cause which I have already rehearsed, which is, for that he is the natural Father of his only Son, begotten of himself from before all beginning, there be two other causes why he both is indeed and is called our Father. The one is, for that he first created

us, and gave life unto us all.

The other cause is

vinely begotten us again through the Holy Ghost, and by faith in his true and natural Son Jesus Christ, he hath adopted us his children, and through the same Christ hath given us his kingdom and the inheritance of everlasting life.

Mast. In what sense dost thou give him the name of Almighty?

Scho. For that as he hath created the world and all things, so he hath the same in his power, governeth them by his providence, ordereth them after his own will, and commandeth all as it pleaseth him; so as that there is nothing done but by his appointment or sufferance, and nothing is there which he is not able to do: for I do not imagine God to have a certain reserved power which he putteth not in use.

Mast. Dost thou then make ungodly men also, and wicked spirits subject to the power of God?

Scho. Why not? For else were we in most miserable case, for that we should never be out of fear if they might have any power over us without the will of God. But God, as it were, with the bridle of his power, so restraineth them, that they cannot once stir but at his beck and sufferance. And we for our parts are upholden with this comfort, that we are so in the power of our Almighty Father, that not so much as one hair of ours can perish but by his will that beareth us good will.