Anglican Catechism of 1553:
Master. All these foundations that you have laid are most true, Now, therefore, let us go forward to His works, wherein lies our salvation and conquest against that old serpent.
Scholar. It shall be done, good Master. After Christ Jesus had delivered that charge to His apostles, that most joyful and in all points heavenly doctrine, i.e., the gospel, which in Greek is called evangelion, in English “good tidings”; and had as by sealing established the same with signs and miracles innumerable, whereof all his life was full; at length was he sore scourged, mocked with potting. scorning, and spitting in His face; last of all His hands and feet were bored through with nails and He fastened to a cross. Then He truly died and was truly buried, that by His most sweet sacrifice He might pacify His Father’s wrath against mankind; and subdue him by His death, who had the authority of death, which was the devil; forasmuch not only the living, but also the dead, were they in hell or. elsewhere, all felt the power and force of this death: to whom lying in prison (as Peter says) Christ preached, though dead in body, yet relieved in Spirit. The third day after, He rose again, alive in body also and with many notable proofs, in the space of forty days, He abode among His disciples, eating and drinking with them. In whose sight He was conveyed away in a cloud, up into heaven, or rather above all heavens where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father being made Lord of all things in heaven or in earth; King of all kings, our everlasting and only high bishop, our only attorney, only mediator, only peacemaker between God and men. Now since He has entered into His glorious majesty, by sending down His Holy Spirit to us (as He promised), He enlightens our dark blindness, moves, rules, teaches, cleanses, comforts, and rejoices our minds; and so will He still continually do till the end of the world.
“Anglican Catechism (1553),” in Reformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation, ed. James T. Dennison, (Grand Rapids Michigan: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010), 2:23.
[Dennison’s brief biographical note:
This catechism reflects the climax of the Reformation under young King Edward VI (1537-1553) of England, Issued a few m0nths before his premature death (July 3), the document summarizes the emerging Reformed Anglicanism of Edward’s reign. The reader will recall the invitation of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) to the continental Reformed theologians–Peter Martyr Vermigli (1500 -1562), Martin Bucer (149]- 1551), and John a Lasco (1499-1560)–all of whom impacted Anglican theology during the young king’s reign. That impact will be evident in this catechism not only in the conception of the Lord’s Supper, but also in the section on predestination and regeneration (or vocation/calling). The catechism was drafted by John Ponet/Poynet (l514 – 1556), Bishop of Winchester. The Latin version appeared with the Latin editions of the Forty-two Articles; an English translation was provided in one of the English translations of the same Articles. It soon became a standard grammar school text and as used throughout England. Ponet’s catechism was superseded by the catechism (“Small Catechism”) of Alexander Nowell (ca.1507-1602), published in 1570. Nowell’s debt to Ponet is obvious.
Our text is from the Parker Society edition in The Two Liturgies, AD. 1549, and A.D. 1552 (1844) 493-525. Spelling, punctuation, and some idioms have been modernized.]