CHAP. XV. Of the Author and Authority of King Edwards Catechism, as also of the judgment of Martin Bucer, and Peter Martyr in the Points disputed.
- 1. The Catechism published by the Authority of King Edward VI. Ann. 1553. affirmed to have been writ by Bishop Poinet, and countenanced by the rest of the Bishops and Clergy.
- 2. Several passages collected out of that Ca∣techism to prove that the Calvinian Do∣ctrines were the true, genuine, and ancient Doctrines of the Church of England.
- 3. With a discovery of the weakness and im∣pertinency of the Allegation.
- 4. What may most probably be conceived to have been the judgment of Bishop Pointer, in most of the Controverted Points.
- 5. An Answer to another Objection derived from Mr. Bucer, and Peter Martyr; and the influence which their Auditors and Dis∣ciples are supposed to have had in the Re∣formation.
- 6. That Bucer was a man of moderate Coun∣sels, approving the first Liturgy of King Edward VI. assenting to the Papists at the Dyet of Ratisbone, in the possibility of falling from grace; and that probably Peter Martyr had not so far espoused the Calvinian quarrels, when he lived in Oxon. as after his return to Zurick and Calvins Neighbourhood.
- 7. The judgment of Erasmus, according as it is delivered in his Paraphrases on the four Evangelists, proposed first in the general view, and after more particularly in every of the Points disputed.
SEcuri de salute, de gloria certemus: [unspec I] Having shewed the cause by so many pregnant Evidences derived from the Articles and Homilies,* 1.1 and backt by the consenting Testimonies of Learned men, and godly Martyrs, it would add something at the least in point of Reputation, if not of glory also, to gain Bishop Poinet to the side; of whom, as to his personal capacity we have spoken already, and must now look back up∣on him in relation to a Catechism of his setting forth, Printed by Wolfe in Latine, and by Day in English, Anno 1553. being the next year after the Articles were agreed up∣on in the Convocation; a Catechism which comes commended to us with these ad∣vantages, that it was put forth by the Authority of King Edward VI. to be taught by all School-masters in the Kingdom. By another of the same persuasion,* 1.2 that the King committed the perusal of it to certain Bishops, and other Learned men, whom he much esteemed; by whom it was certified to be agreeable to the Scripture, and Statutes of the Realm; that thereupon he presixt his Epistle before it, in which he commands and charges all School-masters whatsoever within his Dominions, as they did reverence his Authority,* 1.3 and as they would avoid his Royal displeasure, to teach this Catechism diligently and carefully in all and every their Schools; that so the youth of the Kingdom might be setled in the grounds of true Religion, and furthered in Gods worship. The Church Historian seems to give it some further coun∣tenance,* 1.4 by making it of the same extraction with the book of Articles, telling us that by the Bishops and Learned men before-mentioned, we are to understand the Convocation; and that it was not commanded by his Majesties Letters Patents to all School-masters only, but by him commended to the rest of the Subjects, which cost these several Au∣thors have bestowed upon it, out of an hope of gaining some greater matter by it, to∣wards the countenancing and advancing of the Calvinian Doctrine, Predestination, as the true genuine and ancient Doctrine of this Church; certain I am, that both Mr. Prin and his Shadow so declare themselves;* 1.5 the one affirming that all these passages are directly for them, and punctually opposite to their Arminian Antagonists; the other