§ 90. TYPICAL CATECHISMS OF PROTESTANTISM.
Catechism departs from the catholic tradition by throwing the Apostles’ Creed into an appendix, and substituting for the historical order.of revelation a new logical scheme; while all the other catechisms make the Creed the basis of their doctrinal expositions.!
The difference is manifest in the opening questions and answers, which we give here in parallel columns : —
LUTHER’SCATECHISM. The First Command-
ment. Thou shalt have no other gods. What does_ this mean ?
We should fear and love God, and trust in Him, above all things.
The Second [Third] Commandment.
Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain.
What mean ?
We should so fear and love God as not to curse, swear, conjure, lie, or deceive, by his name; but cali uponit in every time of need, pray, praise, and give thanks.
does’ this
The Third [Fourth] Commandment.
Thou shalt keep holy the Sabbath day.
What does _ this mean?
We should so fear and love God as not to despise preaching and His Word, but deem it holy, and willingly hear and learn it.
HEIDELBERG CATE-
CHISM.
What is thy only comfort in life and in death ?
That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who with his precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; and so pre. serves me that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head ; yea, that all things must work together for ΠΥ salvation. Wherefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready henceforth to live unto Him.
How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou in this comfort mayest live and die happily ?
Three things: First, the greatness of my sin and misery. Secondly, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery. Thirdly, how I am to be thankful to God for such redemption.
ANGLICAN CHISM.
CATE-
What is your name ?
N. or M.
Who gave you this name ?
My Godfathers and Godmothers? in my Baptism; wherein I was made a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.
What did your god- Jathers and godmothers [sponsors] then Jor you?
They did promise and vow three things in my name. First, that I should renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Secondly, that I should believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith. And thirdly, that I should keep God’s holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of my life.
WESTMINSTER CATE« CHISM.
What is the chief end of man f
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him ?
The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.
What do the Scriptures principally teach?
The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man.
What is God?
God is ἃ Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
1 For a fuller comparison, see Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, I. 548 sqq. 2 The American Episcopal Prayer-book reads instead: My Sponsors.
CHAPTER VI.
PROPAGATION AND PERSECUTION OF PROTESTANTISM IN GERMANY TILL 1530.
§ 91. Causes and Means of Progress.
THE Reformation spread over Germany with the spontaneous and irresistible impulse of a great historical movement that struck its roots deep in the wants and necessities of the church. The only propaganda of Luther was the word and the pen, but these he used to the utmost of his time and strength. “There was no need of an arrangement,” says Ranke, “or of a concerted agreement, or of any special mission. As at the first favor of the vernal sun the seed sprouts from the ploughed field, so the new convictions, which were prepared by all what men had experienced and heard, made their appearance on the slightest occasion, wherever the German language was spoken.” !
The chief causes of progress were the general discontent with papal tyranny and corruption; the desire for light, liberty, and peace of conscience; the thirst for the pure word of God. The chief agencies were the German Bible, which spoke with Divine authority to the reason and conscience, and overawed the human authority of the pope; the German hymns, which sang the comforting doctrines of grace into the hearts of the people; and the writings of Luther, who discussed every question of the day with commanding ability and abundant knowledge, assuring the faith of friends, and crushing the opposition of foes. The force
1 Deutsche Geschichte, etc., vol. II. 46 (6th ed.).