A Short Catechisme, or Playne Instruction (1553)
A Master's Commendation and a Deeper Request
The Master commends the Scholar's teaching on faith and works, then asks for a clearer, visible description of the Christian congregation.
Teacher. I like this short explanation of faith and works very much, because Paul plainly teaches the same. But can you go further still and paint out for me that congregation you call a kingdom or commonwealth of Christians, and set it before my eyes so that it may be distinctly and plainly known apart from every other fellowship of people?1
The Scholar's Willing Response
The Scholar acknowledges the request and expresses readiness to depict a visible Christian congregation.
Scholar. I'll try to show how well I can do it. As I understand it, Master, you'd like me to point out to you some particular congregation that can be seen.
Read the original English
Master. I lyke verye well thys shorte declaration of fayth and workes: for Paul playnly teacheth the same. But canst thou yet further depaint me out that cōgregacion, whych thou callest a kingdome or comō weale of Christianes: and so set it out before mine eyes, that it may seuerally and playnly be knowen asonder frō eche other fellowshyppe of men?
Scholer. I will proue howe well I can do it, your pleasure is (maister) as I take it, that I point ye out some certaine congregation, that may be seene.
Notes
- 1 ↩Early modern 'depaint … out' means depict or describe vividly; rendered as 'paint out' to keep the pictorial force without archaism. 'Common weale' is the political-communal sense 'commonwealth'.
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit