An Ample Declaration of the Christian DoctrineChapter 1. What Christian doctrine is, and what are the principall parts thereof

For the vse of those that teach children, and other vnlearned persons: Composed in forme of a Dialogue, betweene the Maister and Scholar.

Scholar. Seeing I do vnderstand, that it is necessarie to saluation, to know the Christian doctrine, I desire you to declare vnto mee what this doctrine is.

Master. The Christian doctrine is a briefe summe of all those thinges, which Christ our Lord hath taught, to shew vs the way of saluation.

Scholar. How many be the principal and most necessary parts of this doctrine

Master. Foure, to wit, the Creede, the Pater noster, the ten Commandements, and the holy Sacraments.

Scholar. Wherefore are there foure, and neither more nor fewer?

Master. Because there are three principal vertues, Faith, Hope, and Charitie, and Grace, necessarie to saluation. And so, the Creede is necessarie for Faith, because it teacheth vs that which we haue to beleeue; the Pater noster, is necessary for Hope, because it teacheth vs what wee haue to hope; the ten Commandements are necessarie for Charitie, because they teach vs what we haue to doe, to please God; the sacraments are necessarie, because they are the Instruments of Grace, by which those vertues are receiued and conserued.

Scholar. I would be glad you should giue me some similitude, to vnderstande better, the necessitie of these foure parts of Christian doctrine.

Master. S. Augustine giueth vs the similitude of a house: for as to make a house, it is needfull first to place the fundation, then to rayse the walles, and last of all, to couer it with the roofe, and to doe these things there are some instruments necessarie: so to make in our Soules the building of saluation, we haue need of the foundation of Faith; the walles of Hope; the roofe of Charitie; and the instruments, which are the most holie Sacraments.