Catechesis Pro Advltioribvs Scripta, De his potissimum capitibus

I. What is handed down primarily by scripture. What, however, is that chief thing which the holy scripture hands down and commends to us as the primary and most important part of our religion? R. Before all things, it commends God to us, his true worship, and the salvation of the human race.

A decorative drop-cap D begins the text. I. Define God for me, if you can, I beseech you? God is immense. R. I cannot. For since God is supreme, eternal, and immense, and therefore greater than all those things which can be spoken or conceived by man, he certainly cannot be defined by man. I. Although his ineffable essence cannot be defined, nevertheless the divine scripture sketches him for us in some way, which way I would like to be explained to me by you somehow. R. Description or sketching of God. Some description of God was rendered in the Minor Catechism: if you desire anything more copious and full, I say that the holy scripture teaches that God is one in essence, and three in persons: namely the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: and that this God is indeed the true, living, best and greatest, most wise, omniscient, omnipotent, and most truthful God, who knows not how to lie or be deceived, who is just and a hater and punisher of crimes, likewise good, merciful, and clement, who wishes the best for the human race, and who preserves and governs all things created by him through his holy providence.