Choice Grounds and Principles of our Christian Religion, Treatise · Question 1
Quest. 1. Who are to be catechized and instructed in the Grounds, and Principles of Christian Religion?
Ans. All such are to be catechized, and instructed in the Grounds and Principles of Christian Religion, who are ignorant of them, and vnderstand them not, of what estate, and condition soeuer they be; high, or low; rich, or poore; old, or yong; male, or female: for there is no respect of persons with God, but he will that all men shall bee saued, and come vntounto the Knowledge of the Truth, Rom. 2.11. 1. Tim. 2.4.
EXPOSITION.
THis order of teaching, and instructing the youth, and ignorant, in the Grounds, & Principles of Religion, hath alwayes beene in the Church of God, as plainely appeares (first for the Old Testament) in these words of the Lord to Abraham, Gen. 18. Gen. 18.17, 19.Shall I hide from Abraham, that thing which I doe? &c. For I know him (saith God) that hee will command his sonnes, and his houshold after him, that they keepe the way of the Lord, to doe righteousnesse, and iudgement, &c. And Deut. 6. Deut 6.6.7, 8. &…. 20, 21.These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt rehearse them continually vntounto thy children, &c. And afterwards, When thy sonne shall aske thee in time to come, saying, What meane these Testimonies, these Ordinances, and Lawes which the Lord our God hath commanded you? Then shalt thou say to thy sonne, We were Pharaohs bondmen, &c. Also Deut. 31. Deut 31.12, 13.Gather the people together (saith the Lord by Moses) men, women, and children, and the stranger that is within thy gate, that they may heare, and that they may learne, and feare the Lord your God, and keepe and obserue all the words of this Law, &c. What can be spoken more plainely? It being the Lords expresse goodwill and pleasure, that not onelyonly men; but that men, women and children should be taught, and instructed, in his Statutes and Ordinances. The Prophet Dauid thought it in like manner necessary, that the people generally should come to the knowledge of Gods Word; and therefore Psal. 1. Psal. 1.1, 2.pronounceth him blessed, that takes delight to meditate therein day and night. And Psalm. 119. Psal. 119.9. &c.Wherewithall shall a young man redresse his way? In taking heed thereunto according to thy Word &c. This might yet further be amplified, by sundry other authorities, as Exod. 12. and 13. chap. Exod 12.26, 27, & cha. 13.24, 15.Psal. 78. Psal. 78.1, 2, 3. &c.&c. All notably shewing, how highly God required that eueryevery Father, and Master of a Family, should bee so perfect and skilfull in the Doctrines and principles of the Law, and Word of God as that they might not only walke directly themselues in the wayes of holinesse, and righteousnesse: but bee able to teach, and instruct their Children, and Families, from generation to generation. To put the which in practice, how religiously carefull, the godly Fathers (at that time) were: the commendation, which the Lord giueth of Abraham in the place before alledged, doth plainely shew. Of this order of teaching, speaketh the Apostle (for the New Testament) Heb. 5. & 6. Heb. 5.12, 13, 14, &. ch. 6.1, 2, 3.where hee termeth these grounds and principles of Religion, the doctrine of the beginning of Christ: and compareth such as hauehave need to be instructed therein, vntounto little children, that are to be fed with milke, because they are not able to digest strōg meat. And therfore exhorteth, that leauing these things, they should be led forward to perfection. Hereunto tendeth also the doctrine of the Apostle Paul, Ephes. 4. 1. Thes. 4. 2. Tim. 2. Ephes. 4.11, 12, 13, 14, 15. 1. Thes. 5.14. 2. Tim. 2.24, 25.and in sundry other places.
In the Primitiue Church (after the dayes of the Apostles) there were two sorts of such, as were catechized, and instructed in the Grounds and Principles of Religion.
A first sort consisted of such as were of ripe age, and who comming vntounto Christianity, from among the Iewes, and Gentiles, were first taught these doctrines of the beginning of Christ, of repentance, and faith, (as the Apostle calleth them,) then baptized, and afterward admitted to the Lords Supper.
The second sort, were such as were borne in the Church, as the children of Christians, who with all conuenient speed, after their birth, were baptized, as members of the Church. Afterward, being instructed, they were likewise receiued to the Sacrament of the Supper. Which order (in a comely and commendable maner,) hath continued in the Church of Christ, euen vntounto this day.
Now, Reasons. wherefore all such as are ignorant, and vnderstand them not, are thus to be taught, and instructed in the Principles of Faith, and Religion: Besides the expresse commandement of God, whereof I hauehave spoken before. Another maine and especiall reason is, because the knowledge and faith of these things, is as necessarie to the well-being, and sound estate of a Christian man, as a good and sure foundation is to an house, or other building. For euen, as if the foundation be not sure, and good, whatsoeuer is builded therevpon cannot possibly stand: so, in whomsoeuer these doctrines and beginnings of Christianitie are not settled, and established: let such a one make what faire shew hee will, and attaine to as much other knowledge as hee can, yet is all in vaine, and to no purpose.
Whosoeuer (I say) perswadeth himselfe, that he is a sound and good Christian▪ and yet hath not laid these things for a foundation: hee doth but most miserably deceiue himselfe. There is vndoubtedly no more stablenesse in the Christianity of such a one, nor any more reckoning to be made of it, then of a building without a good foundation, ready with eueryevery blast of winde to be ouerturned.
Vse 1 In the Church of Christ, the children of God are not all of one age, and strength. And although no man in this life can possibly attaine vntounto an absolute measure of wisedome, and knowledge, in spirituall, and heauenly things, (the perfection hereof, as of all other like graces, being reserued for the life to come:) yet very rare and surpassing excellent gifts hath the Lord bestowed vponupon some. So as the Word of God dwelleth in them plenteously in all wisedome; and they are able to comprehend with all Saints, which is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, &c. Col. 3. & Ephes. 3. Col. 3.16. Ephes. 3.18, &c.Whereas many, yea the greatest part, on the other side, are so simple in knowledge, and so weake in faith, as that in comparison of an exquisite knowledge, and faith, they are to be estéemed but as little children that are to bee fed with milke, and cannot digest strong meate.
Now as it is in vaine, to offer strong meat to new borne babes; euen so, to as little purpose is it, to preach the higher, and harder Doctrine of the Gospell vntounto such, who in the degrees of Christianitie, are not growne past the Principles, and first grounds of Religion. Which, as it worthily tendeth to the reproofe of all such in the Ministerie, as neglect a constant, and conscionable discharge of this duty, and either teach not at all, or account it sufficient onelyonly to preach: so for the louelove of your saluation, and to the end you might either bee builded vp towards Gods Kingdome, by such degrees as he hath sanctified, or vtterly made without excuse, and not be able to plead (when yee appeare before God, and are called to an account,) that you would hauehave learned, if you might hauehave been taught. As I hauehave beene accustomed many yeeres together, and for some part of the euening exercise to handle one, or some of them: So, for your instruction in the mysteries of saluation, and better preparation to the Lords Supper, (which is shortly to bee celebrated, and whereof yee make reckoning, for the most part, to be partakers:) My purpose is, (through Gods assistance) to begin now, a briefe and plaine exposition of these few points, which (from among the rest) I hauehave chosen heretofore, and for the most part of them, giuen you in writing, for that end and purpose. Only crauing at your hands, a religious attention and regard, that when you come to giuegive an account of your faith, and how well you hauehave profited: You speake not as Parrots, but with soundnesse of iudgement, and vnderstanding.
Vse 2 As the Minister, as a wise and faithfull Steward,Luke 12.42 1. Cor. 3.1, 2 2. Tim. 4.2. ought to giuegive to eueryevery one his portion, and that in due season; milke to the younglings, and strong meat to them that are of age, to instruct the ignorant, to comfort the feeble-minded, to admonish the vnruly, to exhort with the sweet promises of Gods grace, and mercy in Christ Iesus, and to terrifie with the threatnings of his iudgements, according to the diuers occasions that are offered, and that measure of gifts which hee hath receiued: euen so is this a duty required also, and that after a speciall manner; of Parents, and Masters of Families. For it is not inough for them to prouide for the bodies of their children, and seruants; but they ought to bee chiefely carefull for the good of their soules. Many thinke that if they finde their Seruants sufficient meat and drinke, and pay them their wag…s, they hauehave sufficiently discharged themselues, but they are greatly deceiued. For what doe they more herein, then the very Turkes and Infidels, that know not God? Againe, if men thinke themselues discharged by prouiding for their children, & by leauing them a temporal patrimonie, and in the meane season neuer regard by the ordinary meanes which God hath appointed, to make them heires and inheritors of the Kingdome of Heauen: What doe they more, then the very Iewes and Gentiles? To leaue them rich in the world, and poore in God; to lay vp for them treasures on earth, and to neglect the treasures of Heauen, which are the true and euerlasting substance? What will this auaile them in the end? The dwelling houses of vsus Christians in this time of the Gospell, should be as so many little Churches, vsing prayer to God in them, sometimes together with our Families, and sometimes more priuately by our selues; catechizing our youth, teaching the ignorant, reading the Scriptures, singing of Psalmes, examining our Children, and Seruants, how they profit by the publike Ministery, what Doctrines hauehave beene taught, and exhortations deliuered, encouraging the towardly, and rebuking the other.
EueryEvery Master of a Family (in this flourishing time of the Gospell) should be able to say with Ioshua, chapter 24. Iosh. 24.15.I and my House will serue the LORD. And eueryevery Mistris and Dame should bee as Queene Hester, Ester 4.16.who answered Mordecai; I and my Maids will doe likewise. Herein hauehave we also the notable example of Dauid, as Psalme 101. Psal. 101.2, 3. Rom. 16.3, 5.14, 15. Phil. 2.And such little Churches were the houses of Philemon, of Priscilla, and Aquila, & of many others that might be remembred.
And thus shall we giuegive our selues, and those that depend vponupon vsus, a passage, and entrance into Gods Kingdome. But alack, if we examine the matter, how far are the greatest part of our houses, from being (as it were) such little Churches? Men and women in most of our Families, so vnable to teach, and instruct their Children, and Seruants, in the doctrine of saluation: that they hauehave continuall néed to be taught, and instructed themselues. So farre from praying with, and for their Families, that very seldome they pray for themselues. And then too, how coldly and carelessely? how without sound knowledge, sence, or consideration, either of their owne wants, and necessities, or of Gods mercy, and fauour in Christ Iesus? It is too apparant. But I passe to a third vse.
As to the being of an house, there Vse 3 must not onelyonly a foundation be laid, but the rest of the building in order insue: so to the being of a sound and absolute Christian, there must not onelyonly be a true knowledge and vnderstanding of the first grounds, and principles of Religion, but a zealous, and religious profiting also, in the rest of the Doctrines, which the Lord hath reuealed in his Word. It being in very deed, an vnseemely thing, for such as hauehave the preaching of the Gospell among them, to be alwayes sticking in the first grounds of Religion; yea, euen as monstrous, as it is to remaine alwayes a child, and not to grow from the degrées of infancy, hauing fit meanes, and nourishment orderly applyed. We hauehave heard the Principles of Religion, with other Doctrines of the Gospell, plainely, and familiarly taught: we hauehave had liberty, and opportunity, many dayes and yeeres together, to meditate vponupon them, and to exercise our selues in them. Is it not then a very great shame, and an intolerable vnthankefulnesse, that wee should continue to bee herein but as little children, that know not the right hand from the left? If we should be asked any question touching our worldly affaires, we can (for the most part) giuegive a ready answere, and render a sound reason of that we say: but if we be asked any question, touching our estate before God, and how the case standeth with vsus concerning Faith, repentance, peace of Conscience, and other like graces of Sanctification: wee will many of vsus be found mute, and know not what to say; yea, and which is most of all lamentable to consider, nothing at all are we ashamed for the most part, to consider our ignorance, in this behalfe: This old Popish poison hath so infected mens hearts, that ignorance is the mother of deuotion; And that if they can say the Lords Prayer, &c. If they come to the Church, and goe vnderunder the names of Christians, and Protestants, it is sufficient. And more precisenesse then necessary, to labour for further perfection: wherein they wretchedly deceiue themselues.
But to help and remedy this (as much as is possible) remember alwayes (I beseech you, Brethren) and keepe this in minde, that the best Christians, and such as be indued with greatest graces, are very farre from being thus conceited of themselues. They, euen they (I say) seeing iust cause to complaine, and finde fault with their owne ignorance, and slacknesse in holy duties; and to bee more grieued with that which they want, for the inriching and furnishing of their soules; then ioyous in that which they hauehave attained. And that he on the other side, which thinketh of himselfe, either that he is already forward enough; or that a little more knowledge, zeale, or holinesse will serue the turne: Such a man hath vndoubtedly no true zeale, no true holinesse, no sound knowledge or Religion at all. For it is but a seeming, & shew of Religion, where there is no care of increasing it. Many there are at this day (the Lord knoweth) of whom it may truely be said, that they are growne to be old and ancient men and women in yeeres; but yet remaine very children in knowledge and vnderstanding of heauenly matters: Neere vntounto death, and so to the saluation of their soules, (as a man would thinke▪) when their age is considered, but very farre from the same, doe they plainely shew themselues to be, when their Religion, and godlinesse, and the fruits of their louelove to the Preachers, and professors of the Gospell, bee duely examined, and regarded. And which is most lamentable to consider, as none commonly are more ignorant, then the elder sort of men and women: so, none more carelesse of instruction, nor any more vnapt, or vnwilling to be taught.
I hauehave knowne many in this Congregation, euen from their childhood; and among the rest, some of them twenty yeeres, some ten, some more, and some lesse: In all which space, as they cannot deny but that they hauehave had sufficient time: So may I boldly, and with good conscience (I praise God) affirme, that they hauehave had meanes in some good measure to be nourished in the way of saluation, and to be builded vp towards Gods Kingdome, in the sanctifying graces of his blessed Spirit. But can it bee said withall, that they hauehave receiued this nourishment, and are so builded vp? It were surely a blessed and comfortable thing, if this might truely be so verified, and affirmed: And that the contrary were not rather too apparant, to our worthy shame, and reproofe. Many of vsus are growne in wealth, but not in Religion; growne in yeeres, but not in grace. Nothing at all nearer, but rather much further from saluation, then so long agoe; yea, I say, then ten, or twenty yeeres since. Stepping a foot forward (as it were) some Sabbath dayes when they list to come to ye Church, and to lend an eare to the hearing of Gods Word: but running much faster from it, euen the greatest part of those very daies, besides all the other dayes of the weekes following: It being out of doubt, that one little sleepe, or sluggish fit, in the time of preaching, and Prayer; one vaine Oath, the cherishing of one corrupt affection, be it either to anger, malice, incontinency, oppression, &c. the exercise of the tongue in one vaine word, bee it in swearing, lying, mocking, slandering, and the like: Any one of these (I say) or any such like, set a man much further backe in the way of saluation, then all the labour and paines that a Minister of Christ can take in preaching, exhortation, and doctrine will be able to helpe him forward againe in many dayes. The way to Heauen is an ascent, and a going vpwards; but this is a declining and a going downewards. And easily (as wee know) may a man goe much further downe a steepe Hill in the space of one houre, then hee shall be able to recouer againe in many houres, though he sweat, and take neuer so much paines to doe it.
But now to make an end of this point. As the Papists are euidently discouered to hauehave hard hearts, and to bee deadly enemies to the saluation of Gods people, in denying them the Bread of Life, without which, there can be nothing but fearfull death. And as this which hath been spoken, bewrayeth the wretched, and miserable condition of all the rest: So, it teacheth vsus, not onelyonly to glorifie God, and to praise his Name, for vouchsafing vsus the pure preaching, and free passage of his Word, with freedome to heare it, to learne it, and to make profession of it: but also to pray, and beseech him, for the gracious assistance of his blessed Spirit, together with the Ministerie and preaching of it, that so wee may not enioy so great a grace in vaine, but take the opportunitie (whiles hee in mercy doth vouchsafe it) to bee builded vp from one degree of holinesse to another, euen vntill we become perfect members of Iesus Christ, and enioy eternall life.