Two Twins, Part 1

Two Twins · Part 1

p. 1THE FIRST PART. Of Catechiſing.

GALAT. 6. 6.

Let him that is taught in the word, make him that hath taught him partaker of all his goods.

THe APOSTLE hauing before Coherence.ſpoken of Charity, LoueLove, and tender affection of one towards another more generally, here he calleth to their remembrance the care of the Miniſtery, which may ſeeme here by them, as now, to be too much neglected. The text is an Apoſtilicall Canon and diuine conſtitution, authorized vvith the authoritie of God himſelfe for reformation of the ſame.

The wordes are an Exhortation or a Charge giuen The title and Scope of the Text.by the Apoſtle in the name of the Almighty, the iuſt reuenger of all wrongs done to his ſeruants, who ſpeake in his name, vntounto all that know and hauehave learned Chriſt, to maintaine his Miniſters. By this commandement p. 2the Hearers are bound to care for their Teachers: by this the Paſtours hauehave knowledge of their right and libertie to take of the people for their maintenance, and a warrant to claime the ſame, and to vrge the negligent to their duty herein, if they faile of it.

This portion of Scripture containeth two things, as The parts.the parts to be conſidered: the firſt concerneth, the party to be maintained, enfolded within the Text, who is ſet out vntounto vsus in two things, 1. by teaching. 2. by the matter which he teacheth. The ſecond part concerneth the party maintaining the Miniſter, which is plainely laid forth in the wordes: in vvhichwhich wee may obſerue theſe two circumſtances: Firſt, the party exhorted: Secondly, the duety which he is exhorted vntounto.

Now though this place ſpeaketh▪ plainely of the Preuention of an obiection.Hearers duety …ely, and but implicitely of the Miniſters duty, yet becauſe the peoples knowledge of the labour and painefulneſſe of the calling of the Miniſtery, and of that equitie, that labourers are worthy of their wages, may induce them to a more ready performance of their duety; as alſo for that this **Preached at Southvvell in Nottinghamſhire, by the appointment of the moſt Reuerend Father the Lord Archbiſhop of Yorke, our worthy Metropolitan and much beloued Dioceſan. foreign. verbum docenti vel in verbo Catechizanti. Oecumenius …eza.Text vvas giuen mee once, by one of principall authority in the Church, to vrge my brethren of the Miniſtery, publikely aſſembled, to the duty of Catechiſing, I thought it not amiſſe, to ſpeake firſt of our ſelues, and our duty, that I might more freely preſſe our Hearers to their duty: if wee goe before, it is the more likely that they will follow after.

That which toucheth the Miniſters in this Text, is in theſe wordes, Him that hath taught him in the word: The word tranſlated taught, ſignifieth him that is Catechiſed properly, but yet is vſed and taken more generally for to teach or inſtruct otherwiſe, Luke 1. 4. Act. 18. 25. Rom. 2. 18. 1 Cor. 14. 19. and ſo muſt it be here taken, as Diuines hold, and therefore is p. 3tranſlated, as wee ſee both in Latine and Engliſh, by a more generall vvord of all tranſlatours. The holy Ghoſt vſeth the more ſpeciall word for the generall, partly to ſhew vntounto vsus of the Miniſterie, orderly teaching for the peoples edification, where we are to begin with them; partly, perhaps both to preuent a proud conceit in ſome Miniſters which may thinke that they onelyonly are to be reſpected which doe Preach, as now Preaching goeth with men; as alſo the peoples contempt of Catechiſing, and Catechizers, as if theſe deſerued not any liberall portion; but other perſons onelyonly more excellently gifted, ſuch as can ſpeake, for tongue with a plaudite, for great reading with admiration, for wit with ſingular delight, and for learning beyond the Hearers common apprehenſion, in compariſon of whom, Caeteri, non dico, poetae, ſed veri prophetae ſordent; while Hearers doe meaſure all by hearing, and not by reformation of the heart: who harken after the tune of the tongue and labour of the lips, but not how men may be drawne to ſanctification in their liues: this is it which here the holy Ghoſt preuents, by ſetting them to Catechiſing, vvithout which indeed the people profit little.

Doct. According to the generall vſe of the word, hence may be obſerued, that Catechiſing is not onelyonly, and alone, the dutie of a Miniſter, but alſo other wayes of inſtructing and teaching. Hee is not onelyonly to foreign, Proofe. but foreign, Matth. 28. 20. as Chriſt Ieſus and his Apoſtles, our perfect examples, hauehave done before vsus. Reaſons. And the reaſons for it are manifeſt: becauſe the Miniſter is to reueale the whole counſell of God, to build Acts 20.Acts 20them vp, as well as to lay a foundation; alſo as ſome need Milke, ſo others ſtrong meate: hee is one that muſt bring forth of his treaſurie, both new and old, varietie of matter fitting the Auditorie, for their increaſe of the p. 4knowledge of Gods will, in all wiſedome and ſpirituall Col. 1. Heb. 5. 1 Cor. 3. 2 P…t. 3. 18.Col 1Heb 51 Cor 3:2vnderſtanding. Vſe. The people ſhould not bee euer ſuch bad ſchollers to need onelyonly Milke, but ſometime ſtrong meate, ſo as they may encreaſe in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Ieſus. Therefore Miniſters muſt not only giuegive Milke to ſuch as be carnall, dull of hearing, 1 Cor. 3. Heb. 5.1 Cor 3Heb 5Babes, …nexpert in the word of righteouſneſſe, as the Apoſtle ſaith, foreign, op…s habenteslacte, & non ſolido cibo, which ſtand in need onelyonly of Milke, but alſo to giuegive ſtrong, meat to them that are o… age, Motiues. which through long cuſtome foreign hauehave their wits exerciſed to diſcerne both good and euill. Reaſon requireth this, that vvhen the foundation is layd, the houſe ſhould be built vp. Hee that is taught his letters muſt be learned to ſpell, and ſo to reade, and to vnderſtand what he readeth. Thus the Apoſtle Paul went on with the people, as appeareth by his writings, and the places quoted. Much may be ſayd to this purpoſe, but my meaning is not to ſtand vponupon the word here in the largeſt acception, but according to the proper ſignification and ſpeciall vſe thereof, the doctrine or poſition from which, is this:

Doct. That it is a part of the Miniſters dutie to Catechiſe his people: Proofe. This the Text ſheweth, where the Apoſtle ſetteth out the Miniſter by the name of a Catechiſer, and maintenance is here allowed for that worke of his Miniſterie from this place: other Scriptures confirme alſo the ſame, 1 Cor. 14. 19. Rom. 2. 18. Heb, 5. & 6, 1. What need reaſons to perſwade to acknowledge this a Reaſon.dutie? Know wee not that eueryevery wiſe Teacher hath his principles of his Art, which hee firſt deliuereth? Children are firſt to hauehave Milke before ſtrong meate. But to make this poynt fully manifeſt, let vsus ſee what Catechiſing is; for this proued, will afford ſufficient reaſons for this truth.

p. 5Catechiſing is a diuine ordinance, from olde time vſed What Catechiſing is.in Gods Church, as a neceſſary meanes, to informe the rud…r ſort, ſummarily, by queſtions and anſweres in the principles of Religion. In this definition we may obſerue ſeauen things: 1. the authoritie of it, in this, that it is ſaid to be a diuine ordinance: 2. the antiquitie in theſe words, from olde time: 3. the neceſſitie of it, being a neceſſary meanes: 4. the vtilitie of it, ſeruing to enforme: 5. whom it concerneth, what partie, ruder ſort: 6. the forme of it, deliuered by queſtion and anſwere: 7. the matter of it, the principles of Religion.

All theſe points being proued, are as many ſeuerall ſound reaſons brought forth to prooue poſition, or doctrine deliuered; which briefly may be brought into this one. EueryEvery neceſſary meanes of olde time vſed and appoynted by God for inſtruction of his people in the wayes of ſaluation, is to be vſed of eueryevery faithfull Miniſter, as part of his dutie; but ſuch a thing is Catechiſing, as ſhall in the particulars be proued: and therefore to be performed of eueryevery faithfull Miniſter, as part of his dutie.

1. I ſay it is a diuine conſtitution: for it is approued Authoritie for Catechiſing from God.by the word, as the former Scriptures ſhew, which is Gods immediate diuine voyce and authoritie: as alſo by his Church which is Gods mediate voyce and authoritie, while it agreeth with the written word of God. The Scripture mentioneth both Catechiſing, here Gala. foreign6. 6. 1 Cor. 14. 19. as alſo the Catechiſed, Luke 1. 4. Acts 18. 25. 2 Tim. 3. 15. Rom. 2. 18. It is compared to Milke, vvhichwhich the Teacher is to giuegive from the dugge of Gods Word, as the Apoſtle did, 1 Cor. 3. Hebr. 6. 1. and Saint Peter vrgeth ſuch as were Babes 1 Pe…. 2. 2.to deſire it. Wee ſee by experience that it is bleſſed of God to the diligent Teacher and Learner, that Sathan doth reſiſt it, mans corruption is againſt it, all which p. 6doe argue it to be of God, and not of man: what is of man, we eaſily make much of, but the naturall man ſauoureth not the things of God.

It hath alſo the Churches authoritie, euen all the Authoritie from Gods Church.Churches of God, from time to time, as ſhall be after ſhewed. Here I intend onelyonly to vrge the authoritie of our Mother, the Church of England, and conſidering Gods authoritie, and hers from God herein, I may ſay with Salomon, My Sonne, heare thy fathers inſtruction, Prouerb. 1. 8.and forſake not thy Mothers teaching. Wee hauehave ſtatute law confirming, the Booke of Common-prayer impoſing See Rubricke after Confirmation.it: here God and the King doe ſpeake vntounto vsus. Wee hauehave Eccleſiaſticall Conſtitutions in the late Queenes dayes publiſhed, and now in the laſt C…nons, Anno 1571. Can. 59.by which Canon the negligent Miniſter 1. is to be reproued, 2. ſuſpended, 3. excammunicated; if he reforme not himſelfe. Heere God and his Church ſpeaketh. Wee hauehave this eſtabliſhed by the high Commiſſion in the Prouince of Canterbury, Anno 1576. as alſo by the ſame in the Prouince of Yorke, in Archbiſhop Edwen… time, Anno 1583. Here wee hauehave the higheſt Eccleſiaſticall authoritie ſpeaking. Laſtly, wee hauehave bookes of Articles from our Ordinaries, in eueryevery Dioceſſe, for enquirie into this; and the Church wardens are vrged vponupon their ſole…ne Oathes to preſent the careleſſe neglect hereof. Thus wee ſee the authoritie diuine, both of God and his Church.

Secondly, I ſay, it hath beene a moſt auncient practiſe Antiquitie of …atechiſing.in the Church from time to time, vntounto this day. It was in Abrahams time, and vſed in his houſe, Gene. 14. 14. compared with Cha. 18. 19. the Hebrew word tranſlated, brought vp, ſignifieth one entring into Rules or firſt principles: which A…ias Montanus tranſlateth expedi… ſuos initiato…, now initiatus is one that is a yong beginner in principles. Tremel. tranſlateth it by inſtitutos, p. 7and doth expound it thus, de religione informatos, and ſo vſed, Prouerbes 22. 6. It was in the Iewiſh Church, Rom. 2. 18. Catechiſed out of the Law, and hereto may be referred perhaps the place of Eſay. 28, 10.

It is noted by ſome out of the Rabbins, that in Ieruſalem were 400, houſes for Catechiſing, to which children at certaine yeeres of their age were ſent. It was in the dayes of our Sauiour, who vſed it, Catechiſing his Diſciples, and other, Matth. 16. 15. 16. as alſo in teaching to pray, which is a part of Catechiſme. Mat. 6. Luke. 11. The Apoſtles vſed it, Hebr. 5. & 6. 1. 1 Cor. 3. 1. 2. and Hiſtories make mention of Catechiſers, as an office in the Church, whereto ſome were deputed in the primitiue age; ſuch a one was Pantenus, Clemens Euſeb. lib. 5. cap. 9. 10. & 6. cap. 2. 4. Con…. Conſtant. 8. act. 4. Bracar. 1. can. 35. Laodec. cap. 4. & 46. Agath. cap. 9.Alexandrinus, Origen: yea, Saint Marke Catechiſing in Alexandria, is commended by Philo Iudaeus. Auncient Councels ſhew this practiſe of the Church, in which often mention is made of ſuch as were Catechumenoi. Of this alſo ſpeake the Fathers, Clemens Alexand. Epiſt. 1. ad Iacobum Fra. Saint Cyril writ of Catechiſing. Saint Auguſtine a booke de Catechizandis rudibus, but of theſe and many moe, read Zipperus his politia Eccleſiaſtica. What ſhall I ſay more of the Churches of God? Lib. 1. cap. 6. de Catechizatione puerorum. 3. part. decret. 4. diſt. de conſecrat. cap. 158. Sec. 8. lib. 1. de inſtitu. Clerico.the very enemies of true religion commend this courſe of teaching: ſee Pope Nicolas his decree, and how alſo the Councell of Trent hath taken order for Catechiſing Sundayes and Holy-dayes. Rabanus doth commend Catechiſing, yea, the Papiſts confeſſe, that the ground, which we hauehave gotten of them, is by Catechiſing, in the Popes Bull, before the Catechilme of the Counſell of Trent. Laſtly, that with their Churches power, they may alſo make ſome ſhadow, at leaſt, of princely authoritie, euen in this point, Caniſius Catechiſme muſt come forth, vvith the authoritie of the Emperour Ferdenande, and Philip King of Spaine. And p. 8thus much for the antiquitie of Catechiſing, with the continuance of it, at leaſt in iudgement of all ſorts, though not in practiſe, through the Miniſters neglect, and peoples light regard thereof.

Thirdly, I ſay, it is a neceſſary meanes; for that it is Neceſsitie of Catechiſing.the doctrine of the principles of Chriſtianitie, no Art can be learned without his Principles; we are firſt babes in Chriſt, therefore need Milke before ſtrong meat: can a houſe be well built without a foundation? without this the preaching of the word profits them little: what is it to exhort men to Faith, LoueLove, Repentance, and ſo forth, when they know not, indeed, what theſe words meane.

Boda mentioneth one returning out of England to Hiſt. lib. 3. cap. 5.Aidanus in Scotland, complaining that the people profited little by his preaching; to whom Aidanus anſwered, that it was perhaps, becauſe he did not, after the Apoſtle, giuegive Milke firſt: thereby ſhewing, that preaching doth little good without Catechiſing: therefore is it neceſſary, that men may profit by preaching. Laſtly, the knowledge of the Principles is a notable meanes to preſerue in men the puritie of doctrine. Hereby they ſhall be grounded in the truth, be able to iudge of true and falſe doctrine, and not eaſily carryed about with eueryevery winde of doctrine, as the prophane and ignorant multitude be, who eaſily turne as the weather-Cocke with the vvinde, for that they hauehave not learned any certaine grounds whereon to reſt.

Fourthly, I ſay it is very profitable: for it doth informe V…ilitie of Catechiſing.iudgement in the common principles of our faith; by which the truth may be tryed: Aduerſaries oppoſed, and ſtrongly conſuted. If the people vvere well Catechiſed, how eaſily might they ſee their owne fooliſh ſuperſtitions, and Popiſh Idolatries, which yet many ſauour, through the ignorance that is in them? p. 9The Apoſtle ſheweth, that by being Catechiſed, they Rom. 2. 18.Rom 2:18learne to diſcerne things that differ: yea hence ariſeth theſe excellent fruits; grounded knowledge in the fundamentall points of religion begetteth right faith, and preſerues it from errour and hereſie, ſetleth iudgement without inconſtancie, ſatisfieth conſcience without ſcrupuloſitie: breedeth zeale, and bringeth forth deuotion, and yet without ſchiſme or ſuperſtition, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left; for by their grounds they know how they ſtand, how they goe forward, whither they incline too much to a ſide, or doe ſet ſure footing in the right and auncient path of true peace. The exerciſe of Catechiſing will much profit our ſelues of the Miniſterie; it is as a hedge as one ſaith, Rubbius.to generall doctrines, and the touchſtone to try them: Catechiſme, Common places, interpretation of Scripture, Foure generall heads of ſtudy in Diuinitie.and Controuerſies, are the foure common and generall parts of the ſtudy of Diuinitie, but the firſt is Catechiſme: without the laſt wee cannot well diſpute with an aduerſarie, without the third we paſſe as a ſhip vponupon the ſea without a Rudder, or as a way faring man without a right guide; without the ſecond wee cannot learne well to diſtinguiſh, and without this firſt wee know not what wee hold certainely. Thus wee ſee briefely how profitable it is; both to Paſtours and people.

Fiftly, I noted who they be that are to be catechiſed, Pa…ties to be Catechiſed.to wit, the ruder ſort. There be two ſorts of perſons, which the Miniſter is to inſtruct: the firſt are called Babes, ſuch as be inexpert, dull of hearing, carnall and Heb. 5. 1 Cor. 3.Heb 51 Cor 3not ſpirituall, which cannot beare ſtrong meate, theſe neede Milke and are to be catechiſed, whither they be yong or old perſons. The ſecond ſort are ſuch as be counted ſtrong men, being ſpirituall, hauing their wits 1 Cor. 3.1 Cor 3exerciſed, who can diſcerne of things that differ, and betweene good and euill, not onelyonly in morallitie, but in p. 10Heb. 5.Heb 5Euangelicall truth; ſuch hauehave by long cuſtome an habite of knowledge and ſincere iudgement, and are able to beare ſtrong meat. The firſt ſort St. Cyprian calleth Epi. 13. 14.Audientes; Tertullian tearmes them Nou…olos, St. Auguſtine, Competentes: which are of two ſorts; one of yeeres, out of the Church, of which was Theophilus, the Luk. 1. 4. Act. 8. and 16.Luke 1:4Acts 8Eunuch, the Goaler, ſo one Heron a man, and Rha… a woman, of whom Euſebius maketh mention; theſe were Hiſt. Eccl. lib. 6. cap. 3. and 7.catechiſed before they were admitted to baptiſme: and of catechiſing ſuch as were out of the Church, Aegeſippus ſaith, that by vertue thereof, there was neuer a Kingdome but receiued alteration in their heatheniſh religion within forty yeeres after Chriſt, ſuch an excellent meanes is it to bring men to God. The other ſort of theſe are they which be now in the Church: which alſo be of two ſorts, Babes in yeeres, and Babes in knowledge, Babes of two ſorts. Heb. 5. and 6.Heb 5though auntient for yeeres: both which ſtand in great neede to be inſtructed in their Catechiſme. EueryEvery one is to be taught according to his capacitie, whatſoeuer yeeres hee be of: ſo did the Apoſtle deale with them, as we may ſee in the Epiſtle to the HEBREVVES. It is loſt labour to teach prepoſte…ouſly; it is abſurd and fooliſh to take one of good yeeres, to learne him to read by our reading to him, and not allow him to learne to know his Letters, becauſe hee is paſt a childe: ſo vaine is our labour in Preaching onelyonly to the auncient in yeeres, and to omit to Catechiſe them, becauſe they be auncient; it was no hinderance we ſee to the Apoſtle: no more ſhould it be to vsus. And thus much for the parties to be Catechiſed.

Sixtly, The forme and manner of Catechiſing, is a Forme or manner of Catechiſing.briefe deliuery of the principles of religion by way of queſtion and anſwer: And in this doth Preaching and Catechiſing differ: Preaching is a dilating vponupon ſome point, bringing it ſome time into a treatiſe: but p. 11Catechiſing is the contracting of the vvhole into a ſumme: Preaching is a large diſcourſing, vponupon ſome Scripture with the interpretation, Doctrines, exhortations, with application to all ſorts: but Catechiſing is a ſhort deliuerie of the grounds of religion onelyonly to the more ignorant and ruder ſort. Preaching is not exacted to be repeated againe (though Saint Chryſoſtome 4 Hom. ad Heb.may ſeeme euen in this to hauehave tryed his negligent hearers:) Catechiſing is exacted to be repeated, a deliuerie by Catechiſing, and a redeliuerie by the Catechiſed; and that this ought to be ſo, the etymon of the word warrants it: For foreign is to teach, foreign, by an Echo, the Teachers voyce reſounding againe, yet not onelyonly the laſt ſillables; but the whole matter: ſo in Catechiſing there muſt be a voyce and a voyce, he that maketh the queſtion, and the partie anſwering.

Thus did our Sauiour Catechiſe, asking queſtions of his Diſciples, Math. 16. 13. 15. Luk. 2. 46. ſo did Philip Catechiſe the Eunuch, Act. 8. 37. yea, the people are charged to make an Echo againe. 1 Pet. 3. 15. So did the Diſciples to our Sauiour Chriſt. Mark. 8. 27. 29. And that this is the right and auncient forme of Catechiſing, wee may iudge by all manner of Catechiſmes publiſhed, ſet out by queſtions and anſweres, both with vsus in our Church, and in all other Churches. Which kinde of inſtruction in this manner is much more profitable than to diſcourſe and dilate vponupon a point Sermon-wiſe, which is waſt labour to the Teacher, as experience ſheweth, till the people be thus proceeded with all; by vvhichwhich the Miniſter ſhall diſcerne of either the knowledge or ignorance of his Pariſhioners, yea, themſelues ſhall hereby be made to take knowledge of their blindneſſe, vvhen they ſhall perceiue themſelues ſimple and childiſh in anſwering: p. 12this vvill ſet the people on worke to conſider what to anſwere, when, in the Miniſters teaching alone, they ſit as careleſſe and vnprofitable Hearers, as lamentable experience doth ſhew. This will diſcouer themſelues to themſelues, and preuent their ouer vveening conceits of their owne knowledge: and if they anſwere well, hereby they may be commended, and the Miniſter comforted in adminiſtring to them holy things: yea, this will bring louelove to the wiſe and diſcreet Teacher, and procure him reuerence alſo among his people, as the tryall hath made the matter knowne to ſome. In a vvord, no way ſhall a Miniſter better know his Auditories beginning and growth in knowledge; nor the people ſooner learne to iudge aright of their Chriſtian faith and religion, than by this familiar and plaine manner of Catechiſing by queſtion and anſwere.

Seauenthly and laſtly, the matter of the Catechiſme The matter of Catechiſing.is the principles of Religion, or a ſhort abridgement of the holy doctrines of our Chriſtianitie, called by the Heb. 5. 12.Heb 5:12APOSTLE, foreign, Elementa princip… Sermonum Dei, the ABC of our religion, or the rudements of the heauenly Oracles of GOD: or foreign, prima principia Sermonis Chriſti, the firſt principles of the doctrine of Chriſt, or the introduction into Chriſtianiſme, which be the poynts that we call the Catechiſme. Foure maine points of the Catechiſme.The heads whereto all particulars may bee drawne, are theſe foure, the doctrine of Faith, ſummed into twelue Articles; our duties to God and man, gathered briefly into two Tables, contayning the ten Commandements. The matter of prayer, collected into ſixe petitions, ſet downe in that paterne of true prayer, called the Lords Prayer: the doctrine of the Sacraments, the ſeales of Gods couenant, which are onelyonly theſe p. 13two, Baptiſme and the Lords Supper. And thus we ſee into how few heads the principles of our Religion is ſummed into, which abridgements of prayer, & obedience, Warrant for abridgements.are made by God the Father, and Chriſt his Son, and the Creed by his Church, which manner of Epitomizing is warranted in the holy Scriptures very plentifully.

VVee ſee how God brought the Law morall into Matth. 22. 27. Eccleſ. 12. 13.Matt 22:27Eccl 12:13ten words, and Chriſt the ſame into two heads, Solomon draweth all his Eccles into a ſhort ſumme, ſo the Apoſtle Saint Paul brought the grounds of Chriſtianitie to a few points. The Scripture is full of ſhort Aphoriſmes, Heb. 6. 1.Heb 6:1which be ſummary collections of many things largely handled, ſee the ſumme of religion in Iam. 1. 27. of the Goſpell in Iohn 3. 16. the ſumme of mans dutie in Eccles. 12. 13. the ſumme of that which ſhall be done at the laſt day in 2 Cor. 5. 10. The learned doe thinke, that this forme of teaching in ſo ſhort a manner, is to be vnderſtood in the place of Saint Paul to Timothie, foreign, Expreſſam forma…, vel exemplar teneto ſauorum verborum: 2 Tim. 1. 13.2 Tim 1:13as if hee had ſaid, I hauehave ſet thee a paterne of wholeſome words, for the manner of deliuering thereof, the heads whereof are theſe two, Faith and Charitie in Chriſt Ieſus. As alſo in that place to the Romanes, Rom. 6. 17. & 12. 6.Rom 6:17Rom 12:6foreign, formam doctrinae, ſo in an other place, foreign, the Analogie or proportion of Faith, according to which we muſt teach, ſecundum menſuram noſtram, after our gift giuen, holding the rule of the word, the forme of doctrine, and the analogie of Faith. Laſtly, this courſe of teaching, firſt the principles of religion, both Greeke and Latin Fathers hauehave followed, as Zanchie witneſſeth. And thus by Lib de ſac. Scrip. in orat. praefix…. pag. 34.the full proofe of all the particulars, in the definition of Catechiſing, I hauehave giuen, I hope, ſufficient reaſons p. 14of the poſition ſet downe, that it is our dutie to Catechiſe.

Hence therefore follow diuers vſes to be made of Manifold vſes of the doctrine.this doctrine to ſundry ſorts of perſons.

Firſt, vntounto the reuerend Fathers, and all Eccleſiaſtical To Eccleſiaſticall Gouernours.Officers, ſet ouer the Miniſters for to ouer-ſee them, not to ſee ouer Miniſters neglecting this ſo neceſſary a dutie. You are to ſee vsus performe this: you take oaths Motiues or inducements to the dutie.of Church-wardens to preſent this woefull neglect, if thereby the fault be found out; God forbid you ſhould let ſo great a neglect in Miniſters paſſe vvithout cenſure and controule: tythe not, I pray you, Mint and Cummin, and let paſſe this moſt weighty poynt of the Law of God and our King. Your neglect to puniſh vvill be our neglect of dutie; the Canon is very ſtrict, Canon. 59.it thundreth in ſound of words, but if you ſhall forbeare the execution (vvhichwhich is the life of good Lawes) it may be terriculum, ſed vix ſane nostrum cu…quam terriculamentum, it will be as a Canon without powder or Bullet, ſtanding for terrour, but neuer ſhot off. The end of Synods is to good purpoſe in their right vſe, for preſeruation of good things well eſtabliſhed, and for reformation of abuſes: Oh let not then the end of our meeting be that you ſhould call, and wee anſweare to our names, crying, here Syr, and there an end; as if the purpoſe of Synodes were to know nothing elſe, but eyther whither wee had forgot or loſt our names, or out run our liuings. Sed quid ego edoceam peritos? pauca Sapi…, and therefore I proceed to the reſt.

Secondly, to Church-wardens, that you preſent To Churchwardens.ſuch as continue herein negligent: it is your Oath, great is the benefit which both you the elder, as alſo the yonger ſort, both children and ſeruants ſhall reape by Motiues.Catechiſing. Care for your ſoules, cauſe Archippus to fulfill his Miniſtery, reſt not with reading alone (tho it p. 15be alſo an ordinance of God) without interpretation, if you may hauehave it, nor with preaching alone, without Catechiſing, together are they ſtrong meanes by Gods bleſſing to bring you to God.

Thirdly, to Miniſter, and firſt to ſuch as doe make To Miniſters, and firſt to ſuch as doe Catechiſe, of which 3. ſorts. 1. The diligent. Motiues.conſcience of this doing it vvith diligence and profit to the people: goe on ſtill (my good brethren) you ſee it is a Diuine ordinance, your duetie, a neceſſary meanes, much approued, by law eſtabliſhed, by the Apoſtles practiſed, and by Chriſt himſelfe: goe on with the yong in yeeres, they need Milke, you hauehave law to compell them, and to enforce their parents to bring them (yet doe as much by gentle meanes as you may. Our Sauiour commanded children to bee brought vntounto him, and rebuked thoſe, that would hauehave kept them from him: we are in Chriſts ſteed, command 2 Cor. 5.2 Cor 5children to bee brought, and rebuke ſuch as hinder them: Saint Paul went from houſe to houſe to them Acts 20.Acts 20in his time: familiar teaching profiteth much: winneth the peoples louelove to the truth (as they get knowledge, for ignoti nulla cupido) it emboldeneth them much, and by your wiſe cariage, procureth to your ſelues reuerence.

Laſtly, thinke how they hauehave ſoules to ſaue and are the tender lambes of Chriſt, which you muſt feed, as you louelove the Lord Ieſus. In going on with the babes in yeeres, draw forward yonglings in knowledge, the olde babes in yeeres, as much as lyeth in you ſuffer not them to periſh for lacke of knowledge: winne them by fauour, whom you cannot bring perforce: come to them priuately, vvhom you conueniently cannot deale with publikely. You (brethren) know, that ignorant mindes are a ſeed plot for the Papiſts to ſowe their hereſies, to ſet in their ſuperſtitions and to plant their abhominable Idolatries. Win them therefore to this, p. 16plant in them religious grounds, for ſo you ſhall beget in them a louelove of the Word, a reuerent eſtimation of the Miniſtery, and a care of ſanctifying of the Sabaoth; which three, they almoſt make no conſcience of, but through prophaneneſſe, as Eſau, ſet theſe things to ſale for a meſſe of pottage. Conſider how without the grounds of Catechiſme they cannot pray, they know not what it is, as appeareth by many, who account the repeating of the words of the Creed, and ten Commandements to be a prayer. How can they examine themſelues, and prepare themſelues to the Lords Supper, being ignorant of the doctrine of the Sacraments? with what comfort can vvee admit ſuch perſons ſo ignorant (though liuing in the Church) to the Lords Supper, when the Teachers in the primitiue time would admit none but the vvell inſtructed vntounto Baptiſme? Saint Hebr. 5. & 6.Heb 5Paul Catechiſed the Auncient, as wee hauehave heard: and wee hauehave a commandement in the Booke of Common-Prayer to admit none to the Sacrament vncatechiſed, which hauehave not learned their Catechiſme. I will not ſay therefore vntounto thee (my brother) which makeſt conſcience of this excellent worke, Perge in virum, play the man, but perge precor, in bonum miniſtrum, performe the part of a man of God, and a great reward ſhall be giuen vntounto thee. And thus much to the firſt ſort which doe Catechiſe diligently.

The ſecond ſort of ſuch as doe this worke, are they 2. Sort negligent. Ier. 48. 10. Reproofe, with the reaſons.Jer 48:10that doe it, but as guiltie of that curſe in Ieremy, Curſed is he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently; both in doing, and for the time they leaue it vndone: for in Catechiſing they do it without care of the peoples, profiting, onelyonly hearing them repeate words, but not examining how they vnderſtand vvhat they doe ſay, ſo as they are very little better for ſuch teaching, it is ſomething, as good as nothing, as we may ſee where onelyonly p. 17the people be thus taught. Againe this ſo curſorie a courſe is but a little before Eaſter, and all the yeere elſe are they le…t to themſelues and neuer examined: this childiſh kinde of teaching bringeth contempt to ſo holy, ſo neceſſarie a worke, and the negligent paſſing it ouer ſo long, cauſeth youth and other to thinke that it is not ſo neceſſarie or profitable as indeed it is, in the hands of a cunning workeman.

The third ſort of ſuch as catechiſe, are they which 3. Sort diligent, but not ſo profitable as they might be.take paines, and that diligently, but yet, if I might ſo ſpeake with their good fauour, without offending, not very profitably. And this is either when one, two, or halfe a dozen, or as many as you pleaſe, are asked one and the ſame Queſtion, when by the firſt, the reſt doe learne to anſwere, though before they neuer tooke care to commit it to memory, and ſo it remayneth not with them, and the negligent onelyonly care to giuegive ſome ſmall contentment for the time; or when but onelyonly one or two, and euer the ſame, ſtand forth for all, and anſwere to two or three queſtions onelyonly, for that time; vponupon which the Miniſter diſcourſeth, as in preaching, which all the reſt ſit to heare in ſhew, but whither they doe or not, that is no more knowne to the Miniſter, then how they heare and learne his Sermons. I thinke (brethren) if I might freely ſpeake, it vvere farre How to profit the people by Catechiſing.better to heare eueryevery one how farre they can ſay at the firſt time, then note where they leaue, and there begin with them the next time, and ſo on till they come to the end, all this time hearing them onelyonly how well they can ſay: After begin againe with as many as can ſay the Catechiſme thorow, and examine the meaning, how they vnderſtand what … ſay, neuer diſcourſing, but inſteade thereof to turne all into queſtions, ſo ſhall you keepe the peoples mindes attentiue to you, delight ſuch as vnderſtand, with variety of queſtions, and make p. 18them that are willing, to ſtudy how to anſwere the new queſtion propounded At the end to dilate, if you pleaſe, a little time, ſome halfe quarter of an houre, but not aboue, for the benefit of the more iudicious, it will not doe amiſſe. It is incredible to tell how this way both profiteth and greatly pleaſeth the people, ſo as both young and old willingly come thereunto, and very willingly learne: I ſpeake by experience, bleſſed be God, for euermore, Amen. And thus much to the Miniſters which doe Catechiſe: now to them that catechiſe not.

Queſtion. But before I proceede, it may be demaunded when wee are to giuegive ouer this catechiſing: or whither wee muſt be alwayes Catechiz…rs.

Anſwere. A. Surely ſo long as wee finde our people ignorant, as the holy Apoſtle did, for, though as concerning time, they ought indeed to be Teachers, yet being H…b. 5.ignorant, wee muſt againe teach them the principles of the word. It is folly for a Schole-maiſter to put his Scholler into the Pſalter, that cannot learne his Criſcroſſe-row, or into a Latin Author, when as yet he can hardly ſpell an Engliſh word, though hee hath beene neuer ſo long at the ſchoole. Moreouer, young ones come into the world and grow vp, who muſt be catechiſed: therefore muſt wee continue this courſe till our pariſhes ceaſe breeding a new increaſe, and the reſt be able to beare ſtrong meate: and this is not likely to be whilſt we liue, therefore the Church hath prouided for continuing of catechiſing without any ſtinting of time: but if any mans lot light in ſo happy a pariſh, hee may ceaſe this labour, and account himſelfe more happy than the reſt of his brethren. But now to ſuch as doe not catechiſe, and theſe be of two ſorts.

Firſt, ſuch as doe not, becauſe they indeede cannot. Such as doe not Catechiſe, and theſe are of two ſorts.My aduiſe to them is, that as they ranne before they p. 19were ſent, ſo they would freely come forth before they be called, by Death, or the laſt iudgement, leaſt GOD Such as would perhaps and cannot.ſmite them dead, like Vzzah, for laying their hand vponupon the Lords A…ke without any warrant. Woe be vntounto them, they be blinde guides leading the blinde, till they both fall into the ditch, that is, the dungeon of hell, where they ſhall periſh euerlaſtingly. Theſe be the Canes Eſai. 56. 10. 11.Isa 56:10Isa 56:11mu…i, and the Speculatores caeci, of whom Eſiah ſpeaks Neſciunt docere, non poſſunt latrare. But let them looke for their reward; hearken how the Lord calleth for vengeance Eſai. 56 9.Isa 56:9by the ſame Prophet, Omnes beſtiae agreſtes, et ferae ſilueſtres venite ad deuorandum: All the beaſts of the field, and vvild ones in the Forreſt come and deuoure. Ceaſe therefore to doe euill, and learne to doe well, that the hand of the Lord come not out againſt you.

Second ſort of ſuch as doe not Catechiſe, are they Such as can Catechiſe and will not: To Preach and not Catechiſe.that can and will not: and theſe be alſo of two ſorts, ſuch as vvill Preach, but not Catechiſe: and ſuch as will doe neither. For the firſt, which is alſo many Miniſters fault yea, learned and worthily gifted, I yet wiſh them to conſider how aw…kwardly they goe to worke, they ſet on a roofe, before they lay the foundation, or reare vp the maine poſtes and ſtayes of the houſe: they build caſtles in the ayre, they vvorke vvithout foundation, they ſeeme to feed, but famiſh indeed their ignorant Hearers; what mother or Nurſe will giuegive ſtrong meate to the ſucking childe? will they teach to read, without knowledge of the Letters? would God I might intreate them to proceed with their people, not according to their owne habilitie in teaching, but the capacitie of their Auditorie in learning. He that taketh children to teach, though hee be neuer ſo great a Clarke, yet will hee diſcend downe to them, weighing their weakeneſſe and not his owne vvorthyneſſe for p. 20better employment; for ſo ſhould he teach what himſelfe knoweth, but not what poſſibly they may vnderſtand: by which they loſe time, and he waſteth his labour: and thus is it with many Congregations. The Lord perſwade theſe learned and vvorthy men to a more pofitable courſe for the people, and before God more comfortable to themſelues. Our Sauiour Chriſt Ioh. 16. 12.John 16:12taught, but as his Diſciples were able to learne, not after his skill, but after their meaſure of concei…ing: ſo 1 Cor. 3.1 Cor 3did the Apoſtle the Corinthians, vvho vvas a moſt learned Clarke, and able to ſpeake languages according to the places where he came. It is no diſgrace to Catechiſe plainely, learned Fathers hauehave done it: it argueth louelove, and deſire in vsus to hauehave the people to vnderſtand vsus: A mother, ſpeaking vntounto her little babes, ſpeaketh not, as to the elder in yeeres, but euen as a childe to children, vntounto other, as becometh her to ſpeake, and fit for them to heare: To the learned ſpeake learnedly, to the ſimple and ignorant plainely▪ ſo ſhall both ſorts be well fed, and well ſatisfied.

Some there are vvhichwhich will Preach, and not Catechiſe, Vnprofitable Preachers.but theſe preſume to Preach onelyonly for a credit, and to preuent the name of dumbe Dogges, but, be it ſpoken with reuerence in this place, it is Aſinui ad Lyram, the prouerbe they hauehave not learned, Ne ſutor vltra crepidam: they goe beyond their reach, to the great diſgrace of Preaching: they doe read a Text, but flye from it after, as if it had in it the Peſtilence: ſome hauehave many good vvordes, but almoſt no matter, as if Preaching were an idle prate, ſome neither good wordes, nor good matter. I ſpeake not this in contempt of any mans gifts, my ſelfe being the meaneſt of ten thouſand: but to aduiſe brotherly, that holy things be handled reuerently, that vve diuide the vvord aright (though neuer ſo plainely; p. 21ſo it bee to the purpoſe orderly) to the edification of the people, and grace of our Miniſtery: ſo ſpeaking with authoritie from the vvord, that we need not be aſhamed of the worke. Though the vvord be deliuered homely, yet if it be reuerently done, and the food wholeſome, it is to be vvell approued of all humble ſpirits, and of all ſuch as be religiouſly diſpoſed. But yet rather than the time ſhould be ſpent in vnprofitable preaching, I could vviſh that omitted, till better preparation, and the labour beſtowed in this courſe of Catechiſing.

The other ſort of them that doe not Catechiſe, are Such as can Catechiſe and preach, but wil doe neither.they that wil neither preach nor catechiſe, though they can or could hauehave done both well. Such are not reſident vponupon their Flocke, becauſe they be not cord… cum cura animarum, though corpore, with neglect of dutie: for reſidencie is thus defined by the Canoniſts, Reſidentia eſt Clerici in Eccleſia beneficium tenentis, cum voluntate debiti praeſtandi ſeruitij praeſentia, So that it is not enough to be preſent in body among his Pariſhioners, but that he willingly performe ſuch ſeruice as the Lord requireth of him for their edification: and therefore ſaith one vponupon that definition, parum eſſet, praeſentiam ſui exhibere, & curam ſeu ſeruitium Eccleſiae negligere. This wilfull neglect ſheweth that they louelove not the Lambs of Chriſt, that they be without conſcience of their dutie, without Chriſtian compaſſion, vvhichwhich was in Chriſt towards the multitude: ſuch people hauing Math. 9.Matt 9ſuch Paſtours, are as Sheepe without a Shepheard. If the louelove of God dwell not in them that hauehave vvorldly riches, to relieue the bodies of the needy, and doe ſhut vp their compaſſion from them, how dwels it in theſe who ſhut vp Gods graces and gifts, and will not relieue the ſtaruing ſoules of Chriſts poore people? The worldly wealthy may hauehave ſome excuſe, becauſe by giuing p. 22they diminiſh their goods: but theſe, the more they beſtow, the more may they encreaſe in gifts and graces. How can theſe men comfort themſelues, vvhen they are charged by the Apoſtle, before God and his Angels, at the appearing of the Lord Ieſus, to be inſtant 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2.2 Tim 4:12 Tim 4:2in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon; and yet doe neglect wilfully Iam 4 17.Jas 4:17ſo great meanes of the peoples ſaluation? Their ſinne is great, and great puniſhment ſhall be inflicted vponupon ſuch as know to doe well and doe it not.

Now (brethren) to you of the Laity; if it be our Vſe to the people.dutie to Catechiſe you, it is your part to come to bee Catechiſed, and to yeeld your ſelues to be taught: you I meane, that be yet ignorant of the principles of religion, Motiues.be not aſhamed to know the truth: Godly men are commended in Scripture for their humilitie herein, Luke 1. Acts 8. Acts 28. Hebr. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 34.Luke 1Acts 8Acts 28Heb 5:121 Cor 15:34you hauehave an example in noble Theophilus, in that honourable Eunuch, in eloquent Apollo…, and the conuerted Iewes, whoſe grace let vsus follow: it is no diſgrace to learne, as wee ſee by theſe, but a ſhame to vsus to bee ignorant in the very grounds of our profeſſion.

The Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtories make mention of the Euſ. lib 6. cap. 3. & 7.Catechiſed, called Catechumeni: remember you auncient, that you are to be inſtructers and Catechiſers of Heb. 5. 12. Exod. 12. 26. 27. Deu. 4 9. & 7. 7. Pſal. 78. 3. 4. 5. 67. Prou. 22. 6.Heb 5:12Exod 12:26Exod 12:27Deut 4:9Deut 7:7Ps 78:3Ps 78:4Ps 78:5Ps 78:67Prov 22:6your owne families, now how can you doe this, and be ignorant of that you ſhould teach? yea, Fathers muſt doe it, Deut. 6. 7. Epheſ. 6. 4. an example vvee hauehave in Abraham, Gene. 17. 12. 13. 14 and 18. 17. 18. 19. in Dauid alſo, Prouerb. 4. 3 4. 1 King. 2. 1. 3. 4. Mothers muſt be inſtructours, Prouerb. 18. example wee hauehave in Salomons Mother, Pr…u 31. in Lois and Eunice, 2 Tim. 1. 5. & 3. 15. Hu…bands muſt teach their wiues, 1 Cor. 14. 35. yea, eueryevery one muſt admoniſh and edifie another, …. 18. 17. 1 7 b. s. 11. Hebr. 3. 13. Rom. 13. 14. how much more then ſhould Gouernours of Families hauehave care of their owne houſeholds? If theſe p. 23things moue you not, conſider how many of you hauehave ſolem…nly promiſed, in being God-fathers & God-mothers, to teach other mens children the Catechiſme, or ſee that they be taught it. If this dutie were performed, you ſhould greatly further the publike miniſtery, yea, by your ſound knowledge in the matters of Catechiſme, Sermons would be better vnderſtood of you, 1 Iohn 4. 1. 1 Theſ. 5. 21. Acts 17. 11. 1 Cor. 11. 2 Cor. 13. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 15.1 John 4:11 Thess 5:21Acts 17:111 Cor 112 Cor 13:51 Pet 3:15you would be able to try better the Spirits, to examine your ſelues, and ſo be made fit for the Lords Table, and not ruſh vntounto it, as many doe to their condemnation. You ſhould be able eaſily to anſwere ſome aduerſary, to giuegive an account of your Faith readily, as you are commanded, if you be well Catechiſed; by the ignorance whereof, you cannot be but very vnſtable in your profeſſion, building without foundation: you loſe the benefit of profitable hearing of Sermons, you eaſily yeeld to by-paths, and are turned about with eueryevery wind of doctrine.

But you that are of yeeres perhaps hauehave gathered Anſwere made to ſuch as obiect againſt Catechiſing. Obiect.excuſes, and thinke hereby to auoid this dutie of learning the Catechiſme: you are aſhamed to be knowen to be ignorant: Ah, my brethren, are you more aſhamed of the knowledge of your ignorance, then of ignorance it ſelfe? Know this, that your ignorance ſhall be knowne, if you ſo remayne in it, and God will ſeuerely 2 Theſ. 1. 7.2 Thess 1:7puniſh it, therefore now hide it not, but rather ſeeke to remoue it. Know alſo, that ignorance is a great ſinne, and wilfull ignorance a heauie puniſhment of God for ſinne.

But that you may not be held backe by this ſhame, conſider, that all are firſt ignorant before they get knowledge; that it is no cauſe of ſhame to learne that vvhichwhich we doe not know. In many earthly matters we can both acknowledge our ignorance, and yeeld our ſelues to learne, why not in heauenly alſo without p. 24ſhame? the Apoſtles were ignorant, and deſired to be taught to pray, and many other things; ſo other in the Acts 2. 37. & 16.Acts 2:37Acts 2:16primitiue Church, did confeſſe their ignorance to the Apoſtles, and the like did diuers after them to their Succeſſors, whoſe godly humilitie vve ſhould follow, for this kinde of ſhame ariſeth of a wretched pride, a ſinne hatefull to God. Doth not the Prieſts lips preſerue Mal. 2. 7.Mal 2:7knowledge, and are not you to ſeeke it at his mouth?

Obiect. But you will yet ſay, that your Anceſtors and forefathers had no ſuch teaching, and yet, ſay you, they did well.

How well they did in that ignorant eſtate, in their blindneſſe, ſuperſtition, and idolatrie, I leaue to ſhew, and how they are, onelyonly God beſt knoweth: yet howſoeuer they did, know you, you cannot doe vvell if you neglect inſtruction, for you hauehave the meanes which they had not; their ignorance was of neceſſity in thoſe times, but yours is wicked and wilfull, and ſo your condemnation the more iuſt, except you amend. But why doe you ſtand ſo much vponupon your late Popiſh forefathers, and neglect your Anceſtors before them? ſhall the groſſe ignorance of the latter more harden vsus in an ill courſe than the grace of the former in purer times ſtirre vsus vp vntounto goodneſſe? let this vanitie and vaine folly, and madneſſe indeed, be farre from vsus. When theſe come into your minde, thinke whither it is better to follow them, than our father Abraham, the bleſſed Apoſtles, the holy Saints in their time, and our firſt forfathers receiuing religion, ſubmitting themſelues to be Catechiſed when they were brought to the faith of Chriſt, before Popery tooke poſſeſſion of them.

Obiect. But peraduenture yet you hauehave this more to ſay, that you are olde, and paſt learning, and therefore will thinke to be excuſed.

p. 25Remember, that olde age acquiteth none from iudgement, for the man that is an hundred yeere olde, Eſa. 65. 20.Isa 65:20and vvicked, is accurſed: vvee may not therefore liue wilfully in ſinne, becauſe we be olde. Olde folke, for preſeruation of bodily life will eate childrens foode, and are you too olde to deſire the Milke of the Word, for the ſoules ſafety? Againe, the older, ſo much the neerer the graue, and therefore hauehave the greater cauſe to learne to prepare for death, by knowing ſuch things as bee moſt neceſſary to ſaluation. Olde folke can learne ſuch things as be for the body, and can giuegive their mindes to remember them in caſes of need; why not then heauenly and ſpirituall knowledge? the cauſe is, for that indeed, they are like ſouleleſſe men, not caring at all what may befall them in the life to come.

But to take this excuſe away, that olde age is paſt learning, there are and hauehave beene many perſons olde, which hauehave learned the Catechiſme: ſo as all old perſons are not paſt learning, but ſuch, as indeed, are paſt grace, and ſo if they remaine, are paſt hope of ſaluation. The ancient in dayes, and the multitude of yeeres, ſhould teach wiſedome; and ſhall olde age now, not Iob 32. 7.Job 32:7onelyonly be full of ignorance, but alſo a ſupporter of the ſame blindneſſe, in the middeſt of ſuch cleare light, and ſo great varietie of the meanes to bring them to this light? God forbid; to whom I leaue you, to bring you to a better minde.

But if you be paſt learning, then from experience of your former loſt time, and inhabilitie now to learne, thinke vponupon ſuch as be yong vnderunder you, ſend them, that they may not follow your ſteps, and plead ignorance and vncapableneſſe at your yeeres; ſaue yours, if yee cannot vſe the ſauing meanes for your ſelues.

Obiect. But me thinkes, I heare ſome ſay, that euen the ſending of their ſeruants is great detriment vntounto them, p. 26for by being reſtrained of their libertie thus, they are not vvilling to ſerue them, and ſo hardly can eyther get or keepe them.

(Brother:) If this be ſo; know, it is for want of Catech…ſing: for if eueryevery Maſter would diſcharge this duetie, as they by law and conſcience are bound; whither ſhould ſuch i…religious ſeruants goe from the preſence of the Lord? But this is not eueryevery where ſo, good and godly ſeruants vvill ſeeke to good and godly places, as for other ſeruants, if thou thy ſelfe truely feareſt God, thou wil… as gladly be rid of them as they would be going from thee. Abraham wanted no ſeruants, though he had care to Catechiſe them, nor Cornelius, vvho was a deuout man, fearing God, with all his houſeholde. Vſe well ſeruants, reward the well-doers, and thou ſhalt not want ſuch as will ſerue thee faithfully and conſtantly. As for libertie, afford it vntounto them out of thy owne ſixe dayes of ſeauen, ſeaſonably and conueniently; and let them not robbe th… Lord of his onelyonly one day in ſeauen.

Remember, that thy ſeruant ſhould be to thee more precious than a beaſt; yet what difference makeſt thou, if not in this matter of religion? thou feedeſt, yea, cloatheſt, giueſt libertie, reſt, warme harbour, and dreſſing to thy beaſt, to hauehave the vſe of him for thy ſeruice, and if thou neglect thy ſeruants ſoule, doeſt thou any more eſteeme or make of him, than of thy beaſt, looking onelyonly to his body, for bodily ſeruice? and therefore thou mayeſt not neglect this good of his ſoule; for who ſo doth, hath his ſeruant but as in place of a reaſonable beaſt, but not as a Chriſtian ſoule. See then Maſters what you doe herein, and you ſeruants, behold ſuch Maſters to you as Turkes, and your ſelues as their beaſt-like ſlaues bodily, and Sathans ſpiritually: but of this, thus much concerning Catechiſing, or teaching, p. 27the firſt thing to be obſerued in the perſon to be maintained▪ Now followeth to ſhew what it is he muſt teach, and from what, in theſe words: In the Word.

By Word, here is ment the holy Scriptures, and more ſpecially the doctrine of the Goſpell, which in the new Teſtament by an excellency is called the Word, Actes foreign Acts. 14. 25.Acts 14:2516. 6. which in verſe 10. is expounded to bee the Goſpell, ſo alſo vſed in other places.

Doct. Hence obſerue, That the doctrine of the Goſpell is a word of great excellencie: therefore wee ſee it here by a ſpeciall manner of ſpeaking to be called the Word, as if there were no word elſe beſides; Proofe. and for further proofe hereof, the H. Ghoſt addeth elſewhere ſomething to ſet out the excellency thereof: it is called, the Word of the Ma…th. 13. 19. Acts 13 26. & 5. 20. Iohn 5. 25. 1 Pet. 4. 6. Heb 4. 12.Acts 13:26Acts 5:20John 5:251 Pet 4:6Heb 4:12Kingdome, the Word of Saluation, the Word of Life: Reaſons. For it ſhewes what Chriſts kingdome is, it is the inſtrumentall meanes for our ſaluation, and cauſeth the dead to liue, according to God in the Spirit, vntounto euerlaſting life; hence is it ſaid to be liuely, and mighty in operation.

Vſe. This teacheth vsus to eſteeme highly of the doctrine Acts 13. 48.Acts 13:48of the Goſpell, to receiue it with great gladneſſe, as the Church hath done, glorifying the Word of the Lord. Motiues. For it is the glad tidings of peace, it is the onelyonly curing Salue to the accuſing conſcience: the Law killeth, this maketh aliue; that terrifyeth, this comforteth; that ſaith, diſcedite maledicts, Away, depart ye curſed ones, but this venite benedicts, Oh come ye bleſſed of the Lord, receiue the kingdome prepared for you; that is the law of bondage; this of libertie: therein we behold onelyonly the Iuſtice of God, and our miſerie, herein our happie deliuerance, and Gods great vnſpeakeable mercy. Bleſſe the Lord therefore, and let them be made much of, who bring theſe glad tydings of great ioy vntounto all his people, for beautifull are their feet.Eſa. 52. 7.Isa 52:7

p. 28Doct. Secondly, hence may vvee obſerue, That the Word of God is the matter of the Miniſtery, for the inſtruction of the people: Proofe. vvhichwhich may appeare moſt true by theſe Scriptures, Matthew 28. 20. 2 Timoth. 4. 2. 1 C…rinth, 4. 6. and the example of Chriſt, in teaching, Iohn 8. 28. and alſo his Apoſtles, Acts 26. 22. Reaſons. For it onelyonly maketh knowne his Will vntounto vsus, and is the inſtrument of conuerſion, by which the ſpirit vvorketh Luke 11. 28. Reuel. 1. 3.Luke 11:28Rev 1:3effectually in all ſuch as are ordayned to be ſaued, and maketh bleſſed ſuch as beleeue and obey the ſame.

Vſe. Let vsus then of the Miniſtery, ſtudy the Scriptures, 1 Tim. 4. 13. Motiues. 2 Pet. 1. Acts 26. 18.1 Tim 4:132 Pet 1Acts 26:18and giuegive attendance to the reading of them, to exhortation and doctrine out of them: for it onelyonly is a ſure Word, it conuerteth the Soule, turning man from darkneſſe to light, from Sathan vntounto God, and a word 1 Cor. 14.1 Cor 14mighty in operation to diſcouer man vntounto himſelfe, to make him throw downe himſelfe, and caſt down eueryevery 2 Cor. 10.2 Cor 10imagination and high thought exalted againſt GOD, and to bring them into obedience. It maketh vsus wiſe, 2 Tim. 3.2 Tim 3and perfect to eueryevery good worke, and it is ſufficient for inſtruction, correction, confutation and doctrine; and this onelyonly is it, Reprehenſion. which God hath appointed, and which he will aſſiſt with his ſpirit, in ſauing his people.

This iuſtly condemneth thoſe of a fault, who being Miniſters, yet ſtudy leaſt the Scriptures, as if they were too ſhallow for their deepe wits, and too vulgarly knowne for them to beſtow their ſtudies in, and therefore delight neither in reading, nor teaching vvhat they ſay, but vvhat man ſayth, but as theſe ſeeke themſelues, ſo they looſe the Lord, and authoritie in the hearts of his people; videant ipſi, they hauehave their reward.

The poſition or doctrine being true, it alſo condemneth the practiſe of our aduerſaries, vvho feede p. 29their auditories with vaine Philoſophie, lying Legends, Poeticall fictions, dreames, and Sophiſticall & Schoole quidities, Popiſh decrees, and humane Conſtitutions, which is to infect and poyſon the people vvith falſehoods, errours, ſuperſtition and Idoll ſeruice, fit for that Antichriſt, & not to feed the flocke of Chriſt with wholeſome doctrine, which theſe little regard, and ſo all ſuch as delight onelyonly to tickle the eare, to get to themſelues a prayſe of humane eloquence, or to deliuer ſayings here and there, and eueryevery where, except the ſayings of Chriſt, his Prophets and Apoſtles, Apocrypha before, and more often then the Canon of Scripture. Which I ſpeake not any way to derogate from the iuſt prayſes of learning and eloquence: they are Gods excellent gifts to be honoured and commended; for the Miniſtery neceſſary, and in the Preaching of the word to be vſed, ſo it be in ſpirituall vviſedome, and in that holy grace of humilitie, for the Churches edification, and not our owne prayſe, ſo in ſome caſes, before ſome kinde of auditory, in handling of ſome matter, to vſe Philoſophie, teſtimonies humane is not vnlawfull, as the learned ſhew, and elſe-where my ſelfe In the faithfull Shepheard.hauehave publiſhed, which I note, leſt here I be miſtaken. And thus much for the firſt part of my Text concerning vsus of the Miniſtery.