Collection of Discourses, Part 3
AN ORATION OF D. ZACHARY VRSINE, exhorting to the ſtudy of Chriſtianity: pronounced by him in the ELIZABETH Schoole when he began his Lectures vponupon PHILIP MELANCTHON his groundes of Divinitie intituled Eramen Theologicum. *⁎*
SInce by adviſe of your regents and overſeers in ſtudy, I hauehave beene wiſhed to deliuer vntounto you ſome ſhort ſumme of Chriſtianity, I muſt acknowledge my weakeneſſe farre vnable to ſupport a burden of ſuch waight. For this is a doctrine ever paſt vnderſtanding not only of the moſt wiſe and ſharpe-ſighted of this worlde (vnleſſe inſtructed by the voice of the Church and power of the holy Spirit) but for a great part vnknowen even to the Angels themſelues, vntill it pleaſed the ſonne of God to reveale it out of the deepe wiſedome of his eternal father, which if all the wits and tongues of men and angels ſhoulde ſtraine themſelues to vnfold and grace with curioſity of ſtile and depth of invention, they coulde never be able to ſpeake any thing correſpondent to the dignity and deſerte of ſo diuine a ſubiect. Being therefore to my ſelfe guilty of mine owne defects, I had rather leaue this labour to ſome other, who might more worthily attempt, & more happily perfourme it then my ſelfe: but conſidering againe the place and perſon I ſuſtaine, I hauehave thought it my duty to do you al ſervice in furthering your ſalvation, & to ſhew obedience to God inviting me to theſe religious labours, and promiſing (which is the chiefeſt thing) his gracious aſſiſtance, which who ſo enioieth neede not deſpaire of any thing, for it pleaſeth God to ſhew his mighty power in weake and abiect inſtruments, according to that of the Pſalmiſt, Out of the mouth of babes & ſucklings haſt thou ordeined ſtrength, becauſe of thine enemies, that thou mighteſt ſtill the enemy and the avenger. Pſal. 8. 3. The worde which he vſeth ſignifieth a childe which beginneth to ſpeake & vnderſtand. But it is a thing vſual to attribute the name of children, not vntounto thoſe only which are ſo in years, but vntounto thoſe alſo which are ſuch in vnderſtanding or doing ought beſides. They alſo which are infants in years, are ſufficient witneſſes of Gods goodneſſe and providence. The manifeſt tokens of Gods preſence in miraculous propagation, preſervation, & ſuſtaining of mankind do ſufficiently refell and …efute Di…s and Ath…ſts of al ſortes, both ſuch as deny at all that there is any God, and ſuch as doe not acknowledge him to be ſuch a God as he profeſſeth himſelfe to bee. But Chriſt in 21. of Mat. 16. v. draweth this place to a confeſſion, in which ſence it agreeth to vsus al, euen as many as thincke or ſpeake ought of God. For we are infantes in vnderſtanding & vtterance of all heauenly things. Wee learne in this life ſome ſmale rudiments of them, as truly and religiouſly ſaith the Emperour Gratian in his confeſſion to Ambroſe: Wee ſpeake of God ſo much, not as we ought, but as we can. Yea even the Prophets and Apoſtles confeſſe as much of them ſelues. As 1 Cor. 13. 9. Wee know imperfectly & we prophecie imperfectly. But when that which is perfect ſhall come, then that which is vnperfect ſhall be aboliſhed. And in the …2 ver. Now we ſee through a glaſſe darkely, But then ſhall wee ſee face to face.
But though both thoſe rudiments which wee learne be feawe, & the word of preachinge bee plained to our capacitie, wherein God himſelfe ſpeaketh to vsus as vntounto infants, & ſuffereth vsus to ſpeake like infantes of himſelfe, yet will God ſo exact of vsus in this life ſkill in this doctrine of himſelfe, that otherwiſe he giueth vsus no hope of an other life, & theſe rudiments (how ſimple ſo euer) do ſo farre exceede all humaine wiſedome, that betwixt the one and the other is no compariſon. For theſe principles or groundes are a wiſedome vnknowne to reaſon, neceſſary & ſufficiēt to everlaſting ſaluation. Let vsus, therefore not only acknowledge our infancie, but alſo ſhew our ſelues willing to be reckned in the number of ſucklings & infants. For as the childe groweth not that is not ſuſtained with the mothers milke or other conuenient noriſhment: ſo neither muſt we refuſe the milke of Gods worde, whereby we are noriſhed and ſuſteined vntounto eternall life, leaſt we be put beſides all hope of our perfection. This is that ſpirituall infancy,Mat. 21. pleaſing God as Chriſt witneſſeth when he rebuketh the Phariſes which were offended at the children ſinging in the tēple Hoſanna to the ſonne of Dauid. Theſe are thoſe infantes, in whoſe wordes it pleaſeth him to bee powerfull, by whoſe mouth, as the pſalme addeth, he perfiteth his ſtrength, or (as they tranſlate it who conſider the originall) he ſtabliſheth his kingdome. But he ſpeaketh of that ſtrength or kingdome which is ſeene in this life:The kingdome of Chriſt. which is for the ſon of God to appoint & vphould his miniſtrie, to gather his diſperſed church, to quicken the faithfull beleeuers by the preaching of the Goſpell, to ſanctifie them by the holy ſpirite vntounto eternall life, to protect his church in this life againſt the kingdome of Satan, after this life to raiſe vp the faithfull vntounto life eternall, that in thē his Deitie may raigne openly, not by miniſtry.
What the foundation of this kingdome is Saint Paule teacheth, 1. Cor. 3. 11. ſaying, Other foundation can no man lay then that which is ſaid, which is Ieſus Chriſt. The foundation is Chriſt, firſt in his perſon, for that he beareth, keepeth and comprehendeth all the members and parts of this kingdome, vnited and ingraffed in him, as doth the foundation al other partes of the building, or as doth the vine all the branches: … then to the doctrine of himſelfe, that is of his perſon and office. For as good lawes are the ſtrength and ſinewes of kingdomes politique; ſo this kingdome is compoſed, confirmed and ordered by this doctrine deliuered of Chriſt. And as the houſe cannot ſtande without the foundation, ſo except we know who Chriſt is, and what he hath perfourmed for our ſakes, al religion beſides is but vaine, forged, none at all.
This foundation is laid by the mouth of ſuckelings and b…bes which beleeue, and being …red vp by the holy Ghoſt doe learne & embrace the doctrine which they hea…e & ſo grow into Chriſt, in whom they be ingraffed.
In this weighty worke God vouchſafeth to vſe our infancy for an inſtrument, to the advancemēt of his glory (whileſt the weightines of the worke, and weakeneſſe of the inſtrumentes doe plainely ſhew, that all this is done not by our ſtrength; but by the power and might of the almighty God:) and alſo to abate the pride of his enemies, whileſt their might and power is ſurpaſſed by our weakneſſe, and our ſhew of wiſedome doth in the ende ſhew that nothing is more fooliſh then their wiſdome, as it is ſaid; your ſtrength ſhall be in ſilence and hope. For the ſon of God deſtroieth the workes of the Devill, deliuering thoſe that beleeue from his tyranny, pardoning and putting away their ſins, beginning in them righteouſneſſe & life eternal, defending his church, accuſing & diſcovering the malice of his enemies, repreſſing & puniſhing thē both now, and in the finall delivery of his church from all evils. And all this (manger the gates of hell) he doth partly bring to paſſe and partly teſtifie by the vnworthy & ſimple mouthes of mē; as it is ſaid 2. Cor. 10. v. 4 The weapons of our wa…far… are not carnal, but mighty through God to caſt dovvne boldes, caſting downe the imaginations, and eve…e high thing that is exalted againſt the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chriſt, And having ready the vengance againſt all diſobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
As therefore the baſeneſſe of the veſſell doth not preiudice the preciouſeneſſe of the merchandize therin conteined: ſo neither muſt you diſdaine the meaneſſe and infancy of him that delivereth this doctrine vntounto you, as derogatinge ought from the weight of thoſe reaſons, which ſhall be alleadged to perſwade you to the ſeriouſe ſtudie of Chriſtian religion.Catechiſing is neceſſary. But purpoſing forthwith to recite ſome of them, I find my ſelfe ſo plunged in the depth therof, that I can hardely reſolue where to beginne. Yet becauſe I muſt of neceſſitie handle ſome of them, let that be the firſt which ſhould be the rule of all our actions & ſtudies,1 For Gods commaundement. namely the will of GOD reuealed in his word. For we now conferre togeather which are fellow-citizens of the church. Knowing for certaine that the bookes of the Prophets and Apoſtles are ſure interpreters of Gods will and purpoſe. In them are preceptes everie where delivered and repeated, commaunding without exception to ſearch & know the doctrine therein conteined. This is that precept of the ſabaoth deliuered in the ten commaundements, this is that whereof our ſauiour ſaide in the 10 of Luc. 42. v. that one thing was neceſſarie. This is that wiſdome whoſe knowledg he ſaith is eternall life: this Dauid commēdeth, as in many other places, ſo in the firſt pſalme, where he layeth downe as it were a breife therof. But this our heauenly father, mercifull to mankinde, & carefull for our ſaluation thought not ſufficient; he added therefore a peculiar charge of propoſing a ſūme of this doctrine vntounto all, eſpecially the younger ſorte, & this▪ is that which wee terme Catechizinge. As Deuter. 4. 9. Thou ſhalt (ſaith he) teach thy ſonnes. And Deuter. 6. & 11. Lay vp theſe wordes in your heartes & in your mindes, and hange them for a ſigne in your handes, & place your eies thereon. Teach thy children to meditate in them, when thou ſitteſt in thine houſe, & wa…keſt in the waie, & when thou lieſt downe, & when thou rizeſt vp. Thou ſhalt wright them vponupon the poſtes and dores of thine houſe, that thy daies and thy childrens daies may be multiplied in the land. Here we ſee parents & thoſe which are …nſteed of parents are commaunded to teach, & prouide that there be teaching: the yonger ſort to learne; both ſorts daily to inculcate, repeate, & meditate vpō this doctrine. Now whereas he will that this doctrine ſhould be deliuered to our children, & alwaies placed before our eies, it is plaine that he requireth breuitie and perſpicuitie, that is a catechiſme or ſhorte ſumme of Chriſtianitie, with an expoſition neyther tediouſe nor difficult. So Paule 2. Tim. 1. v. 13. Keepe the trew paterne of wholſome words, which thou haſt heard of me in faith and louelove, which is in Chriſt Ieſus. Heere together with the definition of our Catechiſme, we hauehave the exerciſe and practize therof commaunded.
This trew paterne wherof the Apoſtle ſpeaketh doth ſignifie trew ſentences of each parte of this doctrine.True patterne of wholeſome wordes. breifly and orderly comprized, & as it were preſented to our view: with a forme of teaching and ſpeaking that is proper, plaine, and ſutable to the wrightinges of the Prophets & Apoſtles. Wherupon he nameth them wholſome wordes deliuered by himſelfe in faith, What a catechiſme is.or concerninge faith and louelove which is in Chriſt, that is in the acknowledging of Chriſt: as euerie where he reduceth all pietie & religion to faith and charitie. The Catchiſme therfore is a ſūme of the doctrine of faith and louelove in Chriſt, deliuered by the Prophets and apoſtles. Or A ſumme of Chriſtianitie, breifely, orderly, and plainely comprized. For we muſt not deuiſe a doctrine of our owne, but of neceſſitie referre our ſelues (as it is ſaid Esai the 8. v. 20.) to the lawe and to the teſtimonie. But hereunto alſo muſt be added an expoſition, to vnfolde truely the partes and method, and to interpret plainly the wordes and phraſe.
This reaſon alone might be ſufficient to ſtirre vp mē not prophāely minded,2. Our ſalvation. to the ſtudy of this heavenly doctrine.God converteth & ſaveth ſuch as are of age & vnderſtāding by knowledge of this doctrine as the chiefe inſtrument of his word For to ſuch the wil and commandement of GOD is ſufficient though there were no other reaſon beſides. But ſince it hath pleaſed our merciful God to yeeld vntounto our weaknes ſome reaſons why he hath giuen vsus this commandement, it behoueth vsus to conſider of them with all reuerence. Now God teacheth vsus that we muſt therefore learne this doctrine, becauſe by knowledge thereof, & no other meanes, he purpoſeth to convert & ſaue all thoſe, who through age are able to vnderſtand, and amongſt thē ſuch as ſhal be heires of eternall life. It is a confident & ſtrange ſaying of Saint Paule Rom. 1. 16. The goſpell is the power of God vntounto ſalvation to every one that beleeveth. And 1. Cor. 1. 18. For the preaching of the croſſe is to them that periſh fooliſhneſſe: but to vsus which are ſaved it is the power of God. And in the ſame chapter the 21. v. It pleaſed God by the fooliſhneſſe of preaching to ſaue them that beleeue.
But this opinion as it is delivered & confirmed by many & weighty teſtimonies of the holy Spirit:Of the efficacy and power of the holie ſpirit by the miniſtry; againſt the Swencke-feldians. ſo it is very forcibly impugned by the Devill. For the Father of lyes ſeeing that this paradox of the fooliſh preaching of the croſſe did not a little poſſeſſe the mindes of men, tooke occaſion to incite brainſicke heads to ſay that this our teaching was in no wiſe a meane to convert ſoules, but that God without meanes did imparte and communicate himſelfe to vsus, and that we did but make an idoll of our own words, and here they power out wonderful words, ſeeming in ſhew very glorious. But harken (I pray you) and conſider vponupon what grounds they ſtand. God (ſay they) needeth not at all this voice of ours, either miniſtry, reading, or meditation, to convert men: therefore he vſeth no ſuch meane, neither is the learning therof neceſſary to ſalvatiō. Now therfore (I ſpeake to you which are children) is there any amongſt you of ſo ſhallow and childiſh conceite which will not ſkorne him that ſhal reaſon in this ſort? God by his omnipotency can eaſily bring to paſſe, that a man without bookes, or teachers, or ſtudy may become learned (as the Apoſtles & others in the primitiue church did ſpeake with tongues which they neuer learned) he can make the earth fruitfull without labour of the husband-man, hee can ſuſteine mans nature without meate, as hee did Moſes and Chriſt forty daies: and therefore it is a labour vnneceſſary, (not a meanes to compaſſe what we wiſh and expect) either for ſchollers to buſie themſelues about bookes and ſtudy, and to go to their inſtructors & ſchooles, or for huſband men to manure their grounde, or for any of vsus to ſpend our life in ſuſteining our life. Doe you ſee vponupon what rockes of blindneſſe and diſtraction the Divell doth driue theſe vnhappy men, who hauing neuer learned the grounds of godlines or good artes, nor loving the labour & toile of learning, would notwithstāding ſeeme what they are not, deſiring to extol thēſelues againſt the knowledge of God, not doubting to ſubiect the eternal wiſdom to their vile cenſures? for they ſhew them ſelues as wel witles, as ſhameles, in alleaging exā ples either of ſuch as by miracle were cōuerted, as Paule, or endewed with giftes extaordinarie, as the Apoſtles in the Pētecoſt: or of many hearing the Goſpell & not beleeuing, or laſtly in … ſuch places of ſcripture as pre…ch vntounto vsus the power and office of the holy Ghoſt. We know (God be thanked) & confeſſe, the God can without helpe eyther of teachers or learners cō verte whom he will, and that the end and vſe of miracles is this, to ſhew that the order of nature (wherin he is powerfull) was by him before created, and is ſtill by him moſt freely preſerued. We know further, that the conuertinge of ſoules is the gifte of God aboue, ſo that looke how much greater and more miraculouſe a worke it is to reſtore man being loſt vntounto ſalvation, then to create him of nothing, ſo much more impudency & madneſſe is it rather to attribute our redemption then our creation to the force & efficacie of mans wordes. This alſo we know, that it pleaſed God by fooliſh preaching to ſaue thoſe that beleeue, why it hath ſo pleaſed him, although he need not make vsus accoumpt, yet is he content to yeeld vsus ſome reaſons ever of this his purpoſe, though he propoſe not the like reaſons to the godly and vngodly.Cauſes why the miniſtry was ordeined. To the vngodly he yeeldeth this reaſō, becauſe his iuſtice in cōdemning their malice, which reſiſt the word reueald, ſhould be more manifeſt in ſight of the whole church, their conſciences alſo bearing witneſſe. But we may alſo conſider other cauſes, which make for our inſtruction and comforte. Wheras the voice of the miniſtrie and all our conceipt of God is vailed with darkeneſſe, wherin we now behould God, and know his pleaſure, hence he admoniſheth vsus of the greateneſſe of our fal, whereby it is come to paſſe that now we enioy not the preſence of God, dealing with vsus as it were a far of & by interpreters, ſtirring vsus vp to aſpire vntounto that heavenly ſchoole wherein God will be ſeene of vsus face to face, and ſhal be al in al. Beſides God in this life will hauehave the ſearching, meditation, and confeſſion of this doctrine touching himſelfe and his will, not to bee concealed in the mindes of men, but to bee openly ſounded and celebrated, and therefore on his authority he hath bound vsus to a neceſſity of knowing it, promiſing thereby to reſtore vsus to ſalvation. Furthermore, being willing to hauehave vsus fellow-labourers in the moſt excellent of his divine workes, wherein could he better ſhew his louelove to vsus miſerable creatures, except in giving his only begotten ſonne a ranſome for our ſinnes? wee therefore affirme, the reading, hearing, and knowing of this doctrine, to be a neceſſary inſtrument of our ſalvation; not in reſpect of GOD, but in regarde of our ſelues: not becauſe GOD coulde not otherwiſe hauehave converted vsus (as the builder cannot builde an houſe without his tooles) but becauſe he would not otherwiſe doe it. True faith is indeede the gift and worke of none but GOD onelyonly, yet ſo that it is wrought in vsus by the holy Ghoſt through the hearing of Gods word. Pauls planteth, Apollos watereth, but God giueth encreaſe. And when Paule tearmeth the goſpel preached by him the power of God vntounto ſaluation to as many as beleeue; & Epheſ. 4. v. 11. He gaue ſome to bee Apoſtles and Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts & ſome paſtors and teachers, for the gathering togeather of the ſainctes, for the worke of the ministerie, for the edification of the bodie of Chriſt; can any more gloriouſe worde be ſpoken concerning the office of teaching? let not vsus therfore preſume to be wiſer thē God, let not vsus forſake thinges ordinarie to follow thinges extraordinarie, neyther let vsus ſo much eſteeme the pride and reprobate coniumacie of ſuch as contemne the voice of the Goſpell, that we leſſe regard and reuerence the force and fruit of Gods ordinance in his inſtrumēts of merciemercy; as neither the ſloth and peruerſe peeuiſhnes of ſome ſchollars, being baries to profit and all good proceedings, can perſwade others, that inſtruction and ſtudy are things vnneceſſary to the attaining and encreaſe of learning and vertue: but let vsus rather with al ſubmiſſion and thankefulnes embrace this ſweeteſt comforte, whereby we are aſſured that our labours pleaſe God, and are not vndertakē by vsus in vaine: according to thoſe ſayings Eccleſ. 11. 1. Caſt thy …read vponupon the waters, for after long time thou ſhalt finde it againe. 1. Cor. 15. 58. Your labour is not in vaine in the Lorde. Mat. 18. 20. Whereſoeuer two or three are gathered togither in my …ame, I am in the middeſt of thē. Were not theſe promiſes wel knowne vntounto vsus, and certaine in themſelues, in this ſo great fury of Satan and miſery of mankinde, our beſt teachers and moſt careful furtherers of the publique ſalvation were in conditiō moſt vnhappy, & could not maintaine this place without great difficulty. I truly for mine own part knowing my ſelfe to be of no reckoning, feele my ſelfe ſo ſurpriſed with ſorrowe, that for griefe I ſhould nether be able to abide this place, nor giuegive paſſage to my ſpeech, did not I certainely know, that evē in this cōpany there ar ſome, whoſe harts receiue and approue true & wholſome doctrine, & are by the holy Spirite inflamed with deſire of acknowledging and worſhipping God aright, & are living temples of God, ſuch as ſhall hereafter glorifie him with the Angels in heauen. Neither do I ſo ſpeake this as if I did expect that all men ſhould hauehave like knowledge of this doctrine, and equal giftes of the holy Ghoſt without difference (for Saint Paule willeth vsus in the 12. to the Romaines to bee wiſe according to that meaſure of faith which God hath given to every man) but it is neceſſary that al which look to be ſaved ſhould hold the ſame foundatiō, that is, they muſt know and beleeue what Chriſt is, and what he hath perfourmed for every of vsus, as it is ſaid by Iohn the 17. cap. & 3. v. This is life everlaſting, to know that thou art the only true god, & whō thou haſt ſent Ieſus Chriſt. Ioh. 3. 36. He that beleeveth in the ſenne hath eternall life. By theſe and other ſuch like ſentences we vnderſtande, that it is a true ſaying, which Dionyſi… (falſly ſirnamed Areop…gita, but indeed ſuppoſed to be of Corinth) doth attribute to the Apoſtle S. B…rtolme, The gospell is ſhort and long. The ſhortnes thereof is manifeſt, excelling therein the lawe of Moſes, and this ought and may be rooted in every of our harts and minds, which is the reaſon why a briefe of the goſpell is ſo often deliuered & repeated by the Prophets and Apoſtles. But the wiſedome of the goſpell will far more hardly bee ſounded and ſearched through all eternity then that of the law. But knowing for certainty that we muſt in this mortality begin our eternal life (for we ſhal be cloathed vponupon our cloathing if we be not found naked) the nature of true converſion is, never to ſuffer thoſe which are conuerted vntounto God to reſt in their race, but kindleth in them a perpetuall deſire of of proceeding. Therefore is that commaundement giuen in the 2 of Peter 3. 18. Increaſe in grace & knowledg of our Lord & ſauiour Ieſus Chriſt. & Epheſ. 2. 19. Now therefore yee are no more ſtrangers, but Citizens with the ſaintes, & of the houſhould of God. And ar built vponupon the foundation of the Apoſtles & Prophets, Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe being the chiefe corner ſtone; in whome all the building coupled togeather groweth vntounto an holy temple in the Lord. And Marc. 9. 24. He prayeth, Lord I beleeue, but helpe thou mine vnbeleife. And Luc. 17▪ 5. his diſciples pray, Lorde encreaſe our faith. The godly are ſaide and commaunded to goe forwarde, & do alſo pray themſelues that they may goe forwarde. They are not therfore of that ſort of men which hauehave no deſire to go forward. Yet muſt not ſuch be diſcouraged, who finding in themſelues leſſe light & vigor do with true greife of hart acknowledge and bewaile their weaknes and curruption. For thus ſaith the eternall father of his ſon Eſay. 42. 3. A bruized reede ſhall he not breake. & the ſmoking flax ſhall he not quench. And the ſon of his father M. 18▪ 14. It is not my fathers wil that any one of theſe litle ones ſhould periſh. & himſelfe of hīſelf, Ioh. 6. 37. Al that the father giveth me ſhal come to me, and him that cōmeth to me I caſt not away. Whereſoever is vnfeigned godlines, that cōmeth from God, and is by him furthered, and there vntounto are linked by the indiſſoluble bande of Gods truth all the bleſſings of the goſpell which are eternal and without repentaunce. For did not the certainety of our faith and ſalvation depend vpō the free mercy of God alone, whereby he receaveth into favour all ſuch as beleeue, and not vpō degrees of our renuing & amēdment, our cōfort (God knows) were built but on a weake foundation.Three trials of a Chriſtian man. Hēce may be gathered three trials of a Chriſtian man, firſt the embracing of this foundation, ſecōdly a deſire of going forward (which two include every of vsus vnderunder the vniverſall promiſe of eternal ſalvatiō) thirdly this comfort, that for difference or inequ…lity of giftes & degrees we ſhall not be c…ſt of and ſuffered to periſh, which comfort muſt be oppoſed to the griefe conce…ved …pon our owne vnworthineſſe. Theſe … can neuer be ſeparated hath Saint Pauls compriſed in 1. Corinth. 3. ca. 11. v. ſaying, Other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid, that is Ieſus Chriſt. And if any man build on this foundation gold, ſilver, pretious ſtones, timber, hay or ſtubble, Every mans worke ſhal be made manifeſt; but he ſhal be ſafe himſelfe, nevertheleſſe yet as it were by the fire. By this therefore, which hath hitherto beene ſpokē, it is manifeſt, that Gods commaundement, and each mans particular ſalvation exhorteth and bindeth al mē, and amongſt them the younger ſort (which are a great part and ſeminary of the church) to learne aſlone as their yeares will permit, this foundation of Chriſtian doctrine: which moſt grauely and ſeverely admoniſheth all ſuch of this parte of their duty, who take vponupon them the charge of inſtructing youth.
For both teachers & learners are all debtors of diligent & ſerious care of preſeruing pietie & religion;The preſeruation and propagatiō of pure & ſincere religion to proſterity. debters, not vntounto our ſelues only, but to as many as are oures and belong any way vntounto vsus, yea and to all ſucceeding poſteritie. For wee ſee by daily experience how eaſily in ſmall proceſſe of time manifolde defacings & corruptions and at length finall & vtter aboliſhment overtaketh that religion and doctrine, the ſumme whereof is not breifely and perſpicuouſly ſet downe, knowne in publique, daily repeated, & beaten as it were into mens vnderſtandings. Neither are we ignorant of the common prouerbe how the caſke or barrell reteineth ſtill the ſauour and ſmell which it firſt receiued be it good, or ill. Whereas then for the moſt parte the evill we learne taketh ſuch deepe roote in vsus, and cleaueth ſo faſt vntounto vsus; and youth not being daily inſtructed and trained vp vntounto pietie threatneth a barbarous contempte of God, and profaning of religion to enſue in time to come; againe wheras ſcarcely by the greateſt endeuour, and continuall care of gouernours we are wonne to any good, no man of diſcretion and iudgement but will grant that it is wiſedome & our duty to attēpt betimes ſo weighty and difficult a matter.
The inſtitution therefore of Catechiſme is not only neceſſary for preſeruing pure & ſincere doctrin with vsus & our poſterity after vsus,4 The capacity of youth, and …uder ſort. but in regard of youth to whō (as hath already bin proved) it is to be imparted, becauſe it is framed fit for their capacity. For if it be wel ſaid of other arts wherin this age is to be informed, In al thy precepts vſe ſuch brevity, that intelligēt wits may ſone cōceiue, & faithfullie preſerue them in memory: how much more is ſhortnes and plaineneſſe to be affected and practiſed in this heavenly wiſedome ſo ſtrange vntounto mans vnderſtāding? eſpecially whereas the teſtimonies of holy Scripture ratifie and confirme our experience herein,Heb. 5. 13. 14. ſaying; Every one that vſeth milke is inexperte in the worde of righteouſnes: hee is a babe. But ſtrong meate belongeth to them that are of age. Therefore both the Apoſtle Paule thus intimateth and ſignifieth vntounto vsus his maner of teaching,1. Cor. 3. 2. 3. I gaue you milke to drinke, and not meate; for yee were not yet able to beare it, The continuall cuſtome of the church.neither yet now are yee able. For yee are yet carnall: and ſince the firſt preaching of the goſpel in the church ſome notable argument or ſubiect of doctrine ſhort and pithy, plaine and eaſie hath beene extant and derived vntounto poſterity. Inſomuch as certaine compendious ſummes delivered by Gods owne mouth ſeeme to bee of equall growth, and continuance with mankinde both of the law, as; If thou continue righteous, thou ſhalt be accepted: and alſo of the Goſpell as, The ſeede of the woman ſhall breake the head of the ſerpent. So not long after the promiſe and the covenant was repeated vntounto Abraham. Finally in proceſſe of time certaine briefe Articles were publiſhed abroad in the Apoſtles writings, the forme and manner of confeſſion of Chriſt and Chriſtian Religion beeing proportionably applyed to that which GOD had revealed in every age. Further that this our cuſtome of teaching, which we call Catechiſme, was practiſed both in the Primitiue Church, and in the Apoſtles dayes, Paule witneſſeth Romaines 2. verſe 18. where hee tearmeth the Iewes, inſtructed in the lawe from then childehoode and Galat. 6. 6. where he ſaith, let him that is taughte in the vvoorde make him that hath taught him, partaker of all his goods. Luke alſo in his 1. Chapter. verſe 4. That thou mighteſt acknowledge the certainetie of thoſe thinges vvhereof thou haſt beene inſtructed. For as much then as theſe teſtimonies are ſuch as deſerue to be preferred before all others, whereas the Authors of them immediately followed the Apoſtles times, I therefore inſtāce in no one example, ſuppoſing it to be generally knowne out of the commō hiſtories. I rather adde this, that if the primitiue Chruch being yet in her infancy, did with ſo great cōtancy obſerue and retaine this cuſtome & forme of inſtruction eſtabliſhed, as we ſee, not by the counſel & advice of man, but the deepe wiſedome and providēce of God; how much more ought we in this doating age of the world, in which the church is ready to giuegive vp the ghoſt, & the light therof being extinguiſhed, loathſome darkenes more and more ready to overſhadow the whole world; how much more ought we,6. The hereſies and dangers of the laſt times. I ſay, adde vntounto the ſmall meaſure of our diligence in maintaining & advā cing the doctrine of the church, rather thē detract any the ſmalleſt portiō thereof. For this is that age of which it is ſpoken Mat. 24. v. 23. Then if any ſhal ſay vntounto you; Mat. 24. 23.Lo here is Chriſt, or there, beleeue it not. For there ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets, and ſhall ſhew great ſignes and wonders, ſo that, if it were poſſible, they ſhould deceiue the very elect. And Paule at large diſcourſeth, 1. Tim. 4 & 2. Tim. 3. & Peter alſo in his 2. Ep. 23. c. of the iniquity & danger of theſe laſt troubleſome time; by the illuſiōs of the Divel wrought by the hands of thoſe falſe prophets his ſuppoſts & proctors. Now theſe predictiōs of the miſeries which are to befall theſe later daies are written & revealed vntounto vsus not only for our cōlolatiō & cōfirmatiō in the truth & faith of Chriſt: but to be a ſpur vntounto vsus that we cōtinue …, and careful to provide ſuch weapon & furniture as is requiſite to the beating downe and razing to the ground the bulwarkes of all errours. For thus beginneth Chriſt this dolefull prophecy, Take heed that …o man deceiue you. Mat. 24. 4.Let vsus therfore thinke it neceſſary not only for them to whom is, or here after may be committed the charge of preaching & teaching in the Church, but for every particular man alſo which deſireth to be ſaued, to hauehave a true concerte and opinion of every point of Chriſtian Religion grounded and deepe rooted in his heart; to be fenced and fortified as ſtrongly, as by all meanes he may, againſt ſectes and hereſies: & that they who hauehave received commiſſion of governing and teaching in the Church ought with great paine and travell either themſelues teach & inſtruct, or take care that they who are committed to their cure and charge be taught and inſtructed in al theſe; vnleſſe they had rather as vnfaith full and careleſſe ſtewards and diſpenſers of the word giuegive an account of the deſtruction of their flocke. Wherin the entire good affection of your parentes is worthy high commendation, in that they hauehave taken eſpeciall order for your daily inſtruction in the principles of religion not at home only in their private houſes, and Churches; but abroad alſo in publike and free ſchooles. For they well perceiue what ignorance then enſued, and how wide a gate was then ſet open vntounto the Divell to intrappe all men in theſe groundes of doctrine, when firſt the cuſtome of the primitiue church in teaching, & requiring againe the points of Catechiſme at the handes of the Catechumeni began to be ſlacked, and in the end finally decaied, and in place therof the vaine and childiſh ſpectacle of Popiſh confirmation ſucceeded: They well foreſee, that as great miſchaunces, or greater then theſe are like to betide vsus, vnleſſe God in mercy looke on vsus, and in time viſite vsus. Then which danger as nothing can fal out more dreadfull and lamentable to the godly; ſo the godly and religious can inuent no greater ioy and comfort vntounto themſelues, then to be able aſſuredly to promiſe vntounto themſelues, that their children & childrens children ſhall long time after their deceaſe enioy that bleſſed light of the truth which ſhineth among vsus. Wherfore if we be not vtterly bereft of all humane affections, and waxe not cruell againſt thoſe who louelove vsus rather then thē ſelues; let vsus endeuour by all meanes not to fruſtrate through our retchleſnes this their good hope conceiued,7 The reward of the embracing of the Goſpel, and the puniſhment of the contempt therof. and annihilate their earneſt harty deſires: but let vsus togither with them preſent our ſelues thankfull vntounto God, who purpoſing to gather vntounto himſelfe out of this ſcōbe of the world an everlaſting church, by cauſing the Sun of this Goſpell to retire backe and ſhine in our hea…tes, hath ſo chaſed awaie the cloudes and darkenes of the kingdome of Antichriſt, that no man, vnles wilfully ſhutting his eies and ſtopping his eares he reſiſt Gods truth diſcloſed vntounto him, cannot but perceiue, and cleerly ſee the diuell vnmaſked of thoſe viſardes of deceipt & errour, wherin he vaūted himſelfe, & blinded the world. Which if we ſhall performe, Chriſt the ſonne of God ſhal cōtinue vntounto vsus al his benefits in former times, and heape daily new bleſſinges on vsus according to his promiſe; To him which Hath, that is, to him which hath a deſire of proceeding, i… ſhall be giuen: But if we doe otherwiſe, the paines which are threatned in the cōtrary doome ſhal overtake vsus, From him which hath not ſhalbee taken away even that he hath. The Scriptures themſelues and the hiſtories of all times cry and thunder out in our eares Gods iealouſie in not being able to endure the contempt of his Goſpell revealed, Eſay complaineth,Eſ. 5. 24. 26. They hauehave caſt of the law of the Lord of hoſts, and contēned the word of the Holy One of Iſrael Therefore is the wrath of the Lord kindled againſt his people, and he hath ſtretched out his hand vponupon them, Amos. 8. 11. 12.and hath ſmitten them. And Amos threatneth: Beholde the dates come, ſaith the Lord God, that I will ſend a fam…s in the land, not a famine of bread nor a thirſt for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord. And they ſhal wander from ſea to ſea, and from the North even vntounto the Eaſt ſhall they runne to and fro to ſeeke the worde of the Lord, and ſhall not finde it. Behold we ſee the Iſraelitiſh nation, which God had enriched with ſo honorable titles and priviledges, and made famous and glorious over all the kingdomes of the earth for the many ſtrange eventes, and wonderful miracles ſhewed amongſt them; behould wee set this … natiō now grown baſe & cōtemptible troden vnderunder foot of the very out caſts of the earth, and in the very mid-day and noone-light of their prophecies ſo beſti…lly and blockiſ…ly blind that the conſideratiō of this their example is able to moue and ſtir vp evil men, I ſay not vntounto laughter or indignation, but rather to ſt…ke into their harts a dreadfull horror of the like iudgement. Nowe that the contempt and neglect of ſound doctrine touching God and our ſalvation is the cauſe of ſo great miſchiefes & miſeries wee hauehave for teſtimony the voice of the prophets and of Chriſt himſelfe,Ioh. 5. 43. Ioh. 3. 43. I am come in my Fathers name, and yee receiue me not, if another ſhall come in his owne name, The perſecution in England in Q. Maries daies.him will yee receiue. I omit the rehearſall of other examples; that one of the late moſt flowriſhing and happy kingdome of England I will touch in a word, not only becauſe the example is exceedinge lamentable, but becauſe alſo there is none ſo very a childe in all this Auditory in vvhoſe time it chaunced not. For of late yeares that kingdome and Countrey of Englande beeing endowed and beautified with the profeſſion of the Goſpel in the happy Reigne of King Edwarde the VI. the Churches and ſchooles of learning being nobly …ounded, honorably enriched, & religiouſly ordered; the king himſelfe, though but 16. yeares of age, yet ſo farre aboue the hope of his yeares indued with ſuch ſingular piety, …dmirable learning, and all Princely vertues that in all that glorious kingdome nothinge might ſeeme more glorious then the king and governour himſelfe, that kingdome of late yeares was inferiour in perfect happineſſe to no nation of the earth. But …o on the ſuddaine through the vntimely deceaſe of that moſt noble Edward a Prince of ſo great hope, the Popiſh tyrannicall dominion reentered this kingdome, and tooke ful poſſeſsion thereof, waſting and ſpoiling with impriſonments, baniſhments, fire and ſword the moſt famous churches of that Realme, taking ſome of the beſt renowned for learning and integrity of life without all reſpect either of age, ſexe, or dignity▪ and torturing them with fiery flames; and other puniſhments of like barbarous cruelty: and ſcattering and diſperſing others towardes all partes and corners of the earth: It is now the fifth yeere ſince this ſcourge & theſe calamities hauehave leine heauy on this land and oppreſſed the ſame, I rather acknowledge and bewaile our owne offences, then take on me to cenſure the defaulte… of others. Howbeit the report of Engliſh exiles is yet … in mine eares, wherin they much complained of and bewailed the ingratitude, ſecurity & loathing of the Goſpell, which had overtun their whole countrie. And do we then ſeeme to regard our good eſtate we enioy more thē they? I would we did. When Pilate had mingled the bloud of the Galileans which he ſlewe with the ſacrifices,Luc. 13. 3. Vnles yee repent, ſaith Chriſt, yee ſhall all periſh▪ The tumultes and downe falles of Empires and kingdomes wherwith the church is ſhaken are open conuerſant before our eies, and threatē and menace vsus ſome bitter ſcourge. The Turkiſh cut throtes gape on vsus ready to d…v…ur vsus ſtriuing by mai…e force to take Chriſt from amōg vsus and by …n…ruſion to ſeate their profane Mahome… ſt…ede of Chriſt in our churches; of whome reporte goeth that they daily withdrawing Chritian youth vntounto their b…aſphemou… filthy, Paganiſm…, and ſheading and ſu…king the b…oud of our a…es and kinſfolke, threaten and attempt farther irruptions and inuaſions on our bo…ders. That execrable ſincke the Courte of Rome curſeth and banneth vsus, crying out Away with vsus that wee may be rooted out from of the earth; hereſies d…ily bud and bloſſome both, within and without the Church, and the erroures and corruptions of truth crept into the Church are beyond all number. And verily nowe is that time when vnles the Lord reſerue a …eede vntounto vsus nought remaineth but that we ſhould become as Sodom and Gomorrah. O then let vsus not be ſo iron harted, let vsus not be ſo bitter enemies of our owne ſoules, that we regard not theſe Gods merciful viſitations, and threatnings of more ſharper iudgements to enſue. O let vsus ſeeke the Lord while he may be found: let every one take ca…e of his owne ſalvation, and beare in minde whatſoeuer thinges concerne the ſame, ſo that if the frame of nature ſhould on a ſuddaine be diſſolved we may be ready cheerefully to meet the Lord in the aire▪ this comming in glory.
Theſe things which I hauehave hitherto ſpoken cō cerne all in generall,8 Church-doctrine eſpeci…y ough…t to be known vntounto ſcholers. but more particularly vsus that profeſſe the ſtudies of learning. For it is the common conſent of all that ever either founded, or governed ſchooles, or euer were converſant in them, or would that others ſhould frequent them, that they who are here brought vp ſhoulde become not only more learned but better mānered alſo then other men. Which trueth being ſo evident, they deſcribe a ſchoole to be A company appointed by GOD, of ſuch as teach and learne ſciences meete & neceſſarie for mankinde both touching God and other good things, that the knowledge of God amōgſt men be not cleane aboliſhed, that the Church be continued and preſerued, that manie may be made heares of life eternal, that diſcipline be maintained, and that men may enioie other honest commodities iſſuing out of the artes.
We therefore ſhoote wide and miſſe much of the m…ke we ai…e at, vnleſſe we holde it for certaine and true, that our earneſt and diligent endevour in theſe ſchooles and nu…ce…es of Chriſt, & Chriſtianity muſt bee employed not ſo much for this ende that we may be the more fraught vvith humane and divine learning, but rather that being beautified and adorned with all laudable behaviour towards men and holineſſe to the Lord, may be found acceptable in the ſight of God and men. And it is a truth apparāt in the Church, that all the exhortations vntounto civill vertues without the doctrine of piety is nought elſe but an eſtraying and ſwar…ing from God, true godlineſſe, perfect iuſtice, and aſſured ſalvation. For the holy Ghoſt hath pronounced this ſentence; that whatſoever we doe not with intent thereby to glorifie GOD, whatſoever vvee doe not in the name of CHRIST, whatſoever is not of faith, it is all, even altog…ther ſinne. VVherefore vvere the doctrine of the Church ſecluded from our ſchooles, we ſhould not only not be able to teach or learne any thing that belongeth to true and entire vertue, ſuch as GOD requireth of vsus; But that ſmall portion and remainder we hauehave ſhould make vsus of evill men worſe and more impious, and that indeed not by the increaſe thereof ſo much, as by the decreaſe and defect of thoſe ſpirituall and ſupernaturall qualities, without which nothing is holy, nothing wholſome vntounto vsus. And heere although the conſent of men wiſe and iudicious may ſatisfie vsus, yet let GODS preceptes prevaile more with vsus,Ioh. 5. …. which commaunde vsus reſearch the Scriptures, 1. Tim. 4. …3.to giuegive attendance to reading, to divide the worde aright &c. Nowe whereas no man can without ſchoole learning and exerciſe either himſelfe perceiue and diſcerne aright, or expound and impart vntounto others in any good order and perſpicuity, who is ſo purblinde that hee ſeeth not the neere affinity wherwith the ſtudy of Religion & piety is linked with ſchoole▪ learning? Let vsus therefore eſteeme that to bee the exerciſe of greateſt weight & momēt in ſcholes, which is a worke of greateſt importāce in the world, & with out long & cōtinual ſchole-exerciſe cānot be performed by vsus, I mean the vnderſtāding & expoū ding of the writings of the Prophets & Apoſtles. And whereas we hauehave opportunity offered vsus of ſearching out & ſitting the truth of doctrine in greater meaſure then other Countries and people; of a truth if wee faile to vſe the ſame wee giuegive the vvorld occaſion to ſuſpect our cold zeale in Religion, & our puniſhments for this our negligence and ignorance ſhall be the greater For God hath giuen vntounto ſcholers eſpecially the charge and care of preſerving and advauncing this his trueth not for our owne ſakes only, but for the good of others alſo. For other men with good reaſon expect inſtruction in the Scriptures, and the interpretation of the word at their mouthes, who for their learning are able to vnderſtande diverſe tongues, and ſearch the courſe of doctrine.
Whereas then …eligion and Chriſtianity is to be taught in ſchooles, that children may wel conceiue▪ it Catechiſme is eſpecially neceſſary. For neither can this age learne any thing except it be taught … briefe▪ neither cā either the teachers, or the learners handle aright and in good order the parts of any ſcience, whereof both of them hauehave not digeſted in minde ſome rude ſumme. Both theſe are the cauſe why ſo often in Scriptures we read ſhort briefes of Religion repeated; as Repent, and beleeue the Gospell. He which beleeueth, and is baptiſed ſhalbe saued. Fight a good fight, keepe the faith, and a good conſcience &c. Col. 3. 16.And wheras it is ſaid Col. 3▪ 16. Let the word of God dwel in you plenteouſly, & in all wiſdome, the Apoſtles meaning is, that wee muſt vſe explications & interpretations ſuch as are ſutable with the ſentences and doctrine of the Prophets & Apoſtles.Philip Melancthons examen. Neither is Catechiſme any other thē a ſummary declaration of ſuch ſentences of Scripture. Now whereas this litle examen we intende to propoſe vntounto you is ſuch, and the Author thereof hath faithfully and with great dexterity compriſed the chiefe grounds of Chriſtianity in proper & plaine tearmes; & it ſeemeth that it would bee very beneficial that in other churches ther ſhould the like forme of Catechiſme be extant, prepare your ſelues to the ſpeedy learning thereof, & ſuppoſe that theſe our ſimple writings are the ſwadling clouts wherein Chriſt as it were ſwathed will be found of vsus. You ſee how many vrgent cauſes they are which they commend vntounto you, which they earneſtly exhort you to embrace, which I beſeech you to carry in minde & memory as they hauehave bin ſet downe vntounto you: The cōmandement of God, your own ſalvation, your duty which you owe to poſterity, the good example of a reformed church, your maner of life, your age or years▪ your friends deſires, & hopes the imminent dangerous times, the rewardes & puniſhments we are to looke for at Gods hands. But as our admonitions & exhortations are neceſſary, ſo without the ſecret motiō & working of the holy ſpirit we know they litle availe. Let vsus therefore turne our ſelues & looke towards God, & giuegive him harty thanks for this his ineſtimable benefite, that it was his good pleaſure to bring vsus into the worlde in this ſun-ſhine of the goſpel, & let vsus begge and craue to be taught & governed by him.