A Guide to Godliness, Book 3 · Chapter 31
CAP. XXXI.
That Gouernours of families ought to traine vp thoſe which are vnderunder their charge in the duties of godlineſſe.
§. Sect. 1 That it is not enough for gouernours to be themſelues religious, but they muſt alſo traine vp thoſe which are vnderunder their gouernment, in the knowledge and practice of Religion.
THe next duties belonging vntounto a godly life, are ſuch as a Chriſtian ought to performe in his family, all which may generally bee referred to this mayne duty, that hee not onelyonly duly and diligently ſerue God himſelfe, but alſo teach thoſe who are vnderunder his charge to ioyne with him, and not onelyonly by inſtruction ſhew them the right way, but alſo by wiſe and religious gouernement, guiding and training them vp in the feare of the Lord, hee muſt cauſe them to accompany him, and to put in practice the holy duties of Gods ſeruice, in which he hath informed them. Neither is it ſufficient that gouernours of families be good Chriſtians in their owne particular and perſonall carriage, but according to that place wherein God hath ſet them, and that vocation whereunto they are called, they ought to be Chriſtian gouernours, and not onelyonly fight the Lords battels as common Souldiers, but as wiſe and valiant Captaines, they muſt leade on thoſe which are vnderunder their charge, and ſee that they in their places performe good ſeruice to our grand Emperour and chiefe Commander the Lord of Hoſts, as well as they. And as Stewards and Bayliffes vnderunder our great Lord and Maſter, they muſt appoint their children and ſeruants vntounto their taske, and ſee alſo that they performe it. And thus Ioſhuah, as a gouernour of the Common-wealth, inſtructed the whole congregation in the Law of Ioſ. 8. …5. & 24. 15.God, with the women, little ones, and the ſtrangers that were conuerſant amongst them: And as a maſter of a family, vndertaketh not onelyonly for himſelfe, but alſo for his whole houſhold, that hee with them would ſerue the Lord. And as Dauids care extended to the wiſe and religious gouernement of the whole Common-wealth, as their King and Soueraigne, ſo he thought theſe high and waighty imployments no priuiledge to exempt him, from performing his ſpeciall duty, as a Maſter in the well ordering of his family. And therefore he profeſſeth that hee would walke within his houſe with Pſal. 101.a perfect heart; neither nouriſhing wickedneſſe in himſelfe; nor induring it in any of his ſeruants. And that hee would driue out and expulſe vngodly men out of his family, and ſetting his eyes vponupon the faithfull of the land, and ſuch as walked in a perfect way, as his ſpeciall fauourites, he would make choice of them for his houſhold ſeruants. Yea vertuous Hester, Heſt. 4. 16.though a Queene, matched with an idolatrous King, and vnderunder an heatheniſh gouernement, not onelyonly her ſelfe diligently ſerued God by faſting and prayer, but alſo had ſo trained vp her maides in the true feare of God, that they were fit to beare her company. By which examples wee learne, that there are no diſtractions ſo great, no imployments ſo waighty, which ſhould hinder any gouernours of families from performance of the like duties.
§. Sect. 2 Diuers reaſons which may mooue gouernours to the performance of this duty.
To which end let vsus conſider, firſt, that eueryevery family is a member and part of the whole body, which ought to reſemble it in nature and gouernment, Col. 4. 15.and as it were a particular Church, in which, the publike duties are priuately to bee performed, as the Apoſtle teacheth vsus, whereas hee ſaluteth Nymphas and the Church which was in his houſe; and the Maſter of the family repreſenteth the Miniſter, and the reſt of the houſe the people in the Congregation, who are to bee gouerned and inſtructed by him; whereof it is that the Apoſtle would not hauehave wiues and women to ſpeake in the Church, and publikely to propound their doubts in the aſſembly, but to craue reſolution of their husbands at home. Secondly, let vsus conſider, that inferiours are ſet vnderunder our gouernement, 1. Cor. 14. 35.not as bruite creatures, but as reaſonable men, and therefore, that not their bodies and bodily imployments alone are committed vntounto our charge for gouernement and direction, but their ſoules likewiſe, that they may bee trayned vp by vsus in all religious duties, and ſpirituall exerciſes, for which wee ſhall giuegive an account vntounto God, hovv vvee hauehave indeuoured to make them to thriue vnderunder vsus in the grovvth of Chriſtianity, and fitted them for the ſeruice of God, as vvell as hovv vvee hauehave taught them their Trades, and in vvhat ſort they ſhould demeane themſelues towards vsus in our ſeruice. So that if vvee take no further care of them then vvee doe of our beaſts, that is, onelyonly ſo to gouerne, feede, and order them, as that they may bee fitted for earthly imployments, and for the aduancing of our worldly profit; when that their ſoules periſh through our negligence, their blood will bee vponupon our heads, and wee ſhall hauehave a fearefull account to make at the day of Iudgement. Thirdly, let vsus conſider that the family is the Seminary of the Church and Common-wealth; and as a priuate ſchoole, wherin children and ſeruants are fitted for the publike aſſemblies, as it were the Vniuerſities, to performe, when they meete together, all religious duties of Gods worſhip and ſeruice. And as it is a notable meanes to make Vniuerſities to flouriſh, and the Students in them to ſucceed and proſper in their ſtudies, when as the Maſters of priuate ſchooles doe well fit and prepare them, teach and nurture them in learning and manners, before they ſend them thither: So if Maſters of priuate families would carefully traine vp all their houſhold in the feare of God, and in the exerciſes of Chriſtian Religion all the weeke, they would with more cheerefulneſſe on Gods Sabbaths come vntounto the publike aſſemblies, and with much more reuerence and attention, care and conſcience ſet themſelues as in Gods preſence to heare his Word, and call vponupon his holy Name, much better vnderſtand what they heare, and lay it vp in memorie, profit farre more by the vſe of Gods holy Ordinances, for the conſcionable practice of what they know, and thriue more in their ſpirituall growth in one Sabbath, then others can doe in many, who, for want of inſtruction in the maine principles and acquaintance with the Scriptures by priuate reading, vnderſtand not what they heare in the publike Miniſtery; and not being ſeaſoned all the weeke in any religious duties, can finde no taſte or relliſh in them, when on the Sabbath they come to performe them with the reſt of the congregation. Fourthly, let vsus know that by this exerciſe, we ſhall not onelyonly doe much good vntounto thoſe whom wee inſtruct, but alſo vntounto our ſelues, ſeeing thereby wee doe ſtirre vp and increaſe Gods graces in our owne hearts as well as in theirs. For heereby we ſhall mooue the Lord to impart vntounto vsus a larger meaſure of his gifts, when as wee doe ſo freely communicate them to the vſe of our brethren; and to impart his will and counſels vntounto vsus, when as with Abraham wee Gen. 18. 19.will teach them vntounto our children and houſhold; wee ſhall learne much in teaching others, becauſe it will giuegive vsus occaſion to ſet our wits more ſeriouſly for the finding out of the truth, then in our priuate ſtudies and Meditations, and much cleare our iudgements, when we labour to deliuer the things that we teach plainely and diſtinctly, which were before confuſedly heaped vp together in our vnderſtandings, as it were, in the whole lumpe. Wee ſhall thereby much ſtrengthen our memories, whileſt by teaching others the things wee know, wee ſhall worke them into them, and cauſe them to make a deeper impreſſion. Finally, we ſhall inflame our hearts with the louelove of good things, by thoſe meanes which we vſe to worke the like affection in the hearts of others; and prouoke our ſelues vntounto a conſcionable practice of what wee know, by the ſame arguments and reaſons which wee vſe to perſwade them vntounto it. And conſequently, in ſeeking to ſaue them, we ſhall alſo thereby much further our owne ſaluation; according to that of the Apoſtle to Timothy, Meditate vponupon theſe things, giuegive thy ſelfe wholly to them, that thy profiting may appeare to all; Take heede vntounto thy ſelfe, and vntounto the doctrine, continue therein; for in ſo doing, thou ſhalt both ſaue thy ſelfe and them that heare thee. Which priuiledges, howſoeuer they belong more principally to the publike Miniſtery, yet doe they in ſome good proportion appertaine alſo to thoſe, who exerciſe themſelues in this priuate dutie of teaching their family. Fifthly, let vsus conſider that it is the beſt meanes to make our children and ſeruants faithfull and conſcionable in performing their duties vntounto vsus, when they are firſt made carefull and conſcionable in Gods ſeruice. For when their hearts are ſeaſoned with the true feare of God, then doe they Eph. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8. Col. 3. 22, 23, 24.performe their dutie as vntounto God in vsus; not out of ſeruile feare, but for conſcience ſake; not for temporall rewards, but in hope and aſſurance of thoſe that are heauenly and eternall; not with eye-ſeruice as men-pleaſers, but with ſingleneſſe of heart, as in the ſight & preſence of God, whom they labor to pleaſe in all things; ſeeing from him they expect the chiefeſt and beſt part of their wages and reward. Which meanes if maſters and parents neglect, let them neuer complaine of bad ſeruants and vntoward children: for it is iuſt with God, that theſe ſhould neglect their duties toward them, when as they, by neglecting their duties in trayning them vp in his feare, doe cauſe them to neglect their duties towards him. Sixthly, let vsus remember, that if we will thus ſet vp Gods Kingdome in our families, he will gouerne together with vsus, and ſo by his wiſe and powerfull prouidence guide and proſper all our indeuours, as that they ſhall wholy tend to his glory and our good. For thus performing our dutie, he will double and redouble his fauours vponupon vsus, bleſſing our ſeruants and children for our ſakes, and vsus for their ſakes, by cauſing all their labours to proſper in their hands, as wee ſee in the example of Abrahams ſeruant, Iacob, Ioſeph, Gen. 24. 52, 56. Gen. 30. 27. & 39. 3, 22. Act. 10. 2, 7, 23.and the Souldiers and ſeruants of Cornelius, who being trayned vp in the feare of God, either by their maſters or their own parents, proſpered in their proceedings, and ſo brought a bleſſing vponupon them & the whole families. Whereas contrariwiſe, the neglect of theſe religious duties bringeth Gods wrath vponupon the gouernours▪ & thoſe likewiſe that belong vntounto him; according to that of the Prophet; Powre out thy fury vponupon the heathen that Ier. 10. 25.know thee not, and vponupon the families that call not on thy Name. Laſtly, it would bee a notable incouragement to make vsus diligent in performing theſe religious duties in our families, if wee would but conſider that wee ſhould heereby bee ſpeciall meanes of gayning many vntounto Chriſt, which ſhall heereafter bee the Crowne of our reioycing; that wee ſhall much more comfortably trauell in the way of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, and in our tedious pilgrimage towards our heauenly home, when wee goe not aboue, but hauehave thoſe that belong vntounto vsus to beare vsus company, who will be ready at hand to aſſiſt vsus in our iourney, to admoniſh vsus when wee are going out of the way, to keepe vsus from falling, and when we are falne, to put to their helping hand for the raiſing of vsus vp againe, and to fight on our ſide againſt thoſe ſpirituall theeues, that come to rob vsus of the rich treaſures of Gods graces, and the malicious enemies of our ſaluation, when they incounter vsus in the way, that they may foyle vsus in the fight, or force vsus with their fury to deſiſt from our courſe, and to returne backe againe into the wayes of ſinne and death. Finally, that we ſhall, with vnſpeakeable ioy and rauiſhing comfort, appeare before the Lord at the latter day, when being accompanied with thoſe (who hauing beene by God committed vntounto our charge, we hauehave carefully gouerned and guided in the wayes of ſaluation) we ſhall reſigne and re-deliuer them vntounto God, to be crowned with the ſame happineſſe which our ſelues ſhall inioy; ſaying with our Sauiour, of our families, as he of his Church; Behold mee and Heb. 2. 13.the children which thou hast giuen me: which will infinitely more reioyce our hearts at that day, then if hauing beene Monarchs of the whole world, we ſhould hauehave left it to our poſterity, as an inheritance after vsus.
§. Sect. 3 That it is the dutie of houſholders to catechize their family; and of the cauſes why it is neglected.
Now that wee may thus nurture our familie in Gods feare, and trayne them vp to the performance of all religious and Chriſtian duties, as prayer, ſinging of Pſalmes, reading the Scriptures, holy conferences, and ſuch like, of which wee hauehave already ſpoken, there is required firſt, that we inſtruct them in the knowledge of God and his will; and ſecondly, wiſe gouernement, whereby they may be moued and drawne to put in practice, and make an holy vſe of all that is taught and learned for the right informing of their liues. Concerning the former, it is the duty of parents and gouernours of familyes, that they inſtruct and catechize their children and ſeruants in the true knowledge of God, and in the maine principles of Chriſtian Religion; which though it be a moſt neceſſary and profitable dutie to bee performed of all, yet is it in theſe dayes exceedingly neglected of the moſt, as a thing needleſſe and not belonging vntounto them. Of which neglect, theſe ſeeme to bee the chiefe cauſes; firſt, the profaneneſſe of mens mindes, and contempt of religion, which maketh them thinke this one thing ſo neceſſary in Chriſts iudgement, to bee in theirs Luke 10. 42.of all things moſt vnneceſſary: and that whereas knowledge in all other profeſſions is required in ſome perfection, ſome little ſmattering or a bare ſhew, is ſufficient in the profeſſion of Chriſtianity; which notwithſtanding as farre excelleth them, as the ſoule the body, or heauen earth. Secondly, An erroneous iudgement, whereby they perſwade themſelues, that though this knowledge bee neceſſary for all, yet that the dutie of inſtructing their familie in it, belongeth not at all vntounto them, but vntounto the Miniſters onelyonly. Thirdly, their ignorance which diſableth them vntounto it, being ſuch as the Apoſtle complaineth of, who when for the time Heb. 5. 12.they ought to be teachers, yet had neede to bee catechized themſelues in the firſt principles of Religion, and to be fed with milke rather then ſtrong meate. Which is accompanied with a carnall ſhame of bewraying it to their inferiours. Fourthly, A much more impious ſhame to be noted of thoſe, who are as bad or worſe then themſelues, for men too preciſe and forward in things not pertaining vntounto them. The laſt and chiefeſt cauſe is worldly-mindedneſſe, whereby men are wholy taken vp with earthly affaires, ſo as they hauehave neither leyſure nor pleaſure to follow ſpirituall exerciſes, which ſo farre preuaileth with many, that they not onelyonly neglect this dutie themſelues, but alſo will not ſuffer thoſe, who are vnderunder their charge, to be taught by others. Firſt, becauſe they would not hauehave them more wiſe or religious then themſelues. Secondly, becauſe they imagine, that they would bee leſſe pliable to vniuſt courſes, for the getting of vnlawfull gaine; and that being more intent to Gods ſeruice, they would become leſſe diligent in the ſeruice of the carthly Mammon. Laſtly, becauſe they cannot indure, that any time ſhould be ſpent in religious duties, as thinking all loſt, which is not ſpent in worldly imployments, and conſecrated to their earthly Idoll of gaine and profit. Yea this dutie of catechizing is not only neglected of houſhold gouernours, but alſo of Miniſters, not onelyonly ſuch as are either idle or inſufficient to teach the people, but likewiſe of many who are otherwiſe able and diligent. And that firſt, becauſe they conſider not the profit and neceſſity of this excellent exerciſe. Secondly, becauſe they ſuppoſe that it is not pleaſing and plauſible to the people. And laſtly, becauſe they thinke it too meane a ſubiect for their great learning and eminent gifts. But let ſuch in the feare of God conſider, not what they are able to teach, but what the poore people, committed to their charge, are able to learne, and that they muſt like nurſes, giuegive vntounto their children, not the beſt and ſtrongeſt meate, but that which they finde by experience the fitteſt to nouriſh them. Let them remember Chriſts charge to feede the tender Lambes, as well as the ſtronger ſheepe; and the Apoſtle Iohn 21. 15.Pauls practice and example, who choſe rather to ſpeake fiue words 1. Cor. 14. 19.with vnderſtanding, that he might teach others, then ten thouſand words in an vnknowne tongue; and fitted his ſpeech vntounto thoſe which were babes in Chriſt, and fed them with milke, and not with ſtronger meate, becauſe 1. Cor. 2. 2, 3.they were not able to beare it; becomming vntounto the weake as weake, that Chap. 9. 22.hee might gaine the weake, and all things to all men, that he might by all meanes ſaue ſome. Finally, that Salomon himſelfe, who excelled in all learning and wiſedome, ſtooped to the capacity of the meaneſt, and fitted his Pro. 1. 4, 5.ſpeech, that not onelyonly the wiſe in heart might increaſe in learning, but alſo that the ſimple might attaine vntounto wiſedome.
§. Sect. 4 Reaſons which may moue all Gouernours to this dutie of catechizing. Firſt, becauſe it is Gods Commandement.
And thus hauehave wee ſhewed the cauſes of the great neglect of this holy exerciſe. Let vsus in the next place conſider of ſome reaſons which may reforme it, and perſwade all ſorts of men to put it in practice with more diligence. The which may be reduced vntounto two heads, as reſpecting either gouernours of families, and Miniſters who are to giuegive inſtruction, or inferiours in the family, as children and ſeruants, and people in the congregation, that they may giuegive themſelues ouer to bee inſtructed by them. The former ſort may be perſwaded by theſe reaſons. Firſt, becauſe it is Gods Commandement, that parents and gouernours of families ſhould teach and catechize their children and ſeruants, not onelyonly inſtructing them in the knowledge of Chriſtian Religion, but alſo requiring an account of them by way of queſtions and anſwers, how they hauehave profited by their teaching, for the increaſing of their knowledge. Thus the Lord requireth of the people of Iſrael, that they ſhould not onelyonly themſelues remember and lay vp in their hearts his words and workes which they had heard and ſeene, but alſo that they ſhould teach them their ſons, and Deut. 4. 9. & 6. 7. Exod. 12. 26.their ſonnes ſonnes. And in another place: Theſe words which I command thee this day, ſhall bee in thine heart; and thou ſhalt teach them diligently vntounto thy children, and thou ſhalt talke of them when thou ſitteſt in thine houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the way, and when thou lyest downe, and when thou riſest vp. So the Pſalmiſt ſaith, that God eſtabliſhed a Teſtimonie in Iacob, and appointed a Law in Iſrael, which he cōmanded their fathers, that they ſhould make them known Pſal. 78. 5, 6.vntounto their children, &c. But if parents neglect this dutie, Miniſters are tyed to performe it, both by Chriſts precept, who inioyned them to feede his Lambes as well as his Sheepe, and alſo by his example, ſeeing his care extended to little children, whom hee would hauehave to come vntounto Marke 10. 14.him; and alſo in his childhood ſubmitted himſelfe to this ordinance of God, though he were repleniſhed with all diuine wiſedome, and more fit to teach, then to be taught of others, and ſitting, as it is probable, among the cathecumenoi, which came to be catechized, heard the Doctours, and Luk 2. 46.asked them queſtions. Now Chriſts examples in holy duties are our inſtructions; according to that, I hauehave giuen you an enſample, that you ſhould Joh. 15. 13. The ſecond reaſon drawne from the louelove of parents.doe as I hauehave done to you. The ſecond reaſon is drawne from the louelove of parents towards their children, and of paſtours towards their flocke, which ought to extend vntounto the ſoule more then to the body, as being much the more excellent part. And therefore if they prouide for their bodies all things neceſſary, as food, clothing, houſes, lands; how much more ſhould they be carefull for the nouriſhment of their ſoules? which if they neglect, they ſhew plainly that their louelove is carnall, and but to the halues, louing onelyonly the worſe part, or rather none at all: For, Godlineſſe is the chiefeſt 1. Tim. 6. 6. and 4. 8.gaine, and is profitable both vntounto body and ſoule, for all things, hauing the promiſes of this life, and of that which is to come.
§. Sect. 5 Other reaſons inforcing the former duty.
The third reaſon is taken from the conſideration of their naturall proneneſſe vntounto euill, euen from the breſt, as experience teacheth, which by Prou. 22. 6.—nunc adhibe puro pectore verba …cr. nunc te melioribus offer. Quo ſemel eſt imbutarecens ſeruabit odorem Teſtadiu. Horat. ad Lollium. epiſt. lib. 1. ep. 2.wholeſome and timely inſtruction is to bee preuented; that being firſt ſeaſoned with this precious liquor of true Religion, and ſauing knowledge, they may retaine the taſte and ſauour of it to the end of their dayes. According to Salomons counſell; Traine vp (or as the word ſignifieth) Catechize a child in the way that he ſhould goe; and when he is old he will not depart from it. VntoUnto which, if we adde their readineſſe to relapſe into their naturall corruptions; if by wholeſome inſtructions they bee not daily confirmed and ſtrengthened in good courſes; and how ſoone ſinne will grow to a cuſtome, and bring them to an habite of wickedneſſe, from which they can hardly afterwards be reclaimed; wee ſhall eaſily vnderſtand the profit and neceſſity of this exerciſe. Fourthly, the deſire that children and ſeruants ſhould performe their duties to their parents and gouernours, ſhould make them carefull in the firſt place to teach them Religion and the true feare of God. For if this be not the foundation, all other obedience is falſe and counterfeit, ſeeing they who yeeld it, are onelyonly tyed vntounto it in the carnall bonds of feare and rewards, and therefore it quite ceaſeth when they ceaſe. Neither will any with an honeſt heart and good conſcience performe it, if it riſe not out of louelove and obedience towards God, but with reſpect of perſons, ſelfe-louelove, and ſuch other ſiniſter and by-reſpects. Fifthly, the care which eueryevery Chriſtian ſhould hauehave to propagate the Church of God, ſhould mooue them to this duty, ſeeing God is thereby glorified, when as his Kingdome is inlarged and aduanced: for as the Wiſe man ſaith, In the multitude of a people is the honour of a King. Now Prou. 14. 18.this is moſt reaſonable, that God, who created our children, ſhould be honoured by our conſecrating of them vntounto his ſeruice, and that wee ſhould re-deliuer them vntounto him, who firſt gaue them vntounto vsus, ſeeing they are his by a double right, both of creation and redemption, and alſo chalenged 1. Cor. 6. 20. Pſal. 127. 3.by him as his owne right and heritage. Sixthly, this may moue vsus vntounto this duty, if we conſider that the time of youth is moſt ſeaſonable for inſtruction; ſeeing then, like waxe, they are moſt apt to receiue all impreſſions of good or euill, and alſo to retaine them when they are receiued. And therefore let it be the care of all gouernours, to ſtampe firſt Gods ſeale vponupon their children, that thereby alſo they may bee marked for the children of God, before Satan hath preuented them, by ſealing them for his ſlaues, and ſtamping vponupon them the markes of perdition. Let them inſtruct them in the principles of true Religion, when as by their docible age they are moſt fit to learne, and moſt ſtrong and able to retaine what they hauehave learned, in faithfull memories; leſt neglecting this duty, Satan and the world teach them in their ſchoole of impiety, all prophaneneſſe and wickedneſſe; or if they incline at all to ſome Religion, doe by their inſtruments ſeduce them from the truth, ſow in their minds the ſeeds of errours, ſchiſme and hereſies, and draw them away from God, by teaching them to offer vntounto him for his pure ſeruice, their owne, or other mens inuentions and traditions, will-worſhip, ſuperſtition and idolatry.
§. Sect. 6 Examples of the faithfull who hauehave catechized their family.
Laſtly, the examples of the faithfull in all ages, who hauehave been diligent in the performing of this duty, may perſwade vsus vntounto it. Thus wee reade Gen. 4. 1, 2.that Cain and Abel ſerued God by ſacrifices, which they could not hauehave done, there being then no written Word for their direction, vnleſſe they had beene inſtructed in Gods true Religion by their parents. So Abraham is commended for this duty, from whom God would not hide his ſecret counſels, becauſe he knew that he would command his children and his houſhold Gen. 18. 19.after him, that they might keepe the way of the Lord. Thus Salomon was inſtructed 1. Chro. 28. 9. Pro. 30.by Dauid his father, and by Bathſheba his mother, from his tender youth, to his riper age, as himſelfe profeſſeth; I was my fathers ſonne, tender Pro. 4. 3, 4.and onelyonly beloued in the ſight of my mother. He taught me alſo, and ſaid vntounto me, Let thine heart retaine my words: keepe my commandements and liue, &c. And we reade that Iehoaſh the King was inſtructed from his tender youth 2. King. 12. 2.in the knowledge of God, by his good vncle Iehoiada the Prieſt. So alſo in the New Teſtament, this duty was practiſed; for there were two ſorts of Catechumenoi, or ſuch as were catechized; firſt, ſuch as were adulti, and of ripe age, who were catechized in the principles of Chriſtian Religion before they were baptized; as Theophilus, the Eunuch, Cornelius, and his houſhold, Apollos, and many others, whereof theſe principles were called Heb. 6. 2.the doctrine of Baptiſmes. And the ſecond ſort borne in the Church, who being in the Couenant, were baptized in their infancie, and after that catechized, and then confirmed by the impoſition of hands, whereof the principles were called the doctrine of the impoſition of hands, in the ſame place; becauſe at their confirmation they firſt rendred an account of their faith. And thus Paul remembring Timothies vnfained faith, ſaith, that it dwelt 2. Tim. 1. 5.first in his grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice, of whom hee maketh honourable mention, becauſe they had inſtructed him from his youth in the doctrine of it. And therefore, if wee would bee numbred in the Calender of the faithfull, or be made happy in their rewards; let vsus follow their example, and as we hauehave opportunity and conuenient time, let vsus catechize and inſtruct in the principles of Chriſtian Religion, all thoſe that being capeable of knowledge, are committed to our charge.
§. Sect. 7 Reaſons moouing children to ſubmit themſelues to be catechized.
And theſe are the reaſons which may perſwade gouernours to performe this duty of Catechizing; vntounto which, we will adde ſome others, which may mooue thoſe who are vnderunder their gouernement, to ſubmit themſelues willingly vntounto this Ordinance of God, to receiue inſtruction from them, and attentiuely to heare them, carefully to treaſure vp in their hearts and memories what they hauehave learned, and chearefully to render an account of it, when they are called thereunto. The which I thought neceſſary, in reſpect of the backwardneſſe which is to be obſerued in moſt families and congregations amongſt all ſorts, not onelyonly nor chiefly among children in yeeres, but eſpecially ſuch as being riper in age, are notwithſtanding children in knowledge. The which is cauſed by their naturall auerſeneſſe to theſe religious duties, by the corruption of their iudgements, perſwading them that they are vnneceſſary, by the worldlineſſe and prophaneneſſe of their hearts, which hindreth them from attending vntounto inſtruction, and conſequently maketh them vnwilling to bee called to account, becauſe they finde themſelues vnable to anſwere and giuegive any ſatisfaction to their teachers; by carnall pride, and proud baſhfulneſſe, which cauſeth them ſcornefully to caſt off Chriſts yoke, and contemptuouſly to refuſe ſubiection vntounto his Ordinance, becauſe they feare to be diſgraced before others, for their ignorance and ſmall profiting in the knowledge of Chriſtian Religion; and finally, by the ſubtill malice of the deuil, which caſteth before them all diſcouragements which hee can deuiſe or raiſe againſt this profitable exerciſe, becauſe he well knoweth, that it is a moſt powerfull meanes to diſpell the miſts of ignorance, through which hee miſleadeth men to prophaneneſſe, hereſie, hell, and deſtruction, and to inlighten mens minds with ſauing knowledge, to beate him from his throne, and to caſt downe the ſtrong holds of ſinne, and to ſet vp and eſtabliſh in their hearts the gracious Kingdome of Ieſus Chriſt, by which they ſhall be brought to all glory and heauenly happineſſe.
§. Sect. 8 Reaſons moouing thoſe which are of yeeres to ſubmit themſelues to be catechized, if they be ignorant.
Now theſe reaſons concerne not onelyonly children in yeeres, but alſo children in knowledge, though they bee ancient in reſpect of age. The firſt Eph 2. 10. Luk. 1. 74. Deut 28. 14. Deut. 12. 32.whereof may be taken from the end of their creation and redemption, for they are created vntounto good workes, which God hath ordained that they ſhould walke in them; they are redeemed out of the hands of their ſpirituall enemies, that they ſhould ſerue God in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe before him all the dayes of their liues; they are not their owne, but bought with a price, that they might glorifie their Redeemer in their ſoules and bodies. But none can truely ſerue the Lord, vnleſſe they know him, his will, and Word, from which they must not decline to the right hand nor to the left, and neither adde any thing to it, nor detract ought from it; for elſe through naturall ignorance, they will (as our Sauiour chargeth the Samaritans) worſhip they know not what, Ioh. 4. 22.and in ſtead of his true ſeruice, offer vntounto him their owne will-worſhip and inuentions. Neither can wee come to this knowledge, but by the meanes which God hath ordained, one of the chiefe whereof is this religious exerciſe. Secondly, we hauehave vowed in our baptiſme, that we will fight vnderunder Chriſts Banner againſt our ſpirituall enemies, which wee cannot doe without receiuing a ſhamefull ouerthrow, vnleſſe our Chriſtian Armour be put on and faſtened vntounto vsus with the girdle of verity, and vnleſſe wee be trained vp in this Chriſtian warfare, and taught rightly to vſe the ſword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Now if vowes muſt be paid without delay, then Pſal. 76. 11.how much more this which importeth vsus as much as our ſaluation? A third reaſon may be taken from Gods louelove and fatherly care and prouidence watching ouer vsus, and preſeruing vsus from all perils and dangers in the time of our infancie and childehood, vntounto which as we were naturally moſt prone, ſo were wee vtterly vnable to auoid them by our owne prouidence, or to vſe any meanes to helpe our ſelues. Which conſideration ſhould moue vsus, as ſoone as we are come to knowledge and diſcretion, to teſtifie our thankefulneſſe by learning his waies, that wee may walke in them, and thereby glorifie him who hath ſo graciouſly preſerued vsus. Fourthly, let vsus conſider, that the Law was giuen, not onelyonly to the ancient and them of ripe age, but alſo to children and young men, that they might cleanſe their wayes by taking heede thereunto according to Gods Pſal. 119. 9.Word; which made Ioſuah to reade it vntounto them all alike. And both old Ioſh. 8. 35.and yong ſhall be called to giuegive an account of their workes and waies at the laſt day, according to that in the Reuelation, I ſaw the dead, great and Apoc. 20. 12.ſmall, ſtand before God, and the bookes were opened, &c. and the dead were iudged out of thoſe things which were written in thoſe bookes, according to their workes. And therefore the young as well as the old, muſt prepare themſelues for their reckoning, and learne both what ſtrength the Booke of the Law hath to indite and condemne him, and how by the Goſpell they may trauerſe this inditement, and be acquitted from that dreadfull ſentence of condemnation, by pleading full ſatisfaction by Ieſus Chriſt. And therefore when his ſoule wallowing it ſelfe in carnall delights, ſaith vntounto him; Reioyce, Eccleſ. 11. 9.O yong man, in thy youth, and let thine heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth; and walke in the waies of thine heart, and in the ſight of thine eyes; then let him remember, that for all theſe things God will bring him to iudgement. Fifthly, conſider that this age aboue all others, is moſt fit to receiue and retaine inſtruction and information in the wayes of the Lord, as alſo reformation and amendment of our ſinfull courſes. Which if it bee deferred to riper age, they will be leſſe able to learne the will and wayes of God, to hold them in memory, or to obey and walke in them. For the faculties of the ſoule will bee more enfeebled, and they diſtracted with earthly cares, and louelove of the world, ambition, couetouſneſſe, voluptuouſneſſe; they will then be more apt to content themſelues with their ignorance, wherin they hauehave bin ſo long nuzzled; their paſſions will grow ſtrong and violent, and cuſtome of ſinning laying faſt hold on them, will pull them backe from the ſchoole of piety, yea will make them openly to profeſſe, that they are now too old to learne; by all which, who ſeeth not how deſperately they hazzard their ſaluation, who put off inſtruction, and neglect the meanes of it, in the time of their youth? And therefore let vsus hearken to the Wiſe mans counſell; and remember now our Creator in the daies of our Eccleſ. 12. 1.youth, while the euill daies come not, nor the yeeres draw nigh when thou ſhalt ſay, I hauehave no pleaſure in them. Sixthly, let vsus remember, that God would hauehave firſt fruits offered vntounto him, as a type to teach vsus, that the prime of our age is an oblation wherein he chiefly delighteth; that our Sauiour was much pleaſed, when little children entertained him with their applauſe, Crying Math. 21. 15. Pſal. 8. 2.Hoſanna to the Sonne of Dauid; that God out of the mouth of babes and ſucklings hath ordained ſtrength, becauſe of his enemies, that he might ſtil the enemie & the auenger. Finally, that in the time of the law, they were inioyned to offer vntounto God the yong and luſty, & not the old and lame, to ſhew that the Lord would hauehave the prime of our age and ſtrength conſecrated to his ſeruice; although in the Goſpell all are inuited to the marriage Supper, the poore, Luke 14. 21.maimed, halt and blinde, becauſe (ſo we bring with vsus the wedding garment) it is better in our age to come halting to the feaſt, and through the dimneſſe of our ſight, groping for the right way, then to frame worldly excuſes, and abſent our ſelues altogether.
§. Sect. 9 Of the great profit of this exerciſe of catechizing.
Laſtly, let the profit & manifold benefits which accompany this dutie, be an effectuall meanes to perſwade vsus vntounto it. For they only are ſaued who Ioh. 3. 16, 17, 36 Mar. 16. 16. Rom. 10. 15, 17.hauehave faith, and they faith alone, who hauehave knowledge, both which come by hearing, as the Apoſtle teacheth vsus, How ſhall they call vponupon him, in whom they hauehave not beleeued? and how ſhall they beleeue in him of whom, they hauehave not heard? and how ſhall they heare without a Preacher? So then faith commeth by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. And this the Apoſtate Iulian well knew, and therefore to roote out the Church, he thought it the moſt effectuall way, to put downe Chriſtian Schooles, and Religious exerciſes, that being depriued of all meanes of knowledge, hee might leade them in their ignorance which way hee liſted. Secondly, it is a notable meanes to free them from errours and hereſies, when they are grounded in the knowledge of the truth, and the analogie of faith, that will ſerue them as a touchſtone and rule, according to which doctrines muſt bee examined; which whoſo want, may eaſily be led euen into fundamentall errours. For as the Apoſtle ſaith, there muſt bee hereſies in the world, vntounto 1. Cor. 11. 19.which men naturally are more inclined then vntounto the truth; and therefore we muſt not hand ouer head hearken vntounto eueryevery ſpirit, nor when we heare, iudge of them according to our naturall reaſon, but wee muſt, as the Apoſtle Iohn exhorteth vsus, try them whether they be of God or no, by 1. Ioh. 4. 1.bringing them to be examined by the touchſtone of his Truth. The which wee ſhall be vtterly vnable to doe, if we be not acquainted with the Scriptures, and hauehave no knowledge of the maine principles, and the analogie of faith contayned in them. Where, by the way wee may note the cauſe why Popery ſo much increaſeth amongſt vsus, namely, becauſe for want of catechizing in many places, the people remaine ignorant of the principles of Chriſtian Religion, and ſo vponupon the alleadging of any carnall reaſon, plauſible to corrupted nature, they become an eaſie prey to the Prieſts and Ieſuites. Thirdly, It helpeth notably to the hearing of Sermons with profit, both becauſe being grounded in the principles and maine parts of diuinity, wee ſhall bee able to referre all things wee heare to their heads, and alſo to examine Doctrines according to the analogie of Faith. For ſeeing there will be many falſe chriſts and antichriſts, falſe prophets, falſe teachers, and rauenous wolues that will come in ſheepes clothing; wee muſt not receiue all that is preached in a pulpit, but try all things, and take 1. Theſ. 5. 21.that onelyonly which is good. The which wee cannot doe, if wee be vnacquainted with the Scriptures, and deſtitute of the knowledge of the principles of Chriſtian Religion. Where, by the way wee may note the reaſon why moſt men, euen in the chiefe Cities, and places where the Goſpell hath beene long preached, yea euen ſuch as make moſt ſincere profeſſion of Religion, are ſo void of all ſound iudgment in hearing Sermons, that they are more affected with the ſtrength of the voice, thē the powerfulnes of arguments, looke more after the manner, then after the matter, & to a ready and fluent ſpeech, then ſoundnes of Doctrine and faithfull handling of the text. Why alſo they ſo little profit by their much hearing for their increaſe in knowledge, & ſtrengthning of their faith, the ſanctifying of their hearts, & walking in a ſettled courſe of a Chriſtiā life. Finally, why they with ſuch earneſtnes, flock after new commers, & ſo eaſly harken vntounto eueryevery new opinion, though the broacher of it hauehave onelyonly a ſhew of ſanctity, and be quite deſtitute of al good learning or ſound knowledge of Diuinity; namely, becauſe the people being vngrounded, & ignorāt of the principles of Religion, are wholy vnſtayd and vnſettled in their iudgments, & wanting the ſpirit of diſcerning, are not poſſibly able to make any good choyce. Fourthly, This exerciſe is moſt profitable for ſuch as are weake in ye ſpiritual growth, and but babes in Chriſt, becauſe it is the fitteſt food for their Spirituall nouriſhment, ſeeing in reſpect of their weakenes which maketh them vnable to diſgeſt ſtronger meat, they would quickly be famiſhed & fall into a deepe conſumption of all grace, if there were not prepared for them meats of ſuch eaſie and light diſgeſtion. For ſtones (as we know) will doe little children as much good as the whole loafe, they wanting ſtrength to cut it, or teeth to chew it, and ſo alſo it is in the ſpirituall nouriſhment, the weaklings being as vncapable of high myſteries, deepe points of Diuinity, and difficult and perplexed controuerſies, as of a ſpeech vttered in a ſtrange language. And therefore as it muſt be the teachers care and wiſedome to prepare fit nouriſhment for thoſe vnderunder their charge, and to feede babes 1. Cor. 3. 2. Heb. 5. 12, 13.in Chriſt with milke; or when they prouide ſtronger meate for their ſake who are of riper age, yet as much as they can, they muſt like louing nurſes hauehave alſo therein reſpect to their little ones, diuiding and (as it were) chewing this more ſolid meate, and making it ſoft and eaſie with familiar ſimilitudes, and plaine examples, as our Sauiour taught his Diſciples, not according to the greatneſſe of his diuine wiſedome, but ſo as they were Marke. 4. 33.able to heare it: So on the other ſide, thoſe which are children in knowledge, muſt chiefely affect that food which is fitteſt for their nouriſhment, and not out of fooliſh wantonneſſe and vaine curioſity, affect the hearing of learned diſcourſes, high points of diuinity and hidden myſteries, when as they are ignorant of the eaſie principles, as it is the cuſtome of many ſimple people, who moſt applaud and magnifie their teachers, when their ſpeeches moſt exceed the pitch and reach of their ſhallow vnderſtanding. Fifthly, they ſhall by this exerciſe be inabled to giuegive an account of their faith, not in ſome few points onelyonly, like ſmatterers, but in all which are 1. Pet. 3. 15.ſubſtantiall and fundamentall. The which will be a notable incouragement to the profeſſion of Chriſt and the true Religion, eſpecially in the time of perſecution, when wee diſtinctly know what wee hold and beleeue, and wherein wee differ from our aduerſaries; the want whereof is a great hinderance to Chriſtian apologie, and a ſpeciall meanes to make vsus to deny Chriſt before men; ſeeing the moſt are aſhamed to make profeſſion of that truth, whereof when they are examined, they can giuegive no Matth. 10. 34.account; to ſuffer for that Religion which they cannot defend, or at leaſt diſttinctly conceine, or to take vponupon them like Chriſts Champions to fight for the truth againſt the enemies of it, euen to the ſhedding of their blood, when as they hauehave no skill in handling the ſword of the Spirit. Laſtly, heereby they ſhall not onelyonly bee informed in the wayes of godlineſſe, but alſo incited and inabled to walke in them; as we ſee in the example Gen. 22. & 24. 63.of Iſaac, who by his fathers inſtruction, became obedient to the death; prayeth and meditateth in fields, and in all things followed his fathers ſteps. And of his ſeruant likewiſe, who being trained vp by Abraham, and catechized in the knowledge of God and his truth, carryeth himſelfe religiouſly towards God, and faithfully towards his Maſter. And alſo of Salomon, who being taught by his father, to eſteeme and labour after, aboue all things, wiſedome and vnderſtanding, afterwards when God putteth him to his choyce, to aske and obtaine whatſoeuer he would, he Pro. 4. 4, 5.deſireth an vnderſtanding heart, that hee might iudge the people, and diſcerne betweene good and bad. VntoUnto which wee might adde innumerable more examples, both of former and latter times; all which may ſerue as ſtrong inducements, to perſwade all weake Chriſtians both young 1. King. 3. 9.and olde, to bee diligent in this exerciſe, if, at leaſt, they hauehave any care to know Gods will, or make any conſcience of yeelding obedience vntounto it.