The Independents Catechism, Title page – Table of contents
THE INDEPENDENTS CATECHISME.
OR Some Obſervations gathered out of Doctor BASTVVICKE his Religious and Learned Treatiſe ENTITVLED INDEPENDENCY NOT GODS ORDINANCE.
For the uſe of all poor Ignorant, wavering, and ſeduced Independents.
BY JOHN BERNARD foreign.
MAT. 22. 19.
Ye do erre not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
1 JOHN 4. 1.
Beleeve not every Spirit but try the Spirits, whether they are of God, becauſe many falſe Prophets are gone out into the world.
London, Printed by John Macock. 1645.
TO THE Wavering or Seduced INDEPENDENT READER.
Deare Brother,
THe Learned Doctor hath preſented a large Treatiſe to the view of the world, which proves the Presbyterian Government DEPENDENT to be Gods Ordinance, and not the Presbyterian Government INDEPENDENT, by ſtrong Arguments drawn from plain texts of Scripture. For three Reaſons following I have prevail'd with him that ſome Obſervations gathered out of it, and digeſted into this ſhort Catechiſme, might be publiſhed for thy good.
Firſt becauſe thou maiſt be perſwaded thereby either not to waver, or to be perfectly reformed from that dangerous errour.
Secondly, becauſe ſome have objected, The Doctors Treatiſe is redious, though every particular in it be abſolutely neceſſary to vindicate Truth from Error, this Epitome may invite thee ſeriouſly and ſpeedily to read it, thou mayſt happily finde much ſatisfaction to thy unſtable minde in it, if with the men of Berea, Act. 17. 7. Thou ſearch the Scriptures. If niceties delight thee I refer thee to the Doctors Treatiſe, which is a garden full of ſuch ſlowers.
Thirdly, becauſe thy uncharitable Teachers, not able to juſtifie their fond opinion; yet have unworthily vilified the Doctors ſound judgement calling him Apoſtate, foole, that he is crazed in his braine, being not miſled with their New Lights, but hath clearly diſcovered the miſt of Errour wherewith they have blinded thine, and others eyes. Chriſtian charity binds me to give him deſerved applauſe, for his Pious, Learned and Charitable worke; that thou mayſt be reformed thereby, is the prayer of him who wiſheth thy ſouls good equally with his own.
John Bernard.
The firſt part of the Independents Catechiſme, upon theſe 4. Poſitions.
1. That there were more particular Aſſemblies, and Congregations in the Church of Jeruſalem than one.
2. That all thoſe ſeverall Congregations made but one Church.
3. That all thoſe ſeverall Congregations were under one Presbytery.
4. That the Government of the Church of Jeruſalem is to be a pattern of Government to all ſucceeding Ages.