Gods children have always made this their great care Abraham Gen. 18.19 I know Abraham that he will teach his children c. I know him he is a godly Man he will not neglect so necessary and important a duty as this Abraham were not the man I took him for indeed Abraham were not Abraham if he would not make a conscience of teaching his children and his houshold after him that they might walk in Gods ways Josh 24.15 Joshua is resolved upon the point that whatever others did he for his part would worship the true God and that none should nest under his roof who would not do so too We see what care David had of his Family Psal 101.6 7. when he professes that he who would not submit to Gods ways to know and do his will should not tarry in his sight Prov. 31.1 Solomons Mother was not wanting on her part she taught him a good Lesson if he had had the grace to have followed it What my Son Prov. 4.3 Vide Cartwright and what the son of my womb and what the son of my vows Give not thy strength unto women nor thy ways to that which dectroyeth Kings so did David Timothy was born of godly Parents 2 Tim. 1.5 3.15 as you may see he had a good Mother and a good Grand-mother and these taught him the Scriptures from his youth The Elect Lady's care was 2 John 4. that her children might be found walking in the truth Sect. 5. Parents and Masters are answerable for those miscarriages of their children into which they run for want of due instruction or correction If the Commandment be given to the Parents for their instruction government and puting them upon pious duties then at their hands will God exact an account for that ignorance and misbehavior which is found in them Deut. 4.9 10. Exod. 20 But we find God commanding them to instruct their Families and to keep them to his service Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day thou thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man-servant and Maid-servant c. The Command is given to the Parent and Master who are presumed to have authority enough to see their Commands obeyed and though the untaught and ungoverned Family should perish in their sin yet God will require their blood at their Parents and Masters hands Instances of Gods dealing with Parents for their neglect of this duty we have in Eli 1 Sam. 3.13 1 Kings 1.5 Chrys hom de educat lib. and in David too Sect. 6. This business in hand is a matter of the greatest concernment to them whatsoever be neglected this should not this is that unum necessarium without which they cannot be happy as they may without other things For first their souls are much more precious then their bodies these are but the caskets those the Jewels these are of the earth earthy those are of heaven heavenly one of their souls weighs more then all the world Many would cannot purchase it there 's no worldly things can be found sufficient for its exchange it cost more then so to redeem a soul You are carefull for their bodies that they want not food nor rayment nor lodging nor any thing that is needfull If a bone be broken how sollicitous are you to have it set if a wound given how carefull to have it cured If a disease be growing on how industrious are you to prevent or remove it and will you be so carefull for their bodies and do nothing for their souls will you have no regard how blind how lame how diseased how naked and void of all good their souls are Secondly Their future estate is more to be regarded then their present this is but for a moment that to eternity the miseries which they are subject to here are but such as are common to man through measure tollerable those which in sâ—me your neglect they may be subject to hereafter will be intollerable The greatest happiness that you can procure for them here is but transitory and it is mixt with much sorrow that whereof you deprive them by want of instruction is permanent a full and perfect happiness without any mixture of evil in it It is an argument of the greatest love to provide best for their better part When Solomon would tell us how his Father instructed him he tells us also what the reason was that he was so carefull of him I was my Fathers son Prov. 4.3 and the only beloved in the sight of my mother true love makes Parents instruct their children in true Piety the more they instruct them the better they love them It s a foolish cockering love that makes us loth to trouble their heads with the knowledg and practice of their duty thus David loved Adonijah to his own and his Sons cost David had more sons by Bathsheba but we read not that he took that pains to teach them as he did Solomon this was his Darling and the better he loved him the more carefull he was to teach him in Gods ways But thirdly if men be so carefull to provide for their childrens welfare in this world now much more carefull should they be to provide for their eternal condition you take much pains that they may live like men when you are dead and will you take no care nor pains that they may like like Saints when they are dead You would have them live like men here will you be content that they should live like Devils hereafter You provide for them riches which the rust and moth doth corrupt and will you not provide for them more durable riches Aristippus was wont to advise Parents that since our passage thorough this world was like a voyage by Sea they should provide something for their children that they might carry to the shore with them in case they suffered shipwracks Cic. Paradox 6. calc by which he meant knowledge and vertue all other things may be lost in wrack but this cannot be lost these will stick by us when all other things forsake us When Demetrius besieged and sacked Megara he asked Stilpon whether he had lost any thing No saith he thy soldiers cannot plunder me of my vertue and for other things I count the parting with them no loss when Socrates was asked his opinion what he thought of such a mighty Prince whether he were not the happiest man living I do not know saith he what stock of wisdome or vertue he hath He that best instructs and brings up his children in their youth makes the best provision for them against their age Hence the Poet calls the institution of youth Miserisque viatica canis the best provision for gray hairs Pers 5. Satyr v. 65. You must not neglect those fair advantages which God puts into your hand for their outward estate but your chief and greatest care should be for their souls good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epict. Enchirid. c. 63.
duty may not grow chill and cold again I have been induced by the perswasion of some of your selves and others to suffer this Exhortation to be made publique for your benefit that every one of you may have something by you that may help to quicken him to the getting the knowledg of the Principles of Religion which I have the rather inclined to because as you know since this was delivered to you God has shaken me by the shoulder once and again 2 Cor. 1.9 and shewed me that my bones are not brass nor my sinews iron so far that I even despair'd of life and seemed to have the sentence of death passed against me How long God may please to reprieve me to be further serviceable to your faith is known to him alone I would willingly leave something as a pledge of my tender affections to you in Christ Jesus that when this tabernacle of my flesh shall be taken down you may have a faithfull Remembrancer with you to minde you of that which is your greatest concernment The hearts of the Galatians were once so inflamed toward the Apostle that they would even have pulled out their eyes to have done him good I shall not impose any such rigid task upon you but only desire that the eyes of your understanding may be inlightned that ye may know God your selves and your duty If I had required some difficult or costly matter at your hand it would be more excusable should you scruple my request but since the motion which I have to make is no extraordinary task and tends so directly to the saving of your precious souls I cannot but promise my self the more ready acceptance That which I am to perswade you to is the making of your selves and families acquainted with God in Christ and that you would make it your business to set up the knowledg of God in your respective families There 's none of you who would be thought careless of the good of your houshold in things that appertain to this life how much more ought ye to be solicitous for them in things pertaining to a better life The instructing of them in the Principles of Religion is of that absolute necessity that without it there can be no salvation There 's no salvation but by Christ no benefit by Christ without faith no faith in him without knowledge no knowledge but by instruction And that I may proceed more distinctly and more effectually in this so weighty a work I shall 1. Propose such Motives as may quicken Parents and Masters in this duty viz. in instructing their children and servants themselves as far as they are able and in causing them to come and yield to this work in publique by the Minister 2. I shall bring some Motives to the yonger sort which may perswade them to submit themselves both to publique and private Catechizing and Instruction 3. I shall bring such arguments as may prevail with all sorts of people of what age or degree what rank or quality soever to a chearful submission to this necessary work of Instruction in the Fundamentals of Religion 1. Branch of Exhortation I begin with those whom God hath made Parents and Masters of Families to whom I shall propose these following considerations why they ought both to instruct their Families themselves and to bring them also to publique Instruction Sect. 1. Every Father and Master is in his own house a King Motives for Parents Masters a Priest and a Prophet house a King a Priest and a Prophet He is a King to govern them a Priest to pray with them and for them a Prophet to instruct and teach them If you will take upon you to rule and govern your Families you must instruct them too you would not be justled out of your command in your own houses you must not thrust your selves out of it by neglecting your instructing office We read of Nymphas Col. 4.15 that he had a Church in his house his house is stiled a Church not only because the faithful came thither to be instructed in the Faith and to hold communion in those times of persecution but also because he did carefully instruct those of his own Family in the knowledge of Christ and trained them up in spiritual and holy Dutys Familiam suam privatam fecit ecclesiam eam pietate religione exernans So Theodoret Sect. 2. God commands that we should instruct our Children and Family in the knowledg of God Deut. 4.9 10. Deut. 6.5 6. Deut. 11.19 20. Psal 78.6 Eph. 6.8 and the matters of Religion where we may observe 1. That they were to teach them it was not a matter Arbitrary left at pleasure but a Duty 2. What they should teach them the knowledg of God of his ways and Commandments not frivolous discourses Songs Tales Romances but Gods Statutes 3. How they should teach them diligently and constantly they must whet it often upon their memories and never leave them till they have made them understand 4. The great advantage that they should gain hereby both they and their children they should live long in the Land which God gave them If those were good motives to them how much stronger have we Was the Law which discovered their sin but could not cure it so diligently to be learned and shall not the Gospel which discovers a remedy for our sin be worth our knowledge should the Inheritance of an earthly possession quicken them to gain the knowledge of Gods law and shall not the enjoyment of a perpetuall rest quicken us to get acquaintance with Jesus Christ in the Gospel Sect. 3. God commands children to learn of their Parents and to hearken to their Instruction which implyes the Parents duty to teach them Prov. 6.20 21. My son keep the Commandment of thy Father and forsake not the law of thy Mother Bind them continually upon thine heart and tie them about thy neck Mercer The Commandments of Parents that fear the Lord are the very Commandments of God himself and therefore carefully to be kept Deut 6 8.11-18 Bind them continually a phrase frequent in Scripture importing that they should never forget them but that they should be always in our eye Exod. 12.26 Exod. 13.14 in our heart as our greatest ornament Nay it is not only their duty to learn when they are taught but also to be enquiring that they may learn which is plainly hinted in those texts If children had any sence of true Religion they would be enquiring into the nature ground and end of those services which were done to God for true Religion is the exercise of mind inlightned by Faith and Knowledge and not a piece of blind and ignorant devotion Josh 4.6 Deut. 32.7 A man should be able to give some account of every thing that he doth in Gods service and why and upon what account he doth it when they ask you ought to teach them Sect. 4.
execute their wrath and malice upon poor beguiled souls O now you that have the bowels of Parents tell me whether it be not a matter of concernment to teach your children to know God and Jesus Christ Whether the joys of Heaven are not worth the having And the torments of Hell so inconsiderable that 't is not worth while to avoid them O do do not betray your own flesh and bloud and those precious souls which lodge in houses of clay by your negligence into those eternal flames nor bereave them of those eternal joys Sect. 12. Their souls will bless you when they come to Heaven for all your care and pains in sowing the seeds of Religion in their minds by a godly education If the Saints in Heaven shall know their former relations as it is probable how will your children then bless God for your conscientiousness in the discharge of your duty whereby they had the happiness of coming to the saving knowledge of that God whom now they shall enjoy to all eternity On the other hand consider how they will revile and curse you if they meet you in Hell whither they are condemned with you through the neglect of your duties Methinks I see such a miserable soul casting balls of Hell fire into his fathers face and yelling out such hideous words Cursed be the hour wherein I was conceived and the day wherein I was born thy child Hadst thou done thy duty in instructing me in the fear of God and in the knowledge of his ways I might have been a glorious Saint in Heaven whereas now through thy neglect I am become a miserable firebrand in Hell I had indeed from thee a temporary life which I had better never have enjoy'd but thou hast betrayed me to an eternal death I am undone undone for ever by thy perfidiousness and thou who wast the father of my body hast been the murderer of my soul Perdidit nos aliena perfidia Parentes sensimus parricidas Austin Ep. 23 ad Bonif. out of Cyprian in Epist de Lapsis With what face canst thou behold me frying upon these coles to which I am betray'd by thy unfatherly carelesness Had I been thy slave nay thy horse thy dog thou wouldst have provided what had been fit for me but being thy child thou hast neglected me in that which most concerned me my soul When Quintilius Varius had by his rashness and indiscretion lost three Legions of his Masters the Emperor Augustus in Germany the Emperor was observed to be long after very pensive sometimes pulling off the hair from his beard sometimes beating his head in a frantick manner against the posts and to cry out Redde mihi Legiones Quintili Vari Restore me my Legions which thou hast lost How much more bitterly shall these undone creatures cry out to their Parents in Hell Reddite nobis animas Restore us our souls which you have lost I have heard at many executions the dying Malefactors make sad complaints against their Parents negligence in this kind charging their bloud upon the not performance of their Parents duty What may be expected from such persons in the flames of Hell where all manner of respect and love is banisht I am apt to think that it will be a great part of the damneds Parents misery in Hell to hear the reproaches and revilings of their children whom their neglect of doing their duty hath betray'd unto that place of torment Sect. 13. You may then expect a blessing in them and what they undertake when they are taught to obey for conscience sake All other both natural and civil ties are too weak to keep children to their duties 2 Sam. 15 but this will do it Absalom though an own son lifted up his hand against David a man after Gods heart to destroy him 1 Sam 24.5 6. David durst not do so to Saul a father in law and a wicked tyrant who sought his life What is the reason of the great disobedience and undutifulness of children to their Parents but that Parents are so careless of teaching them to know God and have not imprinted their duties upon their consciences to restrain them from such courses I do not say that all that are so taught are obedient and a comfort to their Parents no Grace is not ex traduce by generation no more then their souls The Spirit blowes where it listeth many a gracious man hath to his grief a graceless and stubborn child But this I am sure of that they who neglect the performance of this duty toward their children which God requires cannot with any good confidence expect that duty which their children owe to them they only may expect it who conscionably make use of the means which God hath appointed them Sect. 14. You will much help forward the Minister in his publick work who shall but labor in the fire and take much pains to small purpose if you assist not in private The children are yours and you must not cast all the work upon the Ministers backs and you your selves not touch it with one of your fingers It is not one daies instruction in a week that will carry on the work you must take all occasions to put them on in private There is no time wherein you may not take some advantage to do them good when thou sittest in thine house Deut. 6.7 when thou walkest in the way when thou liest down and when thou risest up This will advance them much and you your selves shall find the profit on 't Docendo discetis as one of the Fathers acknowledges of himself While you teach them and hear them learn you will learn with them and imprint what you have learned more lastingly in your memories Sect 15. The very Heathens will rise up in judgement against you Plato de legibus Plutar. de Ed. lib. Epict. Enchir. Pythag. Aurea carm they had their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arrian apud Epict. lib. 1. cap. 27. and condemn you for your neglect of this duty How exceeding careful the wiser sort of them were in this particular he that hath but cast an eye into their Writings will easily perceive They had their Manuals and Compendiums of their doctrine to teach them their duty both to God and man they had reduced their doctrine to some few short heads which their Scholars were to have perfectly by heart What a Pithy downright Catechisme is that of the Poets Disciteque ô miseri c. Pers Sat. 3. v. 66. Vid. Casaub Quid sumus quidnam victuri gignimur Ordo Quis datus c. That every man should be able to give an account What we are What was the end of our Creation What is the brevity and unconstancy of life and he certainty of death What and how admirable Gods Power and Wisdome and Goodness and Providence shines in the governing and ordering of the world What bounds we should put to our desires of earthly things
What if thy child come not to be great nor rich in this world yet he may be an honest gracious man and rich toward God but if thou sufferest him to live in ignorance of Religion whatever thou providest for him else in the end he will be most miserable Poor Lazarus would not change skins though it were full of sores with rich Dives Verily our extraordinary diligence in making temporal provision for our children will rise in judgement against us for our utter neglect of their eternal welfare Sect. 7. This is the fittest season to instil knowledge into them before their hearts be corrupted with the pleasures or insnared with the profits of this world If you suffer those things to preingage them it will be a harder matter to make them unlearn evil then it would have been to have made them learn that which was good before While they are young their memories are best their appetites are strongest their affections keen and eager they are now apter to learn and to take any impression you shall set upon them now they must be followed close Pers Sat. 3. v. Casaub Plato 2. de legibus Vdum molle lutum es Nunc nunc properand c. As age grows on they will be more hard to learn They are now of an active disposition they find themselves employed in something If you employ them not in what is good they will employ themselves in what is bad Good things are as easily learnt as bad were they but as diligently taught a Catechise as easily learned as a Ballad or a tale of Robin Hood Whatsoever you would have your children excellent in teach it them betimes Heyl. Geog. in Russia In Russia they train up their children to shooting in their minority and give them nothing to eat till they can hit a white that is set before them The Baleant give them no meat Flor. hist l. 3. c. 8. but what they can kill with their sling Cibum puer à Matre non accipit nisi quem ipsâ monstrante percussit time and use makes them Masters of their Art Much may be done with children ere we think fit to trouble them with such things They can learn to swear and to prophane the Sabbath why might they not as well be taught to read to be catechised to learn some choice Scriptures by heart I have heard of that Noble Lady the now Lady Packington daughter of the Lord Keeper Coventry that in her minority she was tyed by the strictness of her education to learn daily such a proportion of Scripture by heart before she should eat a bit of bread by which custome and assiduity she became in a short time so perfect in the Scripture that she had a great part of the Old Testament and all the New so perfectly by heart that she could repeat any chapter backward or forward tell you any particular verse or words where they were what went before and what followed after Indeed she was a living Concordance the very Prodigy of Memory whose excellencies in these attainments are almost beyond the belief of any but of those who have seen or heard her examined Husbandmen know that they must not expect a good crop unless they sow in a right season Youth is the time to have the seeds of grace and godliness sown else there 's little hope of a good and a holy life Sect. 8. Children are the seed-plot of the Church and Common-wealth those who are now children will soon grow up to be men of action both in things concerning God and their countrey Such as they are when they cease to be children such they will be when they begin to be men Those who spend their youth in ignorance idleness naughtiness what can you expect from them when they become men but to grow from bad to worse As youth leaves them manhood finds them good if good if bad stark naught What impressions are put upon wax when it is melted you shall find upon it when it is hardned What you write upon white paper sticks there What savor your vessels have when they are new they retain when they are old What good you infuse into youth it will relish on when it is ripened into age The wise man gives counsel like himself Train up or catechize a child in the way that he should go Prov. 22.6 and in his age he will noâ— depart from it It should be something to us to consider what posterity we are like to leave behind us and that we may labour to make the generation to come happier then this by giving our children better instruction then perhaps we have had Pythagoras was wont to say Lilius Gyrald â—ymb Pythanum propter opes that the main end of our begetting and bringing forth children should beâ— that we might leave those behind us who may serve God in their generation When we consider the trouble and miseries which our eyes have seen we are ready to wish and hope that our children may see better times Good men will make good times Time is in it self nor good nor evil but as the persons are who live in them Do your duty and you may much promote your own desires Labour to make them more knowing men and more obedient to God and that will make better men and better men will make better times Sect. 9. This will enable them to profit by the Sermons which they hear And the want of this is one main ground of that strange non-proficiency amongst men that live even under powerful Ministers God hath been exceedingly gracious in giving his word a free passage which is by many men set on with a great deal of power and life yet many even of such complain in the bitterness of their souls and say Lord who hath believed our report and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed In many such places there 's but little good done and this I conceive amongst others is not the smallest cause that they who come to hear the Word Preached are in no measure prepared thereunto by understanding the Principles of Religion If they understood beforehand what Justification Sanctification Adoption c. were what the covenant of works and the covenant of grace were then they would be able to go along with us in what we say But being so arrantly ignorant of Fundamental necessary truths we only speak into the air they give us the hearing and they depart no wiser then they came A man would wonder else what shift many men could make to remain so ignorant who are like the Ectones Heyl. Geo. in Lyvon the original inhabitants of Poland who are diligent frequenters of the Churches but so extreamly ignorant that hardly one in a Village can say his Pater Noster Should any of you hear a man make a learned Discourse concerning any point in Geometry Arithmetick c. you might admire what you did not understand but if you were
To what end and purpose they are serviceable and much more Of what many who profess Christianity can give but a slender account Philip of Macedon Quintus Curtius Supplem 1. cap. having found the benefit of good education himself was careful to provide the best tutors for Alexander his son especially Aristotle by whose care and industry he was so well improved that it grew into question whether Alexander owed more to Philip who begat him or to Aristotle who taught him The Persians were exceeding exact in teaching their children betimes Xenoph. de inst Cyr. in princip they labored to prepossess their minds with good things before they were poisoned with evil as being rather desirous to see them do what was good then to punish them for doing amiss Nay the very Turks themselves are exceeding careful of training up their youth Grand Signor Seraglio pub by Mr. J. Greaves p. 70 71. those especially that are to be for the more immediate service of the grand Seigneur The course that is taken with them so soon as they come into the Seraglio is admirable and nothing resembling the barbarism of Turks but beseeming men of singular vertue and discipline for they are exceeding well tutored and daily taught as well good fashion and comely behavior as they are instructed in the rites and ceremonies of the Mahometan Law and whatsoever else may tend to the enriching of their minds What will such Christians be able to answer for themselves at the day of Judgement for their neglect of this duty wherein they see themselves out-done by the purblind Heathen I come now to the second Branch of the Exhortation which is to children and servants to submit themselves to discipline and to be willing to learn that which conduceth to their souls health And that they may more cheerfully yeeld up themselves to publick and private instruction I beseech them by the mercies of God to consider Sect. 1. Your eternal salvation depends upon your knowledge of and faith in Christ what ways God hath for those who dye in their infancy we shall not be curious to inquire much less confident to determine But for such as are come to the use of reason and to years of discretion he saves none but such as can and do act faith in Christ Hos 4.6 How can you believe on him whom you do not know Want of knowledge is destructive to yong as well as to old If you reject knowledge he will also reject you Either you have Parents that put you forward or they do not if they do you are bound to obey your Parents in the Lord for this is good and right Eph. 6.1 Disobedience to Parents in things which they command agreeable to the mind of God is direct disobedience to God himself If they be backward in their duty be not you backward in yours Your souls are your own and you must give an account to God for them God will require your bloud if you dye for want of instruction at your Parents hands but you shall perish in your sins Hell torments will not be a jot the easier to you because you come into them through your Parents fault If they be careless of your eternal welfare you had need to double your diligence to make your calling and election sure You are put to your shifts to provide for your selves in your greatest concernment you must take the more pains Are you so inconsiderable that your souls are not worth the saving why of such is the kingdome of God Sect 2. You were engaged hereunto by Baptisme your Baptismal Covenant engages you to learn all things belonging to your souls health You were baptized into the name of the Father the Son and the holy Ghost and will you always be ignorant who and what that Father Son and holy Ghost are And what each of them doth toward the promoting of your eternal welfare Will you grow old in the ignorance of that ordinance which you received so yong and render it fruitless You then renounced the world the flesh and the devil Repete quid interrogatus sis recognosce quid responderis tenetur vox tua in libro viventium presentibus Angelis locutus es Amb. de initiand c. 2. and were dedicated unto Christ What will you live and dye in the ignorance of him into whose warfare you have engaged your selves Remember what was askt you remember what you promised what stipulation and covenant was made that day between God and your souls Your words were spoken in the presence of Angels and they are recorded in Heaven If the children of Israel would be asking their Parents what was the meaning of Circumcision and the Paschal Lamb those Sacraments under the Law is it commendable for you to spend all your days and never inquire what is the end use nature of Baptisme and the Lords Supper the Sacraments under the Gospel I beseech you consider the vows of God are upon you Sect. 3. You have no assurance of your lives but may be quickly taken away and have no long time to learn What will become of you if you are called to an account before you have learned what to plead for your Justification I have heard of a young man who being desirous to be instructed in Moral Philosophy which is the Doctrine of living well was disswaded from it he was told he was too young in the flower and prime of his youth to which such harsh rules were no way suitable he might apply himself to that hereafter O! but saith he what if I dye before I be elder what will become of me then Think seriously on this the Charnel house hath as many little Skuls as great ones in it there are as many young as old carried out to burying We often see as the Proverb is the old Camel carry the young Camels skin to market Parents doing that office for their Children which in the course of Nature might be expected from the Children to their Parents If you were sure of long life yet it were no wisdom to put off this work to old age you will be then harder to learn your avocations more your hindrances greater Besides you must not put off sowing your seed until it be time to reap Since your time is uncertain work while it is to day neglect not your season Sect. 4. You have much to do in a little time Ars longa vita brevis our life is but short but our lesson is long and difficult A Christians task is never at an end so long as he lives he will have something to learn or to learn better There be many things necessary to make the man of God perfect throughly furnished unto every good work The sum of Christian Religion though it may be drawn into a short Catechism yet 't is of large extent Every Article requires an age to know it throughly As there are many things to be known so many of them are
very difficult 1 Tim. 3.16 the whole knowledge of the Gospel is a mystery a great mystery yea beyond all controversie it is a great mystery 2 Pet. 3.16 There be many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things hard to be understood And alas our apprehensions are but dull at spiritual heavenly things You are like vessels that have but little mouthes which receive whatsoever is put into them dropmeal Such vessels will be long in filling there must be the greater diligence and continuance at the work Sect. 5. You ought not to be admitted to the Lords Supper until you have attained a competent measure of knowledge when you are grown up you will take it ill to be kept back from that spiritual banquet but to admit you without knowledge is but to admit you to your own destruction to invite you to poison instead of meat to admit you to eat and drink your own damnation 1 Cor. 11.29 But of this again hereafter Nemo ex juvenibus ad Coenae communionem admittitur nisi prius examinetur an Mysterium hoc sacrum probè intelligat Judic Theol. Helvet Syn. Dodr. S. 15. Sect. 6. You are free from some of those unjust prejudices which keep others from this necessary work It 's usual with some of riper years when they are called upon to be instructed to break out What do you make us children still we are too old to be catechised What an irrational retortion and answer this is we shall consider in its proper place but you with whom we have now to do have no pretence to this plea. You are young and none of us brought knowledge into the world with him but we must get it It is not so much a shame to be ignorant as to continue so when we have means and opportunities to learn It cannot be expected that any should know the things of God till they be taught and youth is the fittest time to learn You take it no disparagement to learn a Trade or Mystery when you are young why should you think it any to learn the great Mystery of Godliness Sect. 7. You are subject to stronger affections passions lusts in your youth and therefore should more carefully lay in provisions against them It 's a great matter to abstain from the sin of youth Magnum est à vitiis juventutis abstinere Amb. in obitu Valentin to 5. p. 107. Grave est juveni cujus aetas est florulentior Id. and to renounce the vanity and folly of it in our very entrance into the world There is a great emphasis in the word Wherewithal shall a Young man cleanse his way Psal 119.9 A Young-man who is in the heat of blood fulness of strength height of affections and many times under the greatest lusts It 's a hard taske for such a one to submit his ear to discipline and to conquer these corruptions he had need to be more careful to fetch in strength Fretum adolescentiae Florus l. 1. c. 26. and to arm himself against it The Historian calls Youth fretum a troubled and tempestuous Sea when as a riper age is but Otium maris a quiet and calm Bay a safer Harbor in a quiet Sea it is no such hard matter to steer and govern the ship aright Cum sit aetas lubrica fraenari ac regi debet Lact. but in a tempestuous and working Sea it requires more care and diligence Youth is a slippery and unsteady age and had need of much caution and circumspection to restrain and guide and fix it Upon this consideration St. Ambrose thus read that place Lubricae ac perplexae sunt viae juventutis non solum fragilitate lubricae aetatis prolabitur sedet ignorantiâ mandatorum Amb. ibid. Prov. 30.18 There be three things which be too wonderfull yea four which I know not the way of an Eagle in the air of a Serpent upon a rock the way of a Ship in the midst of the sea and the ways of a Man in his Youth Therefore David was fervent in this prayer Remember not the sins of my Youth Ps 25.7 What through the giddiness and headiness of that age and what through that ignorance which most commonly attends it it is exceedingly apt to run into error What is the best means for a young man to cleanse and direct his ways why by taking heed unto thy word In the strength of this it was that Joseph repulsed the down-right temptations of his lewd Mistris How shall I do this wickedness and sin against God Gen. 39.9 It is this that gives the young man knowledge and discretion Prov. 1.4 Sect. 8. Knowledge when you have attained to it puts an extraordinary lustre and honor upon you and of all knowledge this divine and saving knowledge most All other knowledge is but blindness and ignorance in comparison of knowing Jesus Christ and him crucified Other knowledge puffs up but the knowledge of the things of God edifieth In those places before mentioned where God commanded them to teach their children his statutes and his ways he tells them that this shall be as front lets and bracelets it shall be their greatest ornament This made David wiser then his Teachers Psal 119.98 99 100. then his Enemies then his Antients because Gods Testimonies were his continual study and meditation What a sweet savor did Josiah leave behind him who at eight years old knew the Lord and walked in the ways of David his Father 2 Kings 22 23 chap. entred into covenant with God reformed Religion destroyed Idolatry and turned not aside either to the right hand or to the left 2 Tim. 3.14 What an honor it was to Timothy that he was instructed in the Scriptures from a very child 1 Kin. 18.12 Am 1. ubi supra To Obadiah That he seared the Lord from his youth to Valentinian the Emperor that he was so good at such an age How precious are the memories of Edward the Sixt Vid. their lives and the young Lord Harrington upon this account as wickedness in grey hairs is double iniquity so piety in young men is double gilt its like apples of gold in pictures of silver Sect. 9. Lastly You are growing up toward the having of children and families your selves how will you be able to teach them their duties then if you be ignorant of your own now And here let me add to all that hath been said before that it is a sad thing to see young people thrusting themselves into the world and taking upon them the government of Children and Families who never yet had any acquaintance with God nor know any thing of the Principles of Religion who are usually very sollicitous what Portion they shall have what Joynture they shall have but never enquire what abilities they have to discharge the Duties of those Family-relations which they are engaging to these things never come into their thoughts It was said of Herod that it was better being his
Christ and his ways are you not ashamed of your filthy ignorance and will you be ashamed to use the means to cure it But yet where there is an unconquerable bashfulness which yet in this case should be laboured against there may be means found to instruct such in a less publique way Object 4. But Catechising is for children we are grown up to be of mens and womens estate Answ If you have not yet learned it is more then time to begin now Your age is no presciption against a duty that God requires You should rather bemoan your mispent youth and redeem your lost time then plead it in Bar against your future knowledge do you ever intend to learn or no if not you will unavoidably perish in your ignorance if you do then begin while you have time and opportunities and means offered you There be children in understanding as well as children in age and those need instruction as well Muscul in Ps 19.7 or rather more then these Of old not young children onely but those of riper years if ignorant were to be catechised In those places before instanced they that were able to ask a reason of every piece of Gods service were to be instructed and these were past children The Chatechumens or persons to be catechised mentioned above were all such as were converted to the faith whether young or old in which form they continued till they were fully instructed in Christian Religion and fitted for the highest Ordinances Object But what is this but to teach children by roat like Parots what they do not understand Answ It is not the bare saying of a Catechism by heart but the understanding it that we mainly drive at we shall labor to make them understand it as far as they are capable though some may not be able to understand it others areâ— 2. Though they who are very young can but say it yet as age and discretion come on they will increase in knowledg He that now onely learned may come in a little time to understand the meaning on 't But he will never understand who never learned There he some terms of Art in all Sciences which the learner must get though he understand them not when he comes to make use of them then he will understand them Object 6. What is this but to take Gods work out of his hand whose work it is to teach and who hath promised that in Gospel times we shall be all taught of God Answ God in this as usually in other things works by means he teaches us by the Ministery of men This reason is as much against Preaching as Catechizing We might expect such an Objection from super-Ordinance men and to them we would suit another Answer But not from them who acknowledge Gods Ordinances those who are taught by Gods Ministers according to Gods Commands Rules and Directions those God teaches We take not Gods work out of his hand but like his Ushers we teach under him and or him By this time I hope you that are Parents and Masters see the conveniency excellency and necessity of instructing your Families and Children and Servants see that it is their duty and for their great advantage to learn I come now to the last stage of my intended journey upon this subject 3 Branch of Exhortation which is to press all sorts of people of what age or degree soever to a chearful submission to this necessary work of instruction in the fundamentals of Religion Not that I intend the bringing of the aged to publick Catechizing though I shall shew you anon what the Reformed Churches think fit in this case but that they would submit to private personal instruction in the points which be necessarily to be known for their salvation I easily foresee the difficulty of the work which I have in hand against which flesh and blood will undoubtedly make head For first there is naturally a willingness in mens hearts to conceal their miserable ignorance whereof they would not be thought guilty We desire to hide our spiritual defects as well as our natural ones The ignorant as well as the prophane hates the light that he may not be discovered Secondly We shall meet with the horrid pride which too often accompanies such black ignorance of those who think themselves too wise to learn of whom I may say as it was said of others in the like case they might have attained to a good stock of knowledge if they had not thought themselves wise enough too soon There is no greater enemy to knowledge then presuming ignorance Multi ad sapientiae vestigium pervenissent nisi se jam pervenisse putassent Plin. Pride and self conceit bar the door against instruction Those who think themselves rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing when they are poor and naked and miserable are hardliest convinced of their sad condition Rev. 3.17 Isa 47.10 Prov. 12.1 Thirdly The Devil will never be wanting with all hiâ— skill malice and interest to divert or binder a work so directly tending to the overthrow of his Kingdom We have an essay of his good will to works of this nature Acts 19 â—8 20 21. when the word of God began to be manifested and to prevail with some to bring them out of his power he surs up Demetrius who put the people in an uproar against Paul where had not providence diverted their fury he might have been torn to pieces amongst them What between these several oppositions which we easily forecast and others which we cannot so readily see we may say as Paul did that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against Principalities c. But be the opposition what it will Gods mind must not be concealed nor our duties undiscovered for fear of displeasing the Devil and his Partizans If it appear not to be Gods mind we leave you to your liberty but if it be then whether you will hear or whether you will forbear we must lay it before you And I hope that God will so effectually convince you of your duties in this particular that none shall be able to open his mouth against it nor refuse it unless it be such as apprehend not the benefit of it or wilfully shut their eyes against the clear light of Scripture To such I shall onely propose these insuing considerations which by Gods grace may serve to quicken them to their Duty Sect. 1. Ignorance is a damning sin in all the mind without knowledge is not good it darkens the understanding Prov. 19.2 Eph. 4.18 Isa 5.13 Hos 4.1 Job 21.14 and alienates from the life of God this is one main ground of Gods controversie against a Land when they have no knowledge It is a character of the worst of men not to desire the knowledge of his ways But it is much worse in aged persons who have had more time and opportunities to learn Job 32.7 9. Days should speak and
Christ 2 Tim. 3.15 1 Tim. 4.15 Though Timothy was instructed in the Scriptures from his very youth yet he was to give attendance to reading and meditation and to continue in so doing that his profiting might appear to all In the Scriptures a Lamb may wade and an Elephant may swim Heb. 5.12 There is meat for strong men as well as milk for Babes There be some easier truths for the less learned and some harder to exercise the understanding of more knowing men Eph. 2.22 Heb. 6.1 Our Christian Faith is a spiritual building where it is not enough to lay a good foundation 1 Thess 3.10 but to go on to perfection The saith of the Thessalonians was such that it was a great support to Paul in his afflictions but yet there was something lacking in their faith which he desired to supply by personal instruction But suppose your knowledg to be more then it is yet you may want quickening and liveliness to the exercise of your knowledge Iron sharpens iron Prov. 27.17 and the countenance of a man his friend as by whetting one iron against another that which was dull gets a better edge So by familiar and friendly conference especially with those whose knowledge is greater your parts grow more vigorous and active The learnedest men may gain much by discourse and imparting themselves one to another if they could not add to one anothers knowledge yet they may warm one anothers hearts Holy conference is a great improvement both of parts and piety Every Christians experience may I presume seal this truth we often meet with good old Christians whom though we be able to teach yet we have from them some such savory ex ressions as much affect our hearts and quicken us to our Duties There be many advantages which an humble Christian may gain by his frequent and familiar discourses with his faithful Pastor besides the encrease of his knowledge which yet is no small nor contemptible benefit Act. 18.24 26. Apollos himself though mighty in the Scriptures learnt much by conference with Aquila and Priscida Sect. 4. There be very many duties which God require of you in your particular standings and relations which you are altogether unable to discharge till you be throughly instructed in the business of Religion Your several Relations into which God hath cast you have their several Duties to which you are obliged In your Families you are Husbands Wives Parents Masters and to the discharge of every one of these Relations aright there is need of much holy skill Prophane persons never heed it ignorant persons cannot perform it they can neither pray with them nor for them nor instruct nor correct them according to the mind of God which they are ignorant of As you are members of civill Societies you have Duties to perform which you can never do aright till you do them upon Scripture grounds Ro. 13 5. and have learned to obey for conscience sake As you are members of a Church and are in Brotherly communion with others Mat. 18.15 there be duties too of admonition instruction exhortation c. which will seem uncouth and be unfeasable till your mind be enlightned and your hearts warmed with this heavenly knowledge Men may make a great noise and flourish in the world who have really little or no worth in them But the true trial of a Christians excellency consists much in the faithful discharge of the duties of his particular Calling and Relations Sect. 5. Christians are bound to this mutual and reciprocal act of teaching and exhorting one another 1 Thess 5.11 Heb. 3.13 Heb. 10.25 of building up one another in the faith of the Gospel as you are bound to instruct and exhort others so to submit to the instruction and admonition of others though private Christians how much more should you be ready to learn of those who are set over you in things appertaining to your souls and admonish you whom you ought highly to prize for their works sake The Apostle urges this argument in that 1 Thess 5 12 13. Sect. 6. You are bound to render a reason of the hope that is in you 1 Pet. 3.15 to every one that asks it Not that it is expected that every Christian be able to give an exact account of every article of Faith and of all the subtilties that are about it or that he is bound at all times in all places in all companies upon all occasions to give an account of his faith and hope to every captious Questionist But when he is fairly called thereunto and the glory of God and the good and confirmation of his Brethren requires it In such cases Luk. 12.8 9. he ought boldly to make profession of his Faith and to defend it by all the arguments he can though it should bring him into trouble How much more ready should you be to do it Act. 19.8 to those who enquire into your faith not to betray nor persecute you but to instruct establish confirme you and to supply what is lacking in your Faith Sect. 7. The want of this is the reason why we have so many titular Christians who enjoy the name of Christians but are utterly ignorant of the mystery of godliness it is an unseemly and unworthy thing Indignissimum est si ejus nesciamus leges placita cujus tamen nomine professione censemur Bulling in 1 Pet. 3.5 that we should be ignorant of his Laws and Ordinances whose Disciples we would be reckoned I shall give you my meaning in the words of a late learned Minister of our own now with God who having admired Gods goodness in giving 〈◊〉 the glorious Gospel 〈…〉 48. to 55. which hath now so long shone so clearly amongst us goes on to bewail that after such rich injoyments of the means of knowledge there should be so many thousands amongst us who being askt a reason of the hope that is in them cannot speak tollerable sense why they are Christians rather then professed Infidels That there should be whole Parishes who cannot afford one wise word toward the defence of our most holy Profession that many who will take it very ill if they be not accounted as good Christians as the best should think no otherways of Christ then some do of St. Patrick and S. David and other of the Saints of their own Countries He goes on to bemoan that dismal fog of Popery which doth yet darken this Island Popery which few men think of viz. that blind absurd implicite Faith of believing as the Church believes There is not saith he a pin to chuse between him that believes in gross what the Church of England beleives and him that beleives as the Synagogue of Satan the Church of Rome believes if neither know any thing explicitly what either Church believes And concludes to our present purpose I see no hope but the Colliers Faith will have the greatest number of
Professors whilst accurate Catechising of all sorts of people which did so much good in the * Cognitio scientia Christi Evangelii olim Christiano populo multo perspectior fuit quà m hodie Id. ut supra Primitive times is so generally neglected Sect. 8. You cannot with any colour of reason expect to be made partakers of the sealing Ordinances without knowledge this is one main thing wherein the trial of your fitness is to be made whether or no you discern the Lords body If you eat and drink without knowledge you eat it undiscerningly 〈◊〉 if you eat undiscerningly you eat unworthily and if you eat unworthily 1 Cor. 11. you eat and drink your own damnation In the Synod of Dort it was thought fit that all that brought their children to baptism Non admittitur testis Baptismi c. should give an account of their faith and knowledg before their children were baptized and that none should be a witness at the baptizing of an Infant who were not first examined concerning the nature of that Sacrament and the Office and Duty of a Witness And for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper they judge that none should be admitted to it but those who first make a publique profession of their Faith before the whole Congregation Ad coenae Dominicae usum nemo admittetur nisi qui Doctrinam Chatecheticam probe teneat fidei suae rationem coram totâ Ecclâ—siâ publice reddat Judic Hassio Theol Our Liturgy enjoyned not onely Parents and Masters to cause their Children Servants and Apprentices to attend dâ—ligently and obediently upon publique Catechizing until they had learned the Catechism appointed Rubrick for Confirm but also strictly forbids to admit any to the Commuâ—ion until such time as they could say the Catechism and were confirmed Ignorance as well as scandal was ever reckoned a bar sufficient to keep from the Sacrament Sect. 9. Ministers are to take care of all the flock Act. 20.28 over which God hath made them overseers Elder people are either members of the several flocks or no if not then these are as sheep without a shepheard if so then they are not to exempt themselves from that care which we are obliged to take of the whole flock The sheep which withdraw themselves from their shepheards care are manifestly exposed to the worrying of the ravening Wolf Sect. 10 Ministers are to give an account to God for their people Heb. 13.27 which when I seriously consider I profess my sinews are loosened and my joynts tremble to think what an account we have to make to God I have sometimes wondered at the self-denying modesty of those times when Gregoryâ— Nazieneâ— Ambrose In their Lives printed before their Works and others being called to be Bishops hid themselves and fled away from such high imployment But when I sadly consider the weight of the Ministerial imployment and the account that must be given to God for the flock I wonder that more do not flie from it And if they must give an account to God for you it is but reasonable that they take an account of you God hath made us Stewards in his house it is a great honor but withal a great trust If a Noble man will exact an account of all the business of his family at his Stewards hands it must be necessarily implied that others shall give up their account to him else how shall he be accountable to his Lord If we must be called to an account for your proficiency we may justly call you to an account about it O that you would help us to give up our account that we may do it with joy and not with grief for that will be unprofitable for you 1 Thess 2.19 A thriving people are here a Ministers crown and joy and will be much more so when he is to give up his account in the day of Jesus Christ What a comfort will it be when God calls a Minister to reckoning for his imployment if he can bring with him many precious souls which he hath by his Ministery converted strengthened confirmed and can say in the language of the great Shepheard of our fouls Behold here am I Isa 8.18 and the children which the Lord hath given me When God shall ask him as Esau did Jacob Gen. 33.5 Who are these with thee he can chearfully answer as Jacob did These are the children that God hath graciously given to thy servant in the exercise of his Ministery On the other hand what a grief will it be to a Minister when God shall call him to an account of his employment that in the bitterness of his spirit he must return such an answer as this Lord I have preached in vain I have labored in vain I have stretched out my hands all my life long to a rebellious people I have spoken to them the great things of thy Law but they have accounted them a vain thing I would have healed them and they would not be healed I would have gathered them and they would not be gathered I have piped to them and they have not danced I have mourned for them but they have not wept I have laid thy Law before them but they have not trembled I have preached the Gospel to them but they have not beleived Lord thou knowest how I have daily bended my knees to thee in prayer for them I have spent my strength and time in preaching to them I have watched for them when they slept and labored night and day to bring them to the knowledge of Jesus Christ I would have instructed them but they would not learn but they have continued proud and peevish and stubborn and ignorant and refuse instruction Good friends take heed and be well advised such an account would neither be to a Ministers comfort nor to a peoples profit Sect. 11. The concurrent consent of all Protestant Divines Synod of Dort ses 15. not onely singly considered and dispersed which would be too tedious to recite but as united into one body in the most considerable Assembly that hath been of the Protestants since the Reformation Where though some thought it would be a difficult work to bring antient people to be publickly catechized especially in the first setting this unusual work on foot unless they would voluntarily submit themselves thereunto yet they all agree in this that Parents and Masters ought to be constantly present at the publique Catechizing their Children and Families that so they may the better take notice of their proficiency and know how either to encourage or reprehend them accordingly and be hereby the better inabled to teach them themselves in private And further that they ought to submit themselves to trial if not publique as some noble persons had done to the great advantage of the Church of God yet that they would be content to learn in private which is all that we now press and which they all
consent we may exact when they come to have their children baptized or to be made partakers of the Lords Supper Sect. 12. It was the practice of the Minister of the Church of Empden Ibid. once a year to visit every house to exhort Parents Children and all the Houshold to their Duties and chiefly that they continued in the duty of catechising St. In Vit. Aug. c. 7. Austin was wont to teach publickly in the Church and privately in particular private houses as he could meet with occasion to instruct his people Docebat ac praedicabat publice privatim in domo in ecclesia verbum Dei Act. 2.46 5.42 20.20 It 's a frequent expression of the Apostles that he taught them in the mysteries of the Gospel not onely publickly but from house to house he taught them not onely in the Temple at their general meetings but from house to house in private too as opportunity was offered him Private domestical personal instruction is necessary and exceeding useful whilst it is done in subordination and subserviency not in opposition to the work of publick teaching But by the way those words from house to house may bear another sense The Church of God at Jerusalem was now so great and the members of it so many Beza in Act. 2.46 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they could not meet in one place for the service of God and the participation of Ordinances That Mother Church sent out as it were Colonies they divided themselves into more Congregations which met at several places houses and so the Apostles preaching from house to house might be but his taking care of and instructing these several new planted Churches in the doctrine of the Gospel But I pass that Sect. 13. How many have made sad complaints against their former Ministers that they were ignorant and unable or lazy careless and negligent in instructing them in the ways that tend to life If now they may have help and means that way by such as beseech them to accept of their help if now I say they refuse neglect and contemn that motion it will be more then suspitious that it was not out of conscience and desire to be better instructed that they sought their removal but for the revenging of some old grudge or for the obtaining of some base carnal sordid temporal advantage of their own Where such rotten principles set men on work it is no wonder that they remain as bad as ever It is just with God to render that Ministery unsuccesful to them who never sought it for the subduing but for the gratifying of their lusts Sect. 14. The saving knowledge of Jesus Christ will enable you to undervalue all these sublunary things and makes abundant recompence for the want of them The former of these is clear from the Apostles judgement and practice 1 Cor. 2.2 who contented himself with the knowledge of Jesus Christ as with the richest treasure yea he counted all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. Phil. 3.8 The latter is as manifest as the former in this that when others comfort themselves in their corn and wine and oyl when they glory in their Houses Lands Friends Revenews Rents he whose soul is enlightned from above can glory in the Lord and in the knowledge of his Name which overweighs them all When the King of Spains Herald its a known story had proclaimed all his Masters swelling titles King of Spain and Arragon King of Naples and Jerusalem c. The King of France his Herald answers him by proclaiming his Master as often King of France King of France intimating that that one Kingdom of France was worth all the Dominions of the proud Spaniard When carnal men have crackt of all their earthly Priviledges prerogatives and enjoyments they all fall short of this inestimable treasure of knowing God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arrian Epict. l. 4. c. 9. and him whom he hath sent his Son Jesus Christ The Philosopher could encourage his Schollar against the vaunts of wicked men in their worldly enjoyments by bidding him put his Philosophy in the scales against them all if thou hadst nothing saith he to lay against their enjoyments thou art miserable indeed but if thou hast the knowledge of Philosophy thou hast that which is more worth then all their enjoyments How much rather may we say so of the saving knowledge of God in Christ if thou hast that thou hast that to which all earthly things bear no proportion Sect. 15. It will be a leading example and a great encouragement to those under your charge to submit themselves to learn when they see their Parents and Masters not disdain to be instructed Inferiors live more by the Eye then by the Ear they rather observe what you do your selves then what you command them to do If the examples which you set before them be speckled and ring streaked their practises will be such too it will little avail any of you to command your families to be sober when they see you frequently reeling and drunken to command them not to swear while they hear you daily swearing and blaspheming to command them to observe the Sabbath whilst you prophane it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Xenep de inst Cyr. in princ to be catechised whilst you your selves hate instruction Lynus yet a child when he compared the strictness or the education of the Persian youth with the drunkenness of the old Courtiers could tell his Grandfather Astiages That they commanded the Youth one thing but did the quite contrary themselves We have severe Lectures of Sobriety read us when as saith he your stammering tongues and stumbling feet proclaim your Drunkenness Judg 12.5 The best way to make them good who are under your charge is to give them good example If there be any thing worse then other in your behavior they are aptest to pick out that for their imitation Gen. 12. Gen. 20. Abraham was an eminent servant of God both for his faith and obedience the greatest failure we finde in him was in his dissembling to say no worse when he denied Sarah to be his Wife And yet we finde Isaak who was a good man Gen. 26. culling out this sin for his imitation and sinning after the similitude of Abrahams transgression so apt are we to follow the evil that is set before us It concerns you much to take heâ—d what examples you give seeing your children are so apt to write after the copies which you set them when you your selves ingage in that which is good and then say to your families as Gideon did to his Souldiers as you see me do so do yee then there 's some hope of an effectual reformation Inferiors suffer themselves easily to be bound by those laws which they see observed by those that made them thou shalt have them readily obedient to thy
commands when they see thee practizing what thou enjoynest them It was the reproach of Appius Appius Lucretiae Regum juris quod ipse composuerat oblitus Flor. lib. 1. c. 24. In commune jubes si quid censesve tenendum Primus ipse subi Claud. Prius disce qui doces Lanct that he forgot the Law of his own making and that he who had expelled Tarquin for a rape himself committed one Pompey was famous for giving good rules but as infamous for breaking them first himself When a Father or a Master of a Family doth truly fear God Suarum legum Author Eversor Tacitus Vid. Muscul Psa 7.7 he will both by his Precepts and Example endeavor to bring his whole houshold to the knowledge and obedience of God too but if he be a wicked person himself whatsoever commands he may lay upon them his corrupt practice will hazard and indanger the ruine of them all Mind that place in Joshua well Josh 24.15 I and my house will serve the Lord it is not I without my house a good man would willingly bring all especially those of his Family to heaven with him nor is it my house without me I am contented that they shall know and serve him but I will not This is all one as if one should say I am willing that my Family should go to heaven but for my self I am resolved to go to hell But it is I and my house I will enjoyn them no more then I will do my self I shall walk before them by mine own example but I will not leave them to their own choice whether they will serve God or no. It 's a pernitious liberty which suffers men to be either of no Religion or of a false one You must provoke them to this good work by doing it before them or else they will be apt to think that it is onely a device to keep children in awe but not a duty necessary to salvation Thus have I according to the grace of God given me Conclusion endeavored to perswade you to lay the foundation whereon the Fabrick of your salvation is to be raised Other foundation can no man lay let every man take heed how he builds thereuponi fanyman build upon this foundation 2 Cor. 3.10 11 12 c. wood hay stubble his work shall be burnt with fire but if any man build gold silver precious stones his work shal abide and he shall receive a reward You have seen the sad inconveniencies which attend the neglect of this work and the great advantages that accrew to those who exercise themselves in it Profit is a spur to Piety Moses his eying the recompence of the reward quickened him in his Duty The Lord give you understanding in all things that you may know where your interest and greatest concernment lies And now Brethren I beseech you by the tender mercies of God by the precious merits of Jesus Christ by all that is dear and precious to you that you suffer this word of Exhortation to prevail with you to the performance of your respective Duties God will have much glory and your poor Souls will one day find the comfort on 't And as for me it will be an abundant recompence of this and all other pains which I have taken amongst you if I may find your hearts more and more inflamed after the saving knowledg of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ as he is revealed in the Gospel Finally what remains Act. 20.32 but that I commend you to God and to the word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified Humbly beseeching the God of peace Heb. 13.20 that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant that he would make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen READER THere remaining some spare room and meeting with this short Catechism used heretofore to the benefit of many Christians by that eminent and faithful servant of Christ Mr. Robert Lilly late Minister of Campden I thought fit to annex it here as out of a desire to promote thy spiritual good so to testifie that reverend respect which I bear to the memory of that worthy Person now with God Twelve Questions and Answers fit to be learned and understood by all those who desire worthily to communicate at the Lords Table Quest 1. WHat is the Ground of your coming to receive the Lords Supper Answ Because it is an Ordinance which Jesus Christ hath appointed in his Church for the spiritual good of every true Member of it Q 2. What is that spiritual good Christ hath appointed it for A. He hath appointed it as for a holy remembrance of himself so for a special means to confirm the faith of every true Beleever in him Q. 3. What need you or any man believe in Christ A. Yes I and all men are sinful both by Original and Actual sin and must die eternally if the Lord Jesus Christ do not save us which he will not do unless we beleeve on him Q. 4. How can you conceive that the receiving of Bread and Wine should be a means to confirm Faith A. Yes Because as they are a sign of Christs Body and Blood so they are a seal to confirm a special part of the Covenant between God and a Beleever and to give him an interest in it Q. 5. What is the special part of the Covenant which it both confirms and conveys to a Beleever A. That by Faith as he shall have his sin pardoned and Gods favor recovered which is signed and sealed in Baptism so in feeding on him by Faith he shall be nourished and preserved in that estate unto Everlasting life Q. 6. Hath every one that receives this confirmed and conveyed to him A. Yes every one that hath Faith if he come not unworthily for so he may hinder his own spiritual good Q. 7. May a Beleever come unworthily A. Yes in some sort if he do not carefully perform his Duty as he should both before he receive in receiving and after receiving sanctifying them all by prayer Q. 8. What is the Duty that a Christian must do before he receive A. He must duly examine himself whether he have Knowledge Faith Repentance Obedience Love and carefully renew them all so oft as he cometh to receive Q. 9. How may he know by his examination whether he hath these Graces yea or no A. By this Rule every one of them if he can truly say that his Performance is some his Endeavors are more his Desiâ—e is infinite Q. 10. How is a Beleever to renew these Graces A. In laboring to see the imperfections of them in seeing them to bewail them confess them crave pardon for them with a holy resolution to redress them Q. 11. What is the Duty which a Beleever must do in receiving A. In beholding the Bread and Wine thankfully to discern the Lords Body and by faith to receive them as the seal of God that by his faith he shall be preserved in Gods love and that they as instruments of God exhibit it to him Q 12. What is the Duty that a Beleever must do after receiving A. As to remember the Covenant made in receiving and continually to make use of it so to remember himself whether he have received that spiritual comfort to be had in it if he have to be thankful and make use of it if not to search out the cause and be humble for it FINIS READER BE pleased to correct these Errata's ere you read the Book because many of them marr the sense the literal slips especially in the Margin are less considerable you may mend them as you read Page 12. Line 3. for would r. worlds line 24 25. the words are misplaced in the beginning of each line in the 24. for thorough r. in some measure in the 25. for in some measure r. thorough p. 14. l. 17. r. in a wrack p. 16. l. 19. r. they will find p. 17. l. 5. for Baleans r. Baleares p. 21. l. 11. for Estones r. Estones l. 25. for vari r. vare p. 33. l. 22. for what r. which p. 53. l. 6. for be r. he l. 7. for he r. be p. 71. r. Greg. Nazianzene l. 22. for Eynus r. Cyrus