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be_v think_v to_o prescribe_v matter_n to_o your_o considerate_a debate_n i_o shall_v therefore_o forbear_v any_o further_a to_o trouble_v you_o but_o assure_v you_o that_o god_n will_v counsel_v you_o in_o thing_n which_o concern_v his_o church_n make_v man_n in_o place_n and_o power_n a_o blessing_n to_o his_o church_n give_v to_o brethren_n a_o spirit_n of_o union_n with_o and_o condescansion_n to_o your_o just_a and_o pious_a resolve_n and_o to_o our_o people_n of_o ready_a and_o cheerful_a submission_n to_o your_o exhortation_n and_o command_n and_o that_o not_o only_o because_o you_o exhort_v and_o command_v duty_n but_o also_o with_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n be_v and_o shall_v be_v the_o hearty_a and_o constant_a prayer_n of_o reverend_a sir_n the_o mean_a of_o your_o brethren_n and_o servant_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o gospel_n
profession_n of_o christian_a religion_n justinus_n martyr_n insert_v the_o use_n of_o catechise_v as_o a_o excellency_n to_o the_o christian_n in_o his_o persuasive_a apology_n exhibit_v to_o the_o emperor_n and_o senate_n of_o rome_n it_o cause_v admiration_n in_o the_o monument_n the_o fox_n act_n and_o monument_n french_a doctor_n when_o but_o exercise_v by_o the_o child_n of_o merindoll_n martin_n luther_n think_v it_o his_o glory_n to_o profess_v himself_o discipulum_fw-la catechismi_fw-la a_o learner_n of_o the_o catechism_n but_o the_o excellency_n of_o this_o duty_n will_v appear_v by_o lay_v before_o you_o 1._o the_o prescriber_n of_o catechise_v 2._o the_o professor_n of_o catechise_v 3._o the_o proper_a matter_n of_o catechise_v 4._o the_o peculiar_a end_n of_o catechise_v first_o evidence_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o catechise_v be_v from_o the_o prescriber_n of_o it_o catechise_v it_o evidence_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o catechise_v the_o author_n of_o every_o work_n add_v much_o to_o the_o lustre_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o same_o the_o excellency_n then_o of_o this_o exercise_n be_v exceed_o great_a while_o it_o own_v no_o other_o author_n then_o excellency_n itself_o the_o wise_a all_o know_v and_o all_o sovereign_a god_n who_o teach_v it_o by_o his_o spirit_n to_o his_o people_n in_o the_o day_n of_o adam_n and_o of_o abraham_n and_o afterward_o command_v it_o to_o his_o people_n the_o jew_n in_o exod._n 12.26_o 27._o when_o your_o child_n ask_v etc._n etc._n you_o shall_v say_v it_o be_v the_o lord_n passover_n psal_n 78.5_o 6._o he_o command_v our_o father_n that_o they_o shall_v teach_v their_o child_n from_o these_o place_n as_o also_o from_o deut._n 4.9_o teach_v they_o thy_o son_n 37._o his_o direction_n for_o christian_a life_n lib._n 3._o p._n 37._o mr._n downam_n infer_v god_n command_n for_o catechise_v moreover_o in_o deut._n 6.7_o we_o see_v god_n enjoin_v this_o duty_n while_o he_o command_v that_o they_o rehearse_v or_o whet_v on_o the_o mind_n of_o their_o child_n his_o law_n so_o likewise_o deut._n 11.19_o the_o word_n which_o be_v use_v to_o rehearse_v come_v from_o a_o hebrew_n root_n schanan_n to_o whet_v or_o sharpen_v by_o repetition_n of_o stroke_n these_o command_n ainsworth_n tell_v we_o the_o rabbi_n do_v understand_v of_o catechise_v who_o himself_o also_o tell_v we_o god_n preseribe_v here_o a_o brief_a catechism_n in_o the_o ground_n of_o religion_n beside_o we_o find_v wisdom_n express_o to_o direct_v this_o exercise_n in_o prov._n 22.6_o train_z up_o or_o instruct_v it_o may_v be_v read_v catechise_v a_o child_n in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o youth_n the_o hebrew_n read_v it_o teach_v a_o child_n at_o his_o mouth_n that_o be_v as_o nurse_n feed_v infant_n with_o the_o breast_n or_o spoon_n at_o the_o mouth_n so_o teach_v child_n by_o put_v word_n into_o their_o mouth_n which_o can_v be_v no_o other_o way_n then_o by_o catechise_v so_o we_o shall_v also_o find_v it_o prescribe_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o pass_v by_o the_o text_n which_o do_v clear_o declare_v it_o to_o be_v a_o duty_n we_o shall_v find_v christ_n direct_v nay_o command_a peter_n and_o in_o he_o all_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o feed_v as_o well_o his_o lamb_n as_o his_o sheep_n which_o mr._n downam_n note_v to_o be_v a_o impose_v of_o this_o duty_n or_o exercise_n of_o catechise_v on_o minister_n and_o god_n by_o paul_n direct_v father_n to_o bring_v up_o their_o child_n in_o the_o instruction_n and_o information_n of_o the_o lord_n ephes_n 6.4_o so_o that_o i_o may_v well_o conclude_v god_n himself_o to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o catechise_v and_o it_o therein_o to_o be_v exceed_o excellent_a second_o evidence_n second_o evidence_n as_o catechise_v be_v excellent_a in_o respect_n of_o god_n the_o prescriber_n thereof_o so_o also_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o professor_n and_o practitioner_n thereof_o who_o we_o shall_v find_v to_o have_v be_v the_o lord_n bosom_n friend_n and_o endear_a people_n the_o righteous_a who_o be_v the_o excellent_a on_o earth_n such_o as_o god_n have_v high_o prize_v and_o admit_v into_o familiarity_n with_o himself_o as_o abraham_n joshua_n david_n jehoiada_n which_o in_o the_o second_o reason_n shall_v god_n willing_a be_v more_o full_o manifest_v and_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o jesus_n christ_n do_v countenance_n and_o commend_v as_o exceed_v excellent_a this_o exercise_n by_o his_o submission_n to_o it_o at_o twelve_o year_n of_o age_n although_o full_a of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n able_a to_o reason_n with_o the_o doctor_n this_o mr._n downam_n collect_v from_o luk._n 2.46_o where_o it_o be_v say_v christ_n sit_v among_o the_o doctor_n he_o conceive_v among_o the_o catechumeni_fw-la under_o the_o doctor_n which_o conjecture_n seem_v to_o be_v suggest_v by_o calvin_n and_o marlorat_n on_o the_o place_n who_o declare_v their_o judgement_n to_o be_v that_o christ_n sit_v under_o or_o before_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o law_n not_o in_o their_o chair_n for_o that_o the_o time_n of_o his_o preach_n be_v not_o yet_o come_v three_o evidence_n three_o evidence_n the_o proper_a matter_n of_o catechise_v proclaim_v the_o excellency_n thereof_o in_o that_o it_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n the_o sum_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o chief_a head_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n infer_v and_o clear_o flow_v from_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n this_o be_v that_o excellent_a and_o celestial_a matter_n with_o which_o the_o mind_n be_v enlighten_v take_v up_o the_o whole_a affection_n and_o carry_v on_o a_o man_n to_o the_o contempt_n of_o all_o excellency_n under_o the_o sun_n yea_o even_o of_o life_n itself_o for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o it_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o wisdom_n more_o precious_a than_o ruby_n and_o most_o precious_a pearl_n in_o the_o find_n of_o which_o be_v life_n and_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o lord_n now_o that_o this_o kind_n of_o doctrine_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v proper_o and_o principal_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o exercise_n as_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n in_o his_o church_n i_o shall_v more_o full_o clear_a to_o you_o in_o the_o three_o thing_n propound_v to_o be_v speak_v to_o viz._n the_o matter_n and_o manner_n of_o catechise_v four_o and_o last_o evidence_n last_o evidence_n the_o excellency_n of_o catechise_v appear_v by_o the_o peculiar_a end_n thereof_o which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o high_a excellency_n of_o god_n glory_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o which_o we_o may_v see_v this_o exercise_n to_o carry_v by_o plant_v the_o knowledge_n and_o remembrance_n of_o god_n in_o youthful_a even_a infant_n mind_n by_o put_v posterity_n into_o a_o capacity_n of_o sound_a god_n praise_n for_o past_a favour_n powerful_o bend_v the_o soul_n into_o the_o good_a and_o righteous_a way_n from_o which_o it_o will_v not_o depart_v in_o old_a age_n by_o preserve_a truth_n in_o its_o purity_n and_o the_o soul_n from_o apostasy_n and_o place_v in_o the_o heart_n principle_n directive_n to_o all_o duty_n in_o all_o condition_n and_o estate_n whatsoever_o this_o end_n be_v not_o only_o commend_v to_o we_o in_o the_o divine_a constitution_n of_o this_o exercise_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o centre_n of_o all_o scripture_n instruction_n but_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o express_o declare_v that_o timothy_n his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o and_o from_o his_o childhood_n which_o with_o downam_n and_o calvin_n we_o may_v conclude_v more_o then_o probable_o he_o have_v learn_v by_o instruction_n or_o catechise_v from_o his_o mother_n and_o grandmother_n be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n wise_a unto_o salvation_n 2_o tim._n 1.5.3.15_o the_o excellency_n of_o catechise_v appear_v to_o be_v thus_o great_a i_o hope_v will_v expel_v all_o base_a thought_n concern_v it_o and_o persuade_v your_o spirit_n that_o it_o be_v a_o gospel_n exercise_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n we_o therefore_o pass_v from_o that_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o second_o reason_n of_o the_o doctrine_n reas_n 2_o the_o second_o reason_n be_v the_o antiquity_n of_o this_o excellent_a exercise_n for_o that_o which_o be_v most_o ancient_a be_v always_o grant_v to_o be_v most_o true_a the_o christian_a religion_n be_v most_o ancient_a and_o this_o as_o a_o special_a part_n thereof_o will_v be_v find_v of_o equal_a antiquity_n and_o when_o we_o shall_v consider_v it_o to_o have_v stand_v in_o the_o church_n as_o long_o as_o the_o church_n have_v stand_v on_o the_o earth_n to_o have_v be_v of_o old_a esteem_v observe_v and_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o christian_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o more_o authentic_a and_o lay_v the_o great_a obligation_n upon_o we_o for_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o and_o in_o enquiry_n after_o the_o
of_o the_o novelty_n thereof_o and_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o three_o reason_n which_o be_v the_o necessity_n of_o so_o ancient_a a_o duty_n reas_n 3_o three_o catechise_v must_v be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n because_o it_o be_v exceed_o necessary_a which_o necessity_n upon_o serious_a &_o second_o thought_n will_v appear_v to_o be_v great_a unto_o all_o such_o as_o desire_v to_o be_v find_v good_a proficient_o in_o the_o school_n of_o christ_n even_o as_o necessary_a as_o abc_n to_o a_o child_n first_o go_v to_o school_n as_o the_o rudiment_n of_o any_o art_n or_o science_n a_o man_n desi_v to_o know_v and_o profess_v as_o a_o foundation_n to_o building_n without_o which_o it_o can_v stand_v as_o milk_n for_o babe_n new_a bear_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v in_o scripture_n hold_v out_o in_o such_o term_n and_o similitude_n viz._n principle_n element_n foundation_n milk_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o the_o apostle_n use_v in_o the_o text_n teach_v we_o that_o this_o neglect_v the_o soul_n can_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o be_v always_o unstable_a and_o as_o child_n ready_a to_o be_v toss_v to_o and_o fro_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n can_v be_v prepare_v for_o and_o make_v capable_a of_o high_a learning_n to_o read_v ready_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o lord_n priesthood_n and_o their_o privilege_n thereby_o and_o those_o thing_n that_o shall_v tend_v to_o the_o perfect_a of_o their_o faith_n and_o complete_n of_o their_o comfort_n this_o be_v the_o great_a cause_n of_o our_o author_n sharp_a reproof_n of_o the_o hebrew_n in_o the_o text_n for_o when_o he_o come_v to_o communicate_v to_o and_o teach_v they_o high_a lesson_n in_o the_o school_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v not_o yet_o perfect_a in_o the_o first_o form_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n nay_o they_o can_v grow_v forward_o in_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n but_o like_o child_n without_o milk_n be_v lank_a and_o lean_a always_o ready_a to_o exspire_v that_o principle_n of_o life_n that_o be_v in_o they_o nay_o last_o they_o can_v unchatechize_v act_n and_o move_v orderly_a and_o methodical_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o christian_a duty_n but_o be_v very_o incident_a to_o confusion_n and_o disorder_n for_o without_o all_o doubt_n one_o great_a cause_n of_o all_o that_o confusion_n that_o be_v in_o man_n mind_n and_o action_n in_o these_o day_n be_v the_o want_n of_o catechise_v whereby_o they_o may_v be_v enable_v to_o digest_v those_o general_a notion_n that_o fly_v in_o their_o brain_n into_o certain_a solid_a head_n and_o principle_n which_o may_v be_v stand_v rule_n for_o their_o direction_n it_o be_v then_o a_o exercise_n so_o very_o necessary_a i_o hope_v none_o can_v or_o will_v deny_v it_o to_o be_v a_o useful_a duty_n in_o the_o church_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o next_o reason_n which_o be_v the_o profit_n and_o comfort_n of_o this_o exercise_n reas_n 4_o four_o then_o we_o shall_v find_v catechise_v as_o not_o to_o be_v needless_a so_o to_o be_v very_o profitable_a and_o comfortable_a to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o general_n and_o the_o subject_n of_o it_o in_o particular_a for_o by_o serious_a enquiry_n and_o sensible_a observation_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o no_o barren_a plant_n in_o the_o lord_n garden_n nor_o yet_o fruitless_a ordinance_n to_o be_v reject_v but_o that_o which_o right_o use_v and_o skilful_o improve_v do_v produce_v to_o the_o comfort_n of_o all_o god_n child_n these_o several_a advantage_n advantage_n of_o catechise_v 1._o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n 2._o the_o propagation_n of_o it_o to_o posterity_n 3._o preparednesse_n to_o increase_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n 4._o profit_n by_o the_o word_n 5._o prevention_n of_o fall_v into_o error_n 6._o present_a capacity_n of_o communion_n at_o the_o lord_n table_n 7._o powerful_a disposition_n to_o duty_n advantage_n 1_o first_o than_o it_o preserve_v the_o good_a estate_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o maintenance_n of_o purity_n of_o religion_n for_o a_o catechism_n right_o frame_v and_o ground_v on_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o brief_a abstract_n and_o compendium_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n whereby_o all_o corruption_n of_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n be_v easy_o and_o sudden_o discern_v and_o detect_v and_o by_o diligence_n in_o this_o exercise_n truth_n be_v make_v like_o the_o goldsmith_n touchstone_n ready_a to_o receive_v with_o approbation_n all_o golden_a doctrine_n thereunto_o consonant_a but_o to_o make_v man_n fear_v to_o tender_v or_o if_o any_o dare_v presume_v ready_o to_o reject_v all_o base_a metal_n of_o false_a doctrine_n or_o practical_a innovation_n that_o be_v thereunto_o dissonant_n and_o yet_o may_v be_v sometime_o impose_v on_o the_o church_n for_o this_o sum_n of_o scripture_n as_o it_o may_v be_v call_v or_o to_o use_v luther_n word_n bible_n of_o the_o people_n or_o sum_n of_o christian_a religion_n do_v with_o more_o perspicuity_n and_o celerity_n conclude_v the_o truth_n and_o with_o more_o facility_n and_o speed_n pull_v off_o the_o vizard_n of_o a_o sic_fw-la dixit_fw-la dominus_fw-la thus_o say_v the_o lord_n from_o the_o face_n of_o all_o false_a prophet_n and_o seducer_n then_o the_o read_n compare_v and_o consider_v of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o resolve_v the_o same_o into_o catechistical_a principle_n which_o must_v be_v the_o way_n to_o oppugn_v the_o untruth_n impose_v even_o as_o hypocrates_n aphorism_n in_o case_n of_o physic_n coke_n institutes_n in_o case_n of_o law_n and_o the_o short_a axiom_n and_o stand_a principle_n of_o philosophy_n do_v more_o quick_o and_o sharp_o detect_v all_o contrary_a assertion_n than_o the_o more_o large_a and_o ample_a treatise_n and_o discussion_n of_o the_o same_o hence_o it_o may_v be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o lord_n jesus_n do_v no_o more_o particular_o by_o quote_v book_n chapter_n and_o verse_n prove_v the_o truth_n and_o purity_n of_o his_o doctrine_n preach_v to_o the_o jew_n be_v for_o that_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o rom._n 2.18_o they_o know_v his_o will_n and_o try_v those_o thing_n that_o do_v dissent_v from_o it_o be_v as_o be_v note_v before_o catechize_v in_o the_o law_n we_o may_v afso_o observe_v that_o paul_n give_v timothy_n a_o catechistical_a sum_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o in_o 2_o tim._n 1.13_o he_o call_v a_o faith_n a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o rom._n 6.12_o it_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d analogy_n of_o faith_n form_n of_o sound_a word_n and_o charge_v he_o to_o keep_v fast_o the_o same_o as_o a_o preservative_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o religion_n against_o the_o corruption_n which_o our_o nature_n be_v too_o prone_a to_o receive_v hence_o also_o it_o be_v that_o the_o father_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n do_v usual_o resolve_v certain_a catechistical_a eutyches_n catechistical_a as_o the_o nicene_n creed_n ephesine_n and_o of_o the_o several_a counsel_n against_o the_o heresy_n of_o arrius_n macedonius_n and_o eudoxius_n nestorius_n and_o eutyches_n verity_n into_o short_a and_o stand_a principle_n for_o the_o defend_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o pure_a truth_n of_o christ_n godhead_n &_o the_o like_a against_o the_o arrian_n &_o other_o heresy_n and_o moreover_o we_o may_v observe_v the_o devil_n strong_a engine_n against_o the_o purity_n and_o prosperity_n of_o religion_n to_o have_v be_v the_o obstruction_n of_o this_o exercise_n when_o he_o stir_v up_o julian_n the_o apostate_n as_o his_o curse_a instrument_n to_o make_v a_o more_o furious_a attempt_n and_o prevail_a assault_n then_o the_o ten_o first_o persecution_n on_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o take_v away_o christian_a book_n and_o put_v down_o all_o school_n of_o cateehize_v for_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o instrument_n be_v and_o be_v sensible_a that_o catechise_v be_v the_o thing_n that_o impede_v the_o rise_n of_o his_o kingdom_n for_o that_o by_o it_o the_o foundation_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n do_v not_o only_o remain_v firm_a but_o also_o the_o mean_a member_n of_o the_o church_n be_v make_v in_o some_o measure_n capable_a of_o contend_v for_o the_o truth_n and_o communicate_v the_o same_o to_o such_o as_o by_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o other_o part_n and_o ability_n be_v likely_a to_o enter_v the_o list_n with_o truth_n opposer_n in_o its_o defence_n though_o many_o eminent_a pillar_n even_o faithful_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v by_o their_o rage_n cut_v off_o so_o that_o martyrdom_n can_v master_v it_o but_o rather_o propagate_v it_o for_o sanguis_fw-la martyrum_fw-la become_v semen_a ecclesiae_fw-la by_o water_v these_o catechetical_a head_n of_o gospel_n doctrine_n and_o therefore_o the_o spanish_a jesuit_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v they_o have_v most_o hope_n when_o there_o be_v