THE CATECHISERS HOLY ENCOURAGEMENT, To the profitable exercise of Catechising in the Church of England. Psal. 19.7. The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul: The Testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom to the simple. Luk. 2.46. And it came to pass three days after, that they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the Doctors, both hearing them, and ask them questions. LONDON, Printed by W. I. dwelling in Red-crosse. street. 1623. To the true Catechisers of his Church, the true grace mercy and peace of the true God, be true encouragement. IF I should accuse you for writing your many Catechisms, I should rather discourage yours from reading them, then excuse myself for penning these encouragements for us all to Catechising. Yet (let it be spoken with all humility) if you in the crowd of Catechisers each one find an excuse for all the company; I hope (if it be not presumption) you all will hold me excused, for these small encouragements for you all, being but one; If you observed, the two Texts of Scripture on the otherside of the former leaf, you may easily perceive, these things were one day Preached as Sermons of encouragement, in the Ears of Parents, Governors, and old men, in the Congregation; if you will see the leaves that follow hereafter, you may understand they were Catechising ways in the Hands of little ones in writing, for their encouragement, another day; I should then be very sorry, that what day soever they shallbe seen by your Eyes, you will see the motes that are in your brother's eyes, that labour to show you, though unworthily the encouragements that they have seen: but I hope you will join your Hearts in prayer, that God by all means, whether great or small, will hearten us all in this holy exercise. And so right humbly I rest your poor Brother in the Lord. THO. DOWNING. Aldermanbery London. To the Right Honourable, Right Worshipful, and all my soving and worthy Parishioners of S. Mary Aldermanberry London, the multiplication of all spiritual grace, and assurance of Celestial glory through Christ lesus our Lord. RIght Hononarable: Right Worshipful, and my best beloved in him that love's you best and hath paid for his love dearest. In the hearing of the most of you (according to the godly command of lawful authority known unto you all) I have lately entered upon that most commendable and most profitable course of Catechising: and to the end that I might the more cherish you, and bolden yours, I took courage to myself by God, before I began the work itself, to say something as a short beginning and introduction to my future endeavours by God's permission: For yourselves by way of Sermon and continual discourse, as the food of the strong, for your children and servants, by taking of the same into pieces, for the smallest and weakest disgestions, by way of questions, for all (I hope) as members of the same body, a fit receipt and preparation, especially it being the desire of of some of you to have these published for the benefit of children, as crumbs in common, I know whit-meates are wholesome for you that are grown great ones, but yet I presume it will not be troublesome to you to taste of the milk, both before, and after your small children. I shallbe refreshed before the Lord for the time present, as well as any fare can make me, if you like the Lord that maketh both the body and the bread, will accept of these poor pieces I have to present you; and for the time to come, your gathering of such fruit as is grown shallbe full payment for the past season: God that only must give increase (even to Paul's planting) grant unto your information, and my consolation, his heavenly blessing, through jesus Christ, to whom be all honour and glory. Your affectionate Pastor, THO. DOWNING. THE CATECHISERS HOLY ENCOURAGEMENTS TO THE PROFITABLE EXERCISE OF CATECHISING IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. Question. WHat way might a Minister win the wills, and sharpen the wits of Christians to be Catechised. Answer. By encouraging them unto the same out of God's holy word, as Solomon by his parables gives to the simple sharpness of wit. Pro. 1.4. Quest. How many motives be there to this godly work of Catechising? Ans. Many, but for memory sake they generally be divided into three: 1. the Matter of Catechising. 2. the Manner of Catechism. 3. the Means we have of Catechising. Quest. For the Matter, first tell me what the word Catechism is in signification? Ans. Catechism is a word that is drawn from the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Catecho, which signifieth to echo, or sound out, and so it is true, Instructions and answers are sounds from heaven, and echoes from earth, 1. Cor. 14.19 therefore Saint Paul useth the word to teach the rudiments of Religion saying, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. I had rather speak five (that is a few) words with mine understanding that I might (Catechise others) in the Church, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue? Quest. Who be those (others) the holy Apostle speaks of. Ans. Whosoever are capable but yet are void of the elements of the Christian faith. Quest. But is it not presumption at least if not folly, for small children to meddle with great matters of Religion. 1. Cor. 13.11 Paul confesseth, When he was a child, he spoke as a child, he understood as a child, he thought as a child, and before he became a man, he put not away childish things: how then should smattering children be fit for profound and holy matters? Ans. It is meet for us that are Children for all that, to read, to study, to meditate, and to confer touching grounds of Religion. Quest. What reason can be shown for that? Ans. A double reason: First from our own profit. Secondly from God's law. Quest. What profit will it be to you? Ans. That appears from the knowledge of God, without which vain is every child of man, but knowledge of God bringeth righteousness in this world, and in the world to come eternal life, as jesus saith, john. 17.3. This is life eternal to know thee to be the only very God, and whom thou hast sent jesus Christ. But as a candle through a window, so a glimpse of the Godhead may be discerned through the Crannies of our childhood. Quest. Profitable though it be, yet what warrant have you to tell me for it? Ans. David the holy father may be a pattern to all our parents, and he tells us and them in the 19 Psal. 7. Psal. 19.7. The Law of the Lord giveth wisdom to the simple, therefore we ought to receive it when it is offered, and Solomon his wise son, that may be a teacher of all the children of men, Pro. 1.4. To give to the simple sharpness of wit, and to the child knowledge and discretion, he wrote his parables, so that we are Salomons table books as well as others. Quest. But is not that to be understood of little ones of soul, rather than of body and age, of children in grace rather than in growth? Ans. Not rather, but indifferently to both, for the Lord of heaven requireth, Psal. 148.12 That young men and maidens, old men and children should praise the name of the Lord on earth. But they cannot do that till this, not acknowledge his praise till they know his person and properitie. Quest. But what then? grant it that children are docible, are their poor souls ere the safer for some knowledge without practice? What good would the light of the sun do a man and take away the heat. Wherefore holy David saith that a good understanding have all they that do thereafter, Psal. 111.10. and Saint james bids us not be hearers of the word only deceiving ourselves, jam. 1.21.22 but doers also: etc. But tender children do rather mind childish folly and play, then regard to practise that they hear, Pro. 22.15. hear Solomon, Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child? Ans. We must confess ourselves guilty of all but yet not without something to say for ourselves, and something that wise Solomon himself will say for us, and so we hope though one should break, the other will hold, we have a double answer. Quest. Which is the first? Ans. First for profit, if we learn something, and practise nothing, or but little. Quest. What profit would that be? Ans. There is a double commodity, first a profit pertaining to the way unto the end, secondly, a commodity in the end of the way. Quest. What commodity have you in the way? Ans. Information of our slender understandings, touching things to be known in the way to our future life, and not to be known to be believed, and not to be believed, to be done or to be shunned, to be feared, or to be hoped. Quest. What is your commodity in the end of the way? Ans. The end of instruction is incomparable not only grace in this short life but glory in life eternal. Quest. Why attain this great encouragement? Ans. Not learners, but livers, not hearers, but fearers, yet we that are poor children, if we have not this rich profit presently, we learn the right way by God's word to it, and this is a great part of profit, for as learning without living is unprofitable, so living without learning is impossible. Quest. But you say that wise Solomon hath something more to say for you, tell me what it is? Ans. He giveth us not only sharp but sweet, he calls us fools in the bonds of childhood, Pro. 22.15. but yet be makes us amends (though we fools do not think so) the rod of corection chaseth it away. Quest. But may not you attain this without knowledge, as well as many simple and illiturat men do. Wisdom saith Apply thy heart unto me, Wisd. 1. and think of God with humility. (Not speak mystically of him) but think and seek him in simplicity of thine heart, but a child may do this as well as many lay men do. Ans. Our answer to this is from every finger's end to the contrary, from the right hand to the left: 5. to 5. The five fingers: 1. Necessity of knowledge. 2. Tradition of Teachers. 3. Text of Scriptures taught. 4. Tuition of the Truth. 5. Encouragement to all. Quest. What necessity is there? Ans. It is necessity that we should have this knowledge of eternal life, either by our own studies or by others, either implicity or explicity, either by report or knowledge, and this is necessary for lay men as little children. Quest. What is that second finger of Tradition? Ans. It is no doubt better to have the documents, and lessons of Religion by our own labour then by tradition, yet first we must have them by Traditions of our teachers. Quest. What was the third answer? Ans. Thirdly we answer to the text alleged by Text of Scripture. Though God will accept of none without simplicity of heart, yet the Lord requireth more, as the Apostle saith, With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. jam. 1. So Saint james, that faith without works is dead. They deceive themselves therefore that trust to simple hearts, without understanding in matters of Religion. Quest. What is the fourth answer? Ans. Reason not to regard our own profit alone, but the tuition of the Gospel, and the defence of the truth, the depth whereof was never more digged at, nor the profession thereof ever more pushed at, now is the time both for old and young courageously to sanctify The Lord in their hearts, 1. Pet. 3.15. being ready to every one that shall ask a reason of their faith and hope that is in them. Quest. What is the fift Encouragement? Ans. Comfort and joy to all from the royal King that sits on his throne to the lowest subject, to prince pastor and people, as Solomon saith it did him. Pro. 27.11. My son be wise and rejoice my heart, that I may answer him that reproacheth me: And surely if ever there was cause, now there is, for all, for Kings to command, and Ministers to obey in instructing their hearers, and for both to make glad the heart of their dread Sovereigns, by witnessing of wisdom, and answering the spiteful reproaches of all hereiques. Which if every man would but labour for a while, hope we ere long, that if our adversaries will but stand at our Church doors, they shall hear those resounding ecchocs from the mouths of babes, that shall rejoice their nursing father and liege king, the spiritual and natural parents, and confound all false heresies, which grant O Lord jesus Amen. Quest. The profit of a thing doth not consist in the bare matter, so much as in the fruitful manner, and therefore since you have spent so much pains on the matter of Catechising, do no less on the manner, will you be tractable to be encouraged to know the same how it is to be performed? Ans. Yes withal our hearts and studies: for the manner God respects as well as the matter, and for defects in the manner doth reject the matter, as in Cain, Gen. 4.5. because he had not respect to the manner of his sacrifice to do it well, God had no regard of him nor his oblation, he had no profit nor commendation. Quest. What then in a word is required in the comely manner of this goaly business generally? Ans. As in receiving the holy Sacraments, devout prayer unto almighty God, Ex. 19.7.10. hearing his holy word, there is a time of premeditation, so in Catechising youth in the heads of Religion, there must be preparation. Quest. What duties are required in this preparation? Ans. The duties herein required are sundry, but for memory's sake again they shallbe reduced to three. Quest. Which be those three? Ans. First, duties that do concern yourself and those that are in place to teach us. Secondly, duties that do concern ourselves that are to be taught. Thirdly, duties that do concern our parents and governors, that are both to teach us, and to be taught by you. Quest. What be the duties concerning myself that am to Catechise? Ans. They are divers, as well as ours or our parents, but may fitly be drawn to three sorts. Quest. Which be those three? Ans. First, duties before Catechising. Secondly, duties at Catechising. Thirdly, duties after Catechising. Quest. You have answered plainly, so do still, and tell me what parts in me before we come to Catechising, will set your hearts on work with courage to it? Ans. Two: Faculty, and Freewill. Quest. What is that Falculty? Ans. It is that ability and power to open the doors of entrance into the temple of Religion, faith and godliness, both to old and young, rich and poor, for no man can enter himself that cannot open the door, so no man can teach that he doth not know, and as a Chariot man must have skill to rule the charge committed to him, else he can neither do well nor it, so neither can they be without danger whose Chariot of their souls is desperately left to an ignorant pastor, and Saint Paul tells Timothy, that a Bishop must be apt to teach, 1. Tim. 2.5. that is, one that can prudently moderate his labours to the stirring up and encouraging of his followers to the love of labours. Quest. What mean you by free will, which you say will freely encourage you to be Catechised by me? Ans. A willingness whereby you are godly well affected with all readiness to further our proceed and proficiency, desirous to be loved of your answerers and auditors, applying yourself to our green age, poor powers, and slender capacity, as our shepherd compassionate, first feeding us the tender Lambs of Christ's flock, joh. 21.15. before the flock of his sheep, not for any lucre and benefit of * Much was proffered in my Church before the King sent forth his charge to do it freely. hundred pounds, but for love and bowels of Christ the chief shepherd of our souls, our future happiness, and your own account of us at the day of judgement, neither for any disreputation, some scorners shamefacedly forsakeiug us bashful babes, but in an affable manner childishing with us in the handleing of these things and holy exercises, counting all your grating toil ours, and your own felicity in the midst of the furnace of your function, Dan. 3.25. as the Son of God and his Angel in the midst of the three faithful Children walking and talking with us. Quest. Set forward so still, and tell me my duty at my Catechising to encourage you? Ans. Your office now is threefold, 1. Matter. 2. Measure. 3. Method. Quest. What is the first? Ans. Matter. First to communicate and deliver wholesome doctrines and lessons, to the true end that we may attain precious wisdom, and cheerfully profit something in this open school of Christ jesus, Our Church therefore doth confine us to the Decalogue the Lords Prayer, and the Creed. Titus 1.9. and then we all hope steadfastly in God (though through our weakness we wots not how) that the learning and nurture of the Lord (as an army that is mighty and subtle) will insinuate itself, and slip into our hearts and heads, and creep into our souls, and hold there as Paul to Titus, Hold fast that faithful word according to doctrine, that thou mayest be able to exhort with wholesome, (not with eloquence or novelty) but with wholesome doctrine. This first will encourage us. Quest. What is my second duty, that being done will encourage you to do your duties at Catechising? Ans. Measure. If you instill these wholesome things by little and little (as we hope you will, and you ought to do) and not burden our childish wits with too much plenty (which will neither be profitable to us, nor pleasant to you) this will make us take good courage and strengthen us to come unto you merrily, as the proverb is Festinalente, hasten slowly, for to say truly, haste makes waste, and vessels that have narrow mouths, receive not the liquor hastily poured over, yet if it be by little and little dropped in, they may in time be filled, as job saith that Water with small drops will break stones, so may your instructions by degrees and soft steps get into our hearts more kindly then break in by oppression, this measure is the second encouragement. Quest. What third encouragement desire you at the exercise of Catechising? Ans. It will hearten us to wait upon your words, Methods. if they have not only full weight, but you set them in fair order, as the Apostle proscribes, 2. Cor. 14. that all things should be done in order, for words without method give sound without understanding, Oratio dat sive ment sonum. Esa. 5.17. and the prophet holy and eloquent, saith that the Lambs shall feed, but it must be by good order & manner, for this is the mother of all learning in all schools, and this will lastly encourage us at Catechising in Christ's school. Quest. You have answerea me, you have truly told me what you ought to desire at my bands in the time of this exercise, but what have I nothing to do afterward to encourage you? Ans. Two things if it please you: the one is the eye office, the other the ear, as those two are commonly the greatest encouragement, or discouragement, especially in our teachers. Quest. Which way may I encourage you with mine eyes? Ans. By looking after us, and watching over us, driving fare from us any evil thing, that may hinder us from the blessing and benefit of your labours, as corrupt company, which would poison us with corrupt learning and life, like bleared eyes that will make our eyes as blind and as sore as themselves; and by seeing that our consorts may make us more and more apt, better mannered, better learned, and this is the first and aptest manner to move and encourage us to learning after Catechising. Quest. Which way may I encourage you by my ears? Ans. By listening to our language whether it be of Canaan or no, to our words whether they be of one sweet fountain or no, I am. 3. not words full of savour in the Church alone, Eph. 5. gracious administering good content to our parents and all good people, with yourself in the Church, but such abroad as the ears of God himself, doth like and long for of these encouragements, we shallbe glad both before, at, and after Catechising. Quest. As you have told me soberly, that like Saint Peter's cock, Mat. 27. I must first clap and beat mine own side before I sing to you, now like little chickens let me hear you lift up your voices to tell me your own, and what is to be done on your side, what rules were good for you to have before your eyes to encourage your hearts? Ans. We are to have in mind the same orderly with yourself, before, at, and after Catechising. Quest. What are the rules before Catechising? Ans. Two, first, good minds must be to it, secondly, the best means must be used. Quest. What spirit must you be of, and how must you be minded? Ans. We must gird up our minds fit for labour, and one time after another revive our spirits when they are let down, for as it is lost labour for a waterbearer to pour it out of his tankard into a cistern that is deftled, or that will not hold, so is it for a Minister to put the Law of God into the mind of them that are or will not be docible, neither the father nor the son can well rejoice, Luk. 11. if when the father shall offer him bread, he will not so much as reach out his hand, he deserves to starve, that will not open his head, so those that will not be ready, but make light of the bread of their souls, and the bread of the Sabbath, if they should want a piece of bread it were no pity, what good will your masters do you, oh you excusefull servants about your master's business, when the Lord of your masters shall require these things at the day of your soul's account? the wheel we hope shallbe turned, and you like spokes in the same shall bear some part of the burden, to encourage us poor children. Quest. What is the second branch of encouragement before the tree of knowledge of God? Ans. Means that we can use in writing, that which you have written and delivered, both for us and our friends, and their families this maketh us to hear and hand your directions, and shun no labour to learn; Our rejoicing therefore aforehand to stoop like children weakly to the grounds of Religion, is that we are able to write them with our fingers for our learning, though inperfectly. Quest. What morsels or draughts are those that will comfort you at Catechising? Ans. Two: Heb. 2.2. The first to eat savourly the counsel, and receive attentively your commandments reverently, with all pains that we are fit for markeing the places that you press to us, & knead upon us in this holy place, that we may deliver and draw again that we receive from you: that you may as the conduit, and we as the pipes, run into our parents, as the vessels and tanckards, these waters that must be divided amongst us at home. quest What is the second comfortable morsel at the time of Catechising? Ans. The second encouragement it is, that this Catechising is but a little break fast in the morning of childhood and youth, and we hope for a feast and dinner to strengthen and settle us in the age of Manhood, and to be satisfied with our Master jesus Christ at Supper: for why should not the light of the Gospel, that in this exercise dawneth upon us, make us to look up to higher purposes, and expect fairer points, and to trust that after these groves and purleyes of low shrubs without the pales, we mean these questions of primerlie beginners, we shall come to walk among and to clime upon the Cedars of Lebanon the mountain, one day being able to ask questions, as well as now to answer. Quest. What branches of encouragement grow behind this tree of the knowledge of God? Ans. Two branches spring out after Catechising. Quest. Which is the first? Ans. The first branch after our Catechifing that comforts us is grafted in our memory, for this heartens us, that our heads through delight in this holy exercise, Heb. 2. do not let slip that you have taught us, for this remembrance is the mother of the muses in our schools, and more in the house of God, nothing breedeth knowledge more in religion, than heed taking, that those things that we have heard as out of cracked vessels run not out, yea further, though the morning of our childhood lets many a drop of this heavenly dew to sweat and bleed through, yea we hope that as the Sun in his Tabernacle, that riseth and runneth over us, and sets down upon us, doth tan our tender skins, so continuance of sitting in this Sun of God's holy Tabernacle, will leave a Christian colour of godliness upon us, this is the first comfort after Catechising. Quest. What is the second comfortable branch after Catechesing? Ans. Then the gift of God to take pleasure in that we remember in this and the like exercises of godliness, to think willingly ourselves most happy to have our wits exercised, and seasoned with this heavenly liquor, and filled with this ripe treasure, so to shun pleasures that are noisome, and therefore to delight in reading, hearing, medetating, and conferring of the same, which for instruction will make us the apt, but for swearing, lying, or idleness, to eschew them as serpents, which will make our thoughts to fall foolishly from these things, as if they were toilsome. Quest. As you have showed me what milk out of my breasts will encourage, and battle you in the first place, secondly, as your mouths have satisfied my soul with the good things that concern yourselves; so the next thing is to know what blessings your fathers, and mothers have in keeping for you, if you do this duty manfully, if you be the sons of wise parents, they will further you in proceeding on the wisdom of God very much; for look how much joy they hope to reap in the harvest of their fullness of days, from you there young seed, so much seed of grace and godliness must they set in the beds of your childhood, as you have told me your duty to them, so what will you ask or choose of them? Ans. Not to leave us riches, if they may, not to lend us righteousness, if they could, not to get us for honour, or honour for us, when neither we, nor that shall long abide, not to make us their deerlings in worldly pleasures, 1. King. 2.9. but as Solomon gardens full of the flowers of wisdom, and grace of God to regard us. Quest. What blessings then do you namely desire of them? Ans. As in you and ourselves the same order did comfort us, so in them both before, at, and after Catechising. Quest. What duties will comfort you from your parents, like Gardeners and you the gardens? Ans. Three, first, to see us sown with good seed, when we have been dressed like a garden. Secondly, to blow upon us, as the South wind upon the Rose bud, and water us like wells, when we are in sowing and dressing. Thirdly, to lock us up well from the browsing and bruising of beasts, and picking of birds, afterwards we mean to look to us carefully after Catechising. Quest. But are they obliged to grant and to stand to these duties? Ans. Both of them are bound to stand to them by a double law. First, of nature. Secondly, of God: Nature binds them, whenc comforts descend to us from the god of nature, having made such a well of natureall affection in the garden of nature, that waters all the plants, and children therein to be beloved entirely; a living and running stream to provide for us carefully, an inbred care to cherish us from our conception tenderly, till we be made able to shift for our selunes by God our father almighty. Quest. But how doth the Law of God bind them? Ans. Our bended knees shall do their humble duty to them, and our prevaileing tongues shall cheerfully ask of them, whether they can find in their indulgent hearts to do otherwise or undo us, Esay. 49. the Prophet therefore as a spiritual parent makes it a strange question, saying, Can a woman (if she be not worse than a very beast) can she forget her child, or a mother (except she be worse than a very Tiger) can she not have compassion on the son of her womb? Luk. 11.9. So the bowels of all compassion, our Saviour, his heart earns towards us, when he tells us what our parts are in three terms past: that a son must ask, First, before such food as this be set him. Secondly, he must seek at Catechising. Thirdly, he must knock after at the doors of his father's ears and heart: Secondy, he specifieth our parent's duties in answerable points, demanding for answer to the first, whether any father will not give his son bread, & not a stone, before this: Secondly, if at this feast he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent: Thirdly, if the son knock again, whether the father instead of an egg, will give him not a shell, but a scorpion? as if he should say, no father that hath but the bowels of nature in him, but he will put good meat into the mouth of his child, so now no godly father but will put wholesome things into the heart of his son. This therefore doth encourage us that we hope, look how many fathers we have, so many jacobs we have, that will tenderly love us, being so many obedient josephs', Gen. 37.34. and little Benjamins, and look how many mothers, true ones to us, so many loving, affected grievously, that their eyes should be open to see their poor children's souls cut a sunder, 1. Kin. 4. but as much rejoicing to keep them safe from the murderous sword, that is in the mouth of the harlot, and the false mother. Quest. Now you have summed out their affections, let us cast over the particular effects of those affections, and first before Catechising? Ans. They are not so few as that a child can tell them; yet more than there be good fathers and mothers, but as the parents are two, so shall their parts be both before, at, and after Catechising. Quest. What is the first before Catechising? Ans. First we answer, that as before we could either ask of them, or answer what they asked, before we knew these hands one from another, they performed Christian parts in suffering us little infants, Mat. 19.14. not able to come, no: but in bringing us to Christ, so that as the kingdom of God belongs to us, so we to it, by being delivered into the arms of Christ's mercy at the Baptistery, so now as they promised before at Baptism and vowed they would, they will look that we can say understandingly in our mother tongue, the ten Commandments, the Lords prayer, and the holy Apostles Creed, so as from them we may be taught whatsoever is necessary for a Christian to know to his salvation. But this (we heartily thank them) they have done, and this is the first encouragement. Quest. What is the second thing that the loving parents have done to you before hand, to give you courage to this holy exercise? Ans. It is the first encouragement that Baptism of water, wherein they put upon us the white & pure garment of Christ to cover us, but it doth secondly encourage us, that as we grow in years and stature, they provide the warm garments of education, and not only fit our bodies with clothes that are long and large enough for us, but their desire is to fill our souls with fit meat for us, and therefore we have been led and carried to godly schools before we could go ourselves, and sent to such houses where we have learned to read and write, and so they have spent their money, and we the months of our youth, in tasting the principles of Religion, Heb. 5.12. that now when they have sent us to Church, we are able to drink up the precepts of piety: 1. Tim. 4.5. so that our parents being like Timothy's Grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice, 2. Tim. 3.15. instructing us before hand, we are encouraged (we thank them) to this holy exercise. Quest. Whereas you have showed me what seeds of encouragement you have received already from your parents, so now tell me when Christ is come down into you, as into his garden beds, what things do encourage you now? Ans. As in a garden, water and wind will make seeds and nuts to grow and flourish, Cant. 6. if they be seasonable and soft, and Southernly, so in our hearts, so will the prayers and praises of our parents, Can. 4. lovingly blowing upon us, will make us spring and spread beautifully; and therefore we pray them now to sanctify us unto God at this holy exercise, and as ever they desired to be delivered of us out of the vault of the dark womb, so desire now that we be conceived from above, joh. 3.5. and borne again of water and the holy Ghost, that we may be delivered in our hearts, from that which they naturally, and the devil maliciously hath put into us in the first garden: joel. 2.16. so the Prophet did sanctify the children, as well as the Congregation, and so did Hannah consecrate her son to the Lord, 1. Sam. 2. esteeming him better as the child of God, than her own, his prepared for life, hers for death. Quest. What is the second thing that doth encourage you at the time of this work from your parents? Ans. The second is the South wind, of sounding still secret praises to almighty God, blowing on the buds of goodness and grace, that they see shoot from us, as signs of the summer of ripe and good fruit hereafter, not having stinking breath, from corrupt lungs and rotten teeth, as the old pharises, murmuring, and grateing their teeth against the Lord and his disciples, Luk. 19.39. saying, Master, rebuke thy disciples, when they deserve to be rejoiced at, nor as the surly and the saucy Scribes, Mat. 21.15. when they saw his marvelous works, and heard his gracious words, such as never man spoke, joh. 7. yet they send officers to apprehend him, and for the children that cried in the Temple, Hosanna to the son of David, disdain at it, as if it were but boys play: so did they, and what is this that many amongst us do? cavil and carp in every company, they come in, contemn the Congregation, censure the Catechising, and charging the Catechiser either of tediousness, or of hardness, or of confusedness, or else odiously presuming to compare what one doth, with what another Minister doth, if they cannot deny but it is good, yet mince, it is not so good as such a ones, and in my mind such a course were more commodious, when none will content them that are so combustuous, but these are sleights of the devil to discourage the Ministers, to discomfort the Congregation, to i'll the new kindled courage of the children, to dishonour the ordinance of God, whiles the devil doth lead them out by the elbows, from liking any thing that is good, but we hope our parents, while we are setting forth the praises of jesus Christ with our mouths, will not have stony heart, but spread the boughs in the way, and cast the garments of gratitude and honour in the paths of his ordinance for the same. Quest. What is the lock of this garden, Can. 4. to keep you and that is implouted in you, in this exercise, and what blessings do you desire of your parents after Catechising? Ans. We have two private domestical petitions, to put into their hands at home, yet as children have a privilege, we may tell the truth in public; let not our parents be angry if we speak to them here for our encouragement to be domestical schoolmasters, at home examining us over and over what we have learned at Church, and as they have faculty more plentifully, as our heavenly Father commands that they should whet them continually upon their children, Deut. 6.6.7.8.9.10.11.12 and bind them as frontlets (or signs of remembrance) and writ them upon the posts of their doors, and if they shall set them up upon the dry and dead posts of their houses, or else one post will cry out to another for judgement for neglect of God's commandment, how then shall we their surviving posterity perishing, how loud shall our blood cry for judgement against our parents? 1. Kin. 20.31 and therefore if the servants of Benhadad can slay the Kings of Israel are merciful, if the adversaries can, we may much more, that our gracious King of England is merciful to the little people in his kingdom, and we doubt not but that the Lord took of that spirit which was upon King David, Num. 11.25.29. and put it on our King, when he in Psal. 34.11. Calls and says, Come little children hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear (that is the true Religion) of the Lord, the Lord take of the same spirit and give it to the threescore and ten Elders, we mean the Ministers of his word, and the Masters of the families of this populous kingdom, that as we are (as Solomon saith of himself) the sons of our fathers (their derlings) and tenderly beloved of our mothers, Pro. 4.4. so the fruit may be seen by being instructed by them, and locking our hearts to hold fast God's word, and to keep our King's commandments, that so we may live, live here religiously, live with the King of Kings hereafter eternally. Quest. What is your second petition, wherein you do conclude all you are able to crave at their hands? Ans. The last is this, that though we be not all one men's sons, nor all of one degree and birth, nor of letter and shape, nor all of one stature of body, nor of one nature, disposition, and faculty of soul, yet from the honourablest to the meanest that is a child, from the beautifullest to the homeliest that hath a father, from the strongest to the weakest that is borne of a mother, that they would (God to help) consecrate us to the best service and worship of God in this life that we are fit for, not regarding blood, beauty, or bigness, to our hindrance in the holiest things, for if the seminaries of heresy do give such encouragement, and their blinded kings do as Nebuchadnezar did, Dan. 1.3. first speak to their Eunuches to prick & choose of the children of Israel of the king's seed, and of the Princes. Secondly, children in whom was no blemish but well favoured. Thirdly, ripe witted, instruct in all wisdom and well seen in knowledge. Fourthly, strong and without in firmitly in body, or without impediment in speech, able to utter knowledge, and such as were able to stand in the king's palace, if they that are the princes & Eunuches of Babel be so laborious, so liberal to provide every day such children for their king, and such portions of the king's meat, for the children they corrept and corrupt, to the end they may stand, and instruct their kings to carry them to hell and destruction, then how much more should our spiritual and natural parents of jerusalem, of what degree or dignity soever enourage us in the true way to God and salvation? and when they have seen at our Catechising any hope of profit, or vein of godliness and virtue in our faces, they would thereafter let their hearts and hands go as Gods do, Pro. 20.11. for as Solomon saith, A child is known by his studies, Syra. 33. whether his works be pure or right, hopeful or Noah, fit for our calling if not for another, though not as Samuel did, yet growing a little in favour and credit both with God and men, with these on earth, Transition. and him in heaven. So be it. Amen. Quest. Turn your hearts now from the matter of encouragement in Catechising itself, and from the manner of it either in the Minister or yourselves, or your parents, turn your hearts from these two, and tell me the third means of heartening you from the means we all have by God's blessing? Ans. 2. Cor. 6. The means to make our hearts large with comfort to us all, is very large, and the ways many, but that we may go down from the Temple with the same comfortable steps numberly that we came up, the means we find is threefold, Before, At, and After. Quest. What are the means? Ans. 1. Temples our hearts are. 2. Temples our bodies are in. 3. Temples that they shallbe in hereafter. Qu. Before we come, what are the temples of courage. Ans. Three, First, jesus Christ our head is a Temple of comfort to us, the holiest of holiest to our hearts, Eph. 2.20.21. jesus Christ himself being the head corner stone, in whom all the building being coupled together, groweth unto an holy Temple to the Lord. For if it were a comfort to good joseph, Luk. 2.16. and the blessed Virgin Mary, to find him in the Temple after three days seeking him, when he was but twelve years old, and when the Temple of his body was to be destroyed, joel. 2. behold a thousand times more encouragement it is to us, to seek him in the Temple of glory that never perisheth, whether we are taught he is raised and ascended, and where are we to learn to worship God through him. Que. Which is the 2. part of this spiritual Temple? Ans. The Foundation of this holy Temple of comfort to us is twofold, 1. Principal. 2. Subordinate. Que. What is the principal Foundation of courage? Ans. The Foundation principal is the Scripture, the holy Prophets and Apostles, as Saint Paul to the Ephesians 2.20. Ye are built up on the foundation of the Apostes and Prophets, and this no small comfort that we have so sure a foundation that cannot be shaken. Quest. What is the subordinate foundation of this Temple of courage to this exercise? Ans. Though we have not so many Prophets as the Church of Israel had, nor so many holy Apostles as the Primitive Church had to comfort us, yet our Fathers are the Fathers of more prophetical sons and apostolates than they were, and our Church the Mother of more reverend Doctors, Luk. 2. than the Church of jerusalem, to teach us the way unto life eternal; and this though subordinate is no small encouragement. Quest. What is the third Temple of encouragement that we are to our own hearts? Ans. Not only Christ our corner stone doth comfort us, but the Church, though in a less measure, and not only our flourishing Church, but even every Christian in the Church, which is fuller of Temples of the holy Ghost, than flourishing Corinth, for we hope our Preachers may speak to more than S. Paul then could there, Know you not that your bodies are the Temples of God, 1. Cor. 16.17 & not only Temples but holy; For the Temple of God is holy, which ye are. Having therefore a head or corner stone of so fine gold as Christ, a foundation of such pure silver that hath been seven and seven times tried in the fire, we receive the golden cordials of courage from them both to this holy exercise, that ever we were borne to be Temples built of the same Temples. Quest. What is the second general means of encouragement at Catechising? Ans. The Temple we are in, which is either for the matter of it, or the manner, either the outward, or the inward parts of it comfortable Que. What comfort is there for this from the Temple? Ans. The sacred Churches wherein we meet together in due sort (let God have his due praise for it) to hear and learn the grounds of Religion, if they were but few & strait and poor bouses, yet might they be some courage to us, but they are many, large and beautified, the many Cathedral Churches ordained to spread religion, and the goodly Colleges annexed to both, both for enlarging of learning in Church & Commonwealth, what largeness of comfort do these bestow upon us? beside the vulgar schools where many poor boys and girls poor orphans do learn these foundations of religion, these do spur us forward to this learning of Catechising, lest the Churches that we are in, at the last day should condemn us, when they shallbe consumed with fire for our negligence in the same. Secondly, for the manners in the Church, such consociation and concord of Ministers of the Church in the exercise of godliness; such rules and Laws both for Pastor and people in, and, of the Church, such variety of exercises in the Church after the necessity of sorts and degrees, whom would they not move either to govern, or to be governed to Catechise or to be Catechised? away therefore withal those spirits that either if they be able will destroy the matter or the manner of this Temple we are in, such as depopulate Towns, and disfigure Churches, or any ways steeple the beauty of the Temple we are in, or the rule & government of the Church we are of, that as soon as they be lose, fly upon the throat of the Church, it is a shame, it is a shame, that any such should be suffered to the great discouragement of the weak, but because this is not a thing that is upholden in our charges, let it pass, and let us take courage from our Temples, as Adam did in Paradise in innocency, more than the Israelites in the Tabernacle, or the jews in their Temple, and this must be by keeping them religiously, & useing them reverently, & receiving instructions attentively. Qu. What is the Temple that we shallbe of, which us Temples in the Temples we are in, doth so encourage? Ans. This is as far beyond and above all other Temples of encouragement, as heaven is above the earth, the celestial Temple this is, a Tempole so high, so great, so holy, so precious, so clean, so walled, so dored, so gated, so windowed, so situated, so founded, so squared, so long, so broad, so garnished, so allied, so full of all these, that john's eyes could not see it, Reu. 21.11. for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb are the Temple, this is our last, our best comfort that we hope our poor desires of our hearts, our echoes of our mouths shall not like lead and earth descend downwards, but shall be heard in that Temple, whether we hope for our encouragement, the exorable clemency of God will bring us his poor Temples, that when our dead bodies shall descend into our graves in these material Temples, our souls shall before ascend into that Temple so glorious, that it cannot be called a Temple, whether the head of both Temples, jesus Christ bring both our bodies and souls at the day, when he shall judge us, to whom be all honour, and glory, both in the Temples of heaven and earth, for ever. Amen. FINIS.