by reformation of the heart who harken after the tune of the tongue and labour of the lips but not how men may be drawne to sanctification in their liues this is it which here the holy Ghost preuents by setting them to Catechising vvithout which indeed the people profit little Doct. According to the generall vse of the word hence may be obserued that Catechising is not onely and alone the dutie of a Minister but also other wayes of instructing and teaching Hee is not onely to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Proofe but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 28. 20. as Christ Iesus and his Apostles our perfect examples haue done before vs. Reasons And the reasons for it are manifest because the Minister is to reueale the whole counsell of God to build Acts 20. them vp as well as to lay a foundation also as some need Milke so others strong meate hee is one that must bring forth of his treasurie both new and old varietie of matter fitting the Auditorie for their increase of the knowledge of Gods will in all wisedome and spirituall Col. 1. Heb. 5. 1 Cor. 3. 2 Pâ—t 3. 18. vnderstanding Vse The people should not bee euer such bad schollers to need onely Milke but sometime strong meate so as they may encrease in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Iesus Therefore Ministers must not only giue Milke to such as be carnall dull of hearing 1 Cor. 3. Heb. 5. Babes â—nexpert in the word of righteousnesse as the Apostle saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opâ—â—s habenteslacte non solido cibo which stand in need onely of Milke but also to giue strong meat to them that are oâ— age Motiues which through long custome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 haue their wits exercised to discerne both good and euill Reason requireth this that vvhen the foundation is layd the house should be built vp Hee that is taught his letters must be learned to spell and so to reade and to vnderstand what he readeth Thus the Apostle Paul went on with the people as appeareth by his writings and the places quoted Much may be sayd to this purpose but my meaning is not to stand vpon the word here in the largest acception but according to the proper signification and speciall vse thereof the doctrine or position from which is this Doct. That it is a part of the Ministers dutie to Catechise his people Proofe This the Text sheweth where the Apostle setteth out the Minister by the name of a Catechiser and maintenance is here allowed for that worke of his Ministerie from this place other Scriptures confirme also the same 1 Cor. 14. 19. Rom. 2. 18. Heb 5. 6 1. What need reasons to perswade to acknowledge this a Reason dutie Know wee not that euery wise Teacher hath his principles of his Art which hee first deliuereth Children are first to haue Milke before strong meate But to make this poynt fully manifest let vs see what Catechising is for this proued will afford sufficient reasons for this truth Catechising is a diuine ordinance from olde time vsed What Catechising is in Gods Church as a necessary meanes to informe the rudâ—r sort summarily by questions and answeres in the principles of Religion In this definition we may obserue seauen things 1. the authoritie of it in this that it is said to be a diuine ordinance 2. the antiquitie in these words from olde time 3. the necessitie of it being a necessary meanes 4. the vtilitie of it seruing to enforme 5. whom it concerneth what partie ruder sort 6. the forme of it deliuered by question and answere 7. the matter of it the principles of Religion All these points being proued are as many seuerall sound reasons brought forth to prooue position or doctrine deliuered which briefly may be brought into this one Euery necessary meanes of olde time vsed and appoynted by God for instruction of his people in the wayes of saluation is to be vsed of euery faithfull Minister as part of his dutie but such a thing is Catechising as shall in the particulars be proued and therefore to be performed of euery faithfull Minister as part of his dutie 1. I say it is a diuine constitution for it is approued Authoritie for Catechising from God by the word as the former Scriptures shew which is Gods immediate diuine voyce and authoritie as also by his Church which is Gods mediate voyce and authoritie while it agreeth with the written word of God The Scripture mentioneth both Catechising here Gala. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. 6. 1 Cor. 14. 19. as also the Catechised Luke 1. 4. Acts 18. 25. 2 Tim. 3. 15. Rom. 2. 18. It is compared to Milke vvhich the Teacher is to giue from the dugge of Gods Word as the Apostle did 1 Cor. 3. Hebr. 6. 1. and Saint Peter vrgeth such as were Babes 1 Peâ— 2. 2. to desire it Wee see by experience that it is blessed of God to the diligent Teacher and Learner that Sathan doth resist it mans corruption is against it all which doe argue it to be of God and not of man what is of man we easily make much of but the naturall man sauoureth not the things of God It hath also the Churches authoritie euen all the Authoritie from Gods Church Churches of God from time to time as shall be after shewed Here I intend onely to vrge the authoritie of our Mother the Church of England and considering Gods authoritie and hers from God herein I may say with Salomon My Sonne heare thy fathers instruction Prouerb 1. 8. and forsake not thy Mothers teaching Wee haue statute law confirming the Booke of Common-prayer imposing See Rubricke after Confirmation it here God and the King doe speake vnto vs. Wee haue Ecclesiasticall Constitutions in the late Queenes dayes published and now in the last Câ—nons Anno 1571. Can. 59. by which Canon the negligent Minister 1. is to be reproued 2. suspended 3. excammunicated if he reforme not himselfe Heere God and his Church speaketh Wee haue this established by the high Commission in the Prouince of Canterbury Anno 1576. as also by the same in the Prouince of Yorke in Archbishop Edwenâ— time Anno 1583. Here wee haue the highest Ecclesiasticall authoritie speaking Lastly wee haue bookes of Articles from our Ordinaries in euery Diocesse for enquirie into this and the Church wardens are vrged vpon their soleâ—ne Oathes to present the carelesse neglect hereof Thus wee see the authoritie diuine both of God and his Church Secondly I say it hath beene a most auncient practise Antiquitie of â—atechising in the Church from time to time vnto this day It was in Abrahams time and vsed in his house Gene. 14. 14. compared with Cha. 18. 19. the Hebrew word translated brought vp signifieth one entring into Rules or first principles which Aâ—ias Montanus translateth expediâ—â—â— suos initiatoâ— now initiatus is one that is a yong beginner
TWO TWINNES OR Two parts of one portion of SCRIPTVRE I. Is of Catechising II. Of the Ministers maintenance BY RICHARD BARNARD Preacher of the Word at Worsop in Nottinghamshire 1 PETER 5. 2. Feede the Flocke of God which dependeth vpon you 1 CORINTH 9. 11. If wee sowe vnto you spirituall things is it a great matter if wee reape your carnall things LONDON Printed for George Norton and are to be sould at his shop neare Temple-barre 1613. TO HIS RIGHT Worthy much-beloued and singularly approued good friend Maister Iames Risley all prosperous well-fare tending to eternall safeâ—â—e SYR I cannot but often thinke of your singular good respect towards me in whom as now it appeareth long acquaintance in true loue hath bred a constant readinesse to doe me good not only when I am present with you as if you were as many be a friend to the face without sound affection fixed in the heart but also in my absence and that a far off when I supposed which was mine errour my selfe least in your thoughts and therefore farre enough from expecting so great kindenesses as I haue now receiued at your hands Surely SYR as I acknowledge that you haue sufficiently witnessed on your part beyond my expectation a minde fully bent to procure my well-fare so I pray you out of this your true loue to iudge me ready on my part to requite if I were able to recompence so great kindenesses vnto the full but I am indebted beyond mine hability to pay your satisfaction therefore from mee is onely my good will and your owne friendly acceptance of a thankefull heart a true token and sure testimony whereof be this my late and last labour which I bequeath vnto you till there be more fit meanes of recompencing your farre better deseruings In the meane space let it stand for a witnesse of my thankefulnesse which I haue euer desired to shew vnto all for euery little fauour receiued of any friendly well-willer This my labour in part concerneth the Laity wherein you may in your place occasionally be a very good instrument all meanes to further my intendment for the maintenance of the Ministerie In part also it toucheth many of vs of the Clergie in our too much neglected duty of Catechising the Antiquity vtility and right forme whereof is here set downe the godly consideration of which I humbly recommend to my Reuerend brethren of the Ministery in these parts to whose wise and indicious censure I submit this my best endeuour in this point crauing for it their friendly interpretation and for my selfe their fauourable countenance which I much desire and which if I may obtaine I will account as an addition of Gods blessing to my Lords most honourable fauours and as you one well knowne and approued shall be the instrument to effect it so will I value it as a part of high price in your vnfeigned loue towards me Thus thankfully remembring my selfe I commend my labour and my selfe to your friendly and kinde acceptance remayning Yours 〈◊〉 much beholden Richard Barnard From Worsop in Nottinghamshire Sept. 24. THE FIRST PART Of Catechising GALAT. 6. 6. Let him that is taught in the word make him that hath taught him partaker of all his goods THe APOSTLE hauing before Coherence spoken of Charity Loue and tender affection of one towards another more generally here he calleth to their remembrance the care of the Ministery which may seeme here by them as now to be too much neglected The text is an Apostilicall Canon and diuine constitution authorized vvith the authoritie of God himselfe for reformation of the same The wordes are an Exhortation or a Charge giuen The title and Scope of the Text. by the Apostle in the name of the Almighty the iust reuenger of all wrongs done to his seruants who speake in his name vnto all that know and haue learned Christ to maintaine his Ministers By this commandement the Hearers are bound to care for their Teachers by this the Pastours haue knowledge of their right and libertie to take of the people for their maintenance and a warrant to claime the same and to vrge the negligent to their duty herein if they faile of it This portion of Scripture containeth two things as The parts the parts to be considered the first concerneth the party to be maintained enfolded within the Text who is set out vnto vs in two things 1. by teaching 2. by the matter which he teacheth The second part concerneth the party maintaining the Minister which is plainely laid forth in the wordes in vvhich wee may obserue these two circumstances First the party exhorted Secondly the duety which he is exhorted vnto Now though this place speaketh plainely of the Preuention of an obiection Hearers duety â—â—ely and but implicitely of the Ministers duty yet because the peoples knowledge of the labour and painefulnesse of the calling of the Ministery and of that equitie that labourers are worthy of their wages may induce them to a more ready performance of their duety as also for that this * Preached at Southvvell in Nottinghamshire by the appointment of the most Reuerend Father the Lord Archbishop of Yorke our worthy Metropolitan and much beloued Diocesan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verbum docenti vel in verbo Catechizanti Oecumenius â—eza Text vvas giuen mee once by one of principall authority in the Church to vrge my brethren of the Ministery publikely assembled to the duty of Catechising I thought it not amisse to speake first of our selues and our duty that I might more freely presse our Hearers to their duty if wee goe before it is the more likely that they will follow after That which toucheth the Ministers in this Text is in these wordes Him that hath taught him in the word The word translated taught signifieth him that is Catechised properly but yet is vsed and taken more generally for to teach or instruct otherwise Luke 1. 4. Act. 18. 25. Rom. 2. 18. 1 Cor. 14. 19. and so must it be here taken as Diuines hold and therefore is translated as wee see both in Latine and English by a more generall vvord of all translatours The holy Ghost vseth the more speciall word for the generall partly to shew vnto vs of the Ministerie orderly teaching for the peoples edification where we are to begin with them partly perhaps both to preuent a proud conceit in some Ministers which may thinke that they onely are to be respected which doe Preach as now Preaching goeth with men as also the peoples contempt of Catechising and Catechizers as if these deserued not any liberall portion but other persons onely more excellently gifted such as can speake for tongue with a plaudite for great reading with admiration for wit with singular delight and for learning beyond the Hearers common apprehension in comparison of whom Caeteri non dico poetae sed veri prophetae sordent while Hearers doe measure all by hearing and not
to two or three questions onely for that time vpon which the Minister discourseth as in preaching which all the rest sit to heare in shew but whither they doe or not that is no more knowne to the Minister then how they heare and learne his Sermons I thinke brethren if I might freely speake it vvere farre How to profit the people by Catechising better to heare euery one how farre they can say at the first time then note where they leaue and there begin with them the next time and so on till they come to the end all this time hearing them onely how well they can say After begin againe with as many as can say the Catechisme thorow and examine the meaning how they vnderstand what 〈◊〉 say neuer discoursing but insteade thereof to turne all into questions so shall you keepe the peoples mindes attentiue to you delight such as vnderstand with variety of questions and make them that are willing to study how to answere the new question propounded At the end to dilate if you please a little time some halfe quarter of an houre but not aboue for the benefit of the more iudicious it will not doe amisse It is incredible to tell how this way both profiteth and greatly pleaseth the people so as both young and old willingly come thereunto and very willingly learne I speake by experience blessed be God for euermore Amen And thus much to the Ministers which doe Catechise now to them that catechise not Question But before I proceede it may be demaunded when wee are to giue ouer this catechising or whither wee must be alwayes Catechizâ—rs Answere A. Surely so long as wee finde our people ignorant as the holy Apostle did for though as concerning time they ought indeed to be Teachers yet being Hâ—b 5. ignorant wee must againe teach them the principles of the word It is folly for a Schole-maister to put his Scholler into the Psalter that cannot learne his Criscrosse-row or into a Latin Author when as yet he can hardly spell an English word though hee hath beene neuer so long at the schoole Moreouer young ones come into the world and grow vp who must be catechised therefore must wee continue this course till our parishes cease breeding a new increase and the rest be able to beare strong meate and this is not likely to be whilst we liue therefore the Church hath prouided for continuing of catechising without any stinting of time but if any mans lot light in so happy a parish hee may cease this labour and account himselfe more happy than the rest of his brethren But now to such as doe not catechise and these be of two sorts First such as doe not because they indeede cannot Such as doe not Catechise and these are of two sorts My aduise to them is that as they ranne before they were sent so they would freely come forth before they be called by Death or the last iudgement least GOD Such as would perhaps and cannot smite them dead like Vzzah for laying their hand vpon the Lords Aâ—ke without any warrant Woe be vnto them they be blinde guides leading the blinde till they both fall into the ditch that is the dungeon of hell where they shall perish euerlastingly These be the Canes Esai 56. 10. 11. muâ—i and the Speculatores caeci of whom Esiah speaks Nesciunt docere non possunt latrare But let them looke for their reward hearken how the Lord calleth for vengeance Esai 56 9. by the same Prophet Omnes bestiae agrestes et ferae siluestres venite ad deuorandum All the beasts of the field and vvild ones in the Forrest come and deuoure Cease therefore to doe euill and learne to doe well that the hand of the Lord come not out against you Second sort of such as doe not Catechise are they Such as can Catechise and will not To Preach and not Catechise that can and will not and these be also of two sorts such as vvill Preach but not Catechise and such as will doe neither For the first which is also many Ministers fault yea learned and worthily gifted I yet wish them to consider how awâ—kwardly they goe to worke they set on a roofe before they lay the foundation or reare vp the maine postes and stayes of the house they build castles in the ayre they vvorke vvithout foundation they seeme to feed but famish indeed their ignorant Hearers what mother or Nurse will giue strong meate to the sucking childe will they teach to read without knowledge of the Letters would God I might intreate them to proceed with their people not according to their owne habilitie in teaching but the capacitie of their Auditorie in learning He that taketh children to teach though hee be neuer so great a Clarke yet will hee discend downe to them weighing their weakenesse and not his owne vvorthynesse for better employment for so should he teach what himselfe knoweth but not what possibly they may vnderstand by which they lose time and he wasteth his labour and thus is it with many Congregations The Lord perswade these learned and vvorthy men to a more pofitable course for the people and before God more comfortable to themselues Our Sauiour Christ Ioh. 16. 12. taught but as his Disciples were able to learne not after his skill but after their measure of conceiâ—â—ing so 1 Cor. 3. did the Apostle the Corinthians vvho vvas a most learned Clarke and able to speake languages according to the places where he came It is no disgrace to Catechise plainely learned Fathers haue done it it argueth loue and desire in vs to haue the people to vnderstand vs A mother speaking vnto her little babes speaketh not as to the elder in yeeres but euen as a childe to children vnto other as becometh her to speake and fit for them to heare To the learned speake learnedly to the simple and ignorant plainely so shall both sorts be well fed and well satisfied Some there are vvhich will Preach and not Catechise Vnprofitable Preachers but these presume to Preach onely for a credit and to preuent the name of dumbe Dogges but be it spoken with reuerence in this place it is Asinui ad Lyram the prouerbe they haue not learned Ne sutor vltra crepidam they goe beyond their reach to the great disgrace of Preaching they doe read a Text but flye from it after as if it had in it the Pestilence some haue many good vvordes but almost no matter as if Preaching were an idle prate some neither good wordes nor good matter I speake not this in contempt of any mans gifts my selfe being the meanest of ten thousand but to aduise brotherly that holy things be handled reuerently that vve diuide the vvord aright though neuer so plainely so it bee to the purpose orderly to the edification of the people and grace of our Ministery so speaking with authoritie from the vvord that we