The Practice of Piety

1 Of sound knowledge requisite in a worthy communicant.

Sound knowledge is a sanctified understanding of the first Principles of Religion. ¹As first, of the Trinity of Persons in the unity of the Godhead. Secondly, of the Creation of Man and his fall. Thirdly, of the curse and misery due to sin. Fourthly, of the natures and offices of Christ, and redemption by faith in his death: especially of the doctrine of the Sacraments sealing the same unto us. For as an house cannot be built unless ⟨p. 734⟩the foundation be first laid; no more can Religion stand, unless it be first grounded upon the certain knowledge of Gods word. Secondly, if we know not Gods will, we can neither believe nor do the same. For as worldly businesses, cannot be done, but by them who have skill therein; so without knowledge must men be much more ignorant in divine and spiritual matters. And yet in temporal things, a man may do much by the light of nature. But in religious mysteries, the more we rely upon natural reason, ²the further we are from comprehending spiritual truth. Which discovers the fearful estate of those who receive ⟨p. 735⟩without knowledge, and the more fearful estate of those Pastors who minister unto them without Catechising.

Sound knowledge is a sanctified vnderstanding of the first Principles of Religion. ¹As first, of the Trinity of Persons in the vnity of the Godhead. Secondly, of the Creation of Man and his fall. Thirdly, of the curse and misery due to sinne. Fourthly, of the natures and offices of Christ, and redemption by faith in his death: especially of the doctrine of the Sacraments sealing the same vnto vs. For as an house cannot be built vnlesse