He had a singular Dexterity at insinuating himself into the Affections of young People, and overcoming their unwillingness to be instructed. Some that were more in years, who though they were ashamed of their Ignorance, but were more ashamed to learn at that Age, yet were prevailed with, by his importunity, to come to this public Exercise: And where Entreaties and Arguments would not do, he would hire them, by giving them new Bibles (many whereof were gilt, and bound in Turkey-Leather) or good Books, ⟨p. 41⟩so that he hath acknowledged with thankfulness to God, that he seldom failed to gain at last, those who were very averse at first. And though the Instruction of young and ignorant People is the usual design in Catechising; yet he was so full and accurate in illustrating the several Heads of Religion, the aged and more improved Persons did frequently attend his Catechetical Exercises, with great satisfaction and delight: For his custom in reading not only bodies of Divinity, but practical Books, was to collect what was most valuable in them, and refer them to their proper places in his Catechism, which was interleaved for that purpose, whereby he was ready furnished to give a grateful Entertainment, as well to the most judicious, as to the meaner Christians. He would often express how difficult as well as ⟨p. 42⟩necessary this Work was; and therefore he took much pains to have the most clear understanding of the Doctrine of the Gospel: He was a diligent Observer of the Practice, Method, and Success of his reverend Brethren in this Matter, all which he improved, and his Success was answerable to such preparations and endeavours: He would frequently say, That he never experienced more of the Assistance of God in any Duty than in this: God making him an instrument of conveying very much knowledge hereby, some that had been under his instruction have proved most judicious and able Christians: In short, he saw so much need, and so much good effect of his Labours in this way, that he would say, While he had breath he would ⟨p. 43⟩spend it in Catechising
He had a singular Dexterity at insinuating himself into the Affections of young People, and overcoming their unwillingness to be instructed. Some that were more in years, who though they were ashamed of their Ignorance, but were more ashamed to learn at that Age, yet were prevailed with, by his importunity, to come to this publick Exercise: And where Intreaties and Arguments would not do, he would hire them, by giving them new Bibles (many whereof were gilt, and bound in Turky-Leather) or good Books, ⟨p. 41⟩so that he hath acknowledged with thankfulness to God, that he seldom failed to gain at last, those who were very averse at first. And though the Instruction of young and ignorant People is the usual design in Catechising; yet he was so full and accurate in illustrating the several Heads of Religion, the aged and more improved Persons did frequently attend his Catechetical Exercises, with great satisfaction and delight: For his custom in reading not only bodies of Divinity, but practical Books, was to collect what was most valuable in them, and refer them to their proper places in his Catechism, which was interleaved for that purpose, whereby he was ready furnisht to give a grateful Entertainment, as well to the most judicious, as to the meaner Christians. He would often express how difficult as well as ⟨p. 42⟩necessary this Work was; and therefore he took much pains to have the most clear understanding of the Doctrine of the Gospel: He was a diligent Observer of the Practice, Method, and Success of his reverend Brethren in this Matter, all which he improved, and his Success was answerable to such preparations and endeavours: He would frequently say, That he never experienced more of the Assistance of God in any Duty than in this: God making him an instrument of conveying very much knowledge hereby, some that had been under his instruction have proved most judicious and able Christians: In short, he saw so much need, and so much good effect of his Labours in this way, that he would say, While he had breath he would ⟨p. 43⟩spend it in Catechising
