And here I advise all to be very tender how they exclude people on point of mere ignorance, if they 1. are but able in private, to those that they are familiar with, to give a tolerable account of essentials. 2. Or if they answer truly with a [yea] or a [Nay] when you contrive the matter into your question. 3. And if they be diligent in the use of means, and willing to Learn and live uprightly. And to this purpose consider of these things following. 1 Fundamentals or essentials are but few. 2. Many poor people are of such natural bashfulness, or hesitancy, that they cannot speak what they know. 3. Specially when Rustical education increaseth it. 4. And especially when it is in public, or to a Minister whom they reverence. 5. There are indigested ruder Conceptions, which may be found, and yet not formed ready for expression, even in some that can speak well. We see some Ministers in Examinations too deficient: And the best find sometime a light which they cannot utter: and the force of a reason in their minds, which is no whit ready for the tongue. 6. Scripture examples in this point observed would moderate us. What did the Apostles require? 7. He that gives a true [Yea] or a [Nay] shows that he believes the Truth. 8. He that in his life seeks heaven before earth, shows that he knows it to be better than earth. I speak these things but to moderate some men. I add 9. It is commonly as much the Ministers fault, that he hath not a satisfactory Answer, as the persons. I have noted it, that most Ministers, either speak roughly or indiscreetly, discouragingly, provokingly, or of things not essential; and that it is a matter requiring greater wisdom than most have, to draw out the minds of the most ignorant sort of our people. 10. And if they know not the essentials, may we not help them to a tolerable knowledge of them at the present, before we part with them? At least, we should try.
And here I advise all to be very tender how they exclude people on point of meer ignorance, if they 1. are but able in private, to those that they are familiar with, to give a tolerable account of essentials. 2. Or if they answer truly with a [yea] or a [Nay] when you contrive the matter into your question. 3. And if they be diligent in the use of means, and willing to Learn and live uprightly. And to this purpose consider of these things following. 1 Fundamentals or essentials are but few. 2. Many poor people are of such natural bashfulness, or hesitancy, that they cannot speak what they know. 3. Specially when Rustical education increaseth it. 4. And especially when it is in publike, or to a Minister whom they reverence. 5. There are indigested ruder Conceptions, which may be found, and yet not formed ready for expression, even in some that can speak well. We see some Ministers in Examinations too deficient: And the best find sometime a light which they cannot utter: and the force of a reason in their minds, which is no whit ready for the tongue. 6. Scripture examples in this point observed would moderate us. What did the Apostles require? 7. He that gives a true [Yea] or a [Nay] shews that he believes the Truth. 8. He that in his life seeks heaven before earth, shews that he knows it to be better than earth. I speak these things but to moderate some men. I add 9. It is commonly as much the Ministers fault, that he hath not a satisfactory Answer, as the persons. I have noted it, that most Ministers, either speak roughly or indiscreetly, discouragingly, provokingly, or of things not essential; and that it is a matter requiring greater wisdom than most have, to draw out the minds of the most ignorant sort of our people. 10. And if they know not the essentials, may we not help them to a tolerable knowledge of them at the present, before we part with them? At least, we should trie.
