Compassionate counsel to all young men especially I. London apprentices, II. students of divinity,…

CHAP. XV. The Conclusion, to Ministers.

There is another sort of Helpers, on whom the welfare of Youth much depends; ⟨p. 191⟩even the Ministers of Christ. But I presume not here to teach them: In my Reformed Pastor, I have spoken somewhat freely when I had leave. I cannot expect that those that silence me should hear me; nor will I think that able faithful Ministers need my Counsel. But all that I will now say is, humbly to entreat those who take no great pains with the young persons in their Parishes, and will not be admonished by such as I, but to read Martin Bucer (who had so great a hand in counselling our Reformers that made the Liturgy) his Book de Regno Dei, his Censure of the Liturgy, especially of Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and Discipline, and his vehement pressing the necessity of Congregational Discipline, and denying the Sacrament to the unmeet, and the necessity of keeping Baptized Youths among the Catechumens, till at age they come to true understanding of the Covenant, which they made and must renew, and till they give credible signs of real Godliness by a Godly Life, and of what mischievous effects it is to confirm them, and admit them to the Lords Supper, on their bare saying the words of the Catechism, the Creeds, Lords Prayer and Decalogue, without tried Understanding and serious Piety; And what a wrong it is to the Christian Church ⟨p. 192⟩and Religion, to confound and corrupt our Communion for want of Parish Discipline and distinctions. And how little good all Canons or Laws for Reformation or Religious duty will do, if the Ministry be ignorant, worldly and ungodly, and the Churches be not taught and guided by able godly, humble, self-denying and loving Pastors.

THere is another sort of Helpers, on whom the wellfare of Youth much depends; ⟨p. 191⟩even the Ministers of Christ. But I presume not here to teach them: In my Reformed Pastor, I have spoken somewhat freely when I had leave. I cannot expect that those that silence me should hear me; nor will I think that able faithfull Ministers need my Counsell. But all that I will now say is, humbly to intreat those who take no great pains with the young persons in their Parishes, and will not be admonished by such as I, but to read Martin Bucer (who had so great a hand in counselling our Reformers that made the Liturgy) his Book de Regno Dei, his Censure of the Liturgy, especially of Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and Discipline, and his vehement pressing the necessity of Congregational Discipline, and denying the Sacrament to the unmeet, and the necessity of keeping Baptized Youths among the Catechumens, till at age they come to true understanding of the Covenant, which they made and must renew, and till they give credible signs of real Godlyness by a Godly Life, and of what mischievous effects it is to confirm them, and admit them to the Lords Supper, on their bare saying the words of the Catechism, the Creeds, Lords Prayer and Decalogue, without tryed Vnderstanding and serious Piety; And what a wrong it is to the Christian Church