Theol. You have spoken the truth. And therefore, sith some must needs take upon them this so great a charge, it will be our best course, to labour much with them in Catechizing, and private instructions, and that in most familiar and plain ⟨p. 357⟩manner. For much good hath been done, and is done, this way. The ignorant sort must be much laboured upon this way: and so no doubt, much good may be done.1 For in all labour there is profit. Herein we (that are the Ministers of Christ) must be content to be abased, and to teach the poor ignorant people in most plain manner; asking them many easy questions, and often questioning with them in most plain and loving manner, till we have brought them to some taste and smack of the principles of Christian Religion. We must not be ashamed to use repetitions and tautologies, an to tell them one thing twenty times over and over again, here a line and there a line, here a little and there a little, precept upon precept: as the Prophet speaks.2 I know right well, nothing goes more against the stomach of a Scholar, and him that is learned indeed, than to do thus. It is as irksome and tedious as to teach A B C. Some can at no hand endure it. But truly, truly, I find now, after a long experience that if we will do any good to these simple and ignorant souls, we must enter into this course: and we may not be ashamed of it. For it will be our crown ⟨p. 358⟩and our glory to win souls, howsoever we be abased. Let us therefore be well content to stoop down, that Christ may be exalted: let us be abased, that God may be honoured: let us do all things in great love to Christ, who hath said, If thou lovest me, 3feed, feed, feed my flock. Let us therefore testify our love to him by feeding his flock. Let us do all things in great love and deep compassion towards the poor souls that go astray: as it is said, that our Lord Jesus was moved to pity, and his bowels did yearn to see the people as sheep without a shepherd. Let it likewise move us throughly, and make our hearts to bleed, to see so many poor sheep of Christ wandering and straying in the mountains and wilderness of this world, caught in every bramble, and hanged in every bush, ready to be devoured of the Wolfe.
Theol. You have spoken the truth. And therefore, sith some must needs take upon them this so great a charge, it will be our best course, to labour much with them in Catechizing, and private instructions, and that in most familiar and plain ⟨p. 357⟩manner. For much good hath beene done, and is done, this way. The ignorant sort must be much laboured upon this way: and so no doubt, much good may be done.1 For in all labour there is profit. Herein wee (that are the Ministers of Christ) must be content to be abased, and to teach the poore ignorant people in most plaine manner; asking them many easie questions, and often questioning with them in most plaine and loving manner, till wee have brought them to some taste and smacke of the principles of Christian Religion. Wee must not be ashamed to use repetitions and tautologies, an to tell them one thing twenty times over and over againe, here a line and there a line, here a little and there a little, precept upon precept: as the Prophet speakes.2 I know right well, nothing goes more against the stomack of a Scholar, and him that is learned indeed, than to doe thus. It is as irkesome and tedious as to teach A B C. Some can at no hand endure it. But truely, truely, I finde now, after a long experience that if wee will doe any good to these simple and ignorant soules, wee must enter into this course: and wee may not be ashamed of it. For it will be our crown ⟨p. 358⟩and our glory to win soules, howsoever wee be abased. Let us therefore be well content to stoop downe, that Christ may be exalted: let us be abased, that God may be honoured: let us doe all things in great love to Christ, who hath said, If thou lovest mee, 3feed, feed, feed my flocke. Let us therefore testifie our love to him by feeding his flocke. Let us doe all things in great love and deep compassion towards the poore soules that goe astray: as it is said, that our Lord Iesus was moved to pitie, and his bowels did yerne to see the people as sheep without a shepherd. Let it likewise move us throughly, and make our hearts to bleed, to see so many poore sheep of Christ wandring and straying in the mountains and wildernesse of this world, caught in every bramble, and hanged in every bush, ready to be devoured of the Wolfe.
- 1Prov. 14.23.
- 2Isaiah 18.10.Esay 18.10.
- 3John 21.15.
