B11281:22
A catechism or brief instruction in the principles and grounds of the true Christian…A catechisme or briefe instruction in the principles and grounds of the true Christian…
A catechism or brief instruction in the principles and grounds of the true Christian religion With a short treatise premised concerning the profity and necessity of catechizing.A catechisme or briefe instruction in the principles and grounds of the true Christian religion With a short treatise premised concerning the profity and necessitie of catechizing.
London: printed by Edward Griffin for Henry Fetherstone, 1617London: printed by Edvvard Griffin for Henry Fetherstone, 1617
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
A ninth consideration of the benefit of this is hereby evident: Christians are all of two sorts; either they are babes, ⟨image 6⟩through being lately new borne, or they have attained to some good growth, and they have their wits exercised to discern both good and evil. This distinction the holy Ghost setteth down, Heb. 5. 13. 14. Now how many are there of the former rank? (yea and it were well if they were come to this) and as for these, they have need of milk, and not strong meat, as the Apostle there speaketh, v. 12. And will you know what he meaneth there by milk? he expresseth himself a little before, calling it the first principles of the word of God: and could he have spoken more plainly?
A ninth consideration of the benefit of this is hereby euident: Christians are all of two sorts; either they are babes, ⟨image 6⟩through being lately new borne, or they haue attained to some good growth, and they haue their wits exercised to discerne both good and euill. This distinction the holy Ghost setteth downe, Heb. 5. 13. 14. Now how many are there of the former ranke? (yea and it were well if they were come to this) and as for these, they haue need of milke, and not strong meat, as the Apostle there speaketh, v. 12. And will you know what hee meaneth there by milke? he expresseth himselfe a little before, calling it the first principles of the word of God: and could hee haue spoken more plainly?
The last benefit, which is the perfection of the whole: Catechizing is necessary to the establishing of persons for a fixed and settled standing in grace. If ye continue in my word (saith our heavenly Master) then are ye my Disciples, Joh. 8. 31. Now hereunto this kind of exercise (by the confession of all) is singularly expedient. It is a common title given to the principles of religion, that they are called grounds, which is a very fit appellation, as being to notify, that all such who are not skilled in these principles,