I know that Children in this place , may be taken for all Inferiors , and subordinate estates of men : yea , an old man too , Isai. 65.20 . Puer contum annerum . whose age hath snowne downe winter upon his head ; whose hayres be heraulds of prudence , centum annorum , may be a child , for his puerisenes . How be it , the ancient Fathers use the word more strictly , eyther for them who had newly received the faith ; or else for Children , who learned the rudiments of Religion , whom they else-where tearmed , Catechumenoi ; Tertul. de poenit . for Tertullian hath these words , Nemo sibi aduletur , quia inter auditorum tyrocinia deputatur , &c. where hee understandeth by Auditors , hearers ; those onely who are named altogether by Origen , Catechumenoi , who are taught the principall doctrines of Christian Religion : And S. Cyprian saith : that , Cypr. epist. lib. 32. epist. 22. Optarus . With consent of Ministers , Teachers and Readers , hee ordained Optatus , doctorem audientium : A teacher or instructer of hearers , id est , of young men who were catechised . Pantaenus . Such a Teacher of such Hearers was Pantaenus , immediately after the Apostles time , Clemens in the Church of Alexandria , whom Clemens succeeded in the same Office : and after him followed Origen , Origen . Clemen's Scholler , being chosen and ordayned by Demetrius , then Bishop of Alexandria : Hercules . Greg. Nyss. Orat. 1. and Hercules succeeded Origen .

Againe , Gregory Nissen , in his first Oration , giveth us to understand ; that , The Pastors of the Church , in the beginning , auditoribus proponerent , did deliver unto their Auditors , or hearers , certaine easie lessons of Religion , as it were their A , B , C ; & then by degrees they explained and opened unto them more hard and hidden mysteries of Divinity . All which serve for proofe of what I have alleaged already , to wit ; that , by Children , the ancient Fathers understand their Catechumenoi , young men trayned up in the rudiments of Christian Religion . They therefore , who are to learne the doctrine of the beginning of Christ , Heb. 6.11 . Mat. 18.3 . as the Apostle speaketh , they I say are stiled Children . And CHRIST saith : Nisi conversi ac facti ut pueruli , nequaquam ingrediemini in regnum Coelorum , which Christ himselfe hath demonstrat in his owne person , becoming a Child for us , and leading us the way . These , I say , are in many things like unto those Catechumenoi I spake of before ; for , they were taught a Catechisme , id est , A Christian forme of Religion ; and so must these : they gave an account of their faith ; and so must these : they learned plaine and easie doctrine : at the first , but afterwards increased in all knowledge in heauenly things ; and so must these .

Now , as in some things the condition of these much resembleth theirs ; so , in others ( through the favour & grace of GOD ) they farre excell them : for , these are descended of christian parents ; those were born , some of Infidels , some of Heretikes , some of meere strangers from the covenant of grace .

With these , Baptisme goeth before instruction , and Catechizing : with those , Catechizing went before Baptisme . This I prove by the seventh decree of the first Councel of Constantinople , 1. Conc. Constantinop . Can. 7. where the right or custome in the westerne Churches of receiving Heretikes , after hearty sorrow and repentance for their sinne , is described . The Decree speaketh thus : The first day wee admit them to bee Christians , the next day Catechumenoi , id est , young Schollers in the faith : Elementarios ac quasi fidei tyrones : they are the words of the Councell : The third day wee receive them , Ter insufflando , by breathing three times into their faces and eares ; and then wee baptize them for men borne of unbeleeving parents , or Heretikes , or Infidels .

The Councell did well to provide , that they should make confession of their faith before they received that Sacrament , which is the seale of our adoption . But for us , who are descended of the faithfull , wee are baptized in our infancy ; because , that as the Covenant of Circumcision , made unto Abraham , did belong unto all the Children of Abraham ; so doth Baptisme , which succeedeth in the place of Circumcision , belong unto all the Children of the faithfull .

What then ? must they therefore refuse instruction who are baptized already ? No verily ; for , they are baptized , that , as soone as they are able to comprehend , with all Saints , the good will of GOD ; so soone they should begin to learne to know GOD , and to set forth his glory , according to the charge at Baptisme : and therefore this custome of Catechising , and teaching Children the rudiments of Religion , is so ancient as DAVID himselfe ; and so much in use in the Apostles time , that the Apostle Saint Paul , Gal. Gal. 6.6 . useth the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , him that is taught , & him that hath taught him ; as our English hath in most translations : Wee might as well translate him that is catechized , & him that hath catechized him : for , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being derived of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noteth as much as Personare , or Circumsonare , To have our eares sound againe with wholsome precepts taught or catechized . Tull. Offic. lib. 1. Tully doth expresse this word to the life , saying : Vtile est aures tuas talibus vocibus undique circumsonare .

As this custome of Catechizing hath beene ancient : so , how needefull it is , Necess. experience can witnesse ; for , Catechize and instruct Young men and Children in the feare of the Lord , and the knowledge of his Commaundements , they will take delight therin while they live : as otherwise , and much rather , teach them fables , lyes , and vanities , & they will never forget them ; like to the Caske , Quo semel est i●buta recens serv●●● odorem Testa diu Horat. epist. which ever savoreth of the first liquor which is powred into it , whether it bee good or bad , that pleads prescription to all that shall succeed after ; therefore DAVID bids Children , Come to hearken unto him : and Salomon , his Son , saith : Teach a child in the trade of his way , and when hee is old hee shall not depart from it : who , being about 12 yeares of age , gave that profound Sentence concerning the true mother of the childe : Luk. 2.42 . and our Saviour , at that age , disputed with the Doctors . And therefore that old ill Proverbe , hatched in Hell , Angelicos in Satanam verti , ubi consenuerint : Young Saints , old Divels , is here confuted , and sent backe to the place from whence it came .

Should wee not beginne betimes ? Circumcision was commanded on the eighth day , and Baptisme any day sooner ; that , as Hercules in his Cradle , Monstra superavit prius quam nosce possit : so wee might , in Baptisme , ever vanquish the Divel before wee know him . Samuel , so soone as hee was weaned , 1. Sam. 1.24 . was consecrated to the Lord . But many will be Mammothrepti , rather then Ablacta●j ; rather never weaned , then consecrated to the Lord .

And , lest any should deeme the female Sexe exempted from such exercise , I will propose 2 only * * Hieron . ad Laet. de Instit. filiae . And Hieron . ad Gaudent . de Infant . educ . First the Psalmes , then the Proverbs , then Eccles. then Iob , then the Gospels , then the Acts , then the Epist. then the bookes of Moses , of the Kings , of Chron. of Esd. of Hester , and last of all the Canticles , Horat. are poetic . examples , the one of Paula ; the other of Pacatula : the one , the daughter of Laeta ; the other of Gaudentium : both yong , both Virgins ; unto whose Mothers , Ierome gives direction , what bookes of the Scripturs in order , when , and how they should read them ; and what use they should make of them . And the Israelites were charged to teach their Children the things that GOD had done for them ; because commonly , men never forget that which they haue learned in their yonger yeares : for example , A Young man heareth a lewd tale , or beholdeth an unchast spectacle ; hee remembreth the same a great deale better then if hee had heard a grave Sermon , or godly exhortation ; because hee taketh more delight in vaine things , then in godliness . And no marvaile ; for , a Young man is Cereus in vitium flecti . And , one better learned in Divinity then hee , even S. Augustine himselfe makes it good , saying : Adolescens is ponior ad peccandum .

Who seeth not how prone the cogitation of a young mans heart is unto that which is evill ? And yet , who will not confesse , that good and wholsome counsell and instruction will sanctifie his thoughts , and make him tread a godly life ? Wherefore , the counsell of Virgil , Virg. georg . lib. 2. Quintil. li. 1. cap. 3. Adeo a teneris consuescere multum est , is fit for all youth ; because , as Quintilian saith : Frangas citius , quam corrigas quae in pravum induruerunt : Evill customes are hardly broken off ; if a man accustome himselfe to any notorious vice , while hee is a young man , verily , hee doth seldome or never leave the same all his life long . I will goe no further then the prophane swearer , who will witness what I say to be true : I seldome heard of any young swearer , that in elder years could wholly leave his swearing : If there be any amongst them , better natured , or better nurtured then others , they will ingenuously confess , being admonished of their fault , that , they knew not whether they did sweare , or no : Thus , with their oaths , their fearefull oaths , as with so many speares , they wound the sides of CHRIST at unawares ; and yet , like drunken men , they know not what they doe .

Is it then so dangerous for a young man to accustome himselfe unto evill wayes ? Is it so hard for any , that taketh delight in sinning , to bee reclaimed ? Then , let every young man give heede unto instruction ; let him be willing to bee Catechized : let him bee an auditor and hearer of those lessons which shall bee taught him : Prov. 2.3 . let him call for knowledge , and cry for understanding , and seeke for her as gold , and search for her as for treasures : let him attend unto the Invitation , and follow the Direction , and hee shall understand The feare of the Lord , the totall of my Text. Thus much for the name , Children .

Come I now unto the Invitation , in this word , Come ; which is but a word , The Invitation . and therefore but a word of it . And , though it be but a word , yet it bids us , Come , that CHRIST at the last may say , Come . And so , like a Schollers , or Saints Bell , it rings and rouses us from the bed of carnall security , and invites us unto the Church and Schoole of CHRIST , to listen willingly . How little any excuse will prevaile , that in S. Lukes Gospell will satisfie ; Luk. 14.18 where , though all their excuses were made , Vnanimiter , ioyntly ; yet were they all , Inaniter , vainely : unlesse to incense the Master of the Feast the more against them . Come then , well and welcome , unto

The Direction , The direction . Hearken . It is not then sufficient to Come ; for , so do some , whose desire is , soone to bee gone , or , fairely to fall asleepe : so that , if at all , they must be taken napping , Ecclus. 22.10 . Who so telleth a foole of wisdome , is as a man which speaketh to one that is asleepe , when hee hath tould his tale , hee saith : What is the matter ?

Some come as to the waters of Marah , Exod. 4.15 . to bee made bitter , rather then better .

Some , Act. 19.32 . like those in the 19 Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles , The more part knew not wherfore they were come together . Yea , many may come like the Sodomits unto Lots doore , with open eyes , yet see no better then Bats . I will therefore tell you as my Text tels mee , wherefore you must Come : To hearken .

Come yee Children and hearken .

Before wee can possibly attaine unto the knowledge of any thing whatsoever , wee must first heare the same expounded unto us : and therefore it is not ( I suppose ) without great reason said : that , Hearing is the sense of learning ; because , men can never learn that which they never heard . I confesse , some question hereof may bee made , because Aristotle seemeth to say as much of the sight , Arist. motaph . lib. 1 cap. 1. in the first Chapter of the Metaphis . where hee calleth the sight , Sensum cognitionis : The sense of Learning .

Although wee confesse indeed , that the sight is a most excellent Sense : yet , in this case , Philosophy must give place unto Divinity ; and the Eye to the Eare. Listen then unto Lactantius , Lactant. inflit . lib. 3. ca. 9. better read in Gods booke then Aristotle , who saith : Plus est in auribus quam in oculis situm , quoniam & doctrina et sapientia percipi auribus solis potest , oculis solis non potest : There is more in mans eares then eyes , for that learning and wisdome may be obtained by the eares onely , but not by the eyes : and wee see many blind men excell in wisdom and learning : but deafe men , not any . The Apostle S. Paul Rom. 10.14 makes it plaine in the tenth to the Romans , saying : How shall they call on him , in whom they have not beleeved ? and how shall they beleeve in him , of whom they have not heard ? & how shall they heare without a Preacher ? Whence , in a word , it appeareth , that , Without speciall revelation , or extraordinary calling , no man ever knew GOD at any time , or beleeved in him whom hee hath sent , IESVS CHRIST , but by hearing the Word preached , 1. Cor. 4.1 . and being Catechized by them who are the Ministers of CHRIST , and the disposers of the secrets of GOD.

So then , they that are desirous to know how good & gracious the Lord is : They that will know , what the will of GOD , and feare of the LORD is : They that long after the newes of their salvation , let them bring their attentive eares with them to the Churches and congregation of the faithful , & there let them hear what the spirit saith unto them by the Ministers , that therby they may beleeve and bee saved .

If then these things bee so ? Who will deny , that there is a great necessity of this charge of the Prophet DAVID in this place ?

Now , as it is necessary to heare with their bodily eares , so is it much more needefull to hear with the eares of their understanding : whence , S. Augustine hath observed , A two-fould hearing : 1 , Auditus Corporis . AND , 2 , Auditus Cordis .

A hearing of the body ; and , a hearing of the heart & understanding also . The Iewes heard enough , but understood little enough : So , Acts. 26.24 Festus heard Paul preach of the death and resurrection of CHRIST , but hee wanted the eare of understanding , and therefore hee cryed out with a loud voyce : Paul , Thou art besides thy selfe , much learning hath made thee mad . But MARIE , when she sat at IESVS feet , and heard him preach , did heare with both eares ; as well of the understanding , as of the body : And therefore CHRIST pronounceth of her : Luk. 10.24 that , Shee had chosen the good part , which should not be taken from her . And S. Hiero hath these words on the 1 Chapter of Ioel : Hieron . in 1. Cap. Ioel. Auditus in sacris Scripturis non est iste sonus qui in aure resonat , sed qui in corde percipitur , iuxta illud , Qui habet aures audiendi audiat : The good Father is of opinion ; that , As often as mention is made of hearing in the holy Scriptures , wee are to understand the hearing of the heart , & not that which soundeth in the eare onely ; according unto that , Hee that hath eares to heare , let him heare . Without all doubt , the Holy Ghost , where he speaketh of hearing , laboureth , by all meanes , to perswade us unto a due understanding of those things which wee heare ; for , all cannot understand at the first : What better meanes then Catechizing can there bee to strengthen the understanding ? They must therefore heare , and bee catechized , that so they may understand . Act. 2.41 . Happy were those 3000 soules , even 3000 at once , who understandingly heard that one Sermon of Peters . Act. 8 . 3● . And the Eunuch of Aethiopia did well to bee Catechized by Philip , and heare him expound the Prophet Isai unto him . And it was the best houre that ever S. Augustine spent in his whol life , when hee went to heare the eloquence of S. Ambrose ; for so , of a Manachie , hee became a true Christian : and the rest of Infidels became faithful ; and , by comming to heare , obtayned mercy at the hands of GOD , to understand that which was taught them , and to beleeve in the name of CHRIST IESVS . Wherfore , I exhort all , in the name of Iesus Christ , that , so often as they come or repayre to any divine exercise , they come to heare , and heare to understand what the Spirit of GOD saith unto them : for , when they come & not heare , they despise the ordinance of GOD : when they heare , and not understand , or beleeve , the Word becommeth unfruitfull unto them , and all their hearing is in vaine ; which Catechizing will helpe . Quid est audi ? Ambros . 〈◊〉 . 25. in Psal. 119. ( saith S. Ambrose ) non otiosè dicitur , quod commune est omnibus , & suppetit umversis ipso jure naturae , &c. What is meant by Heare , saith he ? It is not an idle charge , when wee are commanded to heare , since it is common unto all men to heare , and it agreeth with every man naturally . Therefore , it is not without great cause that this charg is here given , because , many times , men heare against their wills , and when they are otherwise occupied ; yet are they wont to heare a sound , and the voyce of him that speaketh : Therfore , it behoveth those that are present in body , to bee present in minde , and minde to understand ; that , hearing , they may heare ; and , seeing , they may see the wondrous things of the Law ; the power of the Gospell ; the feare of the Lord ; the efficacy of the Spirit ; and the strange and admirable operation of the feare and word of the LORD .

It is written of the Iewes , that they heard the mysteries of the Law , but they did not understand the same : wherefore the Lord saith : Heare O my people , and I will speake unto you . Now , the word of GOD is spirituall , therefore heare spiritually . When the Voyce spake from heaven , what did it say ? Surely , nothing else , but , This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased ; Mat. 17.3 heare him : to shew , That wee are sooner drawne to beleeve in the Sonne of GOD , by hearing , then by any sense besides . Provided , Mat. 4.24 . Luk. 8.18 . that wee take heed what wee heare ; how wee heare ; and whom wee heare : for , many are night walkers , but light talkers ; Philip. 3.18 being enemies of CHRIST's Crosse : have the shewe of godliness , but deny the power thereof in their heart : whose meat is their maker , and belly their god ; whose body being given to ease , and minde to content , shunne labour , be it never so wholsome : fly affliction , be it never so holy . Tel them of catechizing , they will say : It is novelty : informe them of right hearing , they wil answer ; It is foolishness , though , indeed , it bee the same which makes us wise unto salvation .

Theophrastus in Plutarch , could say : Plutarch de Auditione . that , Hearing , of all other Senses , especially , engendreth greatest motions and perturbations of the minde : and I may say : that , It bringeth greatest ioyes and delights unto the Inner man , and unto the spirit ; for , hereby our faith in , and feare of the LORD is bred in us : our hope is increased : our patience confirmed : our godly meditations enlarged : our affiance strengthened : sinne abated : Sathan foyled : and the powers of Hell and Darkenesse vanquished and overcome . Wherfore , I say no more then the Spirit hath said in the Revelation : Rev. 2.29 Let him that hath an eare , heare . And thus much bee spoken of the parties who are to heare : and consequently , of their name , Invitation and Direction .

Now , of the person whom they are to heare , in this word MEE : or , the party who wil teach them , in these : I wil teach you : which , because they belong both unto one person , I will not sever them , but for unity and peace sake , conioyne them : and as M. Curius saith : Duos parietes de eadem fideliâ dealbare : where you may see the blessed Prince of peace and lover of unity , proposing unto his people a rule in Divinity .

Those then who desire to know this was whom they were to hear ; here my Text tels them , DAVID himselfe : Come yee children and hearken unto mee ; MEE , your Prince ; MEE , your Prophet : And I , your Preacher ; I , your Father ( for so hee was unto them ) will be your Teacher : I will teach you . Hee , having as it were , the Sword in one hand , and the word in the other : one , teaching ; the other terrifying them : for , terrifying , and not teaching , may savour of tyranny : and , to teach , and not to terryfie , may make them lazie . Therefore , hee uses his Princely power in his Propheticall Office : I will teach you , &c. Here is teaching with authority .

This perfect patterne of a compleat Prince , not pictured in Plato , nor fayned in Xenophon , but formed according to GOD's owne heart , is here really , and royally parallel'd by his sacred Maiestie , our Gracious SOVERAIGNE : informed , by Gods Spirit , in all holy knowledge ; and conformed unto DAVID himselfe in all godly practice .

His sanctified wisdome and knowledg , my heart doth rather ioyfully conceive , then my pen can sufficiently expresse : his holy Commaunds , divine Expositions , and sacred Directions , in his severall Bookes , doe best expresse .

What zeale hee hath ever had , and still hath unto Gods House , and to set forth his Glorie ; what dangers he hath escaped , & thankefulnesse unto GOD , the Author thereof , ordayned : what a blessing Hee hath been unto this Kingdome disioynted , when it was , in danger of inundation , and innovation , after the late Queenes death of blessed memorie , in his peaceable entrance ; comfortable union ; continuance of peace , and prevention of warre ; preserving the truth , and confuting error : If any bee ignorant of the translated BIBLE , his owne Workes , & wholsom Lawes , to the ioy of all loyall hearts , will ever testifie him , Wife , Learned , Good , and Godly .

And , how in this particular his most Excellent Maiesty , de jure , hath resembled this princely Prophet , all Iurisdictions within his Maiesties Dominions , de facto , can witnesse .

Since then , this notable authority is not built upon the notable foundation of hearesay , but of the knowne truth , not denied by her adversaries ; it ought much to move all loyall hearts , to remove all lets that may hinder this godly Exercise ; & with all alacrity to stirre them uppe with an earnest desire for Gods glory , and their owne good , to bee instructed thereby .

And so I come to the doctrine which this princely Prophet will preach , or Lesson that hee will teach them , The feare of GOD ; I will teach you the feare of the Lord .

First , I will speake of the Quality ; then of the Obiect .

The quality , Feare , in holy Scripture is diversly taken : but especially , two wayes . First , it is taken for an awfull dread and reverence of GOD , which makes us carefull to obey , and fearefull to offend : by which we make conscience of all our words and works , as standing in the presence of GOD : Which ELIAH thought fit to produce , as an argument the better to perswade ACAB to give faith unto the truth which hee did deliver . 1. Reg. 17. And the good Theefe 's words unto the bad , upon the Crosse , were these : Fearest thou not God , seeing thou art in the same condemnation ? ( as if hee had said ) Art thou so destitute of grace , as not to consider the place and case wherein thou art ? Hast thou no feare or awe of him who now taketh vengeance , and executeth iudgement upon thee for thy former sinnes and iniquities ? How darest thou still persist to revile and raile upon this innocent and iust Man ? Fearest thou not GOD ? And by this Feare , DAVID directeth all men , erring in this vaile of misery ; saying , Stand in awe and sin not . Psal. 4.4 . PSAL. 4.4 .

Secondly , Feare is taken for the whole worship and service of GOD : And so it is to bee understood in this place : as if hee should say , Listen unto mee and I will teach you the true worship of GOD according unto that of the Prophet Isaiah 29 , Isai. 29.13 . where God saith : Their feare towards me was taught by the precepts of men : ( id est ) Their Religion , and manner of worship was taught by mans traditions , and not by my word . Mat. 15. Which our Saviour Christ himselfe interpreteth after the same manner : saying , In vaine do they worship mee , teaching for doctrine the precepts of men . And the oath that IACOB took , Gen. 31.42 Gen. 31. was by the feare of his father ISAAC ( i. ) by the feare of GOD which was in his father ISAAC : as if hee should say ; I sweare by that GOD whom my Father adores : for God is sometimes called by names effective ; Our health , wealth , strength , and salvation : because all these come from him from whom proceedeth every good and perfect gift : sometimes obiective ; Our Ioy ; our Hope ; our Love ; our feare : because hee is the obiect of all these , and therfore should be the scope and end of all our worship and service of GOD affective .

Secondly , Tertull. Apol. cap. 34. consider we then the Obiect of this Feare : The LORD ; which Tertullian saith : Is the very Surname of GOD , and is most commonly in Scripture applied unto CHRIST , the Second person , and that by consent of the whole Trinity : Ioh. 13.13 . by CHRIST himselfe , Ioh. 13. Yee call me Lord and master , and yee say well , for so am I : by his Father , Act. 2.36 . who hath made him both Lord and Christ : and by the holy Ghost , in the mouth of men : Hic est omnium dominus : Act. 10.36 . Psal. 1 10. This Iesus Christ is Lord of all men . And DAVID himselfe saith : The Lord said unto my Lord , &c. Yet because the doctrine here is generall ; and also in the Epistle unto the Ephes. 4. Eph. 4.4 . the Apostle applyeth the word unto the whole Trinity , Vnus Dominus : it will not be amisse here so to doe . ●● . Take then the Lord , either as he is absolute & entire of himselfe , his most lively & perfect essence : Ens ille ; ille qui essentiam suam à seipso habet : or take him in his attributes and properties , wherein hee is the same with himself : for , Quicquid est in Deo Deus est . Or view him in his Iustice , a dreadfull GOD , a God of vengeance : Vengeance is mine , I will repay saith the Lord . MOSES could not endure his sight , nor the people his voyce : O let not God speake unto us ; that is , immediatly , by himselfe , lest we dye . Or take notice of GOD in the sweetest property of his nature , his infinite mercy and loving kindness , not diminishing our accounts , as the Steward in the Gospell , who for a 100 , sets down 50 : but utterly can celling our bills , & blotting all our wickednesse our of his remembrance .

Consider the LORD ( I say ) either in his Maiesty , or Mercy : as he is a God of vengeance or patience , hee is to bee feared . This Feare of the Lord , Psal. 111.10 . Eccles. 12.13 Psal. 145.15 Psal. 115.13 is the beginning of wisdome , and the end of all . Those which fear him shall be his schollers , Psal 145. And he will fulfill their desire & blesse them all great and small his hands is over them to defend them : and his eye is upon them like a pitifull Father , to extend mercy : Psal. 33.17 . Psal. 103.13 Psal. 103.9 and the mercifull goodness of this Lord unto these endureth for ever and ever . And therfore they lacke nothing ( i. ) nothing that is good for them . View this by experience ; Was there ever any that feared the Lord disappointed ? How fared it with Iacob , Iob , and others his saints and servants ? Psal. 12● . ● . Hee hath given meat unto them that feare him : yea , they are all blessed : for the Lord's delight is in them that feare him . You have seene the benefit : behold the beauty of this feare : The beauty of God's feare . The feare of the Lord is a pleasant garden of blessing , and there is nothing so beautifull as it is , the fruit of this garden is blisse , Heclus , 40.27 & nothing so beautifull as it is .

You have heard of the parties invited by Name and Direction , if you did hearken to the word , Hearken : and of him that taught them , DAVID , a Prince and a Prophet : & of the benefit and beauty of God's feare , the lesson for our learning , by mee ; though neither Prophet , Amos 7.14 nor Son of a Prophet : yet by the grace of GOD , I am that I am , a Servant of GOD and Preacher and prisoner of Iesus Christ : Paul to Philem. August . Fam. 10. ser. 16. p. 49. & say with S. August . Domino iubente loquor , quo terrente non taceo : The Lord commands mee , wherefore I speake ; hee threatens if I forbeare , and therefore I dare not keepe silence .

Learne this Lesson then , Application . for the worthiness of the Author , and worth of the matter ; both giving life unto our learning . But what , can every man learne ? will some say . I answer : Hath God given unto every one , an eare to heare ; a tongue to speake ; a heart to understand ; and a memory to beare away , let him pray unto GOD , who made the deafe to heare , the dumbe to speake , the simple , to understand ; the sicke and the diseased to remember the great workes of the LORD : hee will much rather open his ears , that he may heare ; untye his tongue , that hee may speake ; mollifie his heart , that he may understand ; and strengthen his memory to retaine the same : provided , that herewithall he ioyne his owne industry and paines ; which is , obediently and reverently to frequent the Congregation ; to be catechized and instructed . Repetition is practised in other Arts and Sciences , although in none as it ought more then catechizing in Divinity . If we cannot repeat what we have learned in other Arts , it is a plaine proofe , wee have not learned them as wee should . And shall wee be thought to have learned many things , nay indeed , any thing in Religion , when we cannot render an account of the Articles of our Creed , or the ten Commandements .

Give mee leave to propose the 400 Catechizing houses which were in Ierusalem ▪ as also , our English trayterous Seminaries , for an example of paines and industry unto you : learne of those Schollers of Antichrist , who are so studious in their generations , to bee likewise studious , painefull , & desirous to bee catechized and instructed in the wayes of godliness . If you use the same diligence that they beare the world in hand they doe , you may prove as learned as they are accounted : As they be learned in the language of the Caldeans , so may you bee learned in the language of Canaan : as they are taught to maintaine the pride of that Romish Strumpet , so may you bee furnished with all good knowledge to maintaine the simplicity of the Gospell , and true Religion : they , Antichrist ; you , our Lord and onely CHRIST : they , the Pope you , the true & ever living GOD.

Wherefore , in a word , use all diligence , and with diligence , ioyne meditation and prayer , that you may profit hereby in the feare of the Lord , & therin provoke others to doe the like ; and win our adversaries , the Papists , to the truth ; who , seeing your increase in sound learning , and fear of GOD , may follow you in both : That the idle may leave his sloath , seeing your labours : that the ignorant may bee ashamed , beholding your knowledg : the wicked liver reclaimed , seeing your care to walk in the fear of the LORD : that you your selves may bee edified , and presented blamelesse at that great and fearfull day of the Lord IESVS : To whom , with the Father , and the holy Ghost ; three Persons , and one GOD be ascribed all power , maiestie , might , and dominion , both now and ever .