74 An Expofition upon as a building up to perfe &ion : the one is redelivered,the other not. Tt iii. Homancient is this exorcife ? S t L. Very ancient, pra&ifed before the law by Adam,Gen. 4. and Abraham, Gen. 18. Vnder the law by David : and in the time of the Gofpell by Chriil, Mat./ 6.& Paul,Heb.6.1,2. Tr M. Hoir may it appeare that there is a neceffity of this duty? S t L. By the commandement, Deut. 6.. alfo Ephe.6.4. Secondly, becaufe this kind of inftru &ion is compared to milke, Heb.5 .13. and to the laying of a foundation, Heb. 6.I. and to the teach - ing of principles. Thirdly, alto by the refilling which Satan maketh to this worke. Lafily,becaufe it is an ordinance ofGod for good to his ele &, therefore it is neceffary, being a part of the holy minikry. Ti M. What is the utility and profit of Catecbifing? S i L. Manifold, fill it prepareth unto ripeneffe its knowledge. Secondly, it enableth to difcerne truth from er- ror'''. Thirdly, it fitteth for the recei- ving of the Communion. Fourthly, it caufeth Chriflians to heare fermons more profitably : as by taking in milke, children are at length made able to beare flrong meate. DIALOGUE XIII. Verfes 9,1o. And perfwadefi thy f if ,that thou art aguide to the blind, a light to them that `are in darkeneffe : a teacher of the ignorant,an in- former of them that lack, difcretion. Ti MOTHEUS. WHat re ac the drift of thefe words? h.rt. S t L. Tolhew the pride and va- trig. The nity of the jaws, even of their chicle i.iofer: nd Do &ors,defpifng all other people, as an heap of babes and idiots, in comparifon of titles. themfelves, yet they had no fparke of found knowledge irithern, but were as bladders full of winde. Ti u. What efpeciall things were learned out of this Ter. ? S 1 L. That ignorant and unlearned Chap.2. perfons,are likened to the blind,and to filch as be in darkeneflc: for whether by [ blinde_1 we underE and Gentiles or vul- gar fewes,the unskilfull be meant here. T9 M. Whereof did this put ne in mind? S 1 L. Offìmdry and very profitable leffons:Firl,that ignorant pert-ens fee not their way to heaven, as blind min lee not their earthly way. Secondly, as blit,d i:erfons are foone rnifledfrom the way, fo are ignorant perlons Toone feduced. Thirdly, as we pity the blindsio we are to pity the ignorant. Fourthly,as we are ready to lead the blinde in their way, fo we muff do to- wards the ignorant. Fiftly, as they in darkeneffe and blindnelfe are in danger of taking bodily harme, fo are the ig- norant in danger of fpirituall hurt, by falling into finne and trrours. Sixtly, as the blind have no cowl oit of the fitn,fo neither theignorant have any comfort ofthe word whilll they remain fuch. TI 1t. What other things were learned out of this Text? S I L. That teachers are called guides and lights, and fhould be able to en- lighten others; though thefe meant here by our Apofile, were nothing leffe then fuch iti truth, whatfoever boafts they made, delighting to be called Mailers, Rabbi, Teachers, Scribes. Ti M. Whereof did this admonifh us ? S t L. Of divers good hill: u&ions:As firfl,that there is a neceffity of Teachers, as of guides in our journey to heaven. Secondly, that teachers ought to have more skill in Gods matters then the hearers;as a guide ought more perfe&ly to know the way,then the party guided. Thirdly,thathearers ought to love and recompence their teachers, as travailers doe their guides. Fourthly,that great is the lols of skilful guides &lights, it is as the falling ofthe light & liars from hea- ven. Laflly,that great is their unthank- fulnes, which do abufe their teachers,as if one fhould abufe his good guide. Ti ts. Wh at other things were noted out of this Text 2 Sr 1. The nature of pride,in this that it is faid,thou perfwadell thy felfe; noti ng to us, that they were filch in opinion, rather
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