9. So common and hurtful is this sin in mankind, that you should still be duly fearful of it. Error, I fear, taketh up the greater portion of the thoughts of men; most persons are rather deceived than in the right; man's mind in the flesh, is in great darkness; and, therefore, PROUD IGNORANCE is a monstrous and pernicious vice. Most of the confusions and miseries of the world, of kingdoms, churches, and societies, come from it. Yea, though it seems most contrary to scepticism, it tendeth at last to infidelity or atheism. For when experience hath convinced such conceited persons, that their most confident rage was but a mistake, they turn themselves to think that there is nothing certain, and begin to deny the greatest truths. It is by this one sin of proud self-conceitedness in false thoughts, that kingdoms, particular churches, and the world itself, through obstinacy, seem remediless; and the wisest men that would gladly attempt to cure them, can do no good except on themselves and a few others.

10. But this sin is no where more misplaced or unnatural, than in children against the counsel of their parents, and scholars against that of their tutors, and ignorant persons against the common consent of the most able and godly pastors. What an odious thing is it to see an ignorant lad run against all his father's words, and think that he is wiser than his parents, and always in the right! and to hear ignorant persons magisterially judge and despise their wise and faithful teachers, before they are capable to understand them, or the matter about which they talk! O how happily might parents, pastors, and wise men, promote knowledge and goodness in the world, were it not for this selfish confidence, which shuts the door against their necessary helps!

CHAP. XV.

The Conclusion, addressed to Ministers.

THERE is another sort of helpers, on whom the welfare of youth much depends;-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 who silence me, should hear me ;

nor will I think that able and 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 who will not be admonished by such as me, to read the works of Martin Bucer, who had so great a hand in counselling our Reformers in framing the Liturgy, especially his book "de Regno Dei, his Censure of the Liturgy," of Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and Discipline, and his vehement pressing of the necessity of Congregational Discipline, of denying the sacrament to the unmeet, and of keeping baptized youths among the Catechumens, till at a proper 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. He also shews what mischievous effects ensue from confirming them and admitting them to the Lord's-supper, on their barely saying the words of the Catechism, the Creeds, the Lord's-prayer, and the Decalogue, without tried understanding and serious piety;-what a wrong is thus done to the Christian church and religion, by confounding and corrupting our communion for want of parish discipline and distinctions; and what little good all canons or laws for reformation or religious duty will do, if the ministry be ignorant, worldly and ungodly, and if the churches be not taught and guided by able, godly, humble, self-denying and loving pastors.

Read him diligently, I beseech you, for he was no violent man, and his books here mentioned were purposely written for King Edward, and for the Bishops and the Church of England, and were by them kindly accepted. His burnt bones were honourably vindicated by the public praise, and his memory was by many in Cambridge solemnly commended to posterity. Let, I beseech you, his counsel in these books be revived, and let true reformation be tried by their light. I hope those who will not hear me, or such as I am, will hear that great and moderate reformer. And if you will add the reading of old Salvian, and of Nic. Clemangis, it may do you good, by exciting you to do good to others, and thus effectually promoting the ends of this AD

VICE TO YOUTH.

March 25, 1681.

A

Moral Prognostication,

FIRST,

WHAT SHALL BEFAL THE CHURCHES ON EARTH, TILL THEIR CONCORD, BY THE RESTITUTION OF THEIR PRIMITIVE PURITY, SIMPLICITY AND CHARITY:

SECONDLY,

HOW THAT RESTITUTION IS LIKELY TO BE MADE, (IF EVER,) AND WHAT SHALL BEFAL THEM THENCEFORTH UNTO THE

END, IN THAT GOLDEN AGE OF LOVE.

WRITTEN BY

RICHARD BAXTER;

WHEN BY THE KING'S COMMISSION, WE (IN VAIN) TREATED FOR CONCORD, 1661.

AND NOW PUBLISHED, NOT TO INSTRUCT THE PROUD, THAT SCORN
TO LEARN; NOR TO MAKE THEM WISE, WHO WILL NOT BE
MADE WISE: BUT TO INSTRUCT THE SONS OF LOVE AND
PEACE, IN THEIR DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS.

TO TELL POSTERITY, THAT

THE THINGS WHICH BEFAL THEM WERE FORETOLD;

AND THAT THE EVIL MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, AND BLESSED
PEACE ON EARTH ATTAINED, IF MEN HAD BEEN BUT WILLING ;
AND HAD NOT SHUT THEIR EYES, AND HARDENED
THEIR HEARTS AGAINST THE BEAMS OF
LIGHT AND LOVE.

TO THE READER.

READER,

It is many years, since this Prognostication was written, (1661, except the thirteen last lines); but it was cast by, lest it should offend the guilty. But the author now thinketh, that the monitory usefulness, may overweigh the inconveniences of men's displeasure; at least, to posterity, if not for the present age; of which he is taking his farewel*. His suppositions are such as cannot be denied: viz.

1. Eccles. i. 9. "The thing that hath been, is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

2. The same causes, with the same circumstances, will have the same effects on recipients, equally disposed.

3. Operari sequitur esse:' as natures are, so they act; except where overpowered.

4. The appetite, sensitive and rational, is the principle of motion; and what any love, they will desire and seek.

5. Therefore, interest will turn the affairs of the world; and he that can best understand all interests, will be the best moral prognosticator; so far as men are causes of the events.

6. The pleasing of God, and the happiness of their own and others' souls, being the interest of true believers; and temporal life, pleasure, and prosperity, being the seeming and esteemed interest of unbelievers cross interests, will carry them contrary ways.

7. Contraries, when near and militant, will be troublesome to each other, and seek each others' destruction or debilitation.

VOL. XV.

* This Tract was first printed in 1680. EDITOR.

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