A review of Mr. Horn's catechisme, and some few of his questions and answers noted by J.H. of Massingham p. Norf.

In the Questions and Answers 200, 201. he gi∣veth many reasons, reduced to five heads, why it is behoovefull, that the remedy should be as general, and as plain, as the misery: as,

[Because it gives us ground to repent, and bless God, and have good thoughts of him: condemnation of unbe∣leevers will be more just; a man shall not be laid open to despair; he shall have good ground to love, and help, and pray for others.

It is sufficient to speak to these reasons in the general.

First, I think it no way bebooveth, nor becometh man, to say, what it behooved God to have done: because by this means Man is made judge of Gods doings: it behooveth, or, it must be, tenetur, decet, dcbuit, are words no way suitable to us, who ought rather to apply our selves, to learn what God hath done, than to take upon us to teach, what he should do.

Just thus is the Popes infallibility pleaded for, and a living Judge. Regula viva infallibilis. Very use∣full, very needfull it were, that there should be some, one to end all questions, and without further argu∣ment or appeal, to determine controversies. So were it also that every Bishop were infallible, and that e∣very Parish-Priest were so: and if every particular person were infallibly directed, they should have the greater reason to be thankfull, and their condemna∣tion would be the more just, if certainly knowing their duties and matters of faith, they should refuse to beleeve and do accordingly.

I answer secondly, Not every thing must be taught, whether it be true or false, because some; good may likely come of it, if it be beleeved. Nei∣ther on the other hand, must we forbear to teach the truth, because it may be abused to evil.

The Doctrine of Merit, is a great encourage∣ment to good works; yet, as he will not be held a skilfull Architect, that shall dig up the foundation of a Town; that he may have wherewithall to finish or repair the top of it: So let our builder take good heed, how he doth weaken, and how he doth tam∣per with the ground-work of free Grace, pretending great need and much benefit that may come thereon. If men will not otherwise bless God, and have good thoughts of him, unless they be taught that he lo∣veth one man as much as another; we must not any whit the more be found false witnesses of God, 1 Cor. 15. 15. false witnesses, I mean, as the Apo∣stle

meaneth, not against him, but for him, alledg∣ing more in his behalf, than will hold true, because we think it makes for him, and his glory. Will ye ac∣cept his Person? saith Job, chap. 13. that is, do you think that he will take it well, or be beholden to you, if you go about to shew him more favour, than his cause will well bear, in the truth of it? Plain∣ly, this will fall out to be an accusation, not de∣fence.

Thirdly, his Adversaries, who hold universal Re∣demption, though not every way as he doth: do re∣pent, and bless God, and think well of him, and hope in him, not running into despair, and do love others, and pray for them, and help them: all this they do, and are called upon to do, by vertue of that Do∣ctrine, which they have learned touching Gods love, and Christs Death.

And lastly, it would be weighed, whether the people being taught to reason after this manner, be not endangered so far to forget the charge of Moses, Deut. 29. abovementioned, as quite contrary to it, to be careless in doing duties commanded, and con∣forming to Gods revealed will; because they are made no further acquainted with his secret intenti∣on and purpose; and whether they be not hereby in∣structed, to stand and capitulate, and be upon points of certainty, with God the Judge, in whose debt and danger nevertheless so much they are: And for his reasons, this may suffice.

Next after these reasons, shewing the necessitie of beleeving the extent of Christs righteousness to all, he proceedeth thus.