The first part of youths errors. Written by Thomas Bushel, the superlatiue prodigall

To my Christian Brethren the Ofsprings that proceeds from Vniuersities.

BEloued Brethren if you haue past the ex∣ercises, Ceremonies, and degrees with ap∣prou'd allowance by the cōmon lawes of man to take the orders of Priesthood, Mini∣ster, Teacher, Pastor and Shep∣herd, which is the most worthy, honorable & blest title confirm'd on man. Let not then (Deare

brethren) my affectionate aduice be displeasing, in perswading your diligent resolutions to search the lawes, statutes, and commands, which God both requires and ex∣pects at your hands; for if any of you vndertake the tuition o•• soules, and then by the neglect o•• your duties, there should perish ei∣ther man, woman, or child, you are to answer for their sufferings, * 1.1 though no ease to the parties grie∣ued: So that as the dignitie of your profession doeth excell the power and authoritie of Kings, Empe∣rours, or Monarches; euen like∣wise their perils, hazards, and dan∣gers are equall to their greatnesse by how much the one com∣mands; but the bodie temporall

and the other Charge of the soule eternall. O then, gentle Sirs, let me intreat you for my poore bre∣threns sake, Gods glory, and the safegard of your owne soules, search narrowly into the fraile dispositions & conditions of your owne natures, and then ponder whether your abilities are of that efficacie and power to discharge so noble a calling, without degra∣dation of the title, perill to your soules, and losse of our poore bre∣thren, setting aside the president of others, which I pittie some, feare diuers, suspect the best. Yet I hope there will bee found many righteous Abrahams, chaste Lots, godly Daniels, and patient Iobs. O∣therwise, wee of the Laitie are in

great danger, if the Clergie should be lost: for how can the bodie liue when the head is dead. First, then deare brethren, let mee per∣swade you to follow the old Pro∣uerbe, Looke before you leape, read and consider vpon the oath requir'd by man; next, examine your hearts if you can keepe the same which is expected by God; then, whether you are in loue and charitie, whether more flesh then spirit, more addicted to pleasures then deuotions, more delighted in worldly trifles, then heauenly treasures, or whether more for re∣uenue of the place, then Gods glo∣ry, and profit of your brethren. For if any of those temporalties haue gained the vpper hand, yet it

were weakenesse to attempt, but madnesse to vndertake, vnlesse you can command them, not they you. Otherwise, your soules are in danger, and they infortunate that are planted vnder your iurisdicti∣on. For beleeue it (hopefull Sirs) you cannot serue God and Mam∣mon, * 1.2 which those vainely expects remission, whose liues be not an∣swerable to their profession: for if the Deuills should omit their ac∣cusations, yet the poore soules, which perish vnder their tuition, will cry out vengeance for their condemnations, and God is iust, as he is mercifull; So that I feare their language, Doe as I say, and not as I doe, will not protect them. Yet, worthy Sirs, you perceiue the cal∣ling

was honorable from the insti∣tution, and the reward is glorious aboue any, if you liue answerable. But on the contrary, miserable, wretched, damnable to your selues and others that neuer iniur'd you; so that it is better to bee an open wicked man, then a luke-warme Christian Diuine; for the one ruines but himselfe, the other ha∣zards many, yet I had rather be no man then either of them. Wherefore, deere brethren, if vp∣on mature deliberation, you finde your selues able to encounter those enemies, which originall na∣ture and custome hath claim'd a priuiledge, goe on boldly in the celestiall enterprise, and take these precepts along with you, as a help

to your pious indeauours. Let the sensible faculties of your hearts be holy, religious, and zealous to∣wards God, with an inward af∣fection to edifie your charge, ac∣cording to the directions of Christs Catholike Church exprest in holy Writ, not making any dif∣ference or respect of persons. In∣struct them publikely, admonish them priuately, rebuke them sharpely, * 1.3 and if those will not re∣call them, proclaime it openly, without fearing the displeasure of any humane creature. For they are not worthy to bee Comman∣ders, that either distrusts in their Generall, or feares their Souldiers. But aboue all let me intreat you to be mindfull of Baptisme, The Sa∣crament,

and visiting the sicke: For the first easeth your professi∣ons; the second testifieth your in∣tegrities; and the third dischargeth your duties. For as it confirmeth their saluation or damnation; so likewise it remaines the highest pinacle of your profession: and if it be possible (adopted Sirs) enter∣taine no wedlocke, but rather striue to curbe nature with spare∣nesse of dyet, * 1.4 then satisfie the flesh to vse such helpers. For your selues had need bee well grounded with inward spirations, nay in a man∣ner gods on earth that vndertake such bosome friendes, and per∣forms the weightie charge which will bee requir'd at your hands; hoping your owne innocencies

will neuer bee tempted to appeare in any spirituall preferment by the way of Sinon Magus, * 1.5 or helpe of his coadiutors: for surely those are neuer consecrated by God, nor al∣lowed by Lawes. How then (gen∣tle Sirs) in your owne conscien∣ces can they absolue, baptise, in∣struct, or minister the Sacrament, but with a trembling feare of murthering the soule, like a ty∣rants conscience that is imbru'd in blood. O then you anointed branches, bee not perswaded by a mould of clay to trench in so great a crime, knowing your selues as yet vnspotted. In so doing, * 1.6 Gods Name will bee glo∣rified, your brethren edified, and

your owne dutyes discharg'd; which will remaine presidents to others, ioy to your parents, comfort to your friends, and happinesse to your Soules.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ezek. 23.
• * 1.2

  2 Cor. 11.13.
• * 1.3

  Iam. 2.9.
• * 1.4

  1 Cor. 9.27
• * 1.5

  Act. 8.18.
• * 1.6

  Matt. 12.50.