The principles of the doctrine of Christ, or, A catechism in which is contained the sum of the Christian religion, or what is necessary to be believed and done in order to salvation, the answers being but seventeen in number, and in very plain words easie to be understood : unto which is added A catechism for conscience, wherein the consciences of the ignorant, the grosly profane, the young, the meerely mortal, and the hypocrites are examined in order to their instruction and awakening, and the consciences of the sincere Christians are tried in order to their peace and comfort / by Nathanael Vincent.

The Conscience of the Young Man who is vain in his Youth; is to be dealt with after this manner.

Q. 1. O young Man, thou rejoicest in thy youth, and seemest void of care and fear; What is the ground of this thy joy?

A. I walk after the sight of my Eyes, and in the way to which my heart is incli∣ned, and the fulfilling of my youthful Lusts is very pleasant.

Q. 2. But is not thy Creator to be remembred in the days of thy youth? And is not his service infinitely better than to have thy Lusts thy Lords?

A. I reckon it time enough to think of God when I am old.

Q. 3. How dost thou know thou shalt live to be old?

A. I find Nature in me vigorous and strong. And now what is gratifying to my Senses puts me into a transport of joy. Mirth and Musick delight my Ear; Meats and Drinks do please my apperite: Brave Apparel is my Pride: Sports and Recrea∣tions are my principal business, and Amo∣rous Thoughts and Desires are constant

Guests which my heart entertains with won∣derful complacency. My mind aspires to worldly greatness; and I hope to be some∣body before I die.

Q. 4. Why dost thou not consider, that the hour of Death may be near, not∣withstanding the strength of Nature? and that many as young and lusty as thy self, and who as confidently reckoned upon longer life, have been, by the small Pox, or Feaver, or some other malady, or by unexpected accident suddenly sent unto their graves?

A. Pray don't talk of Death; 'tis a melancholick subject which I don't care to hear or think of.

Q. 5. But will the putting of Death out of thy mind, be any defence against its stroke, or keep Death off from thee?

A. To think much of Death, would make life miserable; it would be a torturing of ones self, and a dying every day.

Q. 6. But if thou livest so, as that to die will be gain to thee; will the thoughts of Death be unpleasant then?

A. I have no inclination at all to change my course of life.

Q. 7. Why shouldst thou resolve to live a fool? deceived and enslaved by thy

lusts and pleasures? and to venture dy∣ing miserably?

A. Pray let me alone, I am not sensible of any bondage I am under; I live a merry life; and an ounce of mirth is better than a pound of sorrow.

Q. 8. If an ounce of carnal mirth, which may so quickly end, and end in endless sorrow, be of so much account with thee; what is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of joy and glory?

A. That joy is unsuitable to me. That Man methinks spake very good sense, who said, Soul take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry, thou hast Goods laid up for many years.

Q. 9. Does not God call that Man a Fool? And did not Death which came to him many years sooner than he ex∣pected; prove him to be both Fool, and Wretched? And did not Hell make him sensible of his folly when it was too late?

A. I dislike the thoughts of death, but much more of what is to follow after.

Q. 10. Is it not a Lesson, that the Wise man would teach the Young man, Eccles. 11. 9. But know that for all these things God will bring thee to Judgment?

A. I dread that day, and cannot endure to think of the account I am then to give to Him that is to be my Judge.

Q. 11. Not thinking of Judgment, does it not make thee secure and care∣less in making ready for it? And here∣upon will not thy account be with the greater grief and horrour?

A. I am sorry I have entred upon this discourse; if once these things come to have a deep and abiding impression upon my heart, I must bid farewel to all my joy; and sor∣row must fill up the remainder of my days.

Q. 12. Why dost thou suffer thy self to be deceived and abused? Is not a greater joy to be preferr'd before a less? A true and lasting joy, before that which is but a shadow, a dream, and vanishes in a moment?

A. I cannot conceive that Religion should ever prove such a pleasant thing to me.

Q. 13. Why then does the Scripture speak of strong consolation? Of a peace that passes all understanding? Of a joy un∣expressible and full of glory?

A. These strong comforts and joys seem to me to be but strong phancies and meer imaginations.

Q. 14. Hast thou not reason to say so of thy sinful Comforts? But pray consider. Is it not God, the great Crea∣tor of all things which has put into the creatures, that power they have to de∣light thy senses? And cannot He him∣self infinitely more delight thy Soul?

A. Spiritual pleasures are things I do not understand; I have had a deal of sa∣tisfaction in the delights that are fleshly.

Q. 15. Dost thou think the Holy Angels have no pleasure because they have no flesh? How full of Torment are the Devils though they have no bo∣dily senses to be tormented? And have not the elect Angels though they have no bodies, a far higher delight in God, than a body is capable of?

A. I confess I have not minded my Soul which is a Spirit; but have pleased my senses and my fancy; as if there were no higher happiness.

Q. 16. While thou hast thus pleased thy bruitish part, (for Beasts have sen∣ses which they please) hast thou not shewed thy self rather a Brute, than either Saint or Man?

A. You intimate that to be a Saint is to act with the greatest reason. But I would

fain enjoy my sensual pleasures a little lon∣ger; and afterwards I am for repenting and turning Saint indeed.

Q. 17. God who commands thy turning to him; and turning Saint; does he not command thee to do it pre∣sently? Does not the Holy Ghost say, To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts. Heb. 3. 7, 8. If thou wert in pain, wouldst not thou be for present ease? If thou wert in great danger, wouldst not thou be for present security? If sick of a death threatning malady, wouldst thou not desire to be presently healed? Why, oh why shouldst thou not be willing to part with sin imme∣diately, which is the worst disease? and which, if not presently cured, per∣haps may never be cured, but issue in eternal death?

A. Methinks I see that evil in sin I ne∣ver saw; and the bewitching pleasure of it, is not so taking a thing as it was formerly.

Q. 18. Art thou willing to be di∣rected to a Saviour who can deliver thee from Sin and Wrath?

A. I may die while I am young; and when I come to die I shall prize a Saviour; certainly I ought now to value him, I am willing to be directed to him.

Q. 19. That thou may'st come to Christ, wilt thou flee youthful lusts? and pray that thy heart may be cleansed from them? and that thou mayest possess thy vessel in sanctification and honour? count∣ing it an honour to thy body to have the members of it Instruments of Righ∣teousness unto Holiness?

A. I perceive my Lusts are hurtful, and 'tis a foolish thing to serve them to my own ruine.

Q. 20. When Sinners thy compani∣ons entice thee, wilt thou refuse to con∣sent? and rather reprove them though they call thee fool and fanatick, than have any longer fellowship with the un∣fruitful works of darkness?

A. 'Tis better to leave them, and be laught at; than in hell to weep and despair with them to Eternity.

Q. 21. Thy wanton and defiling and ensnaring books, such as Plays and Ro∣mances, wilt thou cast away? and give thy self to search the Scripture; Cate∣chisms, and other good books which may help thee in the understanding, and practice of the Word of God?

A. I hope I shall become a student in the Holy Bible; labour to be well grounded in

the doctrine of the Catechism; and add practice to knowledge.

Q. 22. Art thou sensible that the pleasures of sin are but for a season? And are the vanities of the world fallen in thy esteem?

A. I hope I shall be no longer a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God, nor pre∣fer sports and pastimes before Prayer, his word and service.

Q. 23. Dost thou perceive that thy happiness lies in God? in being favour∣ed by him? in being like unto him in holiness, and in enjoying him both here and for ever?

A. My naughty heart is unsuited to God, and looks upon happiness in him with a strange eye, but I desire my heart may be circumcised to love him; and that I may chuse God himself above all.

Q. 24. Dost thou consent to receive Christ who is made known and offered to thee in the Gospel? to justifie thee by his blood; to sanctifie thee by his Spirit; and to rule thee by his word and commandments?

A. I desire my heart may be opened to receive the Lord Jesus.

Q. 25. Dost thou rely on Christ a∣lone to make thy peace with God? as believing this truth, there is but One God and One Mediator between God and Men, the Man Christ Jesus?

A. I am perswaded that Christ alone is the Saviour of his Church and People, and that there is not Salvation in any other.

Q. 26. Dost thou see thy inability to come to Christ except the Father who hath sent him, draw thee?

A. The Lord make me willing in the day of his power! and draw me to his Son. Turn m•• to himself! that I may never re∣turn to my youthful vanity and folly, or any wickedness more!