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PINNOCK'S CATECHISMS

Of the ARTS and SCIENCES.

The Proprietor of these Publications respectfully submits the following Opinion of the Lord Chancellor of England, (the especial Guardian of British Youth,) as delivered by him in the Court of Chancery, July 27, 1819.

Mr. WETHERELL having applied to the LORD CHANCELLOR to grant an INJUNCTION to restrain certain Booksellers from printing, publishing, and selling, Pirated Editions of PINNÖCK'S CATECHISMS, the originals of which he denominated "useful Compendiuins of Instruction for the Juvenile Classes of Society;" his LORDSHIP, On comparing the Spurious Copies with the Genuine Works, granted the Injunction; and, after having attentively examined the latter, was pleased to make the following important observation on them:“It appears to me that ADULTS might be greatly benefited by the instruction these Books contain, AS WELL AS THE YOUNGER BRANCHES OF SOCIETY.'

[For a List of the Catechisms, see the Cover.]

The Publisher respectfully begs leave to observe, that,. independent of the high encomium above mentioned, "PINNOCK'S CATECHISMS" have met with the general approbation of a most numerous and respectable Class of intelligent Teachers. They need only to be seen to ensure their universal adoption; the information they contain in so small a compass being unparalleled, and the style in which they are written, combining ease, conciseness, and perspicuity.

"Being led to look into these works, we have been pleasingly surprised at the variety and accuracy of the information they contain, within so small a compass, and in so excellent a form; and we must say, that more convenient, accurate, well-arranged, and proper publi-, cations were never submitted to genera observation."—Liter. Gaz.

*** It is necessary to remark, that many spurious Editions, externally resembling the above, are circulated throughout the Kingdom, The Public should therefore be cautious to purchase none but such as have the name of the Publisher (G, B. Whittaker) in the Title-pages.

A complete School-Catalogue.*

18. Of the State of Matrimony. 19. Of Repentance.

20. Against Idleness.

21. Against Rebellion.

That the two books of Homilies do contain "a godly and wholesome doctrine," and consequently "necessary for all times," will plainly appear to those who impartially compare them with the holy Scriptures.

In this Article, the doctrine contained in the Book of Homilies is asserted in opposition to the Romanists, who have condemned them as heretical and the reading of them is approved of in opposition to the Puritans, who have contended that nothing ought to be publicly read in churches besides the Scriptures.

The word Homily is derived from ὁμίλια, which signifies conference, or conversation. At the time of the Reformation, principally in consequence of the ignorance of the clergy, two Books of Homilies were prepared: the first was published in King Edward's reign, the second was not finished till after his death so it was not published before Queen Elizabeth's time.

The first Book of Homilies was published in 1547, and was supposed to be written chiefly by Cranmer: the second in 1660, and was probably written by Jewell.

ARTICLE XXXVI.

Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers. • THE book of consecration of archbishops and bishops, and ordering of priests and deacons, lately set forth in the time of Edward the Sixth, and confirmed at the same time by authority of parliament, doth contain all things necessary to such consecration and ordering, neither hath it any thing that of itself is superstitious and ungodly. And therefore whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to the rites of that book, since the second year of the forenamed King Edward, unto this time, or hereafter shall be consecrated or ordered according to the same rites, we decree all such to be rightly, or

2 Three things necessarily concur in the right ordering of ministers.

First, That they be called or moved inwardly of God to take upon them the office. See Art. XXIII, note a. Secondly, that they be outwardly called and sent forth by men having authority thereunto. See Art. XXIII, note b.

Thirdly, that they be publicly ordained by prayer and imposition of hands. See Art. XXXIII, note b. The book here referred to proceeds on this scriptural plan.

derly and lawfully consecrated and ordered.

Though bishops, priests, (presbyters, or elders,) and deacons, are all expressly mentioned in the New Testament, yet we have no particular account of the forms by which they were appointed to their respective offices, except that it was done by imposition of hands accompanied with prayers. Nor are any directions given upon this subject, to be observed in succeeding ages: the Church therefore is left to prescribe such forms as it may judge most suitable and convenient.

ARTICLE XXXVII.

Of the Civil Magistrates.

a THE king's majesty hath the chief power in this realm of England, and other his dominions, unto whom the chief government of all the estates of this realm, whether they be ecclesiastical or civil, in all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be, subject to any foreign jurisdiction.

a 1 Pet. ii. 13. Submit yourselves to the king as su

Whereas we attribute to the king's majesty the chief government, by which titles we understand the minds of some slander

ous folks to be offended. b We give not to our princes the ministering either of God's word, or of the sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen, do most plainly testify: But that only prerogative which we see to have been given always to all godly princes in holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all

b 2 Chron. xxvi. 18, 19, 20. And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It pertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but unto the priests. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead, &c. Yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.

c 2 Kings xii. 7. Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house, &c.-2 Chron. xxxi. 2. And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the Priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service.-2 Chron. xxx. 1. And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, &c. that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel.2 Kings xxiii. 21. 1 Chron. xvi. 4. Is. xlix. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy

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