THe Countrey Parson hath read the Fathers also, and the Schoolmen, and the later Writers, or a good proition of all, out of all which he hath compiled a book, and body of Divinity, which is the storehouse of his Sermons, and which he preacheth all his Life; but diversly clothed, illustrated, and inlarged. For though the world is full of such composures, yet every mans own is fittest, readyest, and most savory to him. Besides, this being to be done in his younger and preparatory times, it is an honest joy ever after to looke upon his well spent houres. This Body he made by way of expounding the Church Catechisme, to which all divinity may easily be reduced. For it being indifferent in it selfe to choose any Method, that is best to be chosen, of which there is likelyest to be most use. Now Catechizing being a work of singular, and admirable benefit to the Church of God, and a thing required under Canonicall obedience, the expounding of our Catechisme must needs be the most use- full forme. Yet hath the Parson, besides this laborious work, a slighter forme of Catechizing, fitter for country people; according as his audience is, so he useth one, or other; or somtimes both, if his audience be intermixed. He greatly esteemes also of cases of conscience, wherein he is much versed. And indeed, herein is the greatest ability of a Parson to lead his people exactly in the wayes of Truth, so that they neither decline to the right hand, nor to the left. Neither let any think this a slight thing. For every one hath not digested, when it is a sin to take something for mony lent, or when not; when it is a fault to discover anothers fault, or when not; when the affections of the soul in desiring and procuring increase of means, or honour, be a sin of covetousnes or ambition, and when not, when the appetites of the body in eating, drinking, sleep, and the pleasure that comes with sleep, be sins of gluttony, drunkenness, sloath, lust, and when not, and so in many circumstances of actions. Now if a shepherd know not which grass will bane, or which not, how is he fit to be a shepherd? Wherefore the Parson hath throughly canvassed al the particulars of humane actions, at least all those which he observeth are most incident to his Parish.

Herbert continues with what knowledge a parson needs to lead his flock. I love this suggestion of compiling a personal book of excerpts from others to use in teaching and preaching. This itself is a wonderful example of the paradox of our calling to hand on the universal, timeless message of the Gospel…yet through a person with unique interests, skills and voice. Wouldn’t that be a powerful exercise – sorting through the wealth of Christian literature and compiling a ‘storehouse’ of what speaks most powerfully to you?

The second thing I notice is that the message stays the same, we don’t have to keep revising every few years, we simply present the same message that has been handed down through the ages, but in different forms and with different illustrations. I mentioned in an earlier post, how I’ve tried to focus on the most basic meaning in a text, it has been good for me to drive deeper into these foundational matters and work more on presenting them clearly.

 He closes with a reminder that teaching on the basics of the faith is not trivial matter as well as the sharp comment that ‘if a shepherd know not which grass will bane, or which not, how is he fit to be a shepherd?’ I think there is a wealth of wisdom in that line.

 So what would be some of the excerpts that would be part of your own ‘storehouse’?

 (Photo ‘Old Books’ by deepsan)