Catechizing Gods Ordinance: OR A SHORT TREATISE CONCERNING That
Exerciſe of Catechizing.
DELIVERED In ſundry SERMONS at Botolphs Aldgate, London.
By Zach. Crofton Miniſter of the Word.
Jeſus Chriſt in his childhood ſubmitted himſelf to this Ordinance of God, though he were repleniſhed with all divine wiſdome. Downam of Catech. p. 334.
Knowledge of the Word is as neceſſary an art for Chriſtians, as the art of husbandry is neceſſary for husbandmen. Greenh. p. 383.
Inviſa poſſumus cupere, incognita nequaquam. Aug.
Train up a childe in the way he ſhould go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov. 22.6.
Whom ſay ye that I am? ſome ſay Elias, ſome John the Baptiſt, ſome Jeremiah or one of the Prophets. Whom ſay ye that I am? Thou art Chriſt the Son of the living God. Mat. 16.13, 14, 15, 16.
London, Printed by E. Cotes for Tho. Parkhurſt, at the Three Crowns over againſt the great Conduit at the lower end of Cheapſide, 1656.
I Preſent to the view of you all, what hath been plainly preached to the ears of ſuch whoſe hearts God hath inclined to attend on my publick Miniſtry. It is the chief and plain heads of ſundry Sermons without all Pulpit-repetitions, which would have ſwelled the volume too much; and without all flouriſhes of Fathers ſentences and citation of Authors, which might have made it nauſeous to the mindes of ſuch who judge things goodneſſe by their pl••nneſſe: the main ſcope and drift of it is to vindicate the dignity of a deſpiſed, and due authority of a denied Ordinance of God; to revive in the Church an anciently exerciſed; and too too long exil'd priviledge; to excite and quicken to that too too long neglected duty of Catechizing in all Chriſtian ſocieties. This work I confeſſe hath been done by many more able and eminent Miniſters of the Church, as holy Mr. Greenham, reverend Mr. Downam, acute Mr. Forde, and the reverend Provincial Aſſembly of the Churches of God within the City and Province of London; many times I had it in my thoughts to have commended theſe to your reading, but fearing what in that caſe I ſhould deſire might paſſe in at one ear and out at another; and I being by ſome deſired, and by the Province enjoyned to preach on the nature of this duty; and having calculated the doctrine for your condition and capacity, thought it might moſt ſure with you to put my own digeſted conſiderations into your hands; the which cannot but be the more welcome to ſuch whoſe ears heard them, and whoſe hearts were touched in the publique delivery: the acceptance of them by ſuch is not to be doubted; and by all others it is deſired, that they may be ſo farre accepted as to be taken up, read without paſſion or prejudice; the Doctrine therein taught may be revolved in your deliberate thoughts; and prayer may be put up to the God of Wiſdome, to open your eyes unto the apprehenſion and acknowledgement of the truth: This acceptance is the rather deſired, for that
1. This little Tract is preſented to you as a taſte of that pity, and teſtimony of that true affection I bear to you in the Lord, as your Miniſter: againſt which though I ſtrongly reſolved, yet providence hath ſo diſpoſed, that after all the ſad changes, and Religion-ruining revolutions, to which the times have ſubjected you, you are committed to my care and charge, and I hope I can unfeignedly ſay, you are now my Dearly beloved and much longed for in the Lord.
2. This Tract travels in this publick way to ſeek out them, who by reaſon of the ſpirit of deluſion and prophaneneſſe, withdraw their ears from hearing it when preached; I thought it a duty to preach to the eyes of them whoſe ears are ſhut to ſuch abſolute Religion-preſerving ordinances, as this is of Catechizing. I hope you have more charity then to ſuffer a Pariſh Childe born amongſt you to paſs by your houſes without one nights, nay a few hours entertainment: and I deſire none may appear ſo cruel, as to ſpurn and kick it out of their houſes for the fathers ſake, and the rather for that the father is to be found ready to traverſe all inditements againſt himſelf or doctrine, if he may but enjoy a patient hearing; but in ſpecial take heed that none look aſquint at it, and carry doggedly towards it for propounding a duty, and pleading for a piece of piety, for therein they engage the God of wiſdome and holineſſe to plead his own cauſe. As for ſuch as ſhall be ready to flight it on a ſeeming ſcrupuloſity of conſcience concerning the novelty, or antiquity, or formality, &c. of the exerciſe for which it contends, I deſire they will with patience read it through, it may be the reſolve of their ſcruples may make them more eſteem it.
3. The duty herein preſſed, is that which concerns you all of what ever age or condition: Are you ignorant? Catechizing is the way to knowledge; and certainly, knowledge in rudiments of Religion, is an abſolute duty incumbent on every man, be he rich or poor, high or low, young or old. It is a very good obſervation the Provinciall Aſſembly have in their exhortation to the ſame duty, and I deſire you may well note it, it is this:
It is the rare priviledge of the Romiſh Synagogue to have ſuch a power over ignorance, as to command her to imploy her ſelf as a tender nurſe to their blind devotions; but the Church of Chriſt hath ever found her ſuch a froward piece, as that ſhe hath churliſhly handled all the genuine iſſues of truth & piety; and as fondly cockered all the mis-ſhapen monſters of error, though never ſo ſtrangely compoſed of an heterogeneous commixture of ſuperſtition and prophaneneſſe.And as they, I muſt needs ſay, we cannot nouriſh our ſelves with the leaſt hope as to ſee ignorance become ſerviceable to true piety: we know the affections cannot outgo the apprehenſion of truth, till ſhe be known, cannot be reverenced, cannot but be hated.
Are you knowing? yet Catechizing concerns you not only in that thereby you communicated knowledge to others (according to your duty) but alſo the Catechiſm is to you no leſſe uſefull then the compaſſe to the moſt skilfull Mariner, to ſteer your courſe with method and order in theſe boiſterous daies of confuſed notions, as a touchſtone to the moſt diſcerning Goldſmith to try metals, and detect the moſt glittering falſities that are ſpread before you with a Chriſt, Chriſt, as a rule to the moſt underſtanding Architect, by which you ſquare your actions in the ſpirituall edifice of your immortall ſouls.
Are you poor? Catechizing is a very cheap and eaſie way, in a few hours time, in two pence expence to make you rich in faith.
Are you rich? Religion will make you civill, literature will be your honour, and none ſo much as Catechiſm, which will be the very glory of a Princes Crown.
Nay not only doth the duty preſſed, but the very preſſing of it concern you all; and that in order to the quickning of your lukewarm ſpirits, convincing your very conſciences of a duty to Catechize and be Catechized: Hath not the long neglect of this exerciſe to ſome, loſt the divine ſtamp of it, and armed young men (when called to Catechizing) with impudence to call its authority into queſtion? how many ſtick not to call it an humane invention? how many others account it good, but not neceſſary; allow it where it is uſed, but live without the diſcharge of it themſelves, as if it concerned not them? if ever it had need to be preſſed now with moſt power and plainneſſe, pregnant and perſwaſive arguments; the youth of this age through want of Catechizing, are captivated with Hereſies and Schiſm; and if the neglect be continued, the youth of the next will be capable of turning Pagan or Papiſt; but in the paſt ages of the Churches by this very means, as you have heard and may read, young children were prepared for Martyrdome in the defence of their Religion.
If any enquire and wonder that I preach and preſent to your reading ſo low, plain, common, and ordinary Doctrines in this high flown, wiſe and knowing age: I deſire ſuch to know, I am not inſenſible that the age in which we live, is an age of comforts, and that the now great enquiry of our Saints is after joy, not duty; aſſurance, not aſſent of faith; but truly I ſtudy not what may pleaſe you, but what may profit you; the practiſes of holineſſe in Word, Sacraments, and Sabbaths, are more for your profit then the priviledges of a Chriſtian: and whileſt your heads are lifted ſo high, that you tread and trample under your feet the principles and poſitive duties (pearls of no ſmall value) it is high time to ſet the luſtre of them before your eyes, and to make wantons know ſweet meats were not intended to work a contempt of common and ordinary food: and again, you have been too long pleaſed and puffed up with high flown doctrines: nay and the ſpirituall riches under which you travell (I mean that heady diſorderly knowledge, uttered in free, but very confuſed diſcourſes) makes me very jealous they were not wholſome. Laſtly, I have cauſe to fear that generally you cannot yet bear higher Doctrine; if God will, I ſhall leave the firſt rudiments, and go on towards perfection, when I have firſt laid the foundation, you will do well to conſider ſome men (who deſire to make the bounds of Chriſt his Church narrower then the Lord hath ſet them) hath under the notions of gathering Churches, ſtirred you in many parts and private congregations, and unchurched (as much as in them lies) your whole bodies holding the place of a publick Miniſter, but neither owned nor diſcharged the duties thereof in your inſtruction, nor yet giving way for others to do it: nay, nor yet have they inſtructed the poor ſouls ſeduced into their ſocieties: great is the ignorance in foundation principles I finde, and greater I fear amongſt you; nor, when I conſider how it hath been with you, do I wonder; but only this I ſay, how ſhall they be capable of the comforts that flow from the enjoyment of Chriſt, that are yet to be convinced that Chriſt is preſent to every beleever in the Sacrament, not only by way of efficacy, but alſo of reall exiſtency, yet not corporall in a Popiſh ſenſe. But I will hold you no longer at the threſhold; the Doctrine I have preached to ſome, and printed for all, I tender it to you as a Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt; nay, as your Miniſter ſet over you by the Lord, and watching for your ſouls, and deſirous to give up my account of you with joy, and not with grief, as ſuch and I, this ſmall Tract ſo tendred, I beſeech you, nay I charge you in the Lord, receive both me and it. I am not ignorant that ſome amongſt you who are ready to deny the exiſtency of Goſpel Miniſtry, deſpiſe it as Antichriſtian; determine the cry of holineſſe ſufficient ordination, and the Miniſtry to lie ſo common, that any man may (though to them none muſt) be manifeſt; and are ſo farre from ſubjecting, that they ſet themſelves over others, boldly Catechizing the Catechizers, will be ready to diſclaim and deny any ſubjection or relation to me, and diſpute my authority as a Miniſter: But to ſuch I ſay the Fathers authority is better exerciſed then debated amongſt froward children. I have offered openly and do offer again to give to the ſober diſſatisfied ſoul (that will with patience and meekneſſe hear) full ſatisfaction, not only concerning this, but all other principles, of which this Scepticall age hath cauſed them to doubt: I may not now ſtand to anſwer further, but invite them home, and in the mean time expect the duty preſſed to be embraced, Catechizing to be reſtored to your Families and Schools, your children and ſervants to be duly preſented when called to this duty in the Church: and fervent prayers for a bleſſing upon it and upon me, that God would enable me to doe the work which concernes your everlaſting welfare; which is, and by Gods grace ſhall be ſincerely and fervently followed by
IN this Treatiſe you have diſcuſſed this Doctrine:
Pag. 7. for them read then, p. 27. lin. 21. r. Canons of the Councels at, p. 32. l. 22. r. Cookes.
Imprimatur,
DEdications of Books, and inſcriptions of the names of men of worth and honour, are grown ſo common, that the plaineſt Truths and meaneſt Tracts diſcuſsing the ſame, cannot paſſe without them, and thereby a craved and engaged patronage: if this ſmall Tract of ſo plain a duty muſt ſeek any, for many conſiderable reaſons, it muſt ſeek you, and none but your ſelves, as its Patrons.
1. That the Author may hereby teſtifie to the world and your ſelvef his thankfull acknowledgement ▪ os Gods great mercy to his Church, not only for your being in theſe times of envie and indignation at all Church order and authority; but alſo for your vigilancy over, and induſtry for the good of the Churches of God, eminently approved not only in your elaborate vindications of Government and Miniſtry, but alſo in your late grave, ſerious, and authoritative exhortation unto Catechizing; wherein by many pregnant and perſwaſive reaſons, you do provoke Miniſters as well as others to a duty, the long neglect of which, with its ſad effects, is to us in the ſight of God and his Church, matter of ſhame and ſorrow.
2. To you it is directed as authors of its reſurrection, though not firſt being, though at my firſt coming into your City (in the purſuit of the duty) I did ſome years ſince preach it to the people of whom I had the inſpection,At James Garlickhithe. yet I had laid it by me as dead, and determined it ſhould never ſee the light, nor ſound in the ears of men any more; yet the ſound of your exhorting trumpet put again life into it, and cauſed it to be preached to a more publick audience for the benefit of a much greater people, to all whoſe ears the ſound not reaching, I was conſtrained to make it thus publick, that by reading what they ſhould have heard, they might be convinced of, and counſelled unto duty; and now it is cheerfully ſubmitted to your cenſure, at whoſe command it was preached, though not the firſt yet the ſecond time.
To you it comes in obedience to your command and conformity to your order, which requires an account to be given from the ſeveral Claſſes of what proceeding is made in the work of Catechizing, to which you exhort; let this ſmall Tract aſſure you of the chearfull ſubmiſſion of the meaneſt of your brethren to your exhortation, and full reſolution to revive that ordinance of Catechizing, ſo neceſſary, uſefull, and advantagious to the Church of God; prefeſsing that the greateſt comfort that ever my ſoul enjoyed in all my miniſteriall endevours amongſt the people with whom I lately laboured,James Garlickhithe. was in the inſtruction and (ſo far as I and others of their Christian acquaintance can judge) ſanctification•f ſome young men and young women, that did with conſtancy and diligence, againſt all diſcouragements ſubmit unto and ſtudy their Catechiſm.
Laſtly, To your patronage it is commended, for that your exhortation to the duty preſſed in it, and purſued by it; gives the Author full aſſurance of your readineſſe to patronize it, and by your power to protect it againſt the common carpers and cavillers at every truth and duty, with which our age abounds, and with the clemency that becomes your aſſembly, indulge the infirmities of its author in the weak management of ſo weighty a matter.
Having given you the reaſons of my boldneſſe in this Dedication, I muſt crave leave to apologize in one thing, my not complying with your exhorting directions for carrying on the work of Catechizing: that is in reſpect of the Form to be uſed, I doe not indeed uſe, nor have I put into the hands of my people the Catechiſms of the late reverend Aſſembly, not that I do diſown, or in any thing diſlike thoſe Forms, I ſully aſſent to the Characters by you given of them, and by which you commend them; but the form I have choſen and put into the hands of my people, is that of reverend Mr. Ball, the goodneſſe, nay acceptableneſſe of which, among people is proclaimed by the very many reiterated impreſsions of it; neither doth it differ in doctrine any thing, and in form not much from the Aſſemblies. The impulſive cauſe of my uſing this form was this, In the countrey where I lived this was the Catechiſm uſed in common, in the uſe of this I had by the bleſsing of God been conſtant: ſome that had learned this under my Miniſtry in the Countrey made mention of it amongſt the people with whom I then laboured, in ſo much that they generally deſired this Catechiſm, and would admit no other: I condeſcending to their deſire in a three years uſe of it, not only did the fame of it come to the ears, but many Catechiſms into the hands of this people before your exhortation came abroad; ſo that I could not conveniently alter the form: herein I muſt beg, and cannot but hope, that none of my brethren will be offended or cenſure me as guilty of ſingularity, and the rather for that you cannot but all conclude by this Catechiſm,Exhort. to Catech. youth may be taught who made them, why he made them, how good and happy man was made by God, how evill and wretched he made himſelf, what need he had that the Lord Jeſus ſhould die for him, that the holy Ghoſt ſhould regenerate him: what priviledges he doth enjoy and may expect by Chriſt, what duties he is obliged to by thoſe priviledges, how he is to preſent his petitions to God, how to receive the ſeals of Gods gracious covenant; which being granted, I muſt expect your promiſe not too moroſely to ſtand on circumſtantial differences, where there is ſo fair an accord in material principles.
Reverend Fathers and Brethren, now that you have ſo ſeriouſly and ſeaſonably called unto Catechizing, I could heartily wiſh, that confirmation of children, which I cannot but look on as an engagement to the ſtudy of the Catechiſm, were taken into your ſerious and ſecond thoughts, and if found (as it hath been deemed) an Ordinance of God, ſome means were propounded for the reviving it in the Church: but herein I may ſeem too bold, and be thought to preſcribe matter to your conſiderate debates: I ſhall therefore forbear any further to trouble you: but aſſure you that God will counſell you in things which concern his Church: make men in place and power a bleſsing to his Church: give to brethren a ſpirit of union with and condeſcanſion to your juſt and pious reſolves, and to our people of ready and cheerfull ſubmiſsion to your exhortations and commands, and that not only becauſe you exhort and command duties, but alſo with the authority of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is and ſhall be the hearty and conſtant prayer of
When as for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that we teach you what are the principles of the Word of God.
Leaving therefore the Doctrine of the beginning of Chriſt, let us be led forward to perfection.
THE Author of this Epiſtle, (whether Paul, as is moſt probable, or any other, we ſhall not now diſpute) being ſingularly ſtudious of the confirmation2 of the Hebrews, in the Doctrine of Jeſus Chriſt they had received: in oppoſition to the dangerous ſeducing doctrine of ſuch as endevoured the drawing them back to the Leviticall prieſthood, and law of ceremonies; doth at large dictate, and make known, the dignity, certainty, and perſpicuity of the Lord his prieſthood: (the conſideration of which, with the ſeverall priviledges thereof, is the duty of every Chriſtian ſoul well initiated, in the firſt and chief principles of Religion) doth purſue their edification and eſtabliſhment herein, by two things amongſt others, to be ſpecially taken notice of in the text, as the parts thereof.
Firſt is abbHebrae•rum animos pulſat placida reprehenſione ſtuporis eorum. Pareus in Loc. Redargution or ſharp check for their unprofitableneſs under the Word, and Doctrine of Chriſt: of which they are convicted, by their haeſitation in the firſt principles of the Chriſtian doctrine, and religion, without any progreſſe, nay almoſt any knowledge of them, as in chap. 5.12.
3Secondly, a ſeriousbbObjurgationi tarditatis ſubjicit exhortationem ad fidci profectum. Par. c. 6. ver. 1. Exercitation, or rather a ſolid declaration of his intention, to lead them (not of,ccJubet autem omitti ejuſmodi rudimenta, non quod eorum obliviſci unquam debeant fideles, ſed quia in illis minime eſt haerendum. Calv. in Heb. c. 6. ver. 1. but) from the beginnings of the Doctrine of God, unto the further and fuller conſideration of higher matters, that concerned Chriſt, their eſtabliſhment and perfection in him.
Again in the redargution, we may (for the further: underſtanding of the words) obſerve, firſt a duty implyed, as neceſſary and uſefull in the Church of God: and that is to be inſtructed and taught to know, what are the firſt rudiments of religion, ſo as to be able to teach others therein: for we muſt not learn and leave them (i. e. ) forget them, no, but we muſt not ſtick faſt there and go no further: he is an idle and unskilful architect, that is alway buſie in laying a foundation, and never rears up a building upon it:Pemble Preface. where duty is not to be neglected, can be no ground of reproof, for the time ye ought to be teachers, &c.
4Secondly, the Hebrews failing in and ſinful neglect of this duty, ſubjecting them to a neceſſity of being continued in and under the ſame: ye have need, &c.
Again, from the exhortation or intention of the Author, we may take a ſerious view of his motion in the edification of the people of God; and we ſee,
Firſt, the terminum a quo, terme from which he moves, and it is expreſſed either
1. Generally, leaving the Doctrine of the beginning of Chriſt.
2. Or in the particular heads thereof: as repentance from dead works, faith in Chriſt, the Doctrine of Baptiſme, of laying on of hands, reſurrection from the dead, and eternal Judgement: which according to the judgement of all Expoſitors on the Text, were the Catechetical heads of the Apoſtles Catechiſm, as we ſhall note hereafter.
Secondly, the terminum ad quem, the terme to which, was to be led forward towards perfection: where by the way we may obſerve the Apoſtles5 method of teaching the Doctrine of Chriſt ſutable to every Infant capacity, that can only digeſt milk: as well as men of years, that did require ſtronger meat: nay that the word is to be diſpenſed, firſt in rudiments or Catechetical principles, as a foundation, on which muſt be built firmer Doctrines.
Having divided the words into their main and proper parts: before we come to conclude the doctrinal obſervation that ariſeth from them, it is expedient a little to explain them, and in the explication thereof, we ſhall finde there is not much difficulty, that which principally as to our purpoſe cals for conſideration is what the Apoſtle means by the〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: the elements of the beginning of the Word of God, which he expreſſeth in the 5. chap. 12. verſ. and cals in the 6. chap. 1. verſ. the Doctrine of the beginning of Chriſt: in the clearing of which to your judgements, we ſhall commend to your ſerious and ſecond thoughts three conſiderable things in the Text.
61. The firſt is the Epithite, whereby the Apoſtle doth denominate the ſame to us: for denominations demonſtrate the quality of things.
2. The ſecond the Apoſtle his Method of teaching, touched on before.
3. The third the Matter recited and expreſſed by the Apoſtle himſelf.
From all which we ſhall finde, that theſe elements are no other then the main and principal heads of Chriſtian Doctrine, Catechetically taught in the Church of God: and firſt of the firſt, and that is
The Epithite or denomination; the Apoſtle cals them, elements of the beginning of the Word of God: Now elements are nothing elſe but the firſt principles and ſtanding verities of any Art or Science compendiouſly expreſſed, that being true in themſelves, they may be rules from which the fuller doctrine doth flow by clear and undeniable inference, and by which it may be proved for the initiating and edification of ſuch as are ſtudious of that Art or Science:7 ſuch are the ABC to children, the parts of ſpeech to the learning of Grammar, the Predicables and Predicaments in Logick, and the like: this deſcription of Elements in general we may finde ſuggeſted by the various Etymologies of the Latine word Elementum, which ſome ſo call quaſi alimentum, nouriſhment; becauſe others are begotten and brought forth by it; Some Elevamentum, an aiding or liſting up; becauſe other things take their beginning by their help, or that they are lifted up above, or before other principles, as more eſſential and neceſſary: or Elicimentum, deduction or drawing out, becauſe other things are extracted or drawn out of them.
When we ſee them Elements in themſelves to be firſt verities and conſider them related to the Doctrine of God, the reſult cannot but reſolve the Apoſtle to ſpeak of Catechetical doctrine, eſpecially when we adde to it the ſecond thing propounded, which is,
2. The Apoſtle his Method in ſpeaking to them, which in the diviſion8 of the Text we have before noted to be by way of check or blame for not being diligent in thoſe doctrines which had been moſt neceſſary for their firſt ſetting forward in the profeſſion of Chriſt: which had been as milk for babes, ſutable for their weak capacities, and prepared them for the right and ready receiving of higher doctrines, that conduced to perfection: and then by proceeding from thoſe things which were to have been learned for the initiating them in the Doctrine of Chriſt, unto thoſe things that ſhould increaſe and build up their knowledge toward perfection, that ſo he might not alwaies reſt in the foundation, what can we imagine the Apoſtle to mean by foundation, and firſt doctrine from which he would thus in order go forward, but the Catechetical heads and ſtanding verities of the Goſpel?
Thirdly, if we obſerve the ſeveral heads recited and expreſſed by the author himſelf in chap. 6. verſ. 1, 2. as the things they ought to have learned, but had neglected, (being ſuch as9 theſe before named, repentance from dead works, faith in Chriſt, Doctrine of Baptiſms, laying on of hands, reſurrection from the dead, and eternal Judgement) we cannot but determine them to be Catechetical heads taught to the novices and young Chriſtians for the grounding of them in the Doctrine of Chriſt, the which we finde alſo reſolved by the learned in their Expoſitions on the Text, as Deodate on the place ſaith, Theſe are the heads of Chriſtian Doctrine or Catechiſm, which were taught little children and novices in a plain, lowly and rough manner: Aretius thinks, that from hence may be gathered what were the principles and chief heads of the Catechiſm of thoſe times. Beza affirms they were the chief heads of Chriſtianiſm, which they call Catechiſm, and were delivered in ſhort and few words to the ignorant. Pareus cals them the firſt rudiments of Chriſtian faith, were wont to be learned by and required from Children and young Chriſtians. But Calvin determines (from the teſtimony of the Fathers) that they were certain heads which the Paſtour uſed to aske the Catechized: reſolving10 that the Author of the Epiſtle did look back to the form of Catechiſm then uſed in the Church: with whom Marlorat doth agree not only in judgement, but alſo in expreſſion.
Theſe things being ſeriouſly conſidered, cannot but convince every one ſtudious of the minde of the Holy Ghoſt, of the neceſſity and divine authority of Catechizing, whileſt we ſee the words thus divided and explained, to lay before the Hebrews, and in them all other Chriſtians thoſe two poſitive and undeniable duties.
1. The firſt is to be well Cathechized or inſtructed in the firſt and main grounds and principles of the Chriſtian Religion, that thereby as by a foundation layed, they may be made capable of higher Doctrines.
2. That being prepared by their Catechiſm, they muſt not haeſitate in (though not renounce or recede from) firſt elements, but diligently proceed to grow in the knowledge of the doctrines of a higher degree dictated to them: the firſt of theſe11 is that I deſire may be taken into conſideration: and therefore from the particular duty dictated by the Apoſtle to the Hebrews, I ſhall reſolve for our inſtruction this general Obſervation or point of Doctrine.
Catechizing or inſtruction in the principles of Religion is a Goſpel-exerciſe,Doctand of neceſſity to be uſed in the Churches of God.
In the proſecution of this truth, we ſhall endevour this Method, to which I ſhall deſire diligent attention.
1. By way of illuſtration, we ſhall conſider the word and thing Catechize.
2. Propound the reaſons that may confirm and clear the truth to your judgements.
3. Further illuſtrate the point by conſidering the matter and manner of this exerciſe.
4. And laſtly make ſome uſe or application of the point.
Firſt of the firſt of theſe, and that is, to conſider the word, and thereby the thing Gatechize. Concerning which I12 muſt deſire you to obſerve that the word Catechize is no proper Engliſh word,〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉of〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉as〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉of〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Viva voce inſtituo, or dicta repeto. but derived of a Greek word which ſignifies to teach or inſtruct by a lively and audible voice, by the repetition of words as by the reflexion of an eccho; and it is generally uſed for any kinde of inſtruction or information whatſoever, as in Act. 21.24. **〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.They are informed concerning thee. Gal. 6.6. Thoſe that are taught in the word, to him that teacheth. But more eſpecially and properly for inſtruction in the firſt rudimeuts of any doctrine: but moſt eſpecially and principally the Chriſtian Religion, ſee Rom. 2.18. Catechized in the Law:〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉imbu•t, docere incepit, paulat•m aſſuefecit. ſo in Act. 8.15. Luk. 1.4. this word Catechize in the Greek, anſwereth unto Hanach in the Hebrew which ſignifies to inſtruct, to begin to teach, to accuſtome by a little; alluding unto Dyers, that by degrees do dip and give colours to their Stuffs; hence comes the Hebrew word Hanich, which ſignifies a novice, or one in learning the firſt rudiments; both which are frequently read in the Old Teſtament. From the ſignification13 of the word thus opened we may eaſily collect and conclude what is the thing, and we ſhall finde that
Catechizing is a plain, perſpicuous and familiar way of teaching the ignorant and weak capacities in the firſt rudiments and principles of the Chriſtian Religion, drawn from the Doctrines of the Prophets and Apoſtles.
This is that exerciſe whereby babes in Chriſt are fed with milk, and prepared for the receiving and digeſting of ſtronger meat: this is that that layeth the foundation of Chriſt in the ſoul, which muſt by higher Doctrine be built up unto perfection: and this then is the Ordinance of God and Goſpel exerciſe to be uſed in the Churches of Chriſt.
Having briefly paſt the Conſideration of the word and thing, we come now to ſpeak to the ſecond thing propounded, and therein to lay before you the reaſons that may prove Catechizing to be a Goſpel exerciſe, and to be uſed in the Churches of God; the which we ſhall reſolve into theſe heads, which being14 cleared to our judgements cannot but convince of the truth of the point.
Reaſ. 1The firſt reaſon is from the excellency of Catechizing; for that which appears to be a duty excellent, will plead divine ſtamp and call for entertainment in the Churches and amongſt the people of God the excellent upon earth, Pſal. 16.3.
Now (my brethren) we ſhall on ſerious obſervation finde Catechizing to be ſo far from a baſe, low, carnal and beggerly exerciſe, that it hath alwaies been in the Church of God, and been had in great eſteem and reverence as very excellent, yea as ſuch an exerciſe which the greateſt Emperors, moſt honourable Senators, and chiefeſt of Martyrs for Gods truth thought ſutable to themſelves and worthy their ſubjection: nay to which alſo the wiſeſt Philoſophers and moſt15 reverend Fathers of the Churches: ſuch as Juſtin Martyr, as Auguſtine, Ambroſe, and others, cheerfully ſubmitted to when God opened their eyes and inclined their hearts to the embracing and profeſſion of Chriſtian Religion: Juſtinus Martyr inſerts the uſe of Catechizing as an excellency to the Chriſtians in his perſwaſive Apologies exhibited to the Emperour and Senate of Rome: it cauſed admiration in the**Fox Acts and Monuments. French Doctors when but exerciſed by the children of Merindoll: Martin Luther thought it his glory to profeſſe himſelf diſcipulum Catechiſmi a learner of the Catechiſme. But the excellency of this duty will appear by laying before you,
Firſt evidence of the excellency of Catechizing is from the preſcriber of it:11Evidence of the excellency of Catechizing. the Author of every work addeth much to the luſtre and excellency of the ſame: the excellency16 then of this exerciſe is exceeding great, whiles it owns no other author then, excellency it ſelf, the wiſe all knowing, and all ſoveraign God, who taught it by his Spirit to his people in the daies of Adam, and of Abraham, and afterwards commanded it to his people the Jewes, in Exod. 12.26, 27. When your children aske. &c. you ſhall ſay, It is the Lords paſſeover. Pſal. 78.5, 6. He commanded our fathers that they ſhould teach their children. From theſe places, as alſo from Deut. 4.9. Teach them thy ſons,His direction for Chriſtian life. lib. 3. p. 37. Mr. Downam inferreth Gods command for Catechizing. Moreover, in Deut. 6.7. we ſee God enjoyning this duty, whileſt he commands that they rehearſe or whet on the mindes of their children his Lawes: ſo likewiſe Deut. 11.19. the word which is uſed to rehearſe, comes from an Hebrew root Schanan, to whet or ſharpen by repetition of ſtrokes, Theſe commands (Ainſworth tels us) the Rabbies do underſtand of Catechizing; who himſelf alſo tels us God preſeribes here a brief Catechiſm in the grounds of Religion. Beſides we finde Wiſdome17 expreſly to direct this exerciſe, in Prov. 22.6. Train up or inſtruct (it may be read Catechize) a childe in the daies of his youth: the Hebrew reads it, teach a childe at his mouth, that is, as nurſes feed Infants with the breſt or ſpoon at the mouth: ſo teach children by putting words into their mouths, which can be no other way then by Catechizing: ſo we ſhall alſo finde it preſcribed in the New Teſtament, to paſſe by the Text which doth clearly declare it to be a duty: we ſhall finde Chriſt directing, nay commanding Peter, and in him all Miniſters of the Goſpel to feed as well his lambs as his ſheep: which Mr. Downam notes to be an impoſing of this duty or exerciſe of Catechizing on Miniſters: and God by Paul directs fathers to bring up their children in the inſtruction and information of the Lord, Epheſ. 6.4. So that I may well conclude God himſelf to be the Author of Catechizing, and it therein to be exceeding excellent.
Secondly,22Evidence. As Catechizing is excellent in reſpect of God the preſcriber18 thereof: ſo alſo in reſpect of the profeſſors and practitioners thereof, whom we ſhall finde to have been the Lords boſome friends and endeared people, the righteous who are the excellent on earth, ſuch as God hath highly prized and admitted into familiarity with himſelf, as Abraham, Joſhua, David, Jehoiada, which in the ſecond reaſon (ſhall God willing) be more fully manifeſted, and it is more then probable that Jeſus Chriſt did countenance and commend as exceeding excellent this exerciſe by his ſubmiſſion to it at twelve years of age, (although full of wiſdome and underſtanding, able to reaſon with the Doctors) this Mr. Downam collects from Luk. 2.46. where it is ſaid Chriſt ſate among the Doctors; he conceives amongſt the Catechumeni under the Doctors, which conjecture ſeems to be ſuggeſted by Calvin and Marlorat on the place, who declare their judgements to be, that Chriſt ſate under, or before the Doctors of the Law, not in their chair, for that the time of his preaching was not yet come.
19Thirdly,33Evidence. the proper matter of Catechizing, proclaims the excellency thereof: in that it is the Doctrine of God, the ſum of the Goſpel, the chief heads and principles of the Chriſtian Religion, inferred and clearly flowing from the writings of the Prophets and Apoſtles: this is that excellent and celeſtial matter with which the minde being enlightned takes up the whole affections and carrieth on a man to the contempt of all excellencies under the ſun, yea even of life it ſelf for the enjoyment of it: this is the ſum of Wiſdome more precious then Rubies and moſt precious Pearls, in the finding of which is life and the favour of the Lord. Now that this kinde of Doctrine is and ought to be properly and principally the matter of this exerciſe, as the Ordinance of God in his Church, I ſhall more fully clear to you in the third thing propounded to be ſpoken to (viz.) the matter and manner of Catechizing.
Fourthly and laſtly,44Evidence. the excellency of Catechizing appears by the peculiar end thereof, which is no other20 then the higheſt excellencies of Gods glory and the ſalvation of the ſoul, to which we may ſee this exerciſe to carry, by planting the knowledge and remembrance of God in youthfull, even infant mindes; by putting poſterity into a capacity of ſounding Gods praiſes for paſt favours; powerfully bending the ſoul into the good and righteous way from which it will not depart in old age, by preſerving truth in its purity, and the ſoul from apoſtaſie, and placing in the heart principles directive to all duties in all conditions and eſtates whatſoever: this end is not only commended to us in the divine conſtitution of this exerciſe, and as it is the Centre of all Scripture inſtruction: but we ſhall finde it expreſly declared, that Timothy his knowledge of the Scripture in and from his childhood (which with Downam and Calvin we may conclude more then probably he had learned by inſtruction or Catechizing from his Mother and Grandmother) is able to make the man of God wiſe unto ſalvation, 2 Tim. 1.5.3.15. the excellency21 of Catechizing appearing to be thus great, I hope will expell all baſe thoughts concerning it, and perſwade your ſpirits that it is a Goſpel exerciſe to be uſed in the Churches of God. We therefore paſſe from that to the conſideration of the ſecond reaſon of the doctrine.
Reaſ. 2The ſecond reaſon is the antiquity of this excellent exerciſe. For that which is moſt ancient is alwaies granted to be moſt true: the Chriſtian Religion is moſt ancient, and this as a ſpecial part thereof, will be found of equall antiquity; and when we ſhal conſider it to have ſtood in the Church as long as the Church hath ſtood on the earth: to have been of old eſteemed, obſerved and practiſed in the Church of the Jewes and Chriſtians, it muſt needs be the more authentick, and lay the greater obligation upon us for the continuance of the ſame; and in enquiry after the age of it we muſt needs reſolve it elder then Methuſelah, whileſt we may trace the foot-ſteps of it from Adam to this preſent age: this duty was before the floud practiſed by Adam (as the learned do conclude) whoſe ſons22 we finde offering ſacrifice to the Lord, in Gen. 4. unto which their father had inſtructed and brought them up, as well as to labour in the world, catechizing them in the Doctrine of the Fall, and of the Seed of the woman, typified by their ſacrifice, whereby they were fitted for the right and reverent performance of the worſhip of God. Alſo it may be probably conjectured, that others of the Patriarchs did practiſe this duty; Henoch the ſeventh from Adam (of whom it is recorded, that he walked with God, Gen. 5.14. ) received his name Henoch from an Hebrew root Hanach (before noted to ſignifie, to initiate or inſtruct in the principles of Religion) as one dedicated unto God, or inſtructed from his youth: after the floud they had this exerciſe of Catechizing in the principles of Religion, which was after put in writing,Greenh. as the learned conclude, and called the oracles of Sibylla, which were nothing elſe but things taught and delivered by word of mouth. It is moſt clear, that Abraham did uſe this exerciſe with23 much fruit and good in his family, we read in Gen. 14.14. that Abraham brought out and armed three hundred and eighteen men brought up (the Hebrew word Hanichim will bear it) catechized or inſtructed in his houſe when he went to the reſcue of his brother Lot: Mr. Greenham obſerveth,Greenhams Treat. of Cate. p. 312. Iſaac his going out to pray: and the ſervant his pious and faithfull proſecution of his Maſters oath, in Gen. 24. to be the effect of Abraham, his Catechizing: and Mr. Downam doth very well obſerve Abrahams care and diligence in Catechizing, to be the ground of Gods revealing his ſecrets, and making known his Judgements to him, in Gen. 18.19. I know him that he will command his ſons and his houſhold,Downam's Directions. that they ſhall keep my waies. From this reaſon Doctor Willet obſerveth,Willet in Locum. that it was the godly practiſe of the Fathers to Catechize or inſtruct their families in the Doctrine of the creation of the world, tranſgreſſion of man, deſtruction of the old world, Gods providence, the Meſſiah to be revealed, and everlaſting life to come: with whom Paraeus24 doth concurre adding that before the Law,Paraeus in Locum. there was no publick Miniſtry, but the Fathers were Prieſts, Paſtors and Teachers, and the family were the Catechumeni, learning the Doctrines above recited: neither may we think this duty to have been neglected by Iſaac, Jacob, or Job, and others of the Patriarchs: the Hebrew Rabbies tell us,See alſo Pemble's Preface. that Samuel was brought unto Eli, that he might fit before Eli the Prieſt, and be by him accuſtomed to, or taught in the Law, or the Precepts as the Catechumeni were wont to be taught. David and Bathſheba were very diligent in the Catechizing or inſtruction of Solomon their ſon, in the waies of wiſdome, as himſelf declares in Prov. 4.4. He taught me and ſaid unto me, Let thine heart hold faſt my words: from whence Lavater inſerreth the duty of,Lavater in Loc. and induceth by the example, all Chriſtian parents betimes to inſtruct their children in the chief heads of Chriſtian Religion: alſo Jehoiadah the Prieſt had well taught and inſtructed the young King Joaſh: whereby he was enabled to rule, and did rule25 well all the daies of Jehoiadah; neither may we think this duty was neglected by Joſiah that good King, who in the time of his youth, ſet himſelf to ſerve the Lord with zeal and ſincerity: and alſo after the captivity, if we beleeve the Hebrew Rabbies, from the time of Antiochus Epiphanes unto Chriſt, there were never under four hundred houſes of Catechizing in Jeruſalem, at which time alſo they made their Decree, that at thirteen years of age their children ſhould be put to Catechizing: to which practiſe S. Paul ſeems to allude, when he ſpeaks of the Jewes, as Catechized in the Law, Rom. 2.18. And as we find the footſteps of Catechizing in all the ages of the Jewiſh Church, ſo we ſhall find it ceaſed not in them, but was alſo practiſed in all the ages of the Chriſtian Churches ſince the time of Chriſt; for beſides what was before noted of Chriſt his ſubmiſſion to it at twelve years of age, amongſt the Jewes he ſeems practically to commend it to us by Catechizing his Diſciples concerning their perſwaſion of himſelf in oppoſition26 to the ignorant conceits of the men of the world, in Mat. 16. chap. 13.16. verſ. Whom ſay men that I am? Whom ſay ye that I am? after Chriſts aſcenſion, this exerciſe was very perſpicuous:Greenham's Treat. of Catechizing, p. 664. Mr. Greenham brings in Aegiſippus report, that by reaſon of Catechizing, there was never a Nation in the world, but received an alteration in their Heatheniſh Religion within forty years after Chriſt: in the Apoſtles daies and primitive times of the Church of God, there were two ſorts Catechized, the one adulti, Infidels converted to the faith, ſuch was Theophilus, who is in Luk. 1.4. ſaid to have been Catechized: ſo alſo Apollos, Act. 18.25. the Eunuch and Cornelius his houſhold: ſuch was Raib Auguſtine, Ambroſe, and divers others; ſome of which were called to Martyrdome, when in their Catechiſm: all which were inſtructed in the Catechetical heads of the text, and then baptized.
A ſecond ſort were Children, ſuch as were born under the covenant of believing Parents who were baptized and afterward Catechized and27 made able to profeſſe their faith when they were confirmed by the laying on of hands.
We read of many that bare the office of Catechizing in the Church of God: ſome think Paul to have been employed in it by reaſon of that expreſſion, 1 Cor. 14.59. that I may Catechize others. Euſebius mentioneth Mark to have been Catechizer at Alexandria, as alſo Clemens, Origen, and Heraclas, and others of the Fathers in other places, Gregorie Nyſſen, Cyrill, &c. The Church had the Books of Auguſtine, De rudibus Catechizandis, and Books de Symbolo ad Catechumenos: alſo Athonaſius his Synopſis of ſacred Scaipture, with others of the like nature. In after ages this exerciſe was owned and enjoyned by the Canons of Neoceſaria, Iberis, Braccaria and others before Luther's time; who alſo in his time among other things contended for Catechizing with a ſpirit of zeal, making it of abſolute neceſſity in the Church as Lord and Ruler; urging the continuance of it without intermiſſion, condemning the28 neglect thereof after whom the ſeveral reformed Churches enjoyned it, and exhibited the neceſſity of it in their ſeveral confeſſions, compoſing Catechiſms ſutable to the degrees of reformation enjoyned and obtained. This exerciſe of Catechizing appearing to have been thus anciently obſerved as well in the Jewiſh as Chriſtian Churches, I hope will ſilence all thoughts of the novelty thereof, and lead us to the conſideration of the third reaſon, which is the neceſſity of ſo ancient a duty.
Reaſ. 3Thirdly, Catechizing muſt be uſed in the Church of God, becauſe it is exceeding neceſſary: which neceſſity upon ſerious & ſecond thoughts, will appear to be great unto all ſuch as deſire to be found good proficients in the School of Chriſt, even as neceſſary as ABC to a childe firſt going to School; as the rudiments of any Arts or Science a man deſieth to know and profeſſe; as a foundation to building, without which it cannot ſtand; as milk for babes new born; and therefore it is in Scripture held out in ſuch termes,29 and ſimilitudes (viz.) Principles, Elements, Foundation, Milk, &c. All which the Apoſtle uſeth in the Text, teaching us that this neglected, the ſoul cannot be eſtabliſhed in the Doctrine of Chriſt, but be alwaies unſtable and as children ready to be toſſed to and fro with every winde of doctrine, cannot be prepared for, and made capable of higher learning, to read readily the Doctrine of the Lords Prieſthood, and their priviledges thereby, and thoſe things that ſhould tend to the perfecting of their faith, and compleating of their comforts; this was the great cauſe of our Authors ſharp reproof of the Hebrewes in the Text; for when he came to communicate to, and teach them higher leſſons in the Schoole of Chriſt, they were not yet perfect in the firſt form of the principles of Religion: nay they cannot grow forward in the graces of Gods Spirit, but like children without milk be lank and lean, alwaies ready to exſpire that principle of life that is in them: nay, laſtly, they cannot unchatechized, act and move orderly and methodically30 in the practiſe of their Chriſtian duties, but be very incident to confuſion and diſorder: for without all doubt, one great cauſe of all that confuſion that is in mens mindes, and actions in theſe daies, is the want of Catechizing; whereby they might be enabled to digeſt thoſe general notions that flie in their brains into certain ſolid heads, and principles, which might be ſtanding rules for their direction. It being then an exerciſe ſo very neceſſary; I hope none can or will deny it to be a uſefull duty in the Church; eſpecially if we conſider the next Reaſon, which is the profit and comfort of this exerciſe.
Reaſ. 4Fourthly, Then we ſhall finde Catechizing, as not to be needleſſe, ſo to be very profitable and comfortable to the Church of God in general, and the ſubjects of it in particular: for by ſerious enquiry, and ſenſible obſervation, we ſhall finde it no barren plant in the Lords garden; nor yet fruitleſſe ordinance to be rejected; but that which rightly uſed, and skilfully, improved, doth produce to31 the comfort of all Gods children, theſe ſeveral advantages.
Advantage. 1Firſt, then it preſerveth the good eſtate of the Church, in the maintenance of purity of Religion: for a Catechiſm rightly framed and grounded on the Scripture, is a brief abſtract and compendium of the Law and the Teſtimony, whereby all corruptions of doctrine or practiſe is eaſily and ſuddenly diſcerned and detected: and by diligence in this exerciſe, truth is made like the Goldſmiths touchſtone, ready to receive with approbation all golden doctrine thereunto conſonant: but to make men fear to32 tender, (or if any dare preſume) readily to reject all baſe metals of falſe doctrines, or practical innovations that are thereunto diſſonant, and yet may be ſometimes impoſed on the Church; for this ſum of Scripture (as it may be called) or to uſe Luthers word, Bible of the people, or ſum of Chriſtian Religion, doth with more perſpicuity and celerity conclude the truth, and with more facility and ſpeed pull off the vizard of a Sic dixit Dominus, thus ſaith the Lord, from the face of all falſe Prophets and Seducers: then the reading, comparing, and conſidering of the whole body of the Scripture, and reſolving the ſame into Catechiſtical principles: which muſt be the way to oppugn the untruths impoſed, even as Hippocrates Aphoriſms in caſes of Phyſick: Cokes Inſtitutes in caſes of Law; and the ſhort axiomes and ſtanding principles of Philoſophy doe more quickly and ſharply detect all contrary aſſertions, then the more large and ample Treatiſes and diſcuſſions of the ſame. Hence it may be more then probable,33 that the reaſon why the Lord Jeſus did no more particularly (by quoting books, chapters and verſes) prove the truth and purity of his Doctrine preached to the Jewes, was for that as the Apoſtle ſaith in Rom. 2.18. they knew his will and tryed thoſe things that did diſſent from it, being (as was noted before) catechized in the Law: we may afſo obſerve that Paul gave Timothy a Catechiſtical ſum of Chriſtian Doctrine, which in 2 Tim. 1.13. he cals a**〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Rom. 6.12. it is called,〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Analogie of Faith. form of ſound words: and chargeth him to keep faſt the ſame, as a preſervative of the purity of Religion, againſt the corruptions which our nature is too prone to receive: hence alſo it was that the fathers of the primitive times did uſually reſolve certain Catechiſtical**As the Nicene Creed, Epheſine, and of the ſeveral Councels againſt the Haereſies of Arrius, Macedonius, and Eudoxius, Neſtorius, and Eutyches. verities, into ſhort and ſtanding principles for the defending of the Church in the pure truth of Chriſt Godhead, & the like againſt the Arrian & other Hereſies: and moreover32〈1 page duplicate〉33〈1 page duplicate〉34we may obſerve the Devils ſtrongeſt engine, againſt the purity and proſperity of Religion to have been the obſtruction of this exerciſe; when he ſtirred up Julian the Apoſtate, as his curſed inſtrument to make a more furious attempt, and prevailing aſſault then the ten firſt perſecutions on the Chriſtian Religion; by taking away Chriſtian books, and putting down all Schools of Cateehizing: for the Devil and his inſtruments were, and are ſenſible that Catechizing is the thing that impedes the riſing of his kingdome; for that by it the foundation of Chriſtian Doctrine doth not only remain firm, but alſo the meaneſt members of the Church are made in ſome meaſure capable of contending for the truth, and communicating the ſame to ſuch as by the enjoyment of other parts and abilities are likely to enter the liſts with truths oppoſers in its defence, though many eminent pillars, even faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpel be by their rage cut off: ſo that Martyrdome cannot maſter it, but rather propagate it;35 For ſanguis Martyrum becomes ſemen Eccleſiae by watering theſe Catechetical heads of Goſpell Doctrine; and therefore the Spaniſh Jeſuites were wont to ſay they had moſt hopes when there was leaſt Catechizing; nay the Pope himſelf with all his curſed crew, do acknowledge the ground we have gotten of them hath been by Catechizing: the Pope complains, that the greateſt hurt that the ſons of the Heretiques had ever done him, was by their pestilential writings adorned with the title of Catechiſms: and the ground which they have gotten again of the Churches of God, hath bren by their more ſtrict exacting of their Catechiſms and our neglect of ſo profitable a duty.
Adv. 22. The ſecond Advantage is the propagation of Religion to poſterity: which lies on every Chriſtian as his poſitive duty to advance and endevour, and therefore God commands the knowledge of his Works and Word to be made known to ſons, and ſons ſons, children, and childrens children, Deut. 4.9. It was this ſtanding Law of tranſmitting Religion to poſterity36 by Catechizing Children, that induced the Pſalmiſt to propound, publiſh and provoke attention to the Catecheticall Doctrine of the Jewes, in Pſal. 78. And one great reaſon why God would make known his ſecrets unto Abraham, was that care God found in him by Catechizing to convey the knowledge of him, his works and judgements to poſterity. By this means ſucceeding generations are enabled to accompliſh the undertaking of progenitors in the ſolemn commemorations of the ſpecial mercies of God: Hereby the Jewes, as the Rabbies tell us, retain a reverent eſteem of their deliverance out of Aegypt, with all its concomitants and effects; nay by this the truth of Chriſtian Religion hath been continued above ſixteen hundred years, and notwithſtanding the rage and fury of perſecutors endevouring the utter eradication and extinction of it, hath by Catechiſticall ſeed been derived unto, and revived by ſucceeding generations.
Adv. 3Thirdly, it prepares to ripeneſſe in knowledge, being as the firſt draught of a picture, the baſe and groundplot37 on which the building is ſet; the firſt rules of any art or ſcience, which well learned makes ready for perfection in the Art and Science, and therefore it is called, the beginning of the Doctrine of Chriſt: and it is to be obſerved on experience, that they that have attained to the moſt perfect meaſure of knowledge of the Doctrine of Chriſt, were by Catechizing well entred into the beginnings of it.
Adv. 4Fourthly, it makes us profit by the Word, when read by, or preached to us, whileſt by Catechizing men are enabled to refer what they read to their proper heads of Divinity, and reſolve them into ſummary concluſions, which are very much informing to the judgement, and convincing to the conſcience, and clearly to diſcern truth from error, and diſtinguiſh between truth and truth, and ſee their dependance one on another differ the Law from the Goſpel with their different ends of humiliation and comfort: whereby their underſtanding acting clearly and orderly will help the memory38 to retain, quicken the affection, and make their growth ſenſible & diſcernible, which being clouded by a confuſed knowledge, makes many times profiting Chriſtians to complain of barrenneſſe under the Word. The care of the Apoſtles, to feed firſt with milk of principles ſuch as they endevoured to make and approve profitable under the meat of higher Miniſterial Doctrines, doth clearly commend to us this benefit of Catechizing: beſides, the cauſe of the Hebrewes incapacity of receiving and profiting by higher Doctrines, is expreſly declared to be the little proficiency they had made in the principles of Religion: and experimental obſervation doth witneſſe, that preaching doth little good where Catechizing is wanting; for we may well ſay with Bullinger,Bulling. Decad. 5. Ser. 4. fol. 907. How ſhall the people profit, when they underſtand not their Paſtour when he preacheth Law, Covenant, or Grace, &c.
Adv. 5Fifthly, It prevents their falling into fundamental errors, and following pernicious doctrine; whileſt by this means truth is founded and firmly39 fixed in their mindes and memories as a rule ready at hand to try all that is preached in the Name of the Lord; as a touchſtone, reſerved to detect all ſuch falſities as are gilded over with the name of Truth, when directly contrary thereunto; as a root whoſe ſeveral branches being ſoundly ſetled in the ſoul, makes them bear up the head, and ſtand to their Chriſtian ſtation, againſt the ſtormy tempeſt of all ſeducing doctrine: nay theſe are ſeeds of ſuch ſolid comforts, and earneſts of ſuch eternall joyes, as bears up the heart cheerfully to embrace, and readily to ſubmit unto the moſt exquiſite and cruel torments hell or earth can execute upon them, rather then to deny the Faith, recede from the Truth, and make ſhipwrack of a good Conſcience: ſouls ſoundly Catechized, are noble Bereans, receiving and beleeving the Word, becauſe confirmed by, and conſonant to Scripture; not becauſe ſpoken by Apoſtles: their judgements are ſwayed to the receiving of principles by ſound reaſon, not by by a ſeeming ſanctified life of40 the author or publiſher, knowing that falſe Apoſtles are deceitful workers,2 Cor. 11.13, 14, 15. and transform themſelves into the Apoſtles of Chriſt: and no marvel, for Satan is transformed into an Angel of light: it is no great thing then, if his Miniſters transform themſelves as though they were the Miniſters of righteouſneſſe, whoſe end will be according to their works: ſuch are Merindolian Martyrs, able to exhibit ſuch Scriptural confeſſionsof faith, as ſhall convince and confound ſuch doctors as are appointed to convince them of Hereſie, or (more properly) to ſeduce them from the truth of Chriſt, (which they called Hereſie) ſo as to confeſſe, that an eight daies ſtudy of ſuch a confeſſion, doth teach more Scripture then all the daies of their lives**As did the Doctor appointed by the Biſhop of Caveillon to detect the Hereſies in the confeſſion by them exhibited. before; whoſe children are hereby enabled to confound learned Prelates, and aſtoniſh reverend Doctors; making Catechiſticall teaching, to**As the religious man of Paris did profeſſe hearing the Children of Merindoll Catechize one another. Fox his Acts and Monuments, p 866. tranſcend the divine Diſputations in the Schools of Sorborne in Paris: (nay41 in a word) by this means they are ſo confirmed and eſtabliſhed in the faith, that they will ſooner ſubmit themſelves, their wives and children, I and their whole town to the cruel rage of outragious enemies, then ſuffer themſelves to be moved away from the truth received and profeſſed by them. This exerciſe of Catechizing hath been ſo effectuall, to the eſtabliſhing of ſouls in the truth, that many by it have been prepared to Martyrdome, and enabled with admirable patience to endure bitter ſcourging, and cruel torments,Seven of Origens Scholars at one time. and burnings (even in their young and tender years) in defence of the truth: it is to the everlaſting honour of ſome of the Martyrs, Chronicled in Eccleſiaſtical ſtory, that they received the crown of Martyrdome, being yet but Catechumeniſts, whereas the reaſon of others falling away from the faith in the time of perſecution, is noted to be, that they were not yet fully inſtructed in the Doctrine of Chriſt.
Adv. 6Sixthly, It puts into a preſent capacity of communion at the Lords Table:42 it prepareth the heart unto the right and worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and thereby delivers the ſoul from the great danger of eating and drinking judgement to himſelf: whileſt that by Catechizing, they are fully informed and convinced of that faith and Doctrine openly profeſſed, and ſealed by the Lords Supper, and therefore neceſſary to be known, before the participation of this ordinance, whileſt hereby they are inveſted with that neceſſary qualification of knowledge, concerning mans miſery by ſin, recovery by Chriſt; Gods Covenant with man eſtabliſhed in the hands of a Mediator, the author, end, and inſtitution of this Ordinance; all which being Catetheticall heads muſt needs encourage the deſirous communicants, readily to ſubmit themſelves to the trial of the Church, with their deſire of admiſſion to the Lords Table, with an aſſured confidence that their communion cannot be denied on the account of ignorance, whileſt hereby43 they are enabled to the diſcharge of that neceſſary duty of ſelf-examination required by the Apoſtle in the Name of the Lord:1 Cor. 11.28. in that by Catechizing they come to know all thoſe neceſſary qualifications requiſite to render the ſoul ſutable for communion with God at this Table, whileſt they are made capable of diſcerning the Lords Body; in a Chriſtian way to diſtinguiſh the outward ſign from the inward grace and thing ſignified; whileſt hereby (being delivered from Popiſh darkneſſe) they are well taught that outward elements are ſet before their outward ſenſes to reſemble and repreſent to the inward man the body and bloud of Jeſus Chriſt: nay in a word, whileſt hereby they have in readineſſe matter of contemplation (ſutable to ſuch an Ordinance) to the affectation of their hearts and excitation of their affections in their enjoyment, hereby they are in a good capacity of renewing their covenant with Go•, of receiving the ſealing efficacy of that Ordinance to the ſoul,44 and with the Jewes to render an accompt to any that ſhall demand of them the ground and end of their ſo frequent celebration of their Chriſtian Paſſeover; whereas through the want of this exerciſe, men are in danger of ruſhing unworthily and unpreparedly to the receiving of this Sacrament, to preſſe unreverently to take thoſe things they do not know or underſtand the ground, end, or meaning of; to taſte thoſe dainties that belong not to them, and take in hand thoſe duties they know not how to manage: in this regard the primitive times alwaies by their Cry of holy things for holy men ſent away among the common hearers and penitentiaries the Catechumeni, or ſuch as were learning their Catechiſm, as men not yet ſutable for this Sacrament. Hence alſo it is, that the Canons and conſtitutions of the Church of God in all ages, even in the moſt corrupt times require that every one be Catechized before they receive the Sacrament: and this is the cauſe why the Diſcipline of the45 Church in this age and time requires an accompt of the knowledge of every one deſirous of the Lords Supper, that if any be found ignorant by reaſon of the paſt neglect of this duty they may by diligent Catechizing be made fit for it, and ſo be admitted to it.
Adv. 7Seventhly, It puts on a man a powerful diſpoſition of diſcharging his duty towards God and man: in that by Catechizing they are not only taught to know the ſeveral Commandements of the firſt and ſecond Table, but alſo are well inſtructed to diſtinguiſh duties appertaining to God from ſuch as belong to man, and to diſcern the ſeveral ſins forbidden, and duties therein commanded: Iſaac's prayer and meditation, his ſubmiſſion in all things to his father; and the ſervants prayer to the God of his Maſter Abraham, and faithfulneſſe concerning his Maſter's Oath, was before noted to be the fruit of Catechizing: and it is to be obſerved on experience, that ſuch are moſt apt to rebellion and diſobedience towards46 men, who are not Catechized in the Doctrine of God; and therefore Conſtantine when he would ſelect to himſelf ſuch of his Court Officers as he would confide in to be truſty Counſellors and defenders of his perſon and Kingdome, tryed which of them were beſt inſtructed in the faith and fear of God, declaring ſuch only were worthy to be about a Prince as ſervants, that being true to their God would be loyall to him.
Reaſ. 5The fifth and laſt reaſon why Catechizing ſhould be uſed in the Church of God, is the eaſineſſe thereof: which is very much, and ſo found upon experience, for it ſuiteth the Doctrine of Chriſt to the weakeſt capacity that is, and puts words into the mouth; ſo as that by diligence in this exerciſe, the ſoul that is moſt ignorant, knowing nothing of God, may be able in a ſhort time to give an account of his faith to any that ſhall aske it: becauſe of the facility of it. Children are in Scripture declared to be the ſubjects47 thereof, and it is called rudiments, in which children, not men of years, are wont to be inſtructed; milk, with which babes and not men of ſtrength are to be nouriſhed: and although at the firſt it may ſeem (as all other ordinances of God) ſomething difficult, yet a willing and diligent minde will prove it very eaſie; for it being a piece of the Lords yoke, which is all of it eaſie to be borne, cannot but be pleaſant to the willing ſpirit, although the fleſh may be found weak in ſubmiſſion to it.
Having thus briefly paſt the Reaſons of the point, which I hope upon ſerious thoughts may clearly convince any of the divine ſtamp of this exerciſe, and ſo juſtifie the uſe of it in the Churches of God, we come in the next place by way of illuſtration to the truth, to conſider what muſt be the matter and manner of this exerciſe of Catechizing. And,
Firſt then of the ſubject Matter to be taught by Catechizing, which muſt not be as the Papiſt (wickedly48 corrupting this exerciſe and Ordinance of God) do make to teach matters altogether unprofitable, nay vain, falſe and frivolous, as the traditions of Fathers, the Canons of the Councel and conſtitutions of the Church inconſiſtent with the Doctrine of Scripture: nay in many things directly contrary thereunto: neither yet muſt it be nice and curious points, though true yet fruitleſſe and unprofitable, tending more to tickle the brain, and affect the ſenſe, then to take with the heart and inform the judgement: but the matter of Catechizing muſt be all and only the chief heads and ſtanding verities of the Chriſtian Religion, ſummarily extracted out of the Scripture, and ſolidly grounded upon the ſame, that they may be propounded as infallible rules for the triall of the aſſertions, as ſtanding principles, whence may naturally flow all concluſions conducing to the profeſſion of Chriſt with ſtedfaſtneſſe and comfort, and as a ſure foundation upon which the fabrick of grace and of49 the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt may be erected and built up without all doubt of falling, nay with confidence of ſtanding againſt the tempeſtuous aſſaults of all falſe doctrine and fiery perſecution: and therefore the Church of God hath in different ages propounded thoſe principall and ſpeciall verities, that in ſuch ages have been oppugned by gainſayers of the truth and the enemies of the Church, as Catechetical Doctrine to eſtabliſh the people of God in the Truths reſiſted. Thus did the Nicene Councell in the time of the Arrians Hereſie, and therefore the learned conſidering what ſhould be the heads of the Catechiſm, ſome have reſolved in generall the Law and the Goſpel: others the Decalogue, or Ten Commandements and Creed (commonly called Symbolum Apoſtolicum, Apoſtles Creed) others the Doctrine of Gods Will and his Works: others the Ten Commandements, the Creed, the Doctrine of Baptiſm, and the Lords Supper, and Prayer: others the miſery50 of man by Sin, his recovery by Chriſt, and thankfulneſſe to God for ſo great mercy: but not to ſtand on the determination of the ſeveral particular heads, we may confound their ſeveral judgements, and finde them all center in the general before expreſſed, in which we may ſafely acquieſce, that the heads and principles of Chriſtian Religion muſt be the matter of Catechizing, which may more fully be proved by theſe Reaſons.
Reaſ. 11. It is preſcribed by God to his Church, in that by his Spirit he taught Adam to inſtruct his ſons in the promiſe of the Meſſiah as the ground of Sacrifice: and to Abraham, the matter of whoſe Catechiſm may be probably conjectured to be the Covenant God made with him and with his ſeed: he expreſly commands the Doctrine of the Law and Paſſeover, to be the matter of the Catechiſms taught by the Jewes to their children, when in Exod. 12.26. When they celebrated the Paſſeover, God enjoyns them to ſhew their children, how God paſſed over them51 in the land of Egypt, and the Doctrine of the Law, and Gods dealing with the Iſraelites, Moſes in the Name of the Lord preſcribes as the matter of Catechiſm, in Deut. 6.7. and from this Catechetical matter it is, that Paul cals them Catechized in the Law, in Rom. 2.18.
Reaſ. 2The ſecond Reaſon, it was propounded by Chriſt and his Apoſtles; for we ſhall finde the ſum or matter of their Catechizing, to be the main principles of Chriſtian Religion; as in Chriſt his inſtruction of his Diſciples was in that main ſtanding principle of Religion (ſo much oppugned by the world) that he was the Chriſt the Son of the living God: and the author of this Epiſtle gives us a very clear account of the main heads of the Apoſtolick Catechiſm in theſe five heads, Faith in Chriſt, repentance from dead works, doctrine of Baptiſms, laying on of hands, and the Reſurrection of the dead, Heb. 6.2. Which are clear Scriptural and fundamental notions: and Timothy being Catechized, is ſaid to have learned the52 Scripture from his youth, 2 Tim. 3.15.
Reaſ. 3The third Reaſon, This was the matter of Catechizing in the primitive and pure times of the Church after the Apoſtles; for they inſtructed in the Doctrine of the Trinity and faith in Chriſt the Mediator and the like, as may appear by ancient writings, and the Caterhiſms of the Fathers, as Auguſtine and others: We read of many converted to the Faith of Chriſt in the Catechizing School of Alexandria, and ſo well grounded in the Faith of Chriſt, that they were fitted for Martyrdome, and chearfully ſubmitted to the ſame. Six of Origens Diſciples, whereof ſome were but learning their Catechiſm, are recorded at one time to be led to Martyrdome: certainly then the matter of this exerciſe could be no other then the chief principles of the Chriſtian Religion.
The fourth Reaſon, It is only Catechizing in Scripture Doctrine and principles of Religion, that train up in the fear of God in truth and godlineſſe,53 which all children ought to be educated in: this matter is proper to that excellent end of this exerciſe (viz.) the glory of God and ſalvation of the ſoul, before ſpoken of; and therefore this only muſt be the matter of Catechizing; for in all effects to be produced, there muſt be a ſutableneſſe between the cauſa and the cauſatum. Theſe precedent reaſons being ſeriouſly conſidered, I hope may clear it to every rational man's judgement, that the matter of Catechizing muſt alwaies be the heads, and yet only the heads of Chriſtian Religion that are matters of Faith and ſtanding principles. And now before I proceed to make known to you the manner of this exerciſe, I muſt make a little ſtay to remove an Objection framed from this matter againſt this exerciſe, thus:
Object. Sir, ſeeing that the ſum of Chriſtian Religion extracted out of Scripture, as Repentance, Faith, Sacraments, Reſurrection, and the Doctrine of the Trinity and the like, muſt be as you ſay the proper matter of Catechizing,52〈1 page duplicate〉53〈1 page duplicate〉54Wherein doth it differ from preaching? which we all know to be an ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt treating of the Doctrine of the Scripture, and that very matter that you have mentioned to be the matter of this exerciſe; and if it do not differ, may it not be ſufficient that we ſubmit to Preaching, but we muſt needs have Catechizing, which doth but the ſame thing impoſed on us, as ſo neceſſary a duty, and diſtinct from Preaching?
Anſw. 1It will not follow: firſt, becauſe Preaching and Catechizing are converſant about the ſame matter, nay and alſo carry on to the ſame end, that they are not different and diſtinct duties each from other, for they may treat of the ſame matter in different manners; for though Faith and Hope are converſant about the ſame matter, the promiſes, and center in the ſame end of accompliſhment and enjoyment, yet I hope no man will deny them to be different and diſtinct graces in the ſoul: and again, though the preaching of the55 Word, and adminiſtration of the Sacrament commend to us the ſame matter of Chriſt crucified, in ſo much as that they are called the one verbum audibile, the audible word to be heard; and the other verbum viſibile, the word to be ſeen, and ſo both the Word; yet it will not follow, but that they are different and diſtinct Ordinances, and not the ſame, even as the learning of ABC is different and diſtinct from ready reading, which is but a recitall of the ſame material letters: and the learning of the firſt rules of any Art or Science is different from more perfect proceeding in the ſame Art or Science, whether Logick, Philoſophy, or the like.
Anſw. 2Secondly, We ſhall now ſhew unto you, that though Catechizing and Preaching do treat of the ſame matter, the Doctrine of Scripture, yet they are different and diſtinct Ordinances in the Church of God, and not to ſtand on the conſideration of them as diſtinctly commanded in the Scripture, and have alwaies been56 diſtinctly ſubjected to in the Churches of God, I ſhall ſatisfie my ſelf in ſhewing you wherein they differ, which I hope may ſatisfie you that they may not be confounded; the which Mr. Greenham that reverend and godly Author hath in part done before me, who notes them to differ in theſe three things, unto which I ſhall adde two other.
Firſt, Preaching is the dilating of one member of the Chriſtian Religion into a whole Treatiſe: Catechizing is the contracting of the whole into a ſum.
Secondly, Preaching is unto all ſorts, but Catechizing only to the younger, and rude, or ignorant.
Thirdly, Preaching is not exacted to be repeated, Catechizing is exacted.
Fourthly, Catechizing principally informes the Judgement in the Theory of Chriſtian Religion: but Preaching doth chiefly excite the affections, and directs the heart in the practiſe of the ſame.
57Fifthly, Catechizing layeth the foundation of Chriſt in the ſoul, and preaching builds upon it; that teacheth the ABC, or firſt rudiments, this perfecteth the knowledge of Chriſtian Doctrine. Having thus ſpoken of the matter, we come in the next place to ſpeak unto you of the manner of Catechizing, concerning which we ſhall propound three things to be conſidered.
Firſt, Some rules concerning the formes of Catechiſm to be uſed.
Secondly, Who muſt Catechize, and how they muſt demean themſelves in this duty.
Thirdly, Who muſt be Catechized, and how they muſt carry themſelves in it.
Firſt of the firſt of theſe, concerning the formes of Catechizing to be uſed, obſerve theſe four rules.
1. The matter, heads and grounds of Catechizing, are contained and expreſſed in Scripture, and therefore alwaies the ſame; but the formes are not, but left to the liberty of the Church, and therefore variable ſo,58 as that we are not ſo preciſely tyed to the form as we are to the matter.
2. Such formes are moſt fitting, as may be found to tend moſt to the edification of the Church, in confirming them in the truths and principles moſt oppoſed, in which reſpect the Church hath taken liberty to vary.
3. It is very expedient and profitable, that there be in the Church two formes of Catechiſm, a ſhorter and more eaſie for the younger ſort which are not yet able to learn and commit to memory a larger; and a larger wherein for the riper ſort the principles of Religion are more fully handled.
4. Every form uſed muſt be found brief, plain, orderly, and by way of queſtion and anſwer eaſie; for that this form of teaching is moſt expedient, as by way of queſtion and anſwer.
Firſt, it is moſt ſutable to the rude and ignorant infant capacity by putting words into their mouthes,59 helping them to anſwer and underſtand when they ſee the queſtion propounded and anſwer to be rendred.
Secondly, As enjoyned to the people of Iſrael, who are required to whet upon their children their Catechetical Doctrine, which can no otherwaies be done, then by repetition of the ſtrokes of the ſame ſubject.
Thirdly, As practiſed by Jeſus Chriſt when willing to receive an account of his Diſciples profiting under his Miniſtry, and to confirm them in the Faith in oppoſition to the common fame of the world, Whom ſay ye that I am?
Fourthly, As that which puts them into an aptitude and readineſs of rendring an account of the faith that is in them to every one that asketh, being hereby better enabled to retain and reſolve anſwers proper to queſtions ſuddenly propounded (but before known) then the knowledge of bare notions without the queſtions to which they anſwer.
60The ſecond thing conſiderable in the manner of Catechizing, is the perſons that muſt Catechize, together with their carriage in this duty; now the perſons that muſt do it, will be found to be three ſorts of men:
1. Miniſters in their Congregations.
2. Schoolmaſters in their Schools.
3. Maſters of families in their families.
The firſt ſort that muſt Catechize muſt be Miniſters, that have taken upon them the Paſtoral charge of a congregation to feed them with knowledge and underſtanding according to the ſeveral capacities of the ſouls, as well young as old under their charge: and that it is their duty, may appear by theſe enſuing reaſons.
Firſt, The careful performance of this duty by the faithful Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt, and moſt eminent and reverend Fathers of the primitive times: not to ſtand upon the probability of Paul's Catechizing, from 1 Cor. 6114.19. it is much more than probable, that it was done in the Church of the Hebrewes by the Author of this Epiſtle, who ſharply checks their non-proficiency in this duty. Euſebius tels us, that before Pantenus, Clemens, Origen, Mark the Evangeliſt did Catechize at Alexandria, which was commended in him by Philo Judeus, which three were themſelves Catechizers in the ſame Church of Alexandria in the years of our Lord Two hundred, and two hundred and fifty, each ſucceeding other, Origen being ſet up by the diligent overſight of Demetrius their Biſhop; and after whom ſucceeded Heraclus, and Dionyſius Alexandrinus, and others: alſo about the ſame time we read of Optatus, Catechizer at Carthage in the daies of Cyprian: alſo the ſeverall Catechiſms of the Fathers, as Cyrill, Gregory, Nicen, the books of Auguſtine de Catechizandis rudibus; and his four books ad Catechumenos; Athanaſius his Synopſis of ſacred Scripture; and Fulgentius de fide ad diaconum, do proclaim that conſcionable care they had62 to the diſcharge of this duty: and the duty of Miniſters for the edifying of the body of Chriſt being alwaies one and the ſame, their conſcionable diſcharge of this exerciſe doth declare it to be a Miniſterial duty.
Secondly, A Miniſter by preaching doth not diſcharge his duty, if he neglect Catechizing: becauſe thereby he inſtructs only thoſe that are adulti, men of years, and ſtrength to digeſt ſuch meats, and either wholly neglects to feed youth, no leſſe committed to his charge as members of the Church, or elſe adminiſters that food which is unſutable and cannot be by them digeſted, in ſtead of the milk of principles of Religion, of which even babes in Chriſt and almoſt in years are capable: and truly we have cauſe to ſuſpect one great cauſe of young mens high flown oppoſition of the truth and Ordinances of God, to ſpring from their affected hearing of thoſe things in preaching which they cannot digeſt into orderly nouriſhment, becauſe they have not by the milk of Catechizing been prepared thereunto.
63Thirdly, Miniſters ought to Catechize to make all his pains and preaching the more profitable to his hearers, by keeping freſh in their mindes and memories thoſe ſtanding notions of Chriſtian Religion, which he doth by preaching more particularly illuſtrate, more fully prove, and more powerfully apply to their affections.
Fourthly, That thereby he may more clearly diſcern the eſtate of his flock, obſerve the Maſters of families in their proper places to diſcharge their duties, and ſee their proficiency in grace and knowledge under all the Ordinances of God by him diſpenſed, confirming them in the truth learned, which is clear to have been the reaſon of Chriſt his Catechizing of his Diſciples after his long preaching, and many miracles amongſt them, in Mat. 13.51. Having preached to them many parables, he asketh them if they underſtand: and Mat. 16.13, 14. Whom ſay men, whom ſay ye that I am?
Fifth and laſt reaſon why Miniſters64 muſt Catechize in their Congregations, is that they may detect all lurking deceivers that lie in wait to ſeduce the people committed to their charge from the truth, and diſcern when any of them begin to be tainted with error and falſe doctrine, whereby they are directed how to improve themſelves as skilful workmen in the Lords houſe, dividing the Word aright, defending the truth and ſoul with which he is charged, ſtopping the mouth of all gainſayers: which is the great reaſon of that general Apoſtolical charge of holding faſt the form of ſound words, in 2 Tim. 1.13. and commendation of obeying the form of Doctrine in Rom. 6.17. which the learned conclude to be Catechiſm.
Having thus given you the Reaſons why Catechizing is the duty of Miniſters, I ſhall paſſe from this with this hearty deſire, that God would put into the hearts of all his Miniſters to perform their duty herein in theſe backſliding daies, wherein the principles of Religion are ſo generally65 unknown and declined: and ſo I come to conſider the ſecond ſort of Catechiſts, which are Schoolmaſters in their Schools, whoſe diligence in the diſcharge hereof ſhould write really what is worthily written on the wals of that famous School of this City at Paules, Schola Catechiſationis puerorum in optima & maxima fide Chriſti; and for theſe following reaſons.
1. That the main and chief end of erecting Schools, was alwaies inſtruction in, and preparation to divine worſhip: for even among the Pagans they did appoint Schools to the end that the Oracles of their gods might be read to the youth, and they Philoſophically prepared to purſue the ſummum bonum of the ſoul: and among the Papiſts to inſtruct and train up in traditions of the Fathers and C•nons of the Church concerning the corrupt worſhip of God; whom it were an exceeding ſin and ſhame for Chriſtian Schoolemaſters in the reformed Churches to come ſhort of by not inſtructing in66 the true worſhip of the true God.
2. As this was the end of Schools in general, ſo we ſhall ſee that in Church of God, among the Jewes and alſo among the Chriſtians, Schools were conſtituted and conſerved by the ſpecial providence of God, for the inſtruction of youth in ſhe Doctrine of his worſhip, as well as other learning. The eight and forty cities of the Levites were diſperſed abroad through all the tribes of the children of Iſrael, that they might be as Schools wherein the youth might drink in the Doctrine of the Law and the Prophets, together with the knowledge of the liberal Arts: ſuch as theſe were the Schools of the Prophets in Shiloh, Ramoth gilead, Jericho, Bethel, and Mount Carmell, and the Scholars thereof were called the ſons of the Prophets, 1 Sam. 9.10, 5. 2 King. 2.3. & 4.25. & 6.2. And it is worthy obſervation, that Samuel was Maſter of the School of the Prophets at Naioth near Ramah at ſuch time as David fled from the preſence of Saul, 1 Sam. 19.20. And ſuch a School67 as this Gamaliel kept, of whom Paul declares himſelf to have been taught like a childe the knowledge of the Law as well as other learning, Act. 22.3. and as theſe Schools were among the Jewes, ſo we ſhall finde them in the Chriſtian Churches: Euſebius reporteth out of Philo Judeus, that there was at Alexandria in Aegypt an ancient School founded by Ptolemeus, famous throughout the world; when Mark the Evangeliſt preached the Goſpel there, he turned the ſame into a Chriſtian School; the which did afterward ſo continue; and in it Origen was Schoolmaſter, and when by reaſon of the multitude of the Scholars that reſorted to it,〈◊〉found himſelf not able to perform the duty, he choſe Heraclas (a man expert in holy Scripture and ſtudious of divine things, very eloquent, and not ignorant of Philoſophy) to be his Uſher, fellow-helper, dividing the company, did appoint him to initiate and enter them in the faith, and he himſelf did teach them that were riper, not68 only in Philoſophy Geometry and other liberal Arts, but in divine things alſo. So Pamphilus a Chriſtian Philoſopher did ordain at Ceſarea, a famous School both for divine and humane learning: and Nazianzen doubted not to call the School at Athens a golden parent of all ſpeech and learning. To this reaſon we might add an evidence of God's conſtituting of Schools as fountains of Chriſtian Religion from Satans enmity againſt the ſame, expreſſed by the cruel martyrdome of famous Caſſianus of Forum in Italy, by his Scholars at the cruel command of the Emperor, and the putting down of ſuch Schools by Julian the Apoſtate in his devilliſh deſign of rooting out all Chriſtian Doctrine.
Thirdly, Schoolmaſters ought to Catechize, becauſe it is impoſſible for youth, to go well forward in vertue and good manners (the end of all learning) unleſſe they be well inſtructed in the principles of Religion and Doctrine of Chriſt: for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wiſdome.
69Fourthly, Without Catechizing, godly parents do miſſe of the end of all their care and charges in ſetting their children to ſchool, which is to be educated in the fear of the Lord, and inſtructed in the true Religion: which neglected, a Pagan were as good as a Chriſtian, a Papiſt as good as a Proteſtant Schoolmaſter for them.
Fifthly, In not Catechizing, they tranſgreſſe the Law of Church and all Chriſtian Common-wealth: which requires that a Schoolmaſter ſhould ſubſcribe to ſound Doctrine: becauſe he ought chiefly to teach Religion.
Laſtly, Prayers (which we ſuppoſe to be in Chriſtian Schools (unleſſe they will come ſhort of Paganiſh tutors, who uſed to begin their leſſons with invocation to their gods) cannot but be profaned and uſed unreverently, where Catechizing is neglected: becauſe through want of inſtruction, the youth underſtand not the duty in generall, nor petition in particular, and ſo it is unto them as in an unknown tongue.
Having thus ſhewed you the Reaſons70 why Miniſters and Schoolmaſters ſhould Catechize, we come now to conſider the Reaſons why this duty is to be performed by Parents and Maſters of families, which are briefly theſe:
Firſt, God commands and commends it in them, in Deut. 4.9. & 6.7. & 11.19. Thou ſhalt teach thy children, thy ſons and thy ſons ſons; in Epheſ. 6.4. Parents are required to bring up their children in the inſtruction and information of the Lord: beſides that command in Prov. 22.6. Train up a childe in his youth: and this duty hath been commended in Abraham, in Gen. 14.14. & 18.19. and the effect of it in Timothy.
Secondly, That they may (as much as in them lies) help forward the regeneration of their children: to whom they have conveyed an evill and corrupted nature. To this Catechizing is ſingularly helpful by laying in the ſoul the Word of God, by which is conveighed the immortal ſeed, informing them in the Doctrine of God, ſinfull nature and their71 own covenant with God in Baptiſm.
Thirdly, That they may propagate Religion to poſterity according to their duty, in Deut. 4.9. Gen. 18.18. unto which end, as we before noted, Catechizing is ſingularly inſtrumental.
Fourthly, That they may prepare their families even in the time of their youth to bear witneſſe to the truth, unto the confuſion of the enemies thereof, as did the Children of Merindoll: nay under the moſt exquiſite torments, to rejoyce in and encourage to patient conſtancy in the faith of Chriſt: for this hath added much force unto the truth of God in all ages, that it hath not only been ſealed with the bloud of men of age and gray hairs, but alſo youth, even of Infants, who have been unmovably fixed in it: which how could they have been, or their parents encourage them to it, and endear them to themſelves by it, if they had not been well inſtructed in the Doctrine of Chriſt, and their Parents diſcharged their duty in Catechizing them betimes:72 of the which we ſhall finde ſeverall inſtances in the third perſecution under Adrian the Emperour, we read of Symphoriſa a godly matron martyred with her ſeven children: and Sophia with her three children: alſo in the fourth perſecution under Antoninus Verus, we read of the ſeven children of Felicitas cruelly and diverſly martyred before her eyes, her ſelf chearfully alſo ſealing the truth with death: ſo alſo a woman of Syria and her two daughters, and Athanaſia and her three daughters: What ſhall I ſay of young Eulatia, and others under the Heathens, beſides the conſtancy of a boy of eight or nine years old well inſtructed by his father: John Fatty, who was by Bonner cruelly whipped for his profeſſion: What ſhall I ſay of Vitalis, who ſuffered with his godly Maſter Agrico: of John Leaf, an Apprentice, who was with Mr. Bradford burned at the nineteenth year of his age: of Tho. Hinſhaw, cruelly whipped in Bonner's garden for the Truth? but above all I cannot paſſe with ſilence the Childe which witneſſed the truth of God with renowned73 Romanus when but ſeven years of age, who having witneſſed the profeſſion of it under cruel whipping, and at laſt having his skin pull'd off his head, was thus encouraged by his godly Mother: My childe thirst after the cup of which the Children of Bethleem did drink; remember Iſaac's obedience unto death: ſuffer a little my childe, thou ſhalt anon go to him that will cover thy naked head with a crown of eternall glory: and when after with a ſmiling countenance he had approved himſelf invincible by ſuffering torments, and was cruelly beheaded to the grief of the beholders, and great joy of the Mother, only ſtanding by with dry eyes ſinging to Gods glory,
This conſtancy of the childe, and comfort of the Mother, muſt needs witneſſe the truth of his anſwer to74 the Captain that he ſucked in the Doctrine of Chriſt with his mothers milk: and much enforce this Reaſon for Maſters of families Catechizing.
The fifth and laſt Reaſon why Maſters of families ſhould Catechize, may be this, That they may preſerve the Church of God in their houſes, faithfully diſcharge the Prophetical office (to which they are redeemed by Jeſus Chriſt) in inſtructing their families in matters of Faith and obedience, whereby they are enabled to diſcharge their ſeveral duties towards God and man, that they may ſweeten relation, and the performances of their prieſtly office in prayer and praiſes to be preſented with faith and fear, with fervor and feeling, whileſt by diligent Catechizing they are enabled to do all with knowledge and underſtanding.
Having thus ſhewed you who muſt Catechize, we ſhall briefly ſhew you what they muſt do in the performance of this duty, before we ſhew you who muſt be Catechized.
Firſt, The Catechiſm ready and the Catechized75 preſent, they muſt (as in every other Ordinance of God) begin with hearty and earneſt prayer to the moſt wiſe God for his bleſſing on this divine exerciſe, that it may tend to the edification of all concerned in it.
Secondly, Propound the queſtions, and require an audible anſwer thereunto: for it is moſt expedient that the Catechiſm be by queſtion and anſwer, as was before noted.
Thirdly, Audibly repeat the queſtion and anſwer, that ſuch as ſtand by may be ſure to hear, obſerve, and have it the better imprinted in their mindes and memories.
Fourthly, Cauſe the Catechized according to their capacities to prove the ſeveral propoſitions expreſſed in the queſtions and anſwers, by ſome ſutable places of Scripture, that they may be able to diſcern them to be the truths of God grounded on his Word.
Fifthly, according to their ſeveral abilities, and in their proper places, they muſt explain the ſeveral propoſitions that they may the better be underſtood, and the heart be the more affected76 with the ſame, and alſo take notice of the principal errors that do oppoſe them: they muſt perform the whole duty cheerfully and reverently, as becomes an ordinance of God; praiſing the forward, encouraging the willing, patiently bearing with the weak, and gravely admoniſhing the unruly.
We come now to ſhew you who muſt be Catechized: in the conſideration whereof, we ſhall firſt ſhew who were wont to be Catechized in the primitive times: and then who amongſt us ought to ſubject themſelves to this duty.
In the primitive times they did uſually Catechize two ſorts, the one before, and the other after Baptiſm: thoſe that were Catechized before Baptiſm, were Heathens converted from their Paganiſm to the knowledge of the true God, who before they were received into the fellowſhip of Jeſus Chriſt, were Catechized. Juſtin Martyr in his ſecond Apologie for the Chriſtians, declares, that if any Heathen man deſired to be received77 into the fellowſhip of the Church, he was firſt Catechized in the principles of Religion; and then hearing further the Word of God, as it were the conditions of the covenant: afterward came into the face of the congregation, and made a profeſſion thereof promiſing their obedience thereunto, and ſo they were baptized, and received as members: ſuch an one was Auguſtine, when converted from Manichiſm, he was Catechized, and then Baptized, in which time of his Catechiſm he wrote many books: ſo Ambroſe was in his Catechiſm and not baptized when choſen Biſhop of Millaine: ſuch as theſe were the Burgundians whom Socrates declares to have been ſeven daies in Catechizing, and baptized in the eighth day: Jerom ad Pannachium makes mention of ſuch as were in his daies Catechized forty daies, and then baptized: in Tertullian's daies they did Catechize till Eaſter or Whitſontide, and then baptize: in a word, ſuch as theſe were Catechumeni and novices ſent away from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
78The ſecond ſort Catechized, were the children of the faithful, who had been baptized in their Infancy: who when they came to years of diſcretion were taught how great things the Lord had done for them and for their forefathers, in receiving them into his covenant; the which things when they had learned, and were able to render a reaſon of the ſame, they were brought into the Congregation, and made a profeſſion of their Faith, promiſing obedience thereunto; and ſo in their own perſons renewed covenant with God, and were confirmed members of the Church, as Deodate infers from Heb. 6.2. Laying on of hands: and ſo alſo Calvin, Beza, Hemingius, and others on the place.
Having thus ſhewed who were accuſtomed to be Catechized in the primitive times and Churches, we may take notice amongſt us all being baptized in their infancy, we are not in capacity of admitting that difference, and therefore we muſt in generall reſolve, that thoſe and all thoſe79 that are ignorant of or not well inſtructed in the main and fundamental grounds of Religion and the Christian Doctrine, muſt be Catechized, whether they be young or old, rich or poor, high or low, married or unmarried; for ignorance is alwaies the ground of this exerciſe, and therefore whileſt age, quality and condition cannot expell or diſpenſe with ignorance in any, they cannot exempt any from this inſtructing ordinance of God: but if indeed we might conclude thoſe that are of years to have been Catechized, then we only make youth the ſubject of this exerciſe, who would be put to it by their parents as ſoon as they are capable of any thing elſe, and be preſented in the Church ſo ſoon as they can quietly abide, and give a reaſonable account of their capacity to be inſtructed; that ſo being betime ſeaſoned with this ſpiritual liquor, they may alwaies retain the ſavour of it: and trained up in it in the daies of his youth, they may not depart from it when they are old, Prov. 22.6. that thereby the Word of God may grow80 up with them as a light unto their feet, and lanthorn their paths, in directing them to mortifie luſt betimes, to avoid diſobedience to parents, unthriſtineſſe, idleneſſe and vanity, and other profaneneſſe, to which youth is very prone and ſubject; and to teach them to remember their Creator betimes, know their duty to God, their parents and others, and when inflamed with youthful luſt, to conſider that for all things they muſt come to Judgement.
But more particularly children and youth ought to be exerciſed in this ordinance of Catechizing, and approve themſelves the ſubjects of this exerciſe for theſe ſpeciall reaſons: That,
1. Covenant to them confirmed in Baptiſm may be underſtood and improved: want of Catechizing makes Baptiſm ineffectual; the Jewes by Catechizing made their children to underſtand the nature of Circumciſion and the Paſſeover, and covenant thereby ſealed: Confirmation of children was uſed, when by Catechizing they were81 able perſonally to claim and engage in the covenant.
2. Counſell unto duty may be ready at hand: Children as ſoon as they can act their reaſon, are ingaged to duty to God, Eccleſ. 12.1. Remember thy Creator in the daies of thy youth: and Catechizing acquaints them with it. I have before noted Iſaac's meditation, and Abel's ſacrifice to be the fruit of Catechizing: how could King Joſiah at ſixteen year old ſeek the God of David, and at twenty years old zealouſly deſtroy Idolatry, if he had not been well Catechized? and how ſhould King Edward the ſixth his zealous reſiſtance of Popiſh ſuperſtition, have proclaimed more Divinity in his finger then in Biſhop Cranmer's head, if he had not well ſtudied the Catechiſm? And as they owe duty to God, ſo to men, to their parents obedience, to their elders in age or office reverence, which they are counſelled in by Catechizing.
3. Curbe may grow up with their corruptions: a mention of coming to judgement, gives a check to youthfull82 luſt, to the young mans rejoycing in his youth, and taking his pleaſure, Eccleſ. 11.9. A well Catechized Joſeph will in childhood out of enmity to impiety complain of brethrens miſcarriages, Gen. 37.9. an inlightned conſcience will be able to diſpute with the Devill, and ſilence ſuggeſtions unto ſin.
4. Change in their nature and diſpoſition may be wrought: the work of grace is not in any by natural generation, nor infuſed by any extraordinary inſpiration; it muſt therefore be effected in the uſe of ordinary means, whereof none ſute infant capacity as Catechizing; by this the word that incorruptible ſeed by which we are born again,1 Pet. 1.23. is implanted in them to the informing judgement, perſwading the will, and transforming nature.
5. Capacity exerciſed in Chriſtianity may be enlarged: We are moſt capable of the art or trade in which we were trained young; our children can beſt apprehend, judge, diſcourſe of, and invent thoſe things about which they83 ſpent their youthfull years: if then they were but exerciſed in principles of Religion and Doctrines of Chriſtianity, they would more readily underſtand, diſcourſe and judge of them when they come to years: the great dexterity of the Jewes in the doctrines of the Scriptures, was the reſult of their Catechiſm: the ready anſwers of the children of Merindoll, and the renown•d childe which ſuffered with Romanus, was no other then the effect of capacity exerciſed in Catechizing.
6. That they may continue a ſtable courſe in profeſſion and practiſe of Chriſtianity: A veſſell when old, retains the ſavour of the liquor with which it was ſeaſoned when new,Horace. Quae ſemel eſt imbuta recens ſervabit odorem, &c. ſaith the Poet, as the reaſon why youth muſt be inſtructed in beſt things: and God teacheth us to train up a childe in the way he ſhould go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it: cuſtome doth obdurate in any way, and in waies of piety enables to withſtand temptation: the84 tree when it is old, ſtands againſt all ſtrength and ſtormes as it was bent when young: Paul perſwades Timothy to continue in the things he learned, his perſwaſive is that〈…〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from a ſucking childe he had known the Scriptures, 2 Tim. 3.14, 15.
I have ſhewed you ought to be Catechized, and why children are in ſpecial to be the ſubjects of this exerciſe: I ſhall briefly ſhew how they muſt carry in it, and ſo paſſe to the application: As to their carriage that are to be catechized, note theſe rules.
1. They muſt with all cheerfulneſſe and conſtancy ſit under Catechizing as an ordinance of God, appointed for their eternal good, not being diſcouraged by any reproaches of the wicked, nor diverted by any temptation whatſoever.
2. They muſt with all eager diligence commit to memory all the principles and heads of Chriſtian Doctrine commended and committed to them, not breaking off from the work on any ſenſe of difficulty85 in, or indiſpoſition to the exerciſe.
3. They muſt be alwaies ready with an holy boldneſſe, to give a reaſon of the hope that is in them to every one that asketh.
4. They muſt with all reverence and modeſty give audible and diſtinct anſwers to the ſeveral queſtions