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 as 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 resolving 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 these 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 Doct and 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 I must desire you to observe that the word Catechize is no proper English word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imbuâ—t docere incepit paulatâ—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 signification 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 being cleared to our judgements cannot but convince of the truth of the point 1. The excellency of Catechizing 2. The antiquity of Catechizing 3. The necessity of Catechizing 4. The utility or profit of Catechizing 5. The facility or easines of Catechizing Reas 1 The 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 most 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
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 Ministers 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 generally 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 Câ—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 in 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 School 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 not 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 Fourthly 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 Reasons 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
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 1. The prescribers of Catechizing 2. The professors of Catechizing 3. The proper matter of Catechizing 4. The peculiar end of Catechizing First evidence of the excellency of Catechizing is from the prescriber of it 1 Evidence of the excellency of Catechizing the Author of every work addeth much to the lustre and excellency of the same the excellency 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 Wisdome 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 2 Evidence As Catechizing is excellent in respect of God the prescriber 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 Thirdly 3 Evidence 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 4 Evidence the excellency of Catechizing appears by the peculiar end thereof which is no other 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 excellency 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 2 The 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
I am that the sinfull suspension of Catechizing cuts short Christianity and is likely if God prevent not to give us reall cause in the return to infidelity to gather Churches indeed and by nipping buds and suffering sprouts to wither to replant into the faith of Christ such as must bear up his name in the world 4. Catechizing prevents the Devils design by prepossessing the minde with principles of truth and piety Satan as vigilant and subtle enemies endevours to enter the soul betimes and blinde the eye whilest yet tender to infuse into the soul principles of blasphemy and prophanenesse knowing that possession is eleven points of the Law Leases of ejectment may lay foundations for long and vexatious suits the soul possessed by Satan will abide many powerfull perswasions piercing reproofs patheticall intreaties prevailing prayers and pinching pangs of conscience before it will be recovered an illuminated conscience and judgement well informed in the truth will abide variety of temptations and assaults of Satan before it will renounce and recede from the true religion Was not this the stratagem of the Councels and Fathers of the primitive times against the blasphemous Heresies of those daies is not the re-entry of the same blasphemies an engagement to us to countermine the Devils devices by putting Creeds and Catechisms into the hands of our people nay is not the vigilancy of Satan and diligence of his instruments in casting the Arrian and Socinian Heresies in Catecheticall forms nay in scattering abroad the Cracovian and Biddles Catechisms the check of our long sinfull neglect of Catechizing and a loud call to set to the duty with vigor 5. Catechizing puts into a capacity of living with credit or dying with comfort Catechizing in doctrines of Christianity doth as well civilize a man as Christianize a soul it instrâ—â—â—s in duâ—ies to be done towards men as well as towards God youth not educated in principles of Religion may live with shame and die with sorrow for they know not what to do or how to carry themselves whilest they live nor yet wherein to center their hope of future happinesse when they lie How many infants young children have by Catechizing been famous in their religious lives being deâ—terous in duty constant in the faith and couragious under temptations and when they have come to die have cheerfully given up their souls to God through Christ in knowledge of whom they have been Catechized Whilest youth have souls rationall and capable of education let them not want instruction in those things that may make them serviceable to God in their generation and whilest they have souls immortall that may be damned or saved when they depart out of their bodies let them not want Catechizing in the waies of everlasting peace Thus then you have seen the Doctrine proved illustrated and applied in the application you have been exhorted to the duty consider seriously the duty pressed on you and motives by which you have been perswaded and if you would pleasure God produce order in your families pursue the due edification of the Churches of God prevent the Devils design or put youth into a capacity to live with credit or to die with comfort Let me charge you in the Name of Jesus Christ as superiors be constant in Catechizing as inferiors be chearfull in being Catechized shewing by your diligence in it the dignity of the exercise your submission being a seal of the divine institution of it proclaiming unto all that it is Gods ordinance to be continued in his Church FINIS Books lately Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the signe of the Three Crowns over against the great Conduit at the lower end of Cheapside DR Richard Sibbs his Commentary upon the Second Epistle to the Corinthians published for publick good by Tho. Manton in Folio Mr. John Cotton his Exposition on the First Epistle of John with Doctrines Reasons and Uses in Folio The Journal or Diary of a thankful Christian wherein is contained directions for the right method of keeping and using according to the rules of practise a Day-book of National and Politick personal and private passages of Gods Providence to help Christians to thankfulness and experience By John Beadle Minister of the Gospel at Barnstone in Essex Cathechizing Gods Ordinance or A short Treatise concerning that Ancient approved and soul edifying Ordinance of Catechisme by Mr. Zach. Crofton Minister of the word at Buâ—tolphs without Algate London in Octavo Curteous Reader THou mayest expect within a short time to see published some new Pieces of Mr. William Fenners who was so famous when living and his works though he is dead hath such a sweet though silent voice T. P.