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
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 sons 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 with 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 Paraeus 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 rule 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 opposition 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 and 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 the 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
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 those 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 grow 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 were 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 youthfull 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 they 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 renownâ—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 the 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 difficulty 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 propounded 5. That they may not lose the end in using the means they must diligently study the answers they do repeat observe the questions to which they answer resolve the question and answer into entire and distinct propositions hearken with all meeknesse and reverence to the instructing exposition consult annexed Scriptures observe their pertinency to prove the principles and according to their capacities commend all to Gods blessing by prayer hereby they will take off the scandal cast on Catechizing and make it to appear their faith is not pinn'd to another mans sleeve but they see with their own eyes assent to principles they understand and are ready to contend for those Doctrines of the truth of which they are clearly and fully convinced Having thus laid before you the doctrinal consideration of this Truth and I hope informed your judgements in the great necessity of such a duty in the Church of God I shall now briefly suggest the improvement or application thereof for the exciting of your affections towards the same and first it is usefull to information of judgement in these truths 1. Catechizing is not an exercise of indifferency but of positive necessity in the Church of God men may not choose whether they will instruct or be instructed in the principles of Religion and foundations of the Doctrine of God and perswade themselves they do well if they exercise and submit to such instruction but sin not if they refuse or neglect the same for if there be as I hope you see a divine stamp on this exercise as an ordinance of God morally and not ceremonially binding it must needs impose an absolute and undeniable duty the parents among the Jewes might not conceive themselves at liberty in respect of conscience whether they would teach their children and childrens children the waies and ordinances of the Lord or no neither yet the children might think themselves at liberty to choose or refuse subjection unto such instruction whilest God had enjoyned the same as duty neither yet may Christian parents under the Gospell choose or refuse the bringing up their families in the nurture and fear of the Lord by this childish way of Catechizing nor yet children choose or refuse subjection to the same whilest it appears to be an Ordinance of Gods prescription And what is thus instanced concerning parents holds good concerning Schoolmasters and Ministers according to their relations and in their proper places Ministers may not think they have discharged pastoral duty when they have preached once or twice a week and neglected this exercise but must know that it is absolute and undeniable duty for them to see that all such under their charge as are ignorant of the principles of Religion be therein Catechized and then people must know it their duty willingly to subject to the same the Apostolical perswasion did dictate absolute duty of feeding babes with milk as well as strong men with strong meat of laying the foundation of God as well as building up to perfection of disciples to be exercised in and prepared by principles to receive higher doctrines which was the undoubted ground of their resolving the Christian Doctrine into Catechetical heads and constitution of Catechizing Schools and order in the Christian Churches nay moreover had instruction in the principles of Religion been a matter of indifferency and not of duty the neglect thereof had not been a matter reprehensive and chargeable on the Hebrews as a matter of iniquity I fear my brethren it is a too generally received fancy as well among such as should catechize as such as should be catechized that Catechizing is good but not necessary commendable where it is used but not duty this fear may be justly grounded on the neglect thereof nay on childrens and servants refusing subjection to such waies when thereunto called not only by their Ministers but Parents and Masters nay in affirming that though it is good yet it hath not any ground in Scripture it were well if the lukewarmnesse of some in it and the perversnesse of some towards it did not lead them to determine this exercise to be iniquity and denominate it the Antichristian weapon of the late Assembly but whosoever seriously considers the care of the Bishops the constant pains of Catechizers the cheerful submission of Christians of all ages sexes ranks and degrees to this way of instruction and the continued practise of the primitive times of the Christian Churches seconded with the Canons of Councels constitutions of all Church assemblies composed Catechisms conscientious discharge of the duty by the most faithfull Ministers and servants of God in all the succeeding ages of the Church to this day must conclude it to have been apprehended as absolute duty which appearing to be a Gospel exercise yet to be used amongst us and the Churches of God that shall succeed must be accordingly continued not as a thing of indifferency and that may be done but of necessity and that must be done 2. It may inform us that subjection unto Catechizing in the principles of Religion is not base and shamefull but good and honourable not with blushing but boldnesse to be undertaken I know not what madnesse possesseth mens brains to make modesty the main obstruction of this duty may we not see such as are not ashamed to be ignorant ashamed by this way to be instructed nay and to note it as a ground of contempt and derision even by laughter and digitation to such as subject unto the same as if God had stamped divine authority on such ordinances as might not with modesty and honour be exercised or had called for such duties in which his Church and servants might not be seen without shame Is any Gospell ordinance to be declined as shamefull and contemptible by such as would be called Christians and Gospel professors Did the Apostle ever upbraid or leave it as the brand of the Hebrewes that they were Catechized and subjected to this ordinance or not rather that they had not been sufficiently Catechized and made such proficiency in this School and lesson as they ought to have done Was it a shame for Christ to be found among the Catechumenists of the Jewes Could not the Apostles answer without blushing to Christ his Whom do ye say that I am Was it the shame of Theophilus Apollos and others that they had been Catechized I finde the Apostle Paul indeed stigmatizing the Jewes with not practising Catechetical heads and rules as a note of their perpetual infamy but never with being Catechized which had been their glory and now was the great aggravation of their iniquity Nay is it not the everlasting renown of the Schools at Athens and Alexandria that they were Schools of Catechizing and good learning Did wise Philosophers and honourable Senators and reverend fathers of the Church when becoming Christians submit with shame unto this exercise Is not the name of Origen famous
command and according to thy authority compell to be Catechized That it is your duty to Catechize I have before shewed if that it be not done duty is neglected indisposition and aversenesse of the children and family will be no excuse to thee for hath God put the rod of correction any more into thy hand in vain then he hath put the sword into the hand of the Magistrate hath he not ordained thee in thy sphere to be a terror to such as do evill and encourager to the good hath he not put in subjection to thee such as he hath placed under thy charge doth he not require from thy hand that thou and thy house should serve the Lord It is the good note of learned Zanchy on the fourth Command that it doth not command remember to keep holy the Sabbath and to perswade thy children and servant to keep it holy implying it is the duty of the Master and father to compell to the keeping the Sabbath and therefore it is said thou shalt do it and thy son and thy man-servant and maid-servant for God and Nature takes it for granted that the subject family conform to the command of the Master of it Those several commands in Scripture of teaching our children and houshold to know the Law of the Lord and to train them up in the nurture of the Lord must necessarily imply the laying out or exercise of authority to compel their aversenesse unto duty and command their attendance on and diligence in instructing means and not to teach them if they be willing and neglect it when they are unwilling and the Gospell command to childrens obedience to their parents to hear their instructions to bear their reproofs and to obey their commands as Zanchy notes must needs imply a parents power and duty to instruct reprove and command and therefore to close up this consideration mourn for your subjection to old Eli his sin of slack rebukes and neglect of paternall authority and let me tell you that I do beleeve the neglect of paternall power and due exercise of that authority God hath given to call and compell to duty will not be found the least of relative sins in the day of the Lord. Secondly You are degenerated from the practise of the people of God in past ages whose resolution was not only for themselves but theirs also that they should serve the Lord. The Patriarchs and people of God among the Jews did teach and command their seed to serve God thus did David as a dying man charge Solomon his son and so others whom I have before mentioned and I have before noted that God exceedingly extols Abraham for this very reason that he knew he would use his paternall power to see his children and houshold to keep Gods waies on which words a reverend Divine notes that Abraham did not leave his children and servants to their own genius their own counsels their own lusts nay he would not allow them in such a liberty as would have enticed them into the worst kinde of bondage Oh consider brethren is paternall power any lesse now under the Gospell then before and under the Law or are not we more degenerated from the pious property of authoritative acting zeal for duty then they were whose posterity we professe to be and whose practise we would be thought to follow Thirdly You deal worse for the soul then for the bodies of your relations in that you will leave them to liberty in respect of the waies of God when you limit them in matters concerning the outward man How many men will compell their servants and children to this and that way of serving them though they are never so averse that yet will let them study the waies of God when and how they will and if averse thereunto let slack their authority set them at liberty and indulge their neglect of duty many a man will from day to day and week to week call for accounts of the service done to themselves that cannot or rather will not from sabbath to sabbath call for an account of their families progresse in their Catechism and rudiments of Religion nay and will not many men make the rod to caution and command from dangers to the bodies of their children that can passe in silence the desperate dangers to which the soul is subjected Will they not many times put out their power to prohibit such company and courses as may endanger their persons or estates and upon their blessing charge and command such and such courses as may conduce to their supposed happinesse which yet can let their own genius lead to or from the duties that may advantage the soul for ever O fools and unwise can you think that God gave this power into your hand for your selves alone and not rather to command for him and is not the immortall souls of your dear relations much better then their mortall bodies what shall be their profit to gain the whole world and lose the soul but will it not be the shame of Christians that as men of this world they should be wiser in their generation then as the children of God But these Reproofs are by some staved off by some Pleas which they think to be not only sufficient to acquit them from the charge of sin but also to justifie their neglect as if it were good and warrantable These Pleas are so weak that they were not worth taking notice of them had not notable ignorance and the nice and sinfull scrupulosity of our times given them strength enough to keep off from positive duty weak Christians but inclining the least to the pretended and much cryed up new lights in our daies therefore such as they are I shall set before you with answers to them Whereof the first is Plea 1 That our way of Catechizing is a forme asking some set questions and receiving set answers to them and they think all formes unlawfull To this I answer 1. The Apostles did deliver to the succeeding Ministers a form of sound words and gave it in charge that it should be held fast as did Paul to Timothy 2 Tim. 1.13 and was this sinful and to be condemned or if ours be a form is it of unsound words if so let them make it to appear we will then lay it aside till then we must conclude to charge and cast off Catecheticall Doctrine because in a form is not only to condemn the generation of the just but also the very Apostles of Christ 2. The Ten Commandements are a form nay and such a form as is expunged out of these mens books and exil'd their families yet God commanded the Jewes to teach them their children and whet them diligently upon them as well as keep them in their own hearts Deut. 6.6 7. Shall we be afraid to teach our children the ten Commandements when we finde it to be the lesson God himself hath set them may not we that are Gods Ushers safely teach
by reason of our age conceive our selves to be excused and so much the rather for that we have attained to some ripenesse of understanding and are in a better capacity of gaining profit by the Word preached and read then we were when young To this I answer 1. It is your shame to be men and women in years and children in understanding Is it not a shame to be gotten into your teens and not able to repeat the Ten Commandements How many children go beyond you in knowledge of principles of Christianity 2. So were others when they were Catechized as Abrahams servants Theophilus Apollos Ambrose and Augustine most of the primitive Christians those were not ashamed when their beards were grown to be publiquely Catechized 3. Vncatechized thou canst not well profit by reading or hearing the Word for thy knowledge thereby must be immethodicall and confused nay many terms used in preaching cannot be understood by the uncatechized thou maist fill thy head with confused and indigested notions which will never nourish the heart and be like the childe which wanting breast-milk is big-headed by the Rickets but very little and weak bodied and with these airy and indigested notions thou art puft up with pride ready to step into the Pulpit and to preach to others before thou be Catechized as is the common practise of many Prentices The third and last Use of the point is of exhortation to superiours and inferiours in their places to own exercise advance and subject unto this ordinance of God Catechizing let me in the Name of the Lord earnestly intreat all such as have the charge and oversight of youth diligently to instruct them in and require a constant account of their Catechism and all such as are in subjection with all readinesse and resolution alacrity and audacity study and subject your selves to your Catechisms Parents and Masters of families in your houses duly use your abilities in counselling and authority in commanding unto Catechizing as you make conscience of duty or expect comfort in your family let your houses be houses of Catechizing your children and servants be constantly Catechized Schoolmasters in your Schools be no lesse carefull and studious to teach rudiments of Religion then other Arts and Sciences and instruct in Christianity as well as Morality the children committed to your care let the fame of the School at Alexandria and Athens be the renown of your Schools Ministers make consciences to minister this milk of principles by Catechizing to babes in Christ with no lesse diligence then to feed men with the meat of higher Doctrines by constant preaching let not youth upbraid us to have baptized them into a Religion in which we never Catechize or instruct them and whilest superiors are required to do their duty let inferiours take heed they do not sinfully slight or stubbornly resist subjection to this ordinance of Catechizing unto the perswading both superiours and inferiours duly to discharge their respective duties I need propound no other motives then what hath been before urged Consider but the Reasons of the Doctrine and if Excellency may induce Necessity enforce Antiquity engage Vtility exasperate or Easinesse and Familiarity excite to a duty reject resist Catechizing if you can moreover reflect on and revolve in your serious thoughts the particular reasons rendred why Parents in their families Schoolmasters in their Schools and Ministers in their Congregations must Catechize why the ignorant in generall and youth or childehood in speciall are subjected to this ordinance tell me whether you have not pregnant perswasions unto Catechizing yet that I may not close the Doctrine without some heart-moving soul-quickning considerations weigh seriously these severall motives I desire to suggest to superiors and inferiors joyntly to stirre up the one constantly to Catechize the other chearfully to be Catechized Mot. 1 The first Motive is That principled pious youth is a pleasure and delight to God but provocation and displeasure unto Satan This is that which God cals for in Eccles 12.1 Remember thy Creator in the daies of thy youth before the daies come wherein thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them Wilt thou leave those daies to God of which thou wilt be weary thy self can God take pleasure in that time which thou canst take none thy self For des Sermon of Catechizing It is an observation of the Rabbies on Levit. 1.14 that Turtles may be offered in sacrifice at any age but Pigeons when they are young we should consider our children are not turtles that is Christs sanctified ones by nature but are Pigeons to be dedicated to God when young and as God cals for a pious principled youth so he commends it 2 Tim. 3.17 Nay it layeth an engagement on God to communicate his Counsell to Abraham that he knoweth that he will command his houshold and his children that they shall keep the way of the Lord Gen. 18.17 19. And whilest it pleaseth God it displeaseth Satan for pietas juventutis est Diaboli flagellum Hence it is he surrounds youth with such variety of temptations unto sin and obstruction unto duty Mot. 2 The second Motive Pious order is produced in well principled families Catechizing counsels every soul to their relative and personall duties Abrahams family was Catechized as was before noted and what a harmony of duty is to be observed in all the parts of the family his wife is humble and reverent to her husband the Scripture takes speciall notice of Sarahs calling Abraham Lord and propounds her as a pattern of meeknesse and submission 1 Pet. 3.6 His son Isaac is subject and obedient to his father chearfully bearing the wood on which he should have been sacrificed nay subjecting his throat to the sacrificing knife leaving the choise of his wife to his fathers pleasure besides his pious education expresseth it self in his daily meditating devotion Gen. 22 6. 24.41 6.31 So also his servant Eliezer is faithfull to the oath sworn to his Master and pursueth the same with all piety and prudence so that the effect of Catechizing is seen in all the members of the family making it a Church for its constant orderly and pious performances of duty Mot. 3 3. Catechizing is the proper means for edifying the Churches of Jesus Christ God never denied the Infants of Christian parents admission into his Church nay since his Church was visible on earth he owned as Members of it parents and their seed and therefore for the preservation and due edification of it ordained Catechizing constantly and lawfully to be used and infants members of the Church to be the subjects thereof as was before noted By Catechizing the sap of Christianity is communicated to the youngest sprouting branches of the Church of God the great piety of our age is placed in a pretended gathering but reall scaâ—tering by cutting publick solemn assemblies in private meetings of Churches and by many cutting Infants off from the Congregation of Gods people but sure
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 The meanest of the Lords Labourers for your Souls salvation Zach. Crofton The Contents IN this Treatise you have discussed this Doctrine Catechizing is Gods Ordinance very usefull to his Church pag. 11 The word Catechize explained and the thing described p. 1 2 3 The reasons that enforce the Doctrine and they are drawn from its 1. Excellency in respect of its Prescriber God p. 15 Professors Saints p. 17 Prime matter p. 19 Proper end p. 20 2. Antiquity p. 21 3. Necessity p. 28 4. Vtility in that it 1. Preserves Religion in purity p. 31 2. Propagates to posterity p. 35 3. Prepares for increase of Knowledge in Christ p. 36 4. Profits by the Word p. 37 5. Prevents Apostasie p. 38 6. Presents fit Communicants to the Lords Supper p. 41 7. Powerfully disposeth to duty p. 45 5. Easinesse and familiarity p. 46 The proper matter about which Catechizing is conversant p. 47 The formes to be used and manner how it is to be managed p. 57 Under which is noted those that must Catechize 1. Ministers in their Congregations p. 60 2. Schoolmasters in their Schools p. 65 3. Masters of Families in their Families p. 70 All that are ignorant and in speciall youth and why they must be Catechized how they must carry in subjecting to it p 78 The Doctrine applyed 1. To inform of the necessity and dignity of Catechizing p. 86 2. Reproof of Superiors neglect p. 93 Inferiors not submission p. 110 To exhort to the duty which exhortation is enforced with severall motives p. 125 ERRATA Pag. 7. for them read then p. 27. lin 21. r.
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
of the novelty thereof and lead us to the consideration of the third reason which is the necessity of so ancient a duty Reas 3 Thirdly 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 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 methodically 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 4 Fourthly 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 to the comfort of all Gods children these several advantages Advantages of Catechizing 1. The preservation of the purity of Religion 2. The propagation of it to posterity 3. Preparednesse to increases in the knowledge of Christ 4. Profit by the Word 5. Prevention of falling into error 6. Present capacity of communion at the Lords Table 7. Powerfull disposition to dutie Advantage 1 First 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 to 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 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 Rom. 6.12 it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 moreover we 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 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
in the Church for his Catechizing Is it not recorded to the glory of Ambrose that he was in his Catechism when called to the charge of the Church at Millaine Let men therefore consider it may be a shame to want Catechizing but it must be our honour to submit to this exercise and be Catechized and whosoever shall make it a brand of reproach to be Catechized to be ashamed of doing duty themselves and deride others for their cheerful discharge thereof let it be their brand that they have through ignorance vilified and despised a Gospel exercise and let the people know and settle it in their judgements that Catechizing being a Gospel exercise is good and honourable 2. Use of the point is to reprove seeing that Catechizing is Gods Ordinance a Gospel exercise to be used in the Churches of Jesus Christ it doth justly bespeak matter of blame and rebuke for the general neglect of this exercise in the midst of us in these reforming daies is it not almost laid aside in congregations and families as if it had been a tradition of men rather then an institution of God a Prelatical fancy and imagination to vanish with them and the ceremonies as unsutable for times of reformations Oh Christians is divine stamp done away from this exercise that it is done away from practice is Gospel direction no guidance to this action that it is laid aside by eminent professors of the Gospel are there in the Churches of God no subjects for it that it is so silent nay is it not sad to see and may we not with shame and sorrow consider ignorance error lukewarmnesse to Christian Religion and contempt of the Gospel so to increase as to cast off if not cast out this instructing initiating grounding exercise Is it any marvel to finde men Scepticks in Religion now beleeving this now that who were never taught nor learned the principles of Christian Doctrine and standing verities necessary to be beleeved unto salvation can we wonder to see souls seriously affectionate to piety and godlinesse to act the duties thereof precipitately and irregularly and suddenly fall off when we remember that they have no principles fixed in their mindes to guide their practise and support their spirits shall we think it strange to finde painfull preaching little to profit when we consider Catechizing hath not laid the foundation on which preaching higher doctrines should build if the Hebrewes non-proficiency under this exercise made them uncapable of instruction and edification by higher Doctrines what capacity can be expected in those Churches where this duty is wholly neglected have we not cause to fear Popish and blasphemous doctrines catechetically propounded easily to captivate poor souls from very fundamental truths whereof for want of Catechizing they must needs be ignorant In a word my brethren In the Cracovian and Biddles Catechisms is it not sad to see and may we not with shame consider the light of nature teaching and the care of men pursuing all Arts and Sciences by principles axioms and standing verities and only Christian Doctrine neglected to be thus taught and learned did not the past ages of the Church of God commonly both teach and learn the Doctrine of God by this exercise as the way of the Lords prescription and shall we in this age neglect and omit it Let all therefore subjected to the guilt of this great iniquity of neglecting this Gospel exercise consider the same seriously and take to themselves this reproof thus justly exhibited and reflecting in special on these two sorts of men 1. Such who by vertue of their places should but do not call to Catechizing such of their relations as are under their charge and tuition in the Lord Ministers Schoolmasters and Masters of families who can live from year to year without once calling to their relations to seek knowledge and understanding without counselling and instructing them in the fundamentals of Religion without commanding and by the authority with which God hath invested them compelling subjection to this duty I have before shewed that it is the duty of such to Catechize yet how many shall we finde neglecting the same if not many Ministers as I fear too many contenting themselves with their preaching to people of years and never calling for the lambs and young ones of their flock to receive instruction and be fed with milk of Christian principles yet I fear Schoolmasters generally so neglective of calling on their Scholars to learn and give account of the ABC of Christianity the special rules of Gospel Doctrine the axioms of truth and true Religion whilest they lay out their power and authority in teaching the first rules of Arts and Sciences And Masters of families I may with more confidence then I delight in charge to have left their children and servants at liberty to learn or not to learn to be Catechized or not to be Catechized How many are there that if their children and servants of themselves will learn and do gain knowledge in the principles of Religion will not blame them nay will commend them for it and take comfort in it whilest yet themselves leave them to liberty to do what they list neither commanding them to learn nor calling for an account of their diligence therein whereby in the most families Catechizing is a stranger unacquainted because unused ignorance is nourished and when good natures are called by their Ministers to be Catechized though they learn they are ashamed to answer to give an account of what they have learned because unaccustomed so to do when we consider humane nature so subject to novelty as not without difficulty to be kept up with constancy in any way though never so good so indisposed to the things of God and the soul as to be at enmity with the dictates of and directions unto piety to be defirous of liberty and to be loose from every duty and observe the golden reigns of soveraignty to be thrown on the youthfull neck which sensible thereof can wantonly run off its due course and the due authority with which God hath invested superiours for the keeping up to duty to be suspended shall we admire to see Catechizing neglected ignorance nourished or think it strange for Ministers many times to call families to answer their Catechisms and have seats and pillars sooner then many children and servants to give answer However such are not ignorant who should be Catechized yet we cannot but charge the guilt on such who have authority and ought in duty to bring them to Catechizing and prepare them for the same by keeping to it in their families but do not for from youth at liberty we can expect no other then a neglect of duty and therefore give me leave to affect your hearts with this sin by laying before you these few considerations 1. Duty is neglected whilest you do not Catechize your selves such as are under your charge and call upon them to learn nay in thy place
in the method that our Master hath propounded nay must we not of duty do it Is it not eminent piety and devout scrupulosity that makes us question and cast off divine prescription Rather is it not the Devils cavill against duty it is done in a form 3. That our Catechisms are thus in Formes doth most answer our main end of Catechizing which is to teach men and women from their Infancy to think and speak the same things that the Members of the Church may be of one minde and one mouth in the Lord. Certain it is that the Church never tun'd discords in Doctrine so high as since we stood at a distance from the form of sound words 4. Is it not the Form that constitutes the duty and distinguisheth from other duties I have before noted that Catechizing is a teaching by words a repetition of the same strokes an echo or reiteration of the same sound so that to quarrell at the form is to quarrell at the duty doth not experience witnesse that the crying down of forms is the casting down of all duties of publick worship The second Plea for not Catechizing is Plea 2 That the children Catechized being young and not capable of understanding what they hear and repeat will but prophane the name of God by using an ordinance in a perfunctory way and speaking principles of Religion by rote without any understanding and in many we may observe it doth little good many prophane children are in religious families I answer 1. The intellectuals of some children are very early ripe and some things are so plain and easie that they may be soon and easily understood the speeches that have dropt from some children at four or five or six years of age do sufficiently demonstrate how easie some truths have been apprehended by the understandings yea and wrought on the consciences of little ones 2. Stands not this objection contrary to the Scripture which prescribes children to be the subjects of Catechizing commending Timothy for having known and been acquainted with the Scriptures from his long coats and cradle 2 Tim. 3.15 Nay doth not our Saviour justifie and defend the little children who cryed Hosanna to him at his riding into Jerusalem Mat. 21.16 17. yet it is more than probable they understood not what they cryed but only accompanied the multitude and according to the objection should have been condemned for it as the Pharisees desired have not these pretended pious scruplers need of a Solomons Be not righteous over much and the check of a Peters vision Act. 10.15 What God hath cleansed call not thou common 3. There is more danger of both present and future prophanation of Gods Name by swearing cursing prophanation of Sabbaths c. for want of Catechizing principles of Religion are a curbe to corruption the light kindled in the understanding when young may grow up and be a strong restraining if not renewing light and if prophanenesse prevail much in catechized children what must it do in the uncatechized who have no principles of death judgement and hell to curb or restrain them certainly such must be drowned by the overflowings of impiety 4. This Plea doth not only bar us from Catechizing children but all kinde of instructing elder persons known to be wicked and prophane for there is more likelihood that such will prophane holy things and yet no Minister is to take the prophanenesse of his hearers as a sufficient discharge from his duty but persist in instructing even those that oppose themselves to see if God will at any time give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth 2 Tim. 2.25 The prophanation of Gods Name is not the proper result of instruction but the accidental corruption of a wicked heart and if such effects shall discharge from duty what duty shall be discharged the word of God may prove the savour of death to death yet it must be dispensed both by preaching and Catechizing and the dispensers are to God a sweet savour Having noted the reproof against superiors for not calling and commanding such as are under their charge unto Catechizing we now come to the reproof of inferiors and it is to blame them which have been declared the subjects of Catechizing for shunning the same as a matter of shame nay many for stouting it out and stubbornly refusing subjection to it as a matter of sin How sad is it to see many young people spending their time in vanity and studiously learning things scurrilous and profane yet slighting and setting at a distance the principles of piety and rudiments of the Doctrine of Christ as if unsutable to their age and unprofitable to be known nay much more is it a shame to see many stubbornly resisting parental commands and scornfully shunning Ministerial cals to Catechizing as if they owed no subjection to such relations or were by them summoned unto things uncivill and unwarrantable Let me tell you Christians a youth ignorant in principles of Religion is the shame of Christianity and scandall of the reformed Churches herein we fall short of Heathens who are studious to educate their children in morality and the worship of their Idols and come behinde the Papists who are diligent in studying their superstitions How many are unwilling to be Catechized that will take on them to teach others but unto this I shall as in the former reproof aggravate their sin and answer the Pleas by which they would evade the reproof Let such as shun or stubbornly refuse subjection unto Catechizing consider that in so doing they do 1. Cast off divine prescription it hath been noted and proved that God himself is the Author that appointed Catechizing and assigned all that are ignorant but in speciall youth and children to be the subjects of it and will youth refuse and rise up against it is this your remembrance of God your Creator in the daies of your youth or did you but seriously remember your Creator to be a God of Soveraignty and power that may and can require submission to his prescriptions of justice and severity that will punish every disobedience and resistance thereof how could you sinfully slight or stubbornly refuse subjection unto Catechizing If God put a period to your daies under the contempt of his prescriptions how perplexed would your ignorant souls be found how willing to learn and be Catechized if then you might 2. Contradict the practice of pious progenitors who have subjected to this exercise and herein are become our patterns Which of all the Saints in Scripture did refuse or resist Catechizing were not these the children of Wisdome who well knew the duties commanded of God and convenient nay commodious to themselves doth not your stubborn resistance of and stiffe contests against subjection to this exercise charge the generation of the just with folly and vanity 3. Content themselves to be captivated by Satan subjected to corruption and condemnation Ignorance is the Devils chain and sin's cords by which
the soul is taken captive at his will Catechizing cuts them asunder this the thread that leads out of the labyrinth of confusion and disorder to which we are subject by nature but Satan as the Prince of this world studies to blind your eyes by keeping you from and setting you against the means of instruction and illumination lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine into you hereby your strength serves corruption and your glorious youth is in bondage to Satan nay and not only so but condemnation must needs justly passe upon you for light is come to you and you love darknesse you have souls capable of and liable to condemnation and your youth will be no apologie to acquit you for that God hath by Catechizing suted his Word which is able to save the soul unto youthfull nay infant capacities but you have slighted or stubbornly resisted subjection to it 4. Contract on themselves the guilt of stubbornnesse and disobedience to superiors Ministers and Christian Parents Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft and disobedience as iniquity and idolatry so detestable was disobedience to parents that the disobedient son was to be stoned were this Law in force how dreadfull would be the confutation of many who withstand subjection to Catechizing when thereunto counselled and commanded by parents what obedience can be expected in things civill from such who resist commands enforced with special divine authority 5. Cannot stand in a storm the ship cannot sail stedfastly in a tempest but roll to and fro when not well ballanced Children in understanding must needs be like children tossed to and fro with every winde of doctrine Will not experience witnesse our uncatechized youth to have wandred from error to error being led up and down with the ignis fatuus of new lights that have appeared and certainly such as cannot stand in the storm of seducing doctrines will never indure the force of fiery persecution how shall any contend for the faith in which they have not been Catechized You have seen the reproof with its aggravations we shall now answer the Pleas made to stave off the strength of the reproof and they are such as are not worth noting yet some of them I shall consider and they are these Plea 1 They are willing to be Catechized and could be content to subject themselves to the Ordinance were it not they shall be accounted singular in reviving an unusefull exercise and shall be gazed and laughed at by the rest of their fellowes who out of profanenesse keep away from it themselves and so they must be alone in the exercise In answer to this consider 1. Thou maist not stand alone thy example may draw others to be Catechized many are convinced of the duty and willing to set to it but not perswaded to be the first seen at it deal herein as in your sports some must begin then all will follow 2. If thou be alone and derided is it not the lot of the righteous doth not Christ declare his children to be for signs and for wonders in Isa 8.18 and wilt thou be discouraged in or driven from thy duty by the derision of the wicked whilest it is the common portion of the pious 3. To be alone is thy honour and will be thy comfort thou shalt lose no credit in the Church nor comfort at the day of Judgement by being Catechized alone Was it not the honour of Lot to be alone in Sodom and Noah to be alone in the old world doest thou think thou shalt sit down in heaven surrounded with pensive thoughts that thou didst travell alone in the way thither How many men can be glad to drive a singular trade by which to grow rich canst not thou then be contented to use alone that course that will make thee rich in faith 4. The use of the duty will make thee to see their gazing and laughing at thee to be ridiculous whilest thereby you will be more and more convinced of the duty cleared in your apprehensions of its indispensable necessity nay suck sweetnesse and taste the abundant benefit thereby acquired to the soul will plainly convince thee that it is a matter plainly ridiculous in them to deride not only an Ordinance of God but of abundant advantage to their own souls 5. God will laugh at the calamity of such as stand in their ignorance and scorn the means of knowledge and understanding in Prov. 1.22 How long you simple ones will you love simplicity scorners delight in scorning and fools hate knowledge and in vers 26. I will laugh at your calamity and mock when your fear cometh Is it not better to be mocked by men then God do thou thy duty leave them to bear the burden of their profane derision Plea 2 The second Plea is that they are shamefac'd could be content to learn the Catechism but are ashamed to answer it in publique and therefore they do neglect or refuse it In answer to this consider 1. Shame belongs to sin sin and shame were born together into the world Adam in innocency was naked and not ashamed but when he had sinned saw himself naked and was ashamed whilest then thou pleadest shamefacednesse thou chargest Catechizing with sin and of that thou hast cause to be ashamed for it is Gods prescription no humane invention and the holy one of Israel cannot sin neither doth impose on men any action of which they should be ashamed if God have enjoyned it is duty and it is a sinful shame to be ashamed of duty thou must take heed thy shame of duty make not Christ ashamed of thee for he hath said He that shall be ashamed of me or of my words of him will I be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of the Father with all his holy Angels Mar. 8.39 2. Art thou not past shame in matters of sin canst thou not study and speak lewd and lascivious songs base obscure and ribald discourses that the light of nature blusheth and is ashamed to hear uttered and yet art thou ashamed to learn the rudiments of Religion and Doctrines of Christianity modesty in this nature is madnesse spiritual madnesse to be rebuked and blamed 3. Art thou really and indeed shamefaced thou shouldest set to the duty with the greater resolution for that thy constitution becomes unto thee a temptation unto sinfull neglect of duty Satan is apt and ready to lay before temptations from without thee but none will so much prevail and prove so difficult to master mortifie and subdue as those that spring from thy constitution 4. Doe thy duty when thy modesty or shamefacednesse appears reall and irresistible it is more then probable it will be indulged study thy Catechism though thou answer in a corner better so then not at all Plea 3 The last Plea is that we could be content to be Catechized but now we are grown to years and look towards men and women and
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.