least Catechizing nay the Pope himself with all his cursed crew do acknowledge the ground we have gotten of them hath been by Catechizing the Pope complains that the greatest hurt that the sons of the Heretiques had ever done him was by their pestilential writings adorned with the title of Catechisms and the ground which they have gotten again of the Churches of God hath bren by their more strict exacting of their Catechisms and our neglect of so profitable a duty Adv. 2 2. The second Advantage is the propagation of Religion to posterity which lies on every Christian as his positive duty to advance and endevour and therefore God commands the knowledge of his Works and Word to be made known to sons and sons sons children and childrens children Deut. 4.9 It was this standing Law of transmitting Religion to posterity by Catechizing Children that induced the Psalmist to propound publish and provoke attention to the Catecheticall Doctrine of the Jewes in Psal 78. And one great reason why God would make known his secrets unto Abraham was that care God found in him by Catechizing to convey the knowledge of him his works and judgements to posterity By this means succeeding generations are enabled to accomplish the undertaking of progenitors in the solemn commemorations of the special mercies of God Hereby the Jewes as the Rabbies tell us retain a reverent esteem of their deliverance out of Aegypt with all its concomitants and effects nay by this the truth of Christian Religion hath been continued above sixteen hundred years and notwithstanding the rage and fury of persecutors endevouring the utter eradication and extinction of it hath by Catechisticall seed been derived unto and revived by succeeding generations Adv. 3 Thirdly it prepares to ripenesse in knowledge being as the first draught of a picture the base and ground-plot on which the building is set the first rules of any art or science which well learned makes ready for perfection in the Art and Science and therefore it is called the beginning of the Doctrine of Christ and it is to be observed on experience that they that have attained to the most perfect measure of knowledge of the Doctrine of Christ were by Catechizing well entred into the beginnings of it Adv. 4 Fourthly it makes us profit by the Word when read by or preached to us whilest by Catechizing men are enabled to refer what they read to their proper heads of Divinity and resolve them into summary conclusions which are very much informing to the judgement and convincing to the conscience and clearly to discern truth from error and distinguish between truth and truth and see their dependance one on another differ the Law from the Gospel with their different ends of humiliation and comfort whereby their understanding acting clearly and orderly will help the memory to retain quicken the affection and make their growth sensible discernible which being clouded by a confused knowledge makes many times profiting Christians to complain of barrennesse under the Word The care of the Apostles to feed first with milk of principles such as they endevoured to make and approve profitable under the meat of higher Ministerial Doctrines doth clearly commend to us this benefit of Catechizing besides the cause of the Hebrewes incapacity of receiving and profiting by higher Doctrines is expresly declared to be the little proficiency they had made in the principles of Religion and experimental observation doth witnesse that preaching doth little good where Catechizing is wanting for we may well say with Bullinger Bulling Decad. 5. Ser. 4. fol. 907. How shall the people profit when they understand not their Pastour when he preacheth Law Covenant or Grace c. Adv. 5 Fifthly It prevents their falling into fundamental errors and following pernicious doctrine whilest by this means truth is founded and firmly fixed in their mindes and memories as a rule ready at hand to try all that is preached in the Name of the Lord as a touchstone reserved to detect all such falsities as are gilded over with the name of Truth when directly contrary thereunto as a root whose several branches being soundly setled in the soul makes them bear up the head and stand to their Christian station against the stormy tempest of all seducing doctrine nay these are seeds of such solid comforts and earnests of such eternall joyes as bears up the heart cheerfully to embrace and readily to submit unto the most exquisite and cruel torments hell or earth can execute upon them rather then to deny the Faith recede from the Truth and make shipwrack of a good Conscience souls soundly Catechized are noble Bereans receiving and beleeving the Word because confirmed by and consonant to Scripture not because spoken by Apostles their judgements are swayed to the receiving of principles by sound reason not by by a seeming sanctified life of the author or publisher knowing that false Apostles are deceitful workers 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. and transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan is transformed into an Angel of light it is no great thing then if his Ministers transform themselves as though they were the Ministers of righteousnesse whose end will be according to their works such are Merindolian Martyrs able to exhibit such Scriptural confessionsof faith as shall convince and confound such doctors as are appointed to convince them of Heresie or more properly to seduce them from the truth of Christ which they called Heresie so as to confesse that an eight daies study of such a confession doth teach more Scripture then all the daies of their lives * As did the Doctor appointed by the Bishop of Caveillon to detect the Heresies in the confession by them exhibited before whose children are hereby enabled to confound learned Prelates and astonish reverend Doctors making Catechisticall teaching to * As the religious man of Paris did professe hearing the Children of Merindoll Catechize one another Fox his Acts and Monuments p 866. transcend the divine Disputations in the Schools of Sorborne in Paris nay in a word by this means they are so confirmed and established in the faith that they will sooner submit themselves their wives and children I and their whole town to the cruel rage of outragious enemies then suffer themselves to be moved away from the truth received and professed by them This exercise of Catechizing hath been so effectuall to the establishing of souls in the truth that many by it have been prepared to Martyrdome and enabled with admirable patience to endure bitter scourging and cruel torments Seven of Origens Scholars at one time and burnings even in their young and tender years in defence of the truth it is to the everlasting honour of some of the Martyrs Chronicled in Ecclesiastical story that they received the crown of Martyrdome being yet but Catechumenists whereas the reason of others falling away from the faith in the time of persecution is noted to be
is conveighed the immortal seed informing them in the Doctrine of God sinfull nature and their own covenant with God in Baptism Thirdly That they may propagate Religion to posterity according to their duty in Deut. 4.9 Gen. 18.18 unto which end as we before noted Catechizing is singularly instrumental Fourthly That they may prepare their families even in the time of their youth to bear witnesse to the truth unto the confusion of the enemies thereof as did the Children of Merindoll nay under the most exquisite torments to rejoyce in and encourage to patient constancy in the faith of Christ for this hath added much force unto the truth of God in all ages that it hath not only been sealed with the bloud of men of age and gray hairs but also youth even of Infants who have been unmovably fixed in it which how could they have been or their parents encourage them to it and endear them to themselves by it if they had not been well instructed in the Doctrine of Christ and their Parents discharged their duty in Catechizing them betimes of the which we shall finde severall instances in the third persecution under Adrian the Emperour we read of Symphorisa a godly matron martyred with her seven children and Sophia with her three children also in the fourth persecution under Antoninus Verus we read of the seven children of Felicitas cruelly and diversly martyred before her eyes her self chearfully also sealing the truth with death so also a woman of Syria and her two daughters and Athanasia and her three daughters What shall I say of young Eulatia and others under the Heathens besides the constancy of a boy of eight or nine years old well instructed by his father John Fatty who was by Bonner cruelly whipped for his profession What shall I say of Vitalis who suffered with his godly Master Agrico of John Leaf an Apprentice who was with Mr. Bradford burned at the nineteenth year of his age of Tho. Hinshaw cruelly whipped in Bonner's garden for the Truth but above all I cannot passe with silence the Childe which witnessed the truth of God with renowned Romanus when but seven years of age who having witnessed the profession of it under cruel whipping and at last having his skin pull'd off his head was thus encouraged by his godly Mother My childe thirst after the cup of which the Children of Bethleem did drink remember Isaac 's obedience unto death suffer a little my childe thou shalt anon go to him that will cover thy naked head with a crown of eternall glory and when after with a smiling countenance he had approved himself invincible by suffering torments and was cruelly beheaded to the grief of the beholders and great joy of the Mother only standing by with dry eyes singing to Gods glory All praise with heart and voice O Lord we yeeld to thee To whom the death of all thy Saints we know most dear to be This constancy of the childe and comfort of the Mother must needs witnesse the truth of his answer to the Captain that he sucked in the Doctrine of Christ with his mothers milk and much enforce this Reason for Masters of families Catechizing The fifth and last Reason why Masters of families should Catechize may be this That they may preserve the Church of God in their houses faithfully discharge the Prophetical office to which they are redeemed by Jesus Christ in instructing their families in matters of Faith and obedience whereby they are enabled to discharge their several duties towards God and man that they may sweeten relation and the performances of their priestly office in prayer and praises to be presented with faith and fear with fervor and feeling whilest by diligent Catechizing they are enabled to do all with knowledge and understanding Having thus shewed you who must Catechize we shall briefly shew you what they must do in the performance of this duty before we shew you who must be Catechized First The Catechism ready and the Catechized present they must as in every other Ordinance of God begin with hearty and earnest prayer to the most wise God for his blessing on this divine exercise that it may tend to the edification of all concerned in it Secondly Propound the questions and require an audible answer thereunto for it is most expedient that the Catechism be by question and answer as was before noted Thirdly Audibly repeat the question and answer that such as stand by may be sure to hear observe and have it the better imprinted in their mindes and memories Fourthly Cause the Catechized according to their capacities to prove the several propositions expressed in the questions and answers by some sutable places of Scripture that they may be able to discern them to be the truths of God grounded on his Word Fifthly according to their several abilities and in their proper places they must explain the several propositions that they may the better be understood and the heart be the more affected with the same and also take notice of the principal errors that do oppose them they must perform the whole duty cheerfully and reverently as becomes an ordinance of God praising the forward encouraging the willing patiently bearing with the weak and gravely admonishing the unruly We come now to shew you who must be Catechized in the consideration whereof we shall first shew who were wont to be Catechized in the primitive times and then who amongst us ought to subject themselves to this duty In the primitive times they did usually Catechize two sorts the one before and the other after Baptism those that were Catechized before Baptism were Heathens converted from their Paganism to the knowledge of the true God who before they were received into the fellowship of Jesus Christ were Catechized Justin Martyr in his second Apologie for the Christians declares that if any Heathen man desired to be received into the fellowship of the Church he was first Catechized in the principles of Religion and then hearing further the Word of God as it were the conditions of the covenant afterward came into the face of the congregation and made a profession thereof promising their obedience thereunto and so they were baptized and received as members such an one was Augustine when converted from Manichism he was Catechized and then Baptized in which time of his Catechism he wrote many books so Ambrose was in his Catechism and not baptized when chosen Bishop of Millaine such as these were the Burgundians whom Socrates declares to have been seven daies in Catechizing and baptized in the eighth day Jerom ad Pannachium makes mention of such as were in his daies Catechized forty daies and then baptized in Tertullian's daies they did Catechize till Easter or Whitsontide and then baptize in a word such as these were Catechumeni and novices sent away from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper The second sort Catechized were the children of the faithful who had been baptized in their Infancy
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
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
which the fabrick of grace and of the knowledge of Jesus Christ may be erected and built up without all doubt of falling nay with confidence of standing against the tempestuous assaults of all false doctrine and fiery persecution and therefore the Church of God hath in different ages propounded those principall and speciall verities that in such ages have been oppugned by gainsayers of the truth and the enemies of the Church as Catechetical Doctrine to establish the people of God in the Truths resisted Thus did the Nicene Councell in the time of the Arrians Heresie and therefore the learned considering what should be the heads of the Catechism some have resolved in generall the Law and the Gospel others the Decalogue or Ten Commandements and Creed commonly called Symbolum Apostolicum Apostles Creed others the Doctrine of Gods Will and his Works others the Ten Commandements the Creed the Doctrine of Baptism and the Lords Supper and Prayer others the misery of man by Sin his recovery by Christ and thankfulnesse to God for so great mercy but not to stand on the determination of the several particular heads we may confound their several judgements and finde them all center in the general before expressed in which we may safely acquiesce that the heads and principles of Christian Religion must be the matter of Catechizing which may more fully be proved by these Reasons Reas 1 1. It is prescribed by God to his Church in that by his Spirit he taught Adam to instruct his sons in the promise of the Messiah as the ground of Sacrifice and to Abraham the matter of whose Catechism may be probably conjectured to be the Covenant God made with him and with his seed he expresly commands the Doctrine of the Law and Passeover to be the matter of the Catechisms taught by the Jewes to their children when in Exod. 12.26 When they celebrated the Passeover God enjoyns them to shew their children how God passed over them in the land of Egypt and the Doctrine of the Law and Gods dealing with the Israelites Moses in the Name of the Lord prescribes as the matter of Catechism in Deut. 6.7 and from this Catechetical matter it is that Paul cals them Catechized in the Law in Rom. 2.18 Reas 2 The second Reason it was propounded by Christ and his Apostles for we shall finde the sum or matter of their Catechizing to be the main principles of Christian Religion as in Christ his instruction of his Disciples was in that main standing principle of Religion so much oppugned by the world that he was the Christ the Son of the living God and the author of this Epistle gives us a very clear account of the main heads of the Apostolick Catechism in these five heads Faith in Christ repentance from dead works doctrine of Baptisms laying on of hands and the Resurrection of the dead Heb. 6.2 Which are clear Scriptural and fundamental notions and Timothy being Catechized is said to have learned the Scripture from his youth 2 Tim. 3.15 Reas 3 The third Reason This was the matter of Catechizing in the primitive and pure times of the Church after the Apostles for they instructed in the Doctrine of the Trinity and faith in Christ the Mediator and the like as may appear by ancient writings and the Caterhisms of the Fathers as Augustine and others We read of many converted to the Faith of Christ in the Catechizing School of Alexandria and so well grounded in the Faith of Christ that they were fitted for Martyrdome and chearfully submitted to the same Six of Origens Disciples whereof some were but learning their Catechism are recorded at one time to be led to Martyrdome certainly then the matter of this exercise could be no other then the chief principles of the Christian Religion The fourth Reason It is only Catechizing in Scripture Doctrine and principles of Religion that train up in the fear of God in truth and godlinesse which all children ought to be educated in this matter is proper to that excellent end of this exercise viz. the glory of God and salvation of the soul before spoken of and therefore this only must be the matter of Catechizing for in all effects to be produced there must be a sutablenesse between the causa and the causatum These precedent reasons being seriously considered I hope may clear it to every rational man's judgement that the matter of Catechizing must alwaies be the heads and yet only the heads of Christian Religion that are matters of Faith and standing principles And now before I proceed to make known to you the manner of this exercise I must make a little stay to remove an Objection framed from this matter against this exercise thus Object Sir seeing that the sum of Christian Religion extracted out of Scripture as Repentance Faith Sacraments Resurrection and the Doctrine of the Trinity and the like must be as you say the proper matter of Catechizing Wherein doth it differ from preaching which we all know to be an ordinance of Jesus Christ treating of the Doctrine of the Scripture and that very matter that you have mentioned to be the matter of this exercise and if it do not differ may it not be sufficient that we submit to Preaching but we must needs have Catechizing which doth but the same thing imposed on us as so necessary a duty and distinct from Preaching Answ 1 It will not follow first because Preaching and Catechizing are conversant about the same matter nay and also carry on to the same end that they are not different and distinct duties each from other for they may treat of the same matter in different manners for though Faith and Hope are conversant about the same matter the promises and center in the same end of accomplishment and enjoyment yet I hope no man will deny them to be different and distinct graces in the soul and again though the preaching of the Word and administration of the Sacrament commend to us the same matter of Christ crucified in so much as that they are called the one verbum audibile the audible word to be heard and the other verbum visibile the word to be seen and so both the Word yet it will not follow but that they are different and distinct Ordinances and not the same even as the learning of ABC is different and distinct from ready reading which is but a recitall of the same material letters and the learning of the first rules of any Art or Science is different from more perfect proceeding in the same Art or Science whether Logick Philosophy or the like Answ 2 Secondly We shall now shew unto you that though Catechizing and Preaching do treat of the same matter the Doctrine of Scripture yet they are different and distinct Ordinances in the Church of God and not to stand on the consideration of them as distinctly commanded in the Scripture and have alwaies been distinctly subjected to in the Churches of God
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
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