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
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
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
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
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