A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 64. Of Catechism.

THis p•…•…ase, Ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles & •…•…. i•…•… is a description of such as were to be instructed in the first principles of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christian Religion. Hereby it appeareth, that the Primitive Church, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Apostles dayes had formes of Catechismes, and a custome of •…•…∣zing: As the Jews had the Law for their Catechism, and the abbreviation there•…•…▪ Ma•…•…. 22. 37, 38, 39.

To a 1.1 catechize according to the b 1.2 notation of the Greek Verb, is to instruct, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that by word of mouth, or by sounding a thing in ones ears.

Among Christians, to catechize is to teach the first principles of Christian Re•…•…∣gion: and a Catechism is a brief form of such principles. Such forms there 〈◊〉〈◊〉

〈◊〉〈◊〉 the beginning of the Primitive Church. These and such like phrases import as •…•…uch: A form of knowledge, (Rom. 2. 20.) A form of Doctrine, (Rom. 6. 17.) A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…f sound words, (•…•… Tim. 1. 13.) The principles of the Doctrine of Christ, (Heb. •…•….) and this phrase in my text, The first principles of the Oracles of God. Thus was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, (Luk. 1. 4.) and Apollos catechised, Act. 10. 25.

As in the Apostles time, so in succeeding ages, sundry Churches had their di∣s•…•…ct Catechisms.

So frequent was the practise of Catechising in ancient times, as they had Mini∣s•…•…rs s•…•…t apart for this particular duty to Catechise, called c 1.3 Catechisers: and all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were admitted to the Church, were from time to time Catechised, and instru∣•…•…ed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the principles of Christian Religion, who from the time of their entrance into the Church, till they were judged •…•…it to partake of the Sacrament, were called d 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or disciples of the Catechisers.

Many o•…•… the ancient e 1.5 Councils have made sundry Decrees for Catechising. And many o•…•… the * 1.6 ancient Fathers have made Treatises thereabouts.

Weighty reasons may be given for the necessity of Catechising.

• 1. By Catechising a good and sure foundation is laid. Now it is necessary that in all building, a good foundation be laid, lest for want of it the building come to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Matth. 7. 20, 27.
• 2. By Catechizing people are by degrees made capable of deeper mysteries: as children by learning letters and syllabies, and to spell them, are brought on to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 distinctly. The most intelligent hearers are such as have been well instructed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the principles of Religion.
• 3. By Catechising such as professe the faith are enabled to render a reason of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is in them, (as is required, 1 Pet. 3. 15.) For a Catechism well compiled, contains the summe and substance of all that a Christian is to be∣l•…•…ve.
• 4. By Catechising Pastors may know their peoples capacity and understanding: and this is requisice in two respects.
  • 1. That he may the better know whom to admit to the Lords Table.
  • 2. That he may the better discern how to order his preaching both for matter and manner.
• 5. The fruits of Catechising have ever been observed to be many and great. Thereby have families been made seminaries for the Church. Catechising was one of the most effectuall ordinary means of drawing Pagans to embrace the Chri∣stian saith. The fruit which Iulian the Apostate observed to arise from instru∣cting children in the principles of Christianity, made him put down all places that were used to that end. It hath ever been observed that in this later spring of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the use of Catechising hath been an especiall means of drawing people from the darknesse of Popery, to the light, of the Gospel. For every Reformed* 1.7 Church hath her Catechism, whereby multitudes have been so grounded in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Religion, as nothing could draw them from the same. Hereupon Papists by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their Councill at Trent, were moved to compile a Catechism of the prin∣•…•… o•…•… their Religion.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 the question be demanded wherein the difference lieth betwixt Catechising* 1.8 and Preaching: I answer, in these particulars especially.

• 1. By Catechising a foundation is laid, Heb. 6. 1. By Preaching the building is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reared up, beautified and perfected.
• 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Catechising many and large points are contracted into brief summes: as in •…•…e ten Commandments, Creed, and Lords prayer. By Preaching sundry points •…•…e amplified, enlarged, and sundry waies applied.
• •…•…. By Catechising weak and ignorant ones are fed, as with milk. By Preach∣ing the strong are further nourished with strong meat. For in Catechising the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 necessary principles are plainly laid down: but in Preaching all sores of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the difficult as well as easie, use to be handled; yea and contrary errors 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• 4. By Catechising a particular account is taken of the learners▪ which is not so done by Preaching. For Catechising is by question and answer: so as the catechi∣sed g•…•…e an account of their proficiency. But Preaching is only by a Ministers de∣•…•… his minde.
• ...

• 5. Catechising is for such as are newly entred into the Church: and tha•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a time, till they may be fitted for the Sacrament. But Preaching is for all of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sorts, so long as they live. For though a man had all knowledge, yet is •…•…∣ing requisite to work upon their affections; and to bring to their minde and me∣mory such things as they know. Preaching is profitable to all those uses that are mentioned, 2 Tim. 3. 16.

Hereby it is evident that Catechising is to be used as well as Preaching. •…•…n 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.9 respect,

• 1. They who are in authority to order Church affairs, ought to make order* 1.10 and Laws for Catechising: and be carefull to see them put in execution.
• 2. Ministers who have the charge of souls committed unto them, must be 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.11 scionable in laying this foundation where they see just cause. Though they be •…•…∣ed, yet they need not be ashamed thereof. It is no shame to lay a foundation: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a great shame to build without a foundation.
• 3. Parents and governours of families are especially to be conscionable in Ca∣techising* 1.12 their families. This is intended, Deut. 6. 7. and commended by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himself in Abraham, Gen. 18. 19. This would be a great help to the publique •…•…∣nistry of the Word. If in families milk were frequently and seasonably •…•…∣ven, then might more strong meat be ministred unto them in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Churches.
• 4. Such as are ignorant ought to suffer this foundation to be laid in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.13 and not think much to be Catechised, that so they may better profit by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ministry of the Word.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so•…•…s 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i•…•… •…•…. nare aliquid •…•…∣ribus 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vel iusti•…•…re viv•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vel initiare praecep∣tis artis. In•…•… 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ric∣dimeuta religio∣nis doc•…•…re.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• e 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. N•…•…aes. Can. 6, & 7. Concil. Iher. 2 Concil. Bra. Can. 1. 4 Concil. Tolet. Can. 24.
• * 1.6

  C•…•…m. Alex. Paedag Or•…•…g. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cyril. Hicros. Myster. Aug. Ench•…•…r. & •…•…e Symbol. ad Ca∣tech. F•…•…lgem. de side Theodores. Epitom. Lactant. Instit. Why Catechi∣sing necessary.
• * 1.7

  Concil. Trident. •…•…ss. ul•…•…. sub Pio 4. Decret. 19.
• * 1.8

  Difference be∣twixt Cate∣chising and Preaching.
• * 1.9

  Duties in refe∣rence to cate∣chising.
• * 1.10

  1. O•…•… Magi∣strates.
• * 1.11

  2. Of Mini∣sters.
• * 1.12

  3. Of Parents.
• * 1.13

  4. Of ignorant persons.