The Christian's manual in three parts ... / by L. Addison ...

CHAP. I. Of Catechising. Its Name, Ʋse Secular and Religious.

AND the first thing that comes to be spoken of concerning Cate∣chising, is its Name. And ••the rather ••••use to begin here; because that the true notice of the Name, will help us ••o that of the thing. Now that there ••s a peculiar Force and Significancy, in Words, and that we cannot thereof be safely ignorant, is but too evident by those many Errours, that have in all Ages risen from meer Verbal Mistakes. And therefore if we could once be so ••appy as to find out the true Impor∣••ance of Words, and to hit upon such an agreement between them and things, ••s not to cloud in Speech, what is clear in Nature, but plainly to express things as they are in themselves; that then ••••e great cause of Error, in all sorts of Learning, would be removed: For it is an Observation that will not quickly be ••ntiquated, That the confounding those ••hings in Language, which in their Na∣ture are distinct, and the expressing

of different Matters by the same, or Words of near affinity and likeness, hath in all Sciences been a fruitful Mother of Erroneous Apprehensions.

And this is also plain in the Affairs of Religion; in which not only a perverse mistake in old Words, but a liberty of introducing new, has ever proved fatal, and destructive: For out of new words, New Opinions insensibly creep into the Church, and with Age grow too strong for her Discipline: which being foreseen by the Holy Nicene Fathers, it moved them to decree against the use of such Words in matters of Faith, as were not easily to be deduced from, or directly found in Sacred Scripture. And upon the same account Tertullian would not have our Ears accustom'd to New words. Advers. Haeret. Cap. 16. And for the like reason St. Basil could not be induced to forego one Iota in the old Form, when he was sollicited by the Arians. A cau∣tiousness which we may conceive, was wisely made use of by those Reverend Persons, through whose means, by Gods Blessing, we enjoy our Religion in its present Reformation: For we find that they had an especial care not to inno∣vate in Words or Forms, when they could

with due security retain the old. And ••o instance in what has nearest affinity with our present Subject, we see that they have stiled that Breviary of Reli∣gion, which they compiled, or rather collected out of the best and most an∣cient Models of that kind, by the name of Catechism: Which in its general no∣tice signifies a familiar and easie Me∣thod of instilling the rudiments of any Art, Science or Faculty. Which being done by a frequent repetition of the same thing, Catechising is derived from a Word importing the reciprocation of the Voice, after the manner of an Ec∣cho. And in this Sense it is often to be met with in Secular Authors, from whom it was adopted into Religion, and there retains the same Notion and Office. For by Catechising, the Church hath always taught the Fundaments and chief Principles of Religion vivâ voce. And those that were thus taught, the Greek Writers usually call Catechumens, and the Latine Hearers; which might as well respect the manner of their In∣struction, as their Fellowship and Com∣munion with the Church: in which they went no further than to be admitted to hear the Principles of Christian Faith, made plain unto them. And to Cate∣chising,

thus understood, there will be no inconvenience to affirm, that St. Paul alluded, Rom. 10.17. the Ear being as properly the Door of Religion, as of a∣ny other Science. That Catechising was a way of Instruction, not to be restrain'd to those Catechumens so frequently mentioned in Church History, and the Ancient Canons; but that all Believers did therein Communicate, will be made good in another Place of this Discourse.

But if it be doubted whether this be the native meaning of Catechising, it then follows that we have recourse unto the occasion whence it arose. For if Words are notes of that which the Speaker conceiveth, and Conceptions are Signs representing that which is spoken of; it is necessary that he who would rightly understand Words, should have recourse unto the things whence they come. Now the Church (which is Gods School) hath ever used Catechi∣sing as a Term of Art; and we are there∣fore to understand it with restraint to such matters as the Church is accustomed thereby to instruct. Following herein the Rule of Thomas, that in Words we must not so much respect their original, ex∣act, and precise signification and deri∣vation,

as whereunto by use of Speech they are applied. 2. 2. q. 92. Art. 1. Now seeing that the Church, which is Gods School, hath still by Catechising taught the first notices of Religion, we may safely cloath it with this Definition: Catechism is a short and easie Instruction, which explains the Mysteries of Faith, and the whole Body of Christian Doctrine, in ••uch a manner as may be plainly understood ••y the lowest Capacities. And if there be any thing cloudy in this definition, it will receive sufficient light from what is spoken of in the following Chapter.

Notes

• Socrat. lib. 1. c. 6.