A catechism containing the principles of Christian religion together with a preparation sermon before the receiving of the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's-Supper, as it was preach'd in Serjeants-Inn Chappel in Fleet-Street, London / by James Clifford.

THE PREFACE.

Ephes. 6. 4.

Fathers, bring up your Children in the nurture and ad∣montion of the Lord.

A Cat••chism is a Word now used in a Church-sence, signifying a little Book, con∣taining the Brief Summ, or Chief Principles of Christian Relgion.

He who Teacheth, is called a Catechist; and he who is Taught, Catechumenus, a Disciple, Scholar, one taught, instucted, or edified. All which words are derived from [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] a Sound; from whence comes the English word Eccho, which is but a Repetition of the Voice, or a Return, or Report of what is uttered.—And therefore, not without Reason, did the Spi∣rit of God chuse, and the Church

retain those Notions: Because the Chief Principles of Christianity were, at first, instilled by, the Ear, (which is called Wisdom's Gate) the Sound of the Apostles Words going out into all Lands. They are but Eccho's, or Sounds, whose Pro∣perty is, to report what is heard.

This is to be observed by all Catechists, who are not to teach for Fundamental Doctrine their own Imaginations and Conceits, but to sound into the Ears of others, what they have heard, and nothing but what they have heard, viz. the certain Words of Christ, and his Apostles, first sounded in the Gos∣pel, we are to teach you nothing but what we have been taught by Christ and his Apostles.

The Catechist, called by St. Paul, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] he that Teacheth: In the Primitive Church [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] the Catechist. An Office which the greatest Doctors of the Church have not disdained, or thought be∣neath them; as Pantenus, Clem. Alexand. Origen, Cyrill, Greg. Nyss. and Nazianz.

The Catechumeni, or Catechised, in the Primitive Times, were com∣monly of Two sorts, and truly so may well be in our Times.

1. Adulti, Men grown, whe∣ther Jews or Gentiles, who were perswaded to receive the Gospel, but were not yet baptized, and consequently, not to be admitted to the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper, till they had given an Ac∣count of their Faith, and promised to lead and holy Life, consonant to the Rules of the Gospel.

2. Children of Christian Pa∣rents, born in the Pale of the Church;—who, because born whithin the Covenant, and by Bap∣tism admitted solemnly into the Congregation of Christ's Flock, when grown to a Capacity of Learning, were taught the Prin∣ciples of Christianity. Of which when they could give a competent Account, were brough to the Bishop to be Confirmed.

Matter of Catechism only, of such things as necessarily, or very

profitably to be known by every Chirstian.

Questions Short, Answers Ful and Pertinent; that might be easilier learned and remembred given and taught in fewest & plainest Words that might.—'Tis not reason that Rules should be long, and loaden with unnecessary Words. Our saviour reduced the whole Law to two Heads, Love to God, and Love to our Neighbour.—St. Paul, to one Syllable, viz. Love; Love is the fulfilling of the Law.—Re∣pentance towards God, and Faith to∣wards our Lord Jesus Christ,—set down as the Summ of the Gospel.

These then are the principal Matters of any Catechism; and the briefer the Rules are about them, the better.—'Tis the Commendation of the Church-Catechism, 'tis Short, 'tis Plain: No cause of this Complaint, Brevis esse laboro, obscurus sio: Tho' brief, yet not dark and obscure.

This to be learned of every Child.] With us Persons to be instructed

in these Principles, Children; not excluding Elder Persons, in case of Ignorance. Our Church suppo∣sing the Aged to be well grounded in these Principles, (they should be so indeed, but Experience shews the contrary,) fits and enjoyns these Lessons to the Younger sort. And indeed, this is according to the Command of God, [Words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart; And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.—Forget not things thine eyes have seen; teach them thy sons, and thy sons sons.—Fathers, bring up your children in the nurture and admoni∣tion of the Lord.—Treading in the steps of Abraham, that taught his Houshold Covenant.—And the Mo∣ther of Tomothy, who instructed her Son in the Scriptures, from a Child.]—This is one way to have good Children, and good Servants.—However, I shall have Comfort in performing my Duty. But, I say, by means of Catechising Children reason'd with Religious

Principles (before Malice, Pride, Self-love, by-Ends, lustful Incli∣nations, or corrupt Examples, have depraved their Minds, and Actions,) a good Foundation would be laid betimes, for the or∣dering of their Conversation a∣right; and the Seed of the Word would be preserved in them whole and sound.—Men would be bet∣ter Livers, and sounder Believers▪ Horrid Vices, nor Hellish Hereti∣cal Opinions, would not so much prevail.—For, doubtless, were the Younger sort but well seasoned with Orthodox Truths, and the undeniable Principles of Christian Religion, they could not be as Children tossed to and fro, and car∣ried about with every wind of do∣ctrine, nor so easily hurried down the stream of prevailing Wicked∣ness.—The Jesuite would not gain so many Proselytes, nor the Sectary so many light-headed Fol∣lowers.

Notes

• Gen. 18. 1•• 2 Tim. 1. 5. & 3. 15.
• Gal. 6. 6.
• Mat. 22. 37.
• Rom. 13. 9, 10.
• Act. 20. 21.
• Heb. 6. 1.
• Deut. 6. 6,
• 7.
• Chap. 4. 9.
• Eph. 6. 4.
• Gen. 18. 17.
• 2 Tim. 3. 15.