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The Instruction of the People being the End which Jesus Christ proposed in establishing the Ministry of the Word, it is worthy the prudence of those which are cal∣led to teach others, to begin by those things which are the chiefest Essentials of Religion, and which are the
easiest to be understood, as are the fundamental Points of Religion; the Summary whereof we have contain'd in the Apostles Creed: therefore it was that in the Primi∣tive Church, Catechisms were instituted, wherein was familiarly explained to the Catechumeny, the Doctrines of Heaven, the knowledge whereof is necessary to Salva∣tion, and without which they could not receive the be∣nefit of Baptism. Of this kind, for instance, are the Ca∣techisms of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, wherein he explains the Articles of the Creed proportionable to the Capacity of those whom he instructed, to put them into a state fit to receive Baptism, and to be plung'd in the Mystical Wa∣ters of this Sacrament of our Regeneration. But to as∣cend higher than St. Cyril; * 1.1 from the very first beginning of Christian Religion, there were publick Schools at Alexandria, and places appointed for this Exercise, and where the rudiments of Faith was taught; or, as the Apo∣stle speaks, The rudiments of the first beginning of the word of God. In the 2d Century, Pantenus, an Eminent Philo∣pher, kept this School, and then exercis'd the Office of Catechist: Clement of Alexandria succeeded him, and he had Origen for his Successor, aged but 18. years. Origen left the Conduct of this School to Heraclas, and Heraclas to Dennis; and these two last were successively Bishops of Alexandria. The Authors of our Discipline had there∣fore good reason to exhort the Churches to have frequent Catechising, which is of great benefit, and singular edifi∣cation.
Euseb. Hist. l. 5. c. 10. & l. 6. c. 6. Can. 3. &c. 26. Can. 15, & 29.