A CATECHISM
THAT IS TO SAY,
AN INSTRUCTION, TO BE LEARNED OF EVERY PERSON BEFORE HE BE BROUGHT TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE BISHOP.
Catechism signifies instruction in the first rudiments of every Art or Science, communicated by asking questions and correcting the answers. From the earliest ages of the Church the word has been employed by Ecclesiastical writers in a more restrained sense to denote instruction in the principles of the Christian religion. The instructing of children in points of faith and duty is commanded by God( Deut. 6. 7.); in all ages it has been enjoined and practised by pious men( Gen. 18.19; Ps. 78. 4; Eph. 6. 4.); and it is Christ's especial charge to Ministers, to feed His lambs( John 21. 15.). In the early Christian churches, extreme care was taken to instruct the Catechumens in the principles of Christianity, and the new converts, who were to be baptized at Easter, were catechised all the forty days of Lent. But, since we generally baptize only infants, we are bound to provide for their understanding the covenant they then enter into. Our Catechism is not a large system, or body of divinity, to puzzle the heads of young beginners; but only a clear explication of the baptismal vow; originally, it consisted of no more than the repetition of that vow, or the renunciation, the Creed and the Lord's Prayer; which, with the Ten Commandments, was the whole at the Reformation; and this Catechism was ratified by the Parlia-. ment in 1548. Afterwards, K. James I. appointed the Bishops to add a short and plain explanation of the doctrine of the Sacraments, which was done accordingly in that excellent form which we now use.
The Catechism, thus appointed, is so short, that the youngest may learn it by heart; and yet so full, that it contains all things necessary to understand aright the nature of those doctrines and duties which a Christian, by Sponsors at his Baptism, has solemnly declared himself to believe, and has engaged to perform: so that, being" come to years of discretion," he shall be prepared to take the vow upon himself, and shall be confirmed by the Bishop. The holy rite of" Confirm
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