HAVING to my great dissatisfaction received advertisements that in most Parishes of the Diocese, there is a notorious Omission of publick Cate­chising, (though strictly enjoined by Authority Civil and Ecclesiastical) whereby a Sluce hath been opened to streams, to torrents of novelties of Tenets; to impieties, enormities of Practices; I apprehend it strictly incumbent on me, as my [Page 6] Pastoral duty, to excite, to importune the speedy redress of this scandalous neglect; to be like Origen, [...], that the younger sort whose precious Souls you are accountable for (within your se­veral Precincts) may not be like Clouds whiffled about with every gust of Errour; and whilst undisciplin'd, prostituted to the approaches, the lures of all defilements, exposed to the taint, the contagion of every modish Vice; but that they may by your sedulous conscientious Care be time­ly season'd with a tincture of Grace, the more firmly to retain the impression of it, that they may be Orthodoxly principled in point of Piety towards God, Loyalty to the Sovereign Powers, of Temperance to themselves, of Justice and Charity towards others.

I presume you will alledg, that the Pulpit hath herein abundantly supplied the defailance of the Desk, of the Reading Pew; that your Sermons have reiterated those Lectures, though not in the formal Catechistical dress, and method. Whereas when humane laws are not repugnant to Divine; the solemn Maxime, Obedience is better than Sa­crifice is a safe Rule, not onely in pious, but pru­dential considerations; it being an influence of [Page 7] Judgment to suspect our own Judgment, not to overween our Intellectuals, but to allow that our Governours in their well weighed Constitutions, and Canons, may be as wise, as upright as our selves.

I shall not set sacred Ordinances to clash with each other, which ought to be Buttresses for mu­tual support; I shall not discountenance, nor de­pretiate the indispensably requisite Exercise of Preaching; it being no panick terror of a dismal menace, not appropriated to the Apostle himself onely, but extended to the whole Priestly fun­ction; ‘ For necessity is laid upon me, yea woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel (1 Cor. 9. 16.)’ This Woe is a gloomy doom of utter darkness, (i ipsâ bre­vitate foecundan Tertullian's phrase) fraught with fulness in conciseness: yet this duty of Preaching is no supersedeas to the Catechism, one can give no legal Bill of Divorce to the other, but ought to be as a meet help in a conjugal link, the um­brage, the disparagement of the one as unsinewed, ungarnish'd, will add no force, no lustre to the other; Preaching without the auxiliary Catechi­stical preparation may prove like to sounding Brass, like a tinkling Cymbal.

[Page 8] This condescension of instruction by way of Dialogue is more smoothly insinuating, more ef­fectually edifying; whereby the principles of Re­ligion are more easily imbibed, less nauseated, disrelish'd by Palates naturally corrupted, where­by the first rudiments of Divinity are more rea­dily chewed by Novices, by Babes in Christ, whose Flock consists of Lambs to be fed, as well as Sheep. Gerson the famous Sorbon Doctor Chancellour of Paris, being aspersed, as if being a Catechist to Children, he had eclipsed his Splen­dour, sullied his Reputation in a derogatory de­generating disguise of humility; with a judicious candour he vindicated himself, not retaliating any virulency, or acrimony of Censure; that he might otherwise teach Disciples, pomposiùs, more pompously, instruct more floridly, more elo­quently in the continued harangue of a Sermon, but not, fructuosiùs, more fruitfully, as to the in­formation of the Understanding, as to the san­ctification of the Heart, in greener years, though less plausibly acceptable to the itch of▪ curiosity in the attention of the Ear, wherein by an exem­plary integrity he design'd to advance Gods Glory, whilst he despis'd his own. Amongst my Brethren you, that are most eminently qua­lified [Page 9] for Arts, and Languages (Talents you are intrusted with, that must be awfully reckon'd for at the Audit of the last day) ought not to disdain to stoop to the Catechistical task (solid­ly, perspicuously laying the foundation of Chri­stianity) which requires a mature knowledg▪ an indefatigable diligence, a discreet regular Zeal. Lewis the 9th of France did not apprehend it an indignity derogatory from his Royal grandeur to catechise a Scullion, upon the account of the dig­nity of his Soul equally interested in the Excel­lency of Christs ransom with his own.

This Province however contemptible in the common estimate in later corrupted times, (it being with Seasons as with Vessels, the dregs draw downwards) yet it hath not been spurn'd at, not waved by the most renowned Fathers of the Primitive Church, Eastern and Western.

Not to insist on instances of a more transcen­dent Station, of an Evangelist of St. Mark at A­lexandria, of an Apostle of St. Paul at Corinth, where his Planting hath been antiently expounded Catechizing.

[Page 10] This hath been the prime ingredient for pre­serving, and propagating the stability of Truth in Doctrine, of the beauty of holiness in conver­sation in the best and purest Ages of the Church.

It is the signal observation of the most Ac­complish'd modern Prelate Bishop Andrews, When Catechizing was left off in the Church, it soon became darkned and overspread with Ignorance: the Pa­pists therefore acknowledg that all the advantages the Protestants have gotten of them hath come by this exercise, and it is to be feared that if ever they get ground of us, it will be by their more exact and fre­quent catechizing [...]

I may innocently though (I presume) not in­offensively) with that the over-rise disuse of this Ordinance be not rather varnish'd, than justified by the subterfuge of an Apology, by the specious excuse of some of my Brethren, in shifting the Scene of guilt, entirely transferring it from their own remissness, to the refractoriness of Parents, in behalf of their Children, not to be cajold, by any invitations, and overtures.

Whereas no paint of Pretence, no artifice of pal­liation, [Page 11] can deceive the Scrutiny, can evade the Ju­stice of the All seeing revenging God.

I must mournfully acknowledg, that many Pa­rents are alienated from this Discipline, being de­praved by the fascination of erroneous Sentiments, or deluded by prejudice of Education, or divert­ed by profane supine inadvertences; so that there may seem requisite the Constitution and practice of the Helvetian Reformed Churches, establish'd also in a Gallican Synod, that none be admitted to a Matrimonial State till first qualified by the Ca­techistical Discipline; yet before any such expe­dient can be expected, I question not but by the blessing of God on the Devout Addresses, the active endeavours of my Brethren of the Clergy, by the vicissitudes of publick and private lenitive persua­sive Arguments (experimentally found successful) some Parents even of obdurate tempers may be softned to melting bowels, for the spiritual con­cerns, no less than the temporal of their nearest Relations, the transcripts of the Originals them­selves, multiplied, set out in lesser Editions; left otherwise they be branded in Saint Bernard's expression to be peremtores, not parentes. Not con­sidering that the minority of Age, the blossoms [Page 12] of years are not exempted from the blasts of Fate, from the period of Death, according to the Jewish Proverb, There are Sculls of all Sizes discernable in Golgotha. It was their prudential cautionary Pie­ty, that the first Characters to be imprinted in the minds of their Children should be religious Ad­vertisements, whereby Nature it self might be in­sensibly cultivated, transplanted to Grace, and pious Acts without difficulty and anxiety improved to Habits.

It is the sage encouragement of a Sacred Pre­cept, Prov. 22. 6. Train up a Child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. The intellectual faculties are best recep­tive, most retentive of the first Tincture of lite­rature. ‘Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem Testa diu.—’

'Tis also with Tenets as with Viands, an Errour in the first degree of Concoction is not easily cor­rected in the second or third. The Babes of the Israelites were Textuaries, vers'd in the Principles of Divinity before they were instructed in the ru­diments of Grammar. The Church of Christ in [Page 13] the Primitive lustre did not degenerate from this Mosaical Pattern. Saint Jerome asserts, that the first word Children were prompted to assay to ut­ter, was Halleluja composed of Halelu and jah. Praise the Lord.

As when in a lower in a lesser Orb, being for many years confined to a Parochial distinct limit, I could not with tranquillity of mind, with peace of Conscience indulge my self to decline the Catechi­stical performance; so being placed (however un­worthily) in a higher Sphere for a more diffusive inspection, (your selves the Shepherds, in a figu­rative Notion; being my Flock.) I cannot with­out perfidiousness to my Pastoral Charge, connive at any, who shall reject this Initiatory Exercise, not recommended only as arbitrarily to be pursued, or baulked, according to your own fancies, but requi­red unavoidably to be observed, as necessary, ne­cessitate praecepti, though not medii.

In discharging this Duty you are not left at li­berty for option in choice of Novelties of Cate­chisms to gratifie your own selfish opinionative Sentiments, or the different Shibboleth of others, as if our Saviours Compass for Religion had as many [Page 14] Points to vary as the Mariners for Navigation. The Arrian Creed was tax'd by S. Hilary to be as change­able as the Moon. In due submission to Autho­rity the Catechism enjoyn'd in the Church of Eng­land ought to be expounded, not exploded. It is highly approv'd by forein reform'd Divines. Mr. Dally a bright Luminary in his Sphere (in the Gallican Protestant Church) magnifies the Purity, the brevity, Dallaeus in l. 2. Confer. the perspicuity of it, Orthodoxly re­duc'd from the Oracles of Scripture.

I shall further implore your sedulous Care in admonishing the Parents of Children Catechiz'd, not to neglect the opportunities of Episcopal Con­firmation, as soon as they are in a competent Age, a degree of apprehension of understanding: not barely capacitated by a promptness of memory, of elocution, for recital, to be disciplin'd onely like Parrots.

Let not the disuse excite a disesteem of Confir­mation, though not to be dignified to be a Sa­crament in the strictest notion, yet it is to be ad­mitted, celebrated as a Sacred Ordinance, extending it's beneficial influence to both the signal, the for­mal, Evangelical Sacraments: like Janus it hath a [Page 15] double aspect, it looks backward, as additional auxiliary to Baptism (inverting the Scene of the Votaries of Christian Piety by Proxies, by Sureties, to an immediate personal professional Obligation) Confirmation also looks forward, as a proper pre­liminary to the Eucharist precisely antecedently re­quisite for the practice, at least the desire of it in the judgment of the Church of England. It is ge­nerally retain'd, solemnly observ'd in the Lutheran Churches in the venerable track of the purest Pri­mitive.

Not to insist on the Canons, the Sanctions of Councils: Beza in a higher Key of Advancement exalts it to be an Apostolical Institution in the phrase of Imposition of Hands ( Heb. 6. 2.) Calvin vindicates the antient exercise of Confirmation, not tainted with the Lees of the Modern Romish Su­perstition, (as it is refin'd in the Church of Eng­land) deplores the omission; yerns, pleads for the restitution of it, amplifies the emoluments of it for preventing new-started Errours, for tuning the jarring Strings of contentions to a melodious Har­mony, for an uniform Stability of religious Prin­ciples and judicious Methods.

‘ [Page 16] Major esset in populo Christiano fidei consensus, non tanta multorum inscitia, Calv. l. 4. Inst. cap. 19. non adeo te­mere quidam novis & perigrinis dogmatibus abriperentur, omnibus denique esset quaedam ve­lut methodus doctrinae Christianae.’ Mr. Baxter expresly acknowledges that the not pra­ctising of Confirmation hath brought us into con­fusion, and that it must be the practising of it that must restore our Church to order, and heal most of our divisions.

Dr. Jackson pathetically resented the defailance of a strict inquiry in this concern, both in Episco­pal and Archidiaconal Visitations. Not to dilate an Epistle to a Volume, I shall conclude with a paternal Monitory Advice, which being tender'd with the right hand, (with a sincere respect) let it not be receiv'd with the left, (with a sinister con­struction.)

Toward the younger Sort, Let not your grave Discourse be destitute of the Efficacy, tho' it be of the Formality of a Catechism; Maxima de­betur pueris Reverentia. Towards the Elder Sort, Let your Conversation be a daily Sermon; [Page 17] in a Pastoral precedence of Conduct, after the mode of the Eastern Countries; to lead your Parochial Flocks by a Constancy of Orthodox Doctrine, ( Fidei regula being irrefragabilis, im­mobilis, saith Tertullian) and by the integrity of a regular Deportment; Not to be like the Roman Cassius Severus, Maleficae vitae, sed oran­di validus, (in the Historian's Character of him) eloquently persuasive in Language, profanely execrable in Life.

This were to present the Devil in Samuel's Mantle, to cover the blackest, vilest deformity, that of Wickedness, with a specious white Ephod. The Infirmities of others are our Crimes, our Crimes Enormities, Prodigies. In the Mosaical Law as large a Sacrifice is requir'd for the Priest, as for the whole Congregation.

It besteads, beseems you in all the emergencies, difficulties of the times, to acquit your selves wise as Serpents (not to be deluded) harmless as Doves (not to be deprav'd, not envenom'd, embitter'd) The candor, moderation of Bucer, was too rigid­ly, if not morosely charged to be his Crime, [Page 18] even by some worthy reformed Divines his Con­temporaries.

The most sedate tempers, the most pacifique Spirits are least impure whilst most offensive; It being the Observation of Livy, Media via nec parit amicos, nec tollit inimicos. Being unleaven'd with Animosities in Controversies, in Debates let your Prudence calmly guard your Innocence, and your Innocence uprightly sanctifie your Pru­dence. (If the salt be unsavoury wherewith shall it be season'd?) Let it be an unsullied, unbiast, unscanted Innocence. The Law of God is not disjunctive, but copulative in the decision of the Schoolmen.

The desertion, the detestation of one Vice is no warrant, no privilege for the pursuits, the embraces, the caresses of another, tho' more po­pular, set out in a more fashionable Dress, and Varnish.

St. Austin complain'd of some Divines, whose keen reproof had but one Edge, extended not to both the extreams of iniquities; their Zeal being like Ephraim's Cake, Dough unbaked of one side.

[Page 19] Let not your Spiritual Interests in any trans­actions truckle to Temporal. let all recesses from the deliberate conviction of Judgment, the clear dictate of Conscience (tho' smoothly palliated) be piously dreaded.

It is the disconsolate Maxim of St. Bernard, ‘Qui agit contra Conscientiam aedificat ad Gehennam.’

Wherefore follow not Examples against the re­luctancies of Conscience, but listen to the Excellent Admonition of the son of Sirach, Accept no Person against thine own Soul, and let not the Reverence to any man cause thee to fall. Ecclesiasticus 4. 22.

I cordially, constantly recommend you to the Divine Guidance, Solace, and Protection, earnest­ly requesting your devout Offices in the behalf of