and much less, if some of the things, which their children hear them say, and see them do almost every day, are directly contrary to those, which they pretend they would have them believe and learn,

The persons, on whom usually this care is devolved by parents, are masters and mistresses of schools, and afterwards tutors in colleges, who ought never to omit furnishing children, amongst other knowledge, plentifully with that which is the most necessary of all; but constantly to employ the influence which they have on their minds, and the knowledge which they acquire of their tempers, in exciting them to good, and preserving them from evil, as much as they can and parents ought first absolutely to require this of them, and then examine diligently, from time to time, whether it be done. But especially masters and mistresses of charity schools, which are founded purposely to give the children of the poor an early and deep tincture of religion and virtue, should look upon it as by far their principal business to teach them, not merely outward observances and forms of good words, but such an inward sense and love of their duty to God and man, as may secure them, if possible, from that lamentable depravity, into which the lower part of the world is falling; and which it is highly the interest of their superiors, if they would but understand their interest, to restrain and correct.

As the care of children belongs to their parents and teachers, so doth that of servants to the heads of the families, in which they live. And, therefore, it is mentioned in Scripture, by God himself, as a distinguishing part of the character of a good man, "that he will command his household to "keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and "judgment." For, indeed, it is a strong and

(4) Gen. xviii. 19.

requisite proof of reverence to our Maker, as well as of kindness to them, and concern for our own interest, to direct them in the way of their duty, or procure them the direction of good books and good advice; to exhort them to the more private exercises of religion; to contrive leisure for them to attend the appointed solemn ones, which is plainly one part of giving them, as the Apostle requires, what is just and equal; and to see that the leisure allowed them for that purpose, be honestly employed, and not abused.

For, after all, the most valuable instruction for servants, for children, for all persons, is the public one of the Church, which our Saviour himself hath promised to bless with his presence. And, therefore, it is a rule of inexpressible moment: "Ga"ther the people together; men, women, and "children, and the stranger that is within thy "gates that they may hear, and that they may "learn, and fear the Lord your God; and observe "to do all the words of his Law: and that their "children, which have not known any thing, may “hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as "long as you live. 7

Whoever else may fail of doing their duty, we, the Ministers of Christ, must not fail" to be in"stant in season, and out of season; "8 to feed the young with the "sincere milk of the word,"9 and "preach the Gospel to the poor." It is the peculiar glory of Christianity to have extended religious instruction, of which but few partook at all before and scarce any in purity, through all ranks and ages of men, and even women. The first converts to it were immediately formed into regular societies and assemblies; and not only for the joint worship of God, but for the further "edifying of the

(5) Col. iv. 1.
(8) 2 Tim. iv. 2.

(6) Matt. xviii. 20.

(9) 1 Pet. ii. 2.

(7) Deut. xxi. 12, 13. (1) Matt. xi. 3.

body of Christ;"2 in which good work, some of course were stated teachers, or, to use the Apostle's own expression, "Catechisers in the word;"3 others taught or catechised. For catechising signifies in Scripture, at large, instructing persons in any matter, but especially in religion: And thus it is used, Acts xviii. 25, where you read, "This 66 man was instructed in the way of the Lord;" and Luke i. 4, where again you read, "That thou "mayest know the certainty of those things wherein "thou hast been instructed." The original word, in both places, is catechised.

But, as the different advances of persons in knowledge, made different sorts of instruction requisite; so, in the primitive Church, different sorts of teachers were appointed to dispense it. And they who taught so much only of the Christian Doctrine, as might qualify the hearers for Christian Communion, had the name of Catechists appropriated to them; whose teaching being usually, as was most convenient, in a great measure by way of question and answer; the name of Catechism hath now been long confined to such instruction, as is given in that form. But the method of employing a particular set of men in that work only is in most places laid aside. And I hope you will not be losers, if they, who are appointed to the higher Ministries of the Church, attend to this also.

Under the darkness of Popery, almost all religious instruction was neglected. "Very few," to use the words of one of our Homilies, 66 even of "the most simple people, were taught the Lord's Prayer, the Articles of the Faith, or the Ten "Commandments, otherwise than in Latin, which they understood not; "4 so that one of the first necessary steps taken towards the Reformation, in

66

66

(2) Eph. iv. 12.

(3) Gal. vi. 6. (4) Homily against Rebellion, Part 6.

this country, was a general instruction, that parents and masters should first learn them in their own tongue, then acquaint their children and servants with them: which three main branches of Christian duty, comprehending the sum of what we are to believe, to do, and to petition for, were soon after formed, with proper explanation of each, into a Catechism. To this was added, in process of time, a brief account of the two Sacraments; all together making up that very good, though still improvable, form of sound words, which we

now use.

6

And, that it may be used effectually, the laws of the land, both ecclesiastical and civil, require not only Ministers to instruct their parishioners in it, but parents, and masters and mistresses of families, to send their children and servants to be instructed; meaning, evidently, unless they mean some other more convenient provision to answer the same end. For, promoting religious knowledge and practice is not only the express design of all church government, but a matter (would to God it were well considered) of great importance to the State also; since neither private life can be happy, nor the public welfare secure for any long time, without that belief of the doctrines and observance of the duties of Christianity, for which catechising the young and ignorant, lays the firmest foundations.

It must be owned the Catechism of our Church is, as it ought to be, so clear in the main, as to need but little explaining, all things considered. But then, it is also, as it ought to be, so short, as to leave much room for setting forth the particulars comprehended under the general heads; for confirming both these by reason and Scripture; and for imprinting the whole on the consciences and af

(5) See Wakes's Dedication of his Commentary on the Church Catechism.

(6) 2 Tim. i. 13.

fections of the learners. This, therefore, I shall endeavour to do, in the sequel of these discourses, as clearly and as familiarly as I am able.

In the nature of the thing, nothing new and curious ought to have any place in such an exposition, as indeed such matters ought to have little place in any public teaching of God's word; but least of all, where only the plain fundamental truths of our common faith are to be taught, confirmed, and recommended in a plain way. And yet, as these truths are, of all others, the most necessary; the plainest things, that can be said about them, may deserve the attention of all sorts of persons; especially as it is but too possible, that some of all sorts may never have been taught sufficiently, even the first principles of religion; and that many may by no means have sufficiently retained, and considered since, what they learnt in their early years; but preserving scarce more in their minds than the bare words, if so much, may be little the better, if at all, for the lessons of their childhood. To which it might be added, that every one hath need in a greater degree or less, if not to be informed, yet to be reminded and excited.

Let me beg, therefore, that all who have cause to hope they may receive benefit, would attend when they are able; and that all who have children or servants, would bring or send them. This is not a day of business. It ought not to be a day of idle amusements. It is appointed for the public worship of God, and learning of his will. This is one of the hours of his worship; it is that part of the day in which you are most of you more at liberty, than you are in any other. And what will you say for yourselves hereafter, if, when you have the most entire leisure, you chose rather to do any thing or nothing, than to serve your Maker, and improve in the knowledge of your duty? Never was there more danger of being infected with