QUESTION: As it was carried on in the Lord's Days In the First Year of Liberty, 1688. By JOHN FLAVELL, Preacher 2 TIM. i. 13. Hold fast the Form of found Words which thou haft beard of me SALISBURY: Printed and Sold by EDW. EASTON, Bookfeller, 138.1.454. THE PREFA CE. T HAT Catechizing is an Ordinance of God, few will doubt, when they confider the Apostles did firft lay the Fundamentals of Religion; Heb. vi. 1. And fed Babes with Milk, teaching them the first Principles of the Oracles of God, Heb v. 12. and queftionlefs taught them in that Manner, which was moft fuitable to the Capacity of the Learners, which may well be fupposed to be by plain and fhort Questions, and fuitable Answers thereunto; and therefore this has been a constant Practice in the Church of God: and the Primitive Church had a Particular appropriate hereunto, whom they called Catechist. And fo all well governed and wifely managed Churches, have ftill maintained and ufed it, as. knowing the Neceffity and Usefulness thereof: for the younger Sort to inform them in the Principles of that Religion whereinto they were Baptized; and for the Establishment of the Adult and more aged therein. Hence have iffued all thofe little Compofures of all the fundamental Doctrines of Faith and Practice fo handled (which we call Catechifms) in the Churches; and particularly in ours, whereof there are many and divers, whofe Authors have A 2 well |