felves? This, I fear, is the case of too many among us: There are many who having not been taught to read when they were young, neglect or think scorn to learn it afterwards, and fo lofe all the Benefit and Comfort which they might receive by reading of the Holy Scriptures But this, I confefs, is not fo neceffary, especially in our Church, where the Holy Scriptures are fo constantly read in publick; that if People would as conftantly come and hearken to them, they might be wife unto Salvation, although they cannot read; as few heretofore could, at leaft in the Primitive times, when notwithstanding they attained to the Knowledge of God, and of their Duty to him, as well as if they had been the greateft Scholars in the World. But then confidering that they could not read, they fupplied that De fect by attending more diligently to what they heard out of God's Holy Word, and laying it up in their Hearts, fo that they understood all the Principles of the Chriftian Religion, and were able to inftruct their Children in the fame, as well as if they could read. But this is not our cafe; for now there are inany who can neither read, nor fo much as fay the Catechifm, having neC 2

ver learned it themselves, and therefore cannot poffibly teach it their Children. Such as the Apoft le fpeaks of, who when, for the time, they ought to be Teachers, they have need that one teach them again, which be the firft Principles of the Oracles of God, and are become fuch as have need of Milk, and not of strong meat, Heb. 5. 12. And what must fuch do? They certainly, as they tender their own good, must be doubly diligent in the ufe of all means that may tend to their Edification and Inftruction: And as they defire the good of their Children, they muft fend them to School, or provide fome other Perfon to teach them; which if the Parents neglect to do, the Godfathers and Godmothers of every Child, fhould put them in mind of it, and fee that the Child be taught fo foon as he is able to learn, what a folemn Vow, Promise and Profeffion he made by them at his Baptifm. And that he may know thefe things the better, they must call upon him to hear Sermons; and chiefly they muft provide that he may learn the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments in the vulgar Tongue, and all other things which a Chriftian ought to know and believe to his Soul's health, as they are contained

contained in the Church Catechifm, and then to bring him to the Bishop to be Confirmed by him.

But for that purpose, when Children have been taught the Catechifm, they must be fent to the Minifter or Curate of the Parish where they live, that he may examin and inftruct them in it: Examin whether they can fay it, and inftruct them fo as to make them underftand it. For though the Words be all as plain as they can be well made, yet the things fignified by thofe Words, are many of them fo high, that it cannot be expected that Children fhould reach and apprehend them without help: Whichtherefore they must go to their Minifter for, whofe Duty and Office it is to acquaint them with the full Sense and Meaning of every Word, what is figni fied by it, and what ground they have to believe it in God's Holy Word. But to do this to any purpofe, requires more time than is commonly allowed for it in our Days: And that is one great Reafon there are so few among us that are built up, as they ought to be, in their moft boly Faith. Many refufe or neglect to fend their Children to be Catechized at all; and they who fend them, fend them) fo little, and for fo little a time, that

it is morally impoffible they fhould be much the better for it: As many have found by Experience; who, although in their Childhood they were taught the Catechifm, and could fay it readily, yet having not been fufficiently inftructed in it, they afterwards forgot it again, and knew no more than as if they had never learnt it. I wish this be not the Cafe of too many Parents: Wherefore that this great Work may be done effectually, fo as to answer its End, as Children fhould begin as foon as ever they are able to learn the Catechifm, and go on by degrees till they can fay it perfectly by heart, fo when they can do that, they are ftill to continue to be inftructed in it all along, till they understand it all fo well, as to be fit to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which ufually may be about 16 or 17 Years of Age, more or lefs, according to their feve ral Capacities. By this means, as they grow in Years, they would grow alfo in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, 2 Pet. 3. 18. This likewife would be a great Encouragement to the Minifter to take pains with them, when they are such as can understand what he faith to them, and will continue under his Care and

Conduct

Conduct 'till they are fettled and grounded in the Faith, and have their Senfes exercifed to difcern between Good and Evil, and fo fhall be every way qualify'd to ferve God, and do their Duty to him in that ftate of life, to which be fhall be pleafed afterwards to call them, upon Earth, and then to go to Heaven,

If this could once be brought about throughout the Kingdom,that all Children that are born and bred up in it, were thus fully inftructed in the Knowledge of Chrift, and of that Religion which he hath revealed to the World, till they are fit for the Holy Communion, and ready to engage in the Affairs of the World, the next Generation would be much bet ter than this, and Christianity would then begin to flourish again, and ap pear in its native Beauty and Luftre. And verily, whatsoever fome may think, fuch efpecially as were never catechized themfelves, this is as great and neceffa ry a Duty as any that is required in all the Bible. For God himself by his Apostle, exprefly commands all Parents to bring up their Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord; that is, as I have fhewed, to catechize or inftruct them in the Principles of the Doctrine of our Lord Chrift. And therefore they

who