A confession of faith made by common consent of divers reformed churches beyond the…A confession of fayth made by common consent of diuers reformed churches beyonde the…

¶ Of Catechising, or instructing youth in the articles of their faith, of comforting or visiting the sick. Chap. 25.

¶ Of Cathechisyng, or instructyng youth in the articles of their faithe, of comforting or visiting the sicke. Chap. 25.

The Lord charged his people of the old Testament, to be ¹very diligent, in instructing ⟨image 132⟩a right their children, even from their infancy, and gave express commandment in his law, to teach them, and to expound unto them, the mysteries of his Sacraments. Seeing then it is evident, by the doctrine of the Evangelists and Apostles, that God hath no less care for the youth of his people, with whom he left his new Testament, when he openly witnesseth saying: Suffer little children to come ²unto me, for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven: doubtless, those ministers of churches do most wisely, which betime diligently instruct the youth, laying in them the first foundations of faith, and faithfully teaching the first principles of our religion, expounding to them Gods commandments, the Creed, and the Lord his prayer, the use of his Sacraments, with such other like first instructions, and chief points of our religion. Let the congregation show them selves faithful and diligent, in bringing their children to be taught, desiring & rejoicing, that their youth ⟨p. 87⟩may be well instructed. For as much as men are never more grievously tempted, then when they be weak and sick, sore broken with diseases of the ³mind and body, the Pastors of the Church, doubtless, ought at no time to be more watchful and careful to save his flock, then in such sickness and infirmities. Let them therefore visit the sick betimes, and let the diseased send for them without delay, if the cause so require. Let the ministers con forte,