A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

3. Catechizing may be considered under a double notion.

1. In regard of the present Action.

2. As it is an Introduction and preparation to the future and further knowledge of God. Now though little ones do not at first so understand as to use with due reverence the Name and things of God, yet it follows not that they take God's Name in vain, because they repeat good things in order to, and for the gaining of such a knowledge of God and of those Holy things, as whereby they afterwards come to use them more reverently. And therein the first use of them, though not so reverent, hath a part, as being preparatory to it, and having an influence into it, and working as a good means for the begetting of it. Do not we teach little Ones their Letters by signs, and certain petty devised sayings and resemblances, which put them in mind of their Letters. And this is not a vanity, but a way suited to their narrow capacities, to make them learn them the sooner. So in this and the like cases; the first Rudiments are still to be taken and judged of, not in a way of disjunction from what follows after, but as a preparation to it, and being so taken, they are not vain, but material things, because they serve to very considerable ends. It is neither vanity nor Hypocrisy, saith a reverend Author, to help Children first to understand words and signs, ¹in order to their early understanding of the matter and signification. Otherwise no Man may teach them any Language, or to read any words that be good, because they must first understand the words before the meaning. — If a Child learn to read in a Bible, it is not taking God's Name or Word in vain, though he understand it not, for it is in order to his learning to understand it. And it is not vain, which is to so good a use.