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

Ob. 1. True, The laying of Foundations, Instructions in the first Principles of Religion, a most useful, necessary work, but what ground is there in the Holy Scriptures for that Form or manner of Catechising as is now in use, viz. By way of Question and Answer?

Sol. 1. There are several Texts of Scripture from which the Learned conclude that this Mode of Catechising was used in the Apostles days, and by the Apostles themselves, and their immediate Successors; and this in imitation of the Jews, ¹who had A Form of Knowledge and of the Truth in the Law, out of which they Instructed the Ignorant, and taught Babes: Thus Rom. 6.17. the Apostle had given the Romans A Form of Doctrine: and to Timothy, A Form of sound words, 2 Tim. 1.13. A Form of sound words, which contained the principles of the Doctrine of Christ, and the first principles of the Oracles of God, six whereof are distinctly mentioned Heb. 5.12. with 6.1, 2. To these plain and fundamental Rules, as to their Standard, the Apostles would have all Doctrines that were Preached to be brought and tried, and so far to be allowed of as they held proportion with them. This is that which the Apostle calls Prophesying according to the proportion of Faith, ²Rom. 12.6. Thus the Magdeburg. from these Scriptures assert, That there was a Catechism delivered by the Apostles, in which they had drawn the Doctrine of the Gospel into short heads, for instructing of the Children of the Church.

Sol. 1. There are several Texts of Scripture from which the Learned conclude that this Mode of Catechising was used in the Apostles days, and by the Apostles themselves, and their immediate Successors; and this in imitation of the Jews,