An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 20. Though to the Jews that were bred up under the use of the Old Testament, and that expected ⟨p. 144⟩the Messiah, the Apostles staid not long instructing them, before they baptized them, when they professed Repentance and Faith in Christ; yet it cannot be conceived, but that with the ignorant Gentile Christians, all Teachers took pains to make them understand, first what they were to profess and promise; for ignorant doing they know not what, pleaseth not God. And therefore that the Faith contained in the three Baptismal Articles, was certainly explained in more words and accordingly professed; which must be in substance that called the Apostles Creed, which the Churches preservation and use, with the Custom of long instructing Catechumens, giveth us notice of, as well as the reason of the thing.

§. 20. Though to the Iews that were bred up under the use of the Old Testament, and that expected ⟨p. 144⟩the Messiah, the Apostles staid not long instructing them, before they baptized them, when they professed Repentance and Faith in Christ; yet it cannot be conceived, but that with the ignorant Gentile Christians, all Teachers took pains to make them understand, first what they were to profess and promise; for ignorant doing they know not what, pleaseth not God. And therefore that the Faith contained in the three Baptismal Articles, was certainly explained in more words and accordingly professed; which must be in substance that called the Apostles Creed, which the Churches preservation and use, with the Custom of long instructing Catecumens, giveth us notice of, as well as the reason of the thing.

§. 21. When we find Christ commanding his Apostles to disciple the Nations, and baptize them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and teach them all his Commandments; and when we daily see, after people have learned to say, They believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, how long it is ere they understand the meaning of those three Articles; and when we know that it is not bare words, without the sense, that constituteth the Christian Faith; no sober Man will doubt, whether the persons to be baptized were taught the sense as well as the words; which must be done by more words. And it is certain that those Words were not to alter Christ's Baptismal Covenant, nor the Nature and Terms of Christianity, but to expound them. And it is certain, that multitudes were so weak, that had those Words been very long and many, they would rather have burdened them, than become their own profession, as understood and remembered. And it is certain, that the changing of words doth