The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Fourthly, In the primitive times, there were a rank of people, that were called Catecumini, (as we said before) Candidati, or Competentes; such who being converted from Paganism, were not yet fully instructed in the matters of Religion, and therefore they had time to get knowledge, before ever they were admitted to Church-Communion. And answerable to this, there was a Catechist, one whose work and office it was, to instruct such before they were Baptized. Thus you see, how careful in Antiquity they were, that they might have no ignorant persons among them. And certainly, as in all Arts, there are Principles which must be learned, before they can come to Conclusions; so it's here in Religion. And oh, that we could see this Knowledge brought in amongst people! To be a Christian, is to be anointed; and this Unction teacheth us all things, (Joh. 2.20.) viz. necessary to salvation.

Fourthly, In the primitive times, there were a rank of people, that were called Catecumini, (as we said before) Candidati, or Competentes; such who being converted from Paganism, were not yet fully instructed in the matters of Religi•n, and therefore they had time to get knowledg, before ever they were admitted to Church-Communion. And answerable to this, there was a Catechist, one whose work and office it was, to instruct such before they were Baptized. Thus you see, how carefull in Antiquity they were, that they might have no ignorant persons among them. And certainly, as in all Arts, there are Principles which must be learned, before they can come to Conclusions; so it's here in Religion. And oh, that we could see this Knowledge brought in amongst people! To be a Christian, is to be anointed; and this Ʋnction teacheth us all things, (Joh. 2.20.) viz. necessary to salvation.

Fifthly, Principles of Religion (largely so called) are of two sorts; either Corrupt, Idolatrical, and Heretical; or true, Sound, and Consonant to the Scripture. Now there are many in the world, are too forward to infuse poisonous and dangerous Principles; so great a matter is it, to consider what men are seasoned with at first, either privately or publicly. Thus many are infected with Popish and superstitious Principles; many with erroneous and false Doctrines; and these foundations being laid, it's very difficult ever to remove them. As the vessel is first seasoned, or the tree at first planted, so it is likely to continue. The Apostle calls those Jewish Ceremonies, the beggarly elements,