GENEVA, 2nd December, 1545.<\/p>\n
TO THE READER.<\/p>\n
It has ever been the practice of the Church, and one carefully attended to, to see that children should be duly instructed in the Christian religion. That this might be done more conveniently, not only were schools opened in old time, and individuals enjoined properly to teach their families, but it was a received public custom and practice, to question children in the churches on each of the heads, which should be common and well known to all Christians. To secure this being done in order, there was written out a formula, which was called a Catechism or Institute. Thereafter the devil miserably rending the Church of God, and bringing upon it fearful ruin, (of which the marks are still too visible in the greater part of the world,) overthrew this sacred policy, and left nothing behind but certain trifles, which only beget superstition, without any fruit of edification. Of this description is that confirmation, as they call it, full of gesticulations which, worse than ridiculous, are fitted only for apes, and have no foundation to rest upon. What we now bring forward, therefore, is nothing else than the use of things which from ancient times were observed by Christians, and the true worshiper of God, and which never were laid aside until the Church was wholly corrupted.<\/p>\n
CATECHISM OF THE CHURCH OF GENEVA OF FAITH.<\/p>\n
Master.\u2014What is the chief end of human life?<\/p>\n
Scholar.\u2014To know God by whom men were created.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What reason have you for saying so?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Because he created us and placed us in this world to be glorified in us. And it is indeed right that our life, of which himself is the beginning, should be devoted to his glory.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What is the highest good of man?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014The very same thing.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Why do you hold that to be the highest good?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014-Because without it our condition is worse than that of the brutes.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Hence, then, we clearly see that nothing worse can happen to a man than not to live to God.<\/p>\n
S.\u2014It is so.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What is the true and right knowledge of God?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014When he is so known that due honor is paid to him.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What is the method of honoring him duly?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014To place our whole confidence in him; to study to serve him during our whole life by obeying his will; to call upon him in all our necessities, seeking salvation and every good thing that can be desired in him; lastly, to acknowledge him both with heart and lips, as the sole Author of all blessings.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014To consider these points in their order, and explain them more fully-What is the first head in this division of yours?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014To place our whole confidence in God.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014How shall we do so?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014When we know him to be Almighty and perfectly good.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Is this enough?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Far from it.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Wherefore?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Because we are unworthy that he should exert his power in helping us, and show how good he is by saving us.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What more then is needful?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014That each of us should set it down in his mind that God loves him, and is willing to be a Father, and the author of salvation to him.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014But whence will this appear?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014From his word, in which he explains his mercy to us in Christ, and testifies of his love towards us.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Then the foundation and beginning of confidence in God is to know him in Christ?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Entirely so.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GENEVA, 2nd December, 1545. TO THE READER. It has ever been the practice of the Church, and one carefully attended to, to see that children should be duly instructed in the Christian religion. That this might be done more conveniently, not only were schools opened in old time, and individuals enjoined properly to teach their … Continue reading “CATECHISM
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