Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time you ought to be teachers… I. WEIGHTY REASONS MAY BE GIVEN FOR THE NECESSITY OF CATECHISING. 1. By catechising a good and sure foundation is laid. Now it is necessary that in all buildings a good foundation be laid, lest for want of it the building come to ruin (Matthew 7:26, 27). 2. By catechising people are by degrees made capable of deeper mysteries; as children by learning letters and syllables, and to spell them, are brought on to read distinctly. The most intelligent hearers are such as have been well instructed in the principles of religion. 3. By catechising such as profess the faith are enabled to render a reason of the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3:15). For a catechism well compiled contains the sum and substance of all that a Christian is to believe. 4. By catechising, pastors may know their people's capacity and understanding to and this is requisite in two respects — (1) That he may the better know whom to admit to the Lord's table. (2) That he may the better discern how to order his preaching both for matter and manner. 5. The fruits of catechising have ever been observed to be many and great. Thereby have families been made seminaries for the Church. II. If the question be demanded WHEREIN THE DIFFERENCE LIETH BETWIXT CATECHISING AND PREACHING, I answer, in these particulars especially. 1. By catechising, a foundation is laid (Hebrews 6:1). By preaching, the building is farther reared up, beautified and perfected. 2. By catechizing, many and large points are contracted into brief sums, as in the Ten Commandments, Creed, and Lord's Prayer. By preaching, sundry points are amplified, enlarged, and sundry ways applied. 3. By catechising, weak and ignorant ones are fed, as with milk. By preaching, the strong are further nourished with strong meat. For in catechising the most necessary principles are plainly laid down; but in preaching all sorts of points, the difficult as well as easy, use to be handled; yea, and contrary errors refuted. 4. By catechising, a particular account is taken of the learners, which is not so done by preaching. For catechising is by question and answer; so as the catechised give an account of their proficiency. But preaching is only by a minister's declaring his mind. 5. Catechising is for such as are newly entered into the Church; and that for a time till they may be fitted for the sacrament. But preaching is for all, of all sorts, so long as they live. For though a man had all knowledge, yet is preaching requisite to work upon their affections, and to bring to their mind and memory such things as they know. Preaching is profitable to all those uses that are mentioned (2 Timothy 3:16). (W. Gouge.) Parallel Verses KJV: For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. |
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