London Provincial Assembly Exhortation to Catechizing

[VirginiaHuguenot]

Is anyone acquainted with the following work by the London Provincial Assembly? I believe it was commended by Richard Baxter.

An exhortation to catechizing: the long neglect whereof is sadly lamented. And the speedy reviving as earnestly desired. By the provincial assembly at London. August 30. 1655.

S.W. Carruthers, The Uses and Misuses of the Shorter Catechism:

On 30th August 1655 the Provincial Assembly of London approved a document which was issued as a pamphlet of 23 pages, with the title, An Exhortation to Catechizing: the long neglect whereof is fully lamented. And the speedy reviving as earnestly desired. "It begins by emphasising the spread of Unitarian and other heresies, and praises catechising as a defence against them. This form of instruction should not be left only to parents; it is not to be performed without a clear insight into the greatest depths of religion, and a proportionate gift of ready expression". The Provincial Assembly sent it down to each of the Classes within its bounds, with seven definite instructions: (1) When announcing their intention to catechise, ministers were to preach sermons "effectually demonstrating the great necessity and utility thereof", and to exhort heads of households to prepare their children and servants by catechising them at home. (2) The Catechism used is to be the Shorter Catechism. (3) The persons catechised to be "children and servants that have not been admitted to the Lord's Table by the Eldership". (4) The time to be Sunday afternoon before the sermon, to the end that the whole congregation may receive benefit thereby". (5) "That the Catechism be briefly explained at the first going over it, that so the people may in a short time have a taste of the whole body of divinity. (6) That parishioners be asked to provide Catechisms for those who could not afford to buy them. (7) That a written report on progress in the matter be sent by the Classes to the Provincial Assembly within forty days.

 

[MW]

Is anyone acquainted with the following work by the London Provincial Assembly? I believe it was commended by Richard Baxter.