Origines Ecclesiasticae, Or, The Antiquities of the Christian Church and Other Works of the Rev. Joseph Bingham

CONTENTS.

BOOK X.

OF THE INSTITUTION OF THE CATECHUMENS, AND THE

FIRST USE OF THE CREEDS IN THE CHURCH.

CHAP. I.

Of the several names of the Catechumens, and the solemnity that

was used in admitting them to that State in the Church. Also

of Catechising, and the time of their continuance in that

Exercise.

SECT. 1. THE reason of the names, Karnxéuevo, Novitioli, Tyronas, &c.

-2. Imposition of Hands and Prayer used in the first admission of Cate-

chumens.-3. And Consignation with the Sign of the Cross.-4. At what
Age Persons were admitted to be Catechumens.-5. How long they con-
tinued in that State.-6. The Substance of the Ancient Catechisms, and
method of Instruction.-7. The Catechumens allowed to read the Scrip-

tures.

CHAP. II.

Of the several classes or degrees of Catechumens, and the gra-

dual exercises and discipline of every Order.

SECT. 1. Four Orders or Degrees of Catechumens among the Ancients.-

2. First, the Ewépμevo, or Catechumens privately instructed without

the Church.-3. Secondly, the 'Aкpowμsvoi, Audientes, or Hearers.-4.

Thirdly, the Tóvu kλívovтeç, or Genu-flectentes and Substrati, the Kneel-

ers.-5. Fourthly, the Competentes or Electi, the immediate Candidates

of Baptism.-6. How this last order were particularly disciplined and

prepared for Baptism.-7. Partly by frequent Examinations, from which

such as approved themselves, had the name of Electi, the Chosen.-8.

Partly by Exorcism, accompanied with Imposition of Hands and the Sign

of the Cross, and Insufflation.-9. Partly by the exercises of Fasting

and Abstinence, and Confession and Repentance, &c.-10. Partly by

learning the words of the Creed and Lord's-Prayer.-11. And the Form

of Renunciation of the Devil, and Covenanting with Christ, with other

Responses relating to their Baptism.-12. What meant by the Compe-

tentes going veiled before Baptism.-13. Of the Ceremony called,

Ephphatha, or opening of the Ears of the Catechumens.-14. Of putting

Clay upon their Eyes, what meant by it.-15. Whether the Catechumens

held a lighted taper in their hands in the time of Exorcism.-16. What

meant by the Sacrament of the Catechumens.-17. How the Catechumens

were punished, if they fell into gross Sins.-IS. How they were treated

by the Church, if they died without Baptism.-19. What opinion the

Ancients had of the necessity of Baptism.-20. The want of Baptism

supplied by Martyrdom.-21. And by Faith and Repentance, in such

Catechumens as were piously preparing for Baptism.-22. The case of

Heretics returning to the Unity of the Church: how far Charity in that

case was thought to supply the want of Baptism.-23. The case of per-

sons communicating for a long time without Baptism: how far that was

thought to supply the want of Baptism.-24. The case of Infants dying

unbaptised: the opinion of the Ancients concerning it.

CHAP. III.

Of the Original, Nature, and Names of the ancient Creeds of

the Church.

SECT. 1. Why the Creed called Symbolem.-2. Why called Canon, and

Regula Fidei.-3. Why called Mathema.-4. Why called Toap and

Tpápμa.-5. Whether that which is commonly called the Apostles'

Creed, was composed by the Apostles in the present form of words.-

6. That probably the Apostles used several Creeds, differing in form, not

in substance.-7. What Articles were contained in the Apostolical

Creeds.

CHAP. IV.

A collection of several ancient Forms of the Creed out of the

Primitive Records of the Church.

SECT. 1. The Fragments of the Creed in Irenæus.-2. The Creed of Origen.
-3. The Fragments of the Creed in Tertullian.-4. The Fragments of
the Creed in Cyprian.-5. The Creed of Gregory Thaumaturgus.-6.
The Creed of Lucian the Martyr.-7. The Creed of the Apostolical Con-
stitutions.-8. The Creed of Jerusalem.-9. The Creed of Cæsarea in
Palestine.-10. The Creed of Alexandria.-11. The Creed of Antioch.
-12. The Roman Creed, commonly called the Apostles' Creed.-13. The
Creed of Aquileia.-14. The Nicene Creed, as first published by the
Council of Nice.-15. The Creeds in Epiphanius, completing the Nicene
Creed.-16. The Nicene Creed was completed by the Council of Con-
stantinople, Anno 381.-17. Of the use of the Nicene Creed in the An-
cient service of the Church: and when it was first taken in to be a part
of the Liturgy in the Communion-Office.-18. Of the Athanasian Creed.

CHAP. V.

Of the Original, Nature, and Reasons of that ancient discipline

of concealing the Sacred Mysteries of the Church, from the

sight and knowledge of the Catechumens.

SECT. 1. The Errors and Pretences of the Romanists upon this Point.-

2. This Discipline not strictly observed in the very first Ages of the

Church.-8. But introduced about the Time of Tertullian, for other

Reasons than what the Romanists pretend.-4. This proved from a par-

ticular Account of the things which they concealed from the Catechu-

mens. Which were, First, the Manner of administering Baptism.-

5. Secondly, The Manner of administering the holy Unction or Confir-

mation.-6. Thirdly, The ordination of Priests.-7. Fourthly, The

Liturgy, or Public Prayers of the Church, such as the Prayers for the

Energumens, Penitents, and the Faithful.-8. Fifthly, The Manner of

celebrating the Eucharist.-9. Sixthly, The Mystery of the Trinity,

the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer from the first Sort of Catechumens.-

10. Reasons for concealing these Things from the Catechumens. First,

That the Plainness and Simplicity of them might not be contemned.-

11. Secondly, To conciliate a Reverence for them.-12. Thirdly, To

make the Catechumens more desirous to know them.

BOOK XI.

ADMINIS-

OF THE RITES AND CUSTOMS OBSERVED IN THE

TRATION OF BAPTISM IN THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH.

CHAP. I.

Of the several names and appellations of Baptism in the

Primitive Church.

SECT. 1. THE names of Baptism most commonly taken from the Spiritual

Effects of it.-2. Hence Baptism called Indulgentia, Indulgence or

Absolution.-3. And IIaλıyyevɛoía, Regeneration; and Χρίσμα, the

Unction.-4. And wrioμds, Illumination.-5. And Salus, Salvation.-

6. From the Nature and Substance of it, it was called Mysterium, Sacra-

mentum, and Eppayis.-7. And Character Dominicus, the mark or

character of the Lord.-8. Why called the Sacrament of Faith and

Repentance.-9. The notation of the names, Baptism, Tinction, Laver.

That they do not universally denote immersion.-10. Of some other
names given to Baptism. The great Circumcision, Δῶρον and Χάρισμα,
the gift of the Lord, Viaticum, and Phylacterium, Teλeiwois, Múŋois,
and Symbola.