Chapter 25 - Of Catechizing and of Comforting and Visiting the Sick
YOUTH TO BE INSTRUCTED IN GODLINESS. The Lord enjoined his ancient people to
exercise the greatest care that young people, even from infancy, be properly
instructed. Moreover, he expressly commanded in his law that they should teach
them, and that the mysteries of the sacraments should be explained. Now since it
is well known from the writings of the Evangelists and apostles that God has no
less concern for the youth of his new people, when he openly testifies and says:
"Let the children come to me; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven" (Mark
10:14), the pastors of the churches act most wisely when they early and
carefully caetchize the youth, laying the first grounds of faith, and faithfully
teaching the rudiments of our religion by expounding the Ten Commandments, the
Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the doctrine of the sacraments, with
other such principles and chief heads of our religion. Here let the Church show
her faith and diligence in bringing the children to be catechized, desirous and
glad to have her children well instructed.
THE VISITATION OF THE SICK. Since men are never exposed to more grievous
temptations than when they are harassed by infirmities, are sick and are
weakened by diseases of both soul and body, surely it is never more fitting for
pastors of churches to watch more carefully for the welfare of their flocks than
in such diseases and infirmities. Therefore let them visit the sick soon, and
let them be called in good time by the sick, if the circumstance itself would
have required it. Let them comfort and confirm them in the true faith, and then
arm them against the dangerous suggestions of Satan. They should also hold
prayer for the sick in the home and, if need be, prayers should also be made for
the sick in the public meeting; and they should see that they happily depart
this life. We said above that we do not approve of the popish visitation of the
sick with extreme unction because it is absurd and is not approved by canonical
Scriptures.