OR THE

ANTIQUITIES

OF

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH,

AND

OTHER WORKS,

OF THE

REV. JOSEPH BINGHAM, M.A.

Formerly Fellow of University College, Oxford; and afterwards Rector of
Headbourn Worthy, and Havant, Hampshire;

WITH A

SET OF MAPS OF ECCLESIASTICAL GEOGRAPHY,

TO WHICH ARE NOW ADDED,

SEVERAL SERMONS,

AND OTHER MATTER, NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED,

The whole Revised and Edited, together with

A Biographical Account of the Author,

BY HIS GREAT GRANDSON,

THE REV. RICHARD BINGHAM, B.C.L.

Prebendary of Chichester, Vicar of Hale Magna,

Incumbent of Gosport Chapel, and formerly Fellow of New College, Oxford.

IN EIGHT VOLUMES.-VOL. III.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR WILLIAM STRAKER,

433, WEST STRAND.

MDCCCXXXIV.

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. I. 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 Ewgμɛvoi, or Catechumens privately instructed without

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

Thirdly, the Tóvv Kλívovтes, 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