The Second Helvetic Confession
CHAPTER XXV
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.
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