The following is an English translation of Frederick’s preface to the Heidelberg Catechism.¹ Frederick wrote this preface in 1563, the year of the Catechism’s publication. The preface demonstrates that the definition of the word schools is not malleable, obscure, or open to various interpretations. In Frederick’s day the schools were a known and clearly understood institution, just as they are today. When Lord’s Day 38 says “schools,” it means what Frederick meant when he said “schools” in his preface. The preface, then, demonstrates that the Reformed view of the Christian day school is that it is a requirement of God’s Sabbath and therefore a demand of God’s covenant. This exposes that it is deceitful to attempt to redefine “schools” in Lord’s Day 38 as seminaries or as homeschools. The attempt to redefine “schools” today is not an innocent attempt to exegete Lord’s Day 38 but is an attack on the Reformed doctrine of schools as that doctrine is found in the Heidelberg Catechism.

This English translation was printed in 1913.

Catechism or Christian Instruction as This is Carried on in Churches and Schools of the Electoral Palatinate

Printed in the Electoral City of Heidelberg by John Mayer 1563

We, Frederic, Archcarver and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Duke in Bavaria, by the grace of God, Elector Palatine on the Rhine, &c., present to all and each of our Superintendents, Pastors, Preachers, Officers of the Church, and Schoolmasters, throughout our Electorate of the Rhenish Palatinate, our grace and greeting, and do them, herewith, to wit:

Inasmuch as we acknowledge that we are bound by the admonition of the Divine word, and also by natural duty and relation, and have finally determined to order and administer our office, calling, and government, not only for the promotion and maintenance of quiet and peaceable living, and for the support of upright and virtuous walk and conversation among our subjects, but also and above all, constantly to admonish and lead them to devout knowledge and fear of the Almighty and His holy word of salvation, as the only foundation of all virtue and obedience, and to spare no pains, so far as in us lies, with all sincerity to promote their temporal and eternal welfare, and to contribute to the defence and maintenance of the same:

And, although apprised on entering upon our government, how our dear cousins and predecessors, Counts Palatine, Electors, &c., of noble and blessed memory, have instituted and proposed divers Christian and profitable measures and appliances for the furtherance of the glory of God and the upholding of civil discipline and order:

Notwithstanding this purpose was not in every respect prosecuted with the appropriate zeal, and the expected and desired fruit did not accrue therefrom—we are now induced not only to renew the same, but also, as the exigencies of the times demand, to improve, reform, and further to establish them. Therefore we also have ascertained that by no means the least defect of our system is found in the fact, that our blooming youth is disposed to be careless in respect to Christian doctrine, both in the schools and churches of our principality—some, indeed, being entirely without Christian instruction, others being unsystematically taught, without any established, certain, and clear catechism, but merely according to individual plan or judgment; from which, among other great defects, the consequence has ensued, that they have, in too many instances, grown up without the fear of God and the knowledge of His word, having enjoyed no profitable instruction, or otherwise have been perplexed with irrelevant and needless questions, and at times have been burdened with unsound doctrines.

And now, whereas both temporal and spiritual offices, government and family discipline, cannot otherwise be maintained—and in order that discipline and obedience to authority and all other virtures (sic) may increase and be multiplied among subjects—it is essential that our youth be trained in early life, and above all, in the pure and consistent doctrine of the holy Gospel, and be well exercised in the proper and true knowledge of God:

Therefore, we have regarded it as a high obligation, and as the most important duty of our government, to give attention to this matter, to do away with this defect, and to introduce the needful improvements:

And accordingly, with the advice and cooperation of our entire theological faculty in this place, and of all Superintendents and distinguished servants of the Church, we have secured the preparation of a summary course of instruction or catechism of our Christian Religion, according to the word of God, in the German and Latin languages; in order not only that the youth in churches and schools may be piously instructed in such Christian doctrine, and be thoroughly trained therein, but also that the Pastors and Schoolmasters themselves may be provided with a fixed form and model, by which to regulate the instruction of youth, and not, at their option, adopt daily changes, or introduce erroneous doctrine:

We do herewith affectionately admonish and enjoin upon every one of you, that you do, for the honour of God and our subjects, and also for the sake of your own soul’s profit and welfare, thankfully accept this proffered Catechism or course of instruction, and that you do diligently and faithfully represent and explain the same according to its true import, to the youth in our schools and churches, and also from the pulpit to the common people, that you teach, and act, and live in accordance with it, in the assured hope, that if our youth in early life are earnestly instructed and educated in the word of God, it will please Almighty God also to grant reformation of public and private morals, and temporal and eternal welfare. Desiring, as above said, that all this may be accomplished, we have made this provision.

“Given at Heidelberg, Tuesday, the nineteenth of January, in the year 1563 after the birth of Christ, our dear Lord and Saviour.”