xxii It is stated by Bingham83, but without any reference to ancient authors, that “the child of believing parents, as they were baptized in infancy, were admitted Catechumens as soon as they were capable of learning.”  Though the title “Catechumen” was not usually applied to those who had been already baptized, it is probable that such children were admitted to the Lectures addressed to Catechumens both in the earlier and later stage of their preparation:  for it seems to be implied in the passage quoted above from Cat. xv. 18, that admission was not limited to the candidates for Baptism. To believe and to be baptized are the two essential conditions of membership in Christ’s Church84:  but for the admission of new converts to the class of Catechumens nothing more could be required than evidence of a sincere desire to understand, to believe, and ultimately to be baptized. We know that unbelievers, Jews, and Heathens were allowed in the Apostolic age to be present at times in the Christian assemblies85; and in Cyril’s days they stood in the lower part of the Church (νάρθηξ) to hear the Psalms, Lessons, and Sermon86. Any persons who by thus hearing the word, or by other means, were brought to believe the truth of Christianity, and to wish for further instruction, were strictly examined as to their character, belief, and sincerity of purpose.  The care with which such examinations were conducted is thus described by Origen:  “The Christians, however, having previously, so far as possible, tested the souls of those who wish to become their hearers, and having previously admonished them in private, when they seem, before entering the community, to have made sufficient progress in the desire to lead a virtuous life, they then introduce them, having privately formed one class of those who are just beginners, and are being in- troduced, and have not yet received the mark of complete purification; and another of those who have manifested to the best of their ability the purpose of desiring no other things than are approved by Christians87.”  Such as were thus found worthy of admission were brought 83 Antiq. X. i. § 4. 84 Mark xvi. 16; Acts xviii. 8. 85 1 Cor. xiv. 23. 86 Apostolic Constitutions, VIII. i. § 5:  “And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, and our Epistles, and Acts, and Gospels, let him that is ordained…speak to the people the word of exhortation, and when he has ended his discourse of doctrine, all standing up, let the Deacon ascend upon some high seat, and proclaim, Let none of the hearers, let none of the unbelievers stay:  and silence being made, let him say, Ye Catechumens, pray, and let all the Faithful pray for them.” 87 Contra Celsum, iii. c. 51.  Cf. Const. Apost. viii. 32:  “Let them be examined as to the causes wherefore they come to the word of the Lord, and let those who bring them inquire exactly about their character, and give them their testimony.  Let their manners and their life be inquired into, and whether they be slaves or free,” &c. 23 Catechetical Instruction.