I Shall not need to use many words either of commendation of this small Treatise, seeing the bare name of him that was the chief Author thereof, I suppose may be enough to obtain sufficient esteem for it, with those that have known him, either by his learned writings, or powerful Ministry. Nor of Apology for my self in adventuring to cast this little mite into the Lords Treasury from him that hath been able to give such abundance in greater Volumes, seeing it pleased ⟨image 3⟩him to commit unto my care both this and other of his labours, earnestly desiring that if there were any thing found among his writings, that might be thought profitable for the public good, I should use my best endeavour to have it published; I have therefore thought it my duty to the living if not to the dead, that the end aimed at by him might not be frustrated: Some of his works have been published since his death, and more have been long since ready for the Press; which I hope shall ere long come forth. I know it was the Authors purpose to have made a more complete and exact Catechism if the Lord had prolonged his life; but he having finished his allotted task, God took him home to rest from all his labours; however it was his desire in the mean time to publish these short grounds, for the benefit of the younger sort, which are very briefly propounded for the help of memory, and ⟨image 3⟩most easy and plain for understanding of the most simple; and yet if we mark them, we may perceive very much matter comprehended in a few words. It comes unto thine hands entire for the most part as it was left by him, very little being added or altered; the whole frame I have cast into a short Table at the beginning, to the end the learner may first see and learn the whole method and substance in a few words; as also I have set down the substance (at least) of those special proofs that confirm these Principles; to the end thou mayest save thy labour for searching the places of Scripture quoted, as also that such as learn the Answers, they may by degrees learn also, and know the words of the chief proofs; for by this means they may profit more soundly, when their faith shall be grounded not upon the weak foundation of humane Authority; but upon ⟨image 4⟩the most perfect and sure words of God; learn them therefore diligently, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
I Shall not neede to vse many words either of commendation of this small Treatise, seeing the bare name of him that was the cheife Author therof, I suppose may be enough to obtaine sufficient esteeme for it, with those that haue knowne him, either by his learned writings, or powerfull Ministery. Nor of Apologie for my selfe in aduenturing to cast this little mite into the Lords Treasury from him that hath beene able to giue such abundance in greater Volumes, seeing it pleased ⟨image 3⟩him to commit vnto my care both this and other of his labours, earnestly desiring that if there were any thing found among his writings, that might bee thought profitable for the publike good, I should vse my best endeauour to haue it published; I haue therefore thought it my duty to the liuing if not to the dead, that the end aymed at by him might not be frustrated: Some of his workes haue beene published since his death, and more haue beene long since ready for the Presse; which I hope shall ere long come forth. I know it was the Authors purpose to haue made a more compleate and exact Catechisme if the Lord had prolonged his life; but he hauing finished his allotted taske, God tooke him home to rest from all his labours; howeuer it was his desire in the meane time to publish these short grounds, for the benefit of the younger sort, which are very briefely propounded for the helpe of memory, and ⟨image 3⟩most easie and plaine for vnderstanding of the most simple; and yet if wee marke them, wee may perceiue very much matter comprehended in a few words. It comes vnto thine hands entire for the most part as it was left by him, very little being added or altered; the whole frame I haue cast into a short Table at the beginning, to the end the learner may first see and learne the whole methode and substance in a few words; as also I haue set downe the substance (at least) of those speciall proofes that confirme these Principles; to the end thou mayest saue thy labour for searching the places of Scripture quoted, as also that such as learne the Answeres, they may by degrees learne also, and know the words of the chiefe proofes; for by this meanes they may profit more soundly, when their faith shall bee grounded not vpon the weake foundation of humane Authoritie; but vpon ⟨image 4⟩the most perfect and sure words of God; learne them therefore diligently, and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things.
