The Orthodox, pious, and learned Author of these few ensuing Catechetical Principles of Religion, did, it seemeth, at first in•••• and commend them only to his own Parishioners, to be directions for all such godly house-holders, that desire to instruct and to train up their children and servants in the information, fear, and nurture of the Lord: But because every Question and Answer is so fully proved by many pregnant and apposite testimonies of Gods Word, to inform and satisfy young beginners in Religious ways; It hath been the hearty wish, and godly desire of many good Christians to have them Printed, that among other good means to build us up in our most holy faith, and to remove fond and wicked opinions, that run against, and labour to overthrow the very first elements and principles of Christianity,1 these few directions might be public and extant also. The method, the Author useth in them, is such, and the Questions and Answers are so wisely digested, that young beginners in piety may easily refer, what they hear ⟨image 3⟩in the public Assemblies, or read in godly books privately, to some of these heads, whereby they may be enabled, by Gods blessing, is give account to every man, that shall ask them a reason of the hope, that is in them with meekness and fear.2 The Lord of heaven establish and settle us in the truth, and by the faithful Ministry of his word weed out, and free us from all those nasty weeds of heresy and truth-overthrowing Schisms! That we the people of this Island, being quite delivered from the Prelatical popish yoke of former oppressions, and superstitions on the one side, and from old and new Heresies on the other side, may at length become a well refined Church, a people truly zealous of good works, that foreign Nations, seeing GOD'S blessing upon Englands Reformation, may begin also in good earnest, to hate the Whore of Babylon, and help to burn her with fire: That so away may be opened for the poor blind Jews to come in, and look on him, whom they have pierced: Which the Lord grant for Jesus Christ his sake.
THe Orthodox, pious, and learned Authour of these few ensuing Catecheticall Principles of Religion, did, it seemeth, at first in•••• and commend them onely to his owne Parishioners, to be directions for all such godly house-holders, that desire to instruct and to train up their children and servants in the information, feare, and nurture of the Lord: But because every Question and Answer is so fully proved by many pregnant and apposite testimonies of Gods Word, to informe and satisfie yong beginners in Religious ways; It hath beene the hearty wish, and godly desire of many good Christians to have them Printed, that among other good means to build us up in our most holy faith, and to remove fond and wicked opinions, that run against, and labour to overthrow the very first elements and principles of Christianity,1 these few directions might be publike and extant also. The method, the Authour useth in them, is such, and the Questions and Answers are so wisely digested, that yong beginners in piety may easily referre, what they heare ⟨image 3⟩in the publike Assemblies, or read in godly books privatly, to some of these heads, whereby they may be inabled, by Gods blessing, is give account to every man, that shall ask them a reason of the hope, that is in them with meeknesse and feare.2 The Lord of heaven establish and settle us in the truth, and by the faithfull Ministery of his word weed out, and free us from all those nasty weeds of heresie and truth-overthrowing Schismes! That wee the people of this Island, being quite delivered from the Prelaticall popish yoke of former oppressions, and superstitions on the one side, and from old and new Heresies on the other side, may at length become a well resined Church, a people truly zealous of good works, that forreign Nations, seeing GOD'S blessing upon Englands Reformation, may begin also in good earnest, to hate the Whore of Babylon, and help to burn her with fire: That so away may be opened for the poor blind Jews to come in, and look on him, whom they have pierced: Which the Lord grant for Jesus Christ his sake.
- 1Heb. 5.12
- 21 Pet. 3.15.
