{"name":"directions","title":"Plain Directions for the more profitable use of this Book","text":"1\\. I Advise, That it may be gone through in a Family, constantly once a *Month.* To that end, I have divided it into *Thirty* parts, and fixt the *day* of the *Month,* at the head of every part in the Margent.\n\n2\\. Let it be once, or twice *distinctly read over,* and that by parts, so much only *at a time,* as is allotted for *one* day: As for example; from the *first* to the *fifth* question, the *first* day; from the *fifth,* to the *ninth* question, the *second* day; and so on to the end.\n\n3\\. When your first begin to examine your Family, let them answer *only within Book;* and after you have once, or twice, gone over the *whole Catechism* within Book, and that you perceive their understandings to be somewhat *inlightned,* then, *and not till then,* let them be required to answer *without Book.*\n\n4\\. In all your Examinations, through every Answer of the Catechism, keep *close,* and *constant* to these Questions.\n\nSuppose the first Question.\n\n1\\. Propose the Question, as it is in the Book, Thus;\n\nQ *What is the chief end of Man?* Then let the learner repeat the Answer; Thus.\n\nA. Mans chief end is to glorifie God, and to enjoy him for ever.\n\n2 Q. How many *Doctrines,* or *distinct Truths,* are in this Answer?\n\n*A.* There are *two.*\n\n3 Q. What is the *first* Doctrine in this Answer?\n\n*A.* That, *Mans chief end is, to glorifie God.*\n\n4 Q. How is this Doctrine *proved?*\n\n*A.* It is *proved* out of 1 *Cor.* 10.31. *Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.*\n\n5 Q. Where lies the *force* of this Text, to prove this Doctrine?\n\n*A.* In these words, *Do all to the glory of God.*\n\n6 Q. How *know* you, that the force lies in these words?\n\n*A.* Both by the *sense* of the words themselves, and also because *these words are printed with a different character, or letter, from other words of the same Text.*\n\n7 Q. But what if at any time, *as ’tis often in the Catechism,* all the words of the Text are printed *alike?*\n\n*A.* Then the *force* of the proof lies in the *whole* Text.\n\nHaving askt these *seven* Questions, then proceed to the *second* Doctrine; and ask the very self-same Questions, *and so of every Doctrine,* that shall be found in any Answer: Thus,\n\nQ. What is the second Doctrin?\n\n*A.* Next to the glorifying of God, to enjoy him for ever.\n\nQ. Why say you so? This is no Doctrine, for it is not full and perfect sense; therefore look narrowly into your Book, especially to the *first Doctrine,* and there you will find some other words, which being added to what you have said, the sense will be full and compleat.\n\n*Note with all care, that when ever you ask the Learner a Doctrine, be sure, he give you full, and compleat sense, especially in second, third, fourth, or fifth Doctrines, &c.* Now then,\n\nQ. 1. What is the *second* Doctrine in this Answer?\n\n*A.* That *Mans chief end, next to the glorifying of God, is to enjoy him for ever.*\n\nQ. 2. Now indeed you answer right. How is this Doctrine *proved?*\n\n*A.* It is *proved* out of *Psal.* 73.25, 26. *Whom have I in heaven,* &c.\n\nQ. 3. Where lies the *force* of this Text, to *prove* this Doctrine?\n\n*A.* In these words, *Whom have I in heaven but thee? none, that I desire besides thee.* v. 26. *God is my portion for ever.*\n\nQ. 4. How know you, that the force lies in these words?\n\n*A.* Both by the *sense* of the words themselves; and also *because these words are printed with a different character, from other words of the same Text.*\n\nHaving thus gone over the whole Answer, and proved the Doctrines contained therein; then proceed to the *several Scriptures,* and see, what *Doctrines* the Learner can observe from them. Thus,\n\nQ. 1. How *many* Texts of Scripture have you in this Answer?\n\n*A. Two.*\n\nQ. 2. Which is the first?\n\n*A.* 1 *Cor.* 10.31. *Whether therefore ye eat,* &c.\n\nQ. 3. What *Docirine* do you observe from this Text?\n\n*A.* I observe from this Text, that *Mans chief end is to glorifie God.*\n\nQ. 4. From *what words* of this Text do you observe that Truth?\n\n*A.* From these words, *Do all to the glory of God.*\n\nQ. 5. Why from these words?\n\n*A.* Because the *force* of the Text to prove this Truth, lies in them.\n\nThen proceed to the second Scripture: Thus,\n\nQ. 1. What is the second Text of Scripture in this Answer?\n\n*A. Psal.* 73.25, 26. *Whom have I in heaven but thee?* &c.\n\nQ. 2. What *Doctrine,* or Truth, do you observe from this Text?\n\n*A.* I observe from this Text, that *Mans chief end next to the glorifying of God, is to enjoy him for ever.*\n\nQ. 3. From *what words* of this Text do you observe that truth?\n\n*A.* From these words, *Whom have I in heaven, but thee? none that I desire besides thee.* 26. *God is my portion for ever.*\n\nQ. 4. Why from these words?\n\n*A.* Because the *force* of the Text to prove this truth, lies in them.\n\nQ. 5. What if at any time you find *all the words of the Texts of Scripture printed alike,* from *what words* then will you raise your Doctrine?\n\n*A.* Not from any particular words of the Text, but *from the whole.*\n\nIn this *familiar* and *rational* method, you may easily proceed to examine upon *every* Answer, and Scripture, in the *whole Catechism.*"}