{"name":"an-epistle-to-the-reader","title":"An Epistle to the Reader","text":"That Popish Axiome is long since exploded, that Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion. The World doth now see, that without knowledg the mind is not good. And look as no knowledg is so necessary, as that of the Grounds and Principles of Christian Religion; so no way is so apt to convey it to the minds of men, as that which is called Catechistical. More knowledge is ordinarily diffus’d, especially amongst the ignorant and younger sort, by one hours Catechistical exercise, than by many hours continued discourses. This way helps the understanding whilst it provokes the attention; many elaborate Sermons being lost through the inadvertency of the hearers. Thus not only ignorance is cur’d, but error also is prevented; too many being disguided because they were not at first well grounded in the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ. For such reasons as these, we highly approve the labours of this Reverend Brother, in his Explanation of the Assemblies shorter Catechism. And having, to our great satisfaction, perus’d it our selves, in whole or in part, do readily recommend it unto others: for though he compos’d it at first for his own particular Congregation, yet we judge it may be greatly useful to all Christians in general, especially to private Families. The manner of using it in Families must be left to the discretion of the Masters and Governors respectively: though yet we concur with the Author, and think it advisable (as he hints in one of his Epistles) that after a Question in the Catechism is propounded, and an Answer without book return’d by one of the Family, the same person, or some other be call’d upon to read (if not rehearse) the explanation of it, the rest reading along with him, in several books; by which means their thoughts (which are apt to wander) will be the more intent upon what they are about. To conclude, though the Assemblies shorter Catechism it self be above our recommendation, as having its praises already in the Churches of Christ, yet we think it good to give it under our hands, that this Explanation of it is very worthy of acceptation.\n\n- J. Owen D.D.\n- Joseph Caryl\n- G. Griffeth\n- Hen. Stubs\n- Edm. Calamy\n- Matt. Barker\n- Joh. Loder\n- Joh. Ryther\n- Nic. Blaikie\n- Jam. Janeway\n- Hen. Vaughan\n- Will. Maddocks\n- Joh. Turner\n- Will. Thomson.\n- T. Manton D.D.\n- Will. Jenkyn\n- Chr. Fowler\n- T. Lye\n- T. Cawton\n- T. Brooks\n- Ben. Needler\n- Dan. Bull\n- Char. Morton\n- Will. Carslacke\n- Rob. Franklin\n- Matt. Sylvester\n- Nath. Vincent\n- T. Jacomb D.D.\n- T. Case.\n- T. Watson\n- T. Doolittell\n- Jam. Innes.\n- Joh. Wells\n- Rich. Mayo\n- Joh. Hickes\n- Edw. Veal\n- Edw. West.\n- Edw. Lawrence\n- Joh. Chester.\n- Jam. Sharpe"}