To the Reader

We are very happy (I know) in Catechisms, which to the Inhabitants of this Valley of Vision will be either the Means of Knowledge, or the Shame of Ignorance. The Variety of these Forms of sound Words, while they all speak for Substance the same thing, and are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, derogates not at all from the Honour of the Christian Doctrine; but rather, like the setting up of several Candles in the same Room, helps to diffuse the Light, and make it stronger. Many very excellent Expositions we have both of the Church Catechism, and of the Assemblies, and an ancient and profitable one of Mr. Ball’s; and yet some encourage me to hope, that this Essay, which is in a Way not hitherto us’d, that I know of, will be found not altogether useless. Two Things I aim at in it: One is, To put the Catechism into such a Dress as to make it (if possible) both easie and copious, so as that it may not be an insuperable Task to the Learner, and yet may furnish him with Plenty of useful Knowledge. The Bulk of it (which somewhat exceeds my first Intentions) shews it to be copious; and yet I think it is made very easie, by breaking of it into so many short Questions, and those answer’d by Yes or No, which the Learner may at first content himself with, the Teacher, if he pleases, reading the Proofs; and by degrees the Learner, that is willing to take a little Pains, and begins to be vers’d in the Scriptures, will find it no great Difficulty to charge his Memory with most of the Proofs annex’d, which the Question oftentimes easily introduceth, and which by frequent Use will in time become familiar. I remember to have seen an Explanation of the Assemblies shorter Catechism (and I think it was the first that ever was publish’d) by that great Man, the Reverend Dr. Wallis of Oxford; which was done by breaking the Propositions of the Catechism into short Questions, answer’d (as this) with Yes or No. That Performance, tho’ very short, was an excellent Precedent, directing to a Method of Catechizing which hath been of good Use to enrich the Understanding of the Learners, without overloading their Memories. The Text subjoin’d here will shew that our Yea is Yea, and our Nay, Nay. To make this the more easie, the several Sections under each Article may be allotted to several Catechumens.

But another thing I aim at (and indeed the chief) is, to promote the Knowledge of the Scriptures. Divine Truths, methinks, sound best in Divine Language; and the Things which God has reveal’d to us by his Spirit cannot be convey’d in a more safe and proper Vehicle than by the Words which the Holy Ghost teacheth, (1 Cor. 2. 10, 13.) which tho’ I would be far from superstitiously tying my self or others to, yet I confess I cannot but think they should be chosen rather. I have sometimes observ’d how the Evangelist rectifies a Mistake which rose upon a Saying of Christ, only by repeating the very Words spoken, Joh. 21. 23. He said not he shall not die, but if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? He said so, and no more; add then not to his Words. We are directed not only to think, but to speak, according to this Word, Isa. 8. 20.

It is especially profitable to acquaint Children betimes with their Bibles, and to shew them their Religion there. Timothy’s Catechism was the Scripture, which he knew ἀπὸ βρέφους, from his very Infancy, 2 Tim. 3. 15. They that are ready, and mighty, in the Scriptures, will be throughly furnished for every good Work, and throughly fortified against every evil Work. What I have here endeavour’d may (I hope) prove a good Expedient for this Purpose; obliging my self to produce a Text of Scripture for every Question, it cannot be thought they should all be alike apposite; perhaps here and there one may be found that is diverted from its primary Intention by an Allusion only, (which I think is warranted by divers of the New Testament Quotations out of the Old) yet I hope there are none perverted. Were we more conversant with the inspired Writings, we should (as one of the Antients speaks) adore the Fulness of the Scriptures. I have quoted the Texts as concisely as I could, in hopes the diligent Reader, that searches the Scripture daily, will be stirr’d up to look further into the Places referr’d to, which he will often find very well worth his while. To that end I have all along added the Book, Chapter and Verse; which yet it is needless for them that learn by Heart to trouble themselves with.

To the Service of such Ministers, Governors of Families, and other Christians, as shall see Cause to make use of such a Help, with an entire Dependance upon the Grace and Blessing of God for the Acceptableness and Usefulness of it, this small Oblation is humbly tender’d by one that is earnestly desirous to increase in Scripture Knowledge, and Ambitious of the Honour of being any way instrumental to propagate it.

Chester, Oct. 27. 1702.

Matth. Henry.