THere are three things most worthy our Ministerial Work and Endeavours , and most desirable to be found in the Flocks committed to our Charge and Oversight : 1. The saving Knowledge of the Truth . 2. A Judgment to discern between Truths and Errors ; especially , such as concern Faith and Holiness , the Principles of the Oracles of God , and the things which accompany Salvation . 3. A gracious , lively Spirit , sincerely devoted to God in Christ , and strongly inclined to holy Exercises , and practice of Religious Duties . Or , if you will , take all in three short Sentences : 1. Conviction of Judgment of Saving Truth , and damning Errors . 2. Sound Conversion to God. 3. A Conversation according to the Will of God , revealed in the Gospel .

The Church is called God's Husbandry , and God's Building , 1 Cor. 3.9 . and Ministers are highly dignified , when called Workers together with God , 2 Cor. 6.1 . and Labourers together with God , 1 Cor. 3.9 . The Field is God's , the Seed is his , the Husbandry is his , and the Increase is given by him . We are Labourers together with him , enabled by him , and working by his power and influence , under him , and for him . All our Sufficiency is of God , 2 Cor. 3.5 . without him , we are nothing , and can do nothing . Who then is Paul ? and who is Apollos ? but Ministers by whom ye believed , as the Lord gave to every man . I have planted , Apollos watered ; but God gave the increase . So then , neither is he that planteth any thing , nor he that watereth , but God that giveth the increase , 1 Cor. 3.5,6,7 . As we are Husband-men , we must sow and plant ; but that is not all , we must also mound and fence our Fields and Plantations . As we are Builders , we must lay the Foundation , carry on the Building , by Edification in Faith , 1 Tim. 1.4 . and secure the Building , that it fall not , like an House built upon the Sand. This Husbandry is elsewhere called a Garden , and this Building called an House . How graciously doth the Most High condescend to delight himself in , and to be entertained by his Church , as by a Royal Spouse , with his own Graces and Gifts , the Fruits of his Holy Spirit , when they are in Act , put forth , and exercised , as in a Garden of Spices , and Orchard of Pomegranates , or at a Table prepared for him ! Cant. 4.14,15,16 . chap. 5.1 . and 1.12 . What a blessed Life may we lead by walking with God , appearing before him , calling upon him , praising him , and hearing him speak ! There is ordinary ( not mean , but rich and plentiful ) and extraordinary Entertainment for hungry , feeding Believers , in the Ordinances of the Gospel . In the Gospel there is a Feast prepared , and that a Wedding-Feast , a Wedding-Feast of a King's Son , his only Son , the Prince of Life ; but they who sit at it , must have a Wedding-Garment , the Ornament of Grace , Faith , Repentance and Love , a Suitableness of heart , and Preparation , Matth 22.

2. Towards this most desirable End , there are three things to be found in this little Book ; 1. Here are the Foundations of Faith and Godliness laid ; a View of the Principles of Christian Religion , according to the Word of God , out of which they are gathered , and by which they are proved , and agreeing with the appproved Doctrine of the Reformed Churches . 2. Here are the most important Doctrines , briefly touched in these Principles , cleared , proved , desended , and rescued out of the hands of them who have handled the Word of God deceitfully , and have led many into the Errors of the Wicked ; that the studious Christian may know what he ought to contend for , and to continue in ; and how to maintain his Ground . 3. Here are Directions for Practice of several great Duties of all baptized Christians ; 1. How to improve the Doctrine of the most holy Trinity , the Mystery of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , and his Baptism , or Entrance into Covenant with God. 2. Direction for Prayer , with a Prayer taken out of the Catechism , for the most part . 3. Direction for the Communion in the Lord's Supper .

3. Of these three Parts , be pleased to take this following Account .

1. Some time since , a little Book was printed , called Principles made practical , directing the poorer , and weaker sort of Christians , who had learnt the shorter Catechism , and could not buy , nor spare time to read other profitable Books , to make use of their Catechism , to furnish them with matter for Prayer , and Preparation for the Lord's Table . As mean and defective as it was , it was attended with a Blessing to many that embraced it , as an help to them ; and therein I rejoice . That Impression being sold off , and worn out in the hands of many , long ago , another Edition of it hath been much desired , and called for from many places . I have re-viewed it , corrected the Faults in the Sence of it , and begged of God to open a passage for it ; and seeing it was blessed before in a plain , homely dress , I have not at all trimmed or adorned it . To those two Duties , I have now added another Chapter , of the practical use of the Doctrine of the glorious , eternal Trinity , and improvement of Baptism , upon these Considerations : 1. The Doctrine of the Trinity hath been , and is looked upon as a meer Speculation , under a Veil of Mysteriousness ; as if it were as dangerous to look into it , as it was into the Ark : Whereas , though it be an high and glorious Mystery to be adored , and with profoundest Reverence and Humility to be studied and taught , yet it is revealed by God himself , as the Object of our Faith and Worship . See Calvin 's Instit. l. 1. c. 13. Sect. 28 , 21. Perfecta scientia est sic Deum scire , ut licet non ignorabilem , tamen inen●…rabilem sci●… , Hilar. De P. & ●it . Unitate . So God reveals himself in the Creation of the World , in the Creation of Man , and in the Covenant of Grace . When we are admitted into Covenant , and made visibly free of the City of God , we are devoted to God the Father , the Son , and the Holy Ghost . This Doctrine is a Fundamental of our Christian Faith , and therefore to be explained to the People of God , in Covenant with him , as far as it is revealed in his Word ; and that is enough for our present State. 2. The very Titles and Appellations of the Persons in the Godhead inform us of the exceeding great usefulness of the Knowledge of the Trinity . Hath God revealed himself as a Father , and would he not have his Children know him , and be the better for it ? Hath he made known himself , as the Son , and Holy Ghost , and not intend us a particular Kindness by it ? He most graciously conveys to his People the Knowledge and Assurance of most astonishing , incomprehensible Love , Grace , Power and Goodness to allure and draw us into his Covenant , to oblige us to take him for our God , and become his Sons and Daughters ; that we , ignorant , lost , miserable , helpless Sinners might become happy for ever in him . 3. As the Plurality of Persons , or one God , and three Persons are revealed to us , so the practical Vse and Benefit of it is also revealed ; and therefore it is to be opened to his Covenant-people . As soon as we know the Covenant , and our Entrance into it , we know our God to be the Father , the Son , and the Holy Ghost . And this Knowledge is not laid up for the Wise and Learned ( which hath been most depraved by , and lost in those proud , and subtile , and learned Wits in all Ages ; ) but laid open before the Faith of the weakest Believer , to whom it is revealed . I am verily perswaded ( saith the judicious Mr. Lawson ) that the Mystery of the Trinity is more clearly and fully delivered in the Scripture , than we understand it , Theopolitica , p 32. N. 3. And I have wondred how familiarly that Man of Search and Reach , Dr. Thomas Goodwyn , speaks of it , as if he saw how it was , in his excellent Discourse of the Knowledge of God , 2 Vol. Fol. We must humbly follow the Scripture-Light , and dive into this Deep no further than our Line doth reach ; growing more and more in Grace and Knowledge , till we come to see him face to face , and to know him , as we are also known . I cannot but observe the Doctrine of the excellent and modest Melancthon : These things are wonderful , and above the Creature 's reach . Sed scimus , &c. But we know these Mysteries are revealed to the Church , that we may worship and call upon God aright , &c. Christ would have the sum of the Gospel to be comprehended in this first Ceremony ( of Baptism ; ) wherefore he testifies at once , that we are received of God ; and teacheth us , who God is , and what God we invocate , and what he doth bestow upon us I baptize thee in the Name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost ; that is to say , I testifie that thou art received of the Eternal Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost ; that by their Mercy and Power thou mayest be delivered from Sin , and eternal Death , and be endowed with Righteousness and eternal Life . — He makes a Covenant with thee in Baptism , and affirmeth , that he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , and that he appointed the Son to be a Propitiation , and sent the Holy Ghost to begin in thee Righteousness and eternal Life . Loc. Commun . de 3. Personis , it . de Filio . The glorious , infinite God , Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , is the Object and Foundation of our Faith and Hope , the bottomless , incomprehensible Spring of all Grace , Promises , Blessings and Privileges granted in the New Testament ; and being so made known , we , by Faith , acknowledge him as such , and promise Love and Obedience to him . We receive from the Father , through the Son , by the Holy Ghost , Grace and Life , even all manner of Grace ; and all that are alive , live by them , upon them , and to them : Therefore again , the Knowledge of this Mystery is practical , and necessary to Salvation ; for except we believe , and worship God , as he hath revealed himself ; except we keep Covenant with him , as God , in Covenant , and that as he hath declared himself therein , how can we be saved ? By him , as thus made known , we are quickned , strengthned , encouraged and comforted in all our Services , and every step of Duty , in our way to Heaven . The reverend and learned Beza observes , That Arrius , Sabellius , Actius , and other ancient Hereticks , did many ways pollute and prophane the most holy Mystery of the Trinity ; but none of them ever grew to that degree of Impudence , as to rank the Knowledge of it among things unnecessary , and which , if known , make no Man the better , Vol. Tractat. Theol. fol. p. 100. De Haeret. Puniendis . The necessity of knowing and believing the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost To Be ( that is , according to their meaning , that there is a Son , and Holy Ghost , as well as the Father , but not Co-essential ) is professed by the Socinians , Racov. Catech c. 6. p. 30,31 . So that he is no Christian , who doth not believe it . But what they say , is not sufficient . As the Being of one God is the Foundation of all Religion ; so that this God is Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , as the God of all Grace in Covenant is the Foundation of the Christian Religion , and distinguisheth it from that of Heathens , Mahumetans and Jews : And it is such a Foundation , as is a living Root to the Tree of spiritual Knowledge , and eternal Life to every true Believer . Our Orthodox Divines assign it the chief place in Fundamentals , and practical Doctrines ; and therefore it is of great use and benefit to have it , and the Benefits of it declared . So doth the most reverend Archbishop Usher often profess ; Serm. before King James I on Ephes. 4 13. Bishop Prideaux , Praelec 17. de Sancta Trinitate , N. 3 7. Hornbeck , Socin . Confutat . lib 1 cap. 9. it . Disputat . Theol. 4. & inter vetera & nova , lib. 2. cap 2. Unicum est Religionis Fundamentum saith Beza , Loc Citat . Zanch de 3. Flohim . lib. 5 cap 9. Partis Secundae . Mr. Baxter , Theol. Method . p 76 Q2 . it . p. 122. N. 10. Ursin Catech. Explicat à Pareo . p. 159 Q8 . Dr Owen , of the Trinity , and of the Holy Ghost , lib 1. p. 8. p. 44. Sect 4. p. 126. Dr. Potter , &c

4. The practical use and benefit of it being known , it is a great inducement to Christians to study it , and a furtherance of their Faith , Hope and Joy , and all other Graces ; and it will engage them to hold fast the revealed Doctrine of it ; which is most necessary in these Days , when they who display their Banners against our Church ( and one Factor for them , who hath served , and dis-served his Principals , borrowed an Argument of the same stamp ; but he will write no more ) would drive us into a Belief of T●ansubstantiation , because we believe a Trinity , and an Incarnation ; which if we should admit , they might not only brand us : as the foulest Hereticks that ever were since Christ left the World , but for being so . But this Insinuation of an Antichristian Error of theirs , hath brought forth an excellent Discourse , in two Parts ; The Doctrine of the Trinity , and Transubstantiation compared . Of the practical Vse of the Mastery of the Trinity , the words of Armenius are notable : At verò Oeconomiae & Dispensationis &c. But if respect be had to that Dispensation , in which the Father , in the Son , and both through the Holy Ghost , hath perfected our Salvation admirabilis est dulcedinis , &c. it is of wonderful sweetness , and doth produce most exuberant Fruits of Faith , Hope and Charity , Considence and Trust , Fear and Obedience in the Hearts of the Faithful . Dispur . Publica Sexta , Sect. 12. Oper. 4 p 192. But his Followers in other Opinions , leave him here , where they should follow him , as the learned Professors of Leiden shew : Censura in Confessionem , c. 3. p. 56,57 . where they shew the practical Vse of the Doctrine of the Trinity . Nor do they shew the injustice of the Censure , but plead for their Silence and Caution ; Exam. Censurae , p. 51. The English Reader , that can , may consult reverend Dr. Cheynel . of the Divine Trin-Vnity , cap. 9. Mr. Baxter , of the Knowledge of God , p 8 , &c.

5. Much has been written about Baptism controversially , and but little that I have seen about the practical Vse of it . It is a great Duty , and Grace to improve it , to the Ends of it , and much neglected . Parents are generally importunate to have their Children baptized , and as generally negligent to train them up as baptized Members , in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord ; and so we have so many ignorant and ungodly in the visible Church . I wish what is written upon the Subject , were more common , and more understood , by the reverend Dr. S. Ford , of the practical Vse of Infant Baptism : Dr. Manton's Sermon of the Improvement of Baptism , in the Supplement of the Morning-Exercise , at Cripple gate : Mr. Joseph Whiston , his Essay to revive the primitive Practice of Infant Baptism : And Mr. Daniel Rogers , of the Sacraments , speaks with Light and Life . Though having room here to speak thus much in this place , for these things , I have said but little in that first Chapter , because limited .

2. In the second Chapter , I have shewed the Vse which may be made of the Catechism , to accommodate the sincere , fervent Soul with Matter for Prayer . It is a Temptation to neglect the Duty , when there is want of Mattter to utter before God. If any will object , that this will be to bring People to pray by rote , as they say their Catechism by rote ; and to bring them to a Form : I answer to the first ; this Objection may be set up to neglect Catechizing and Teaching , and so is impious and erroneous . Again , As God hath blessed Catechizing to his Church , so by often and serious Meditation upon the particular Points of Catechism , their Knowledge increaseth , and comes to be enlarged , beyond the Words of the Catechism , so it may work upon the Affections also ; and then they may also enlarge in Prayer , beyond the Lines of this Prayer , if they can , and when need is . But as what is necessary and profitable to be learnt and believed , is comprehended in the Catechism , so what is generally necessary to be asked , is contained in the Prayer . And they who are convinced , and believe the Truth of the Doctrine taught , according to the Scripture , will pray with Vnderstanding , and by Faith , believing and knowing what they pray . And if some are commended for turning Sermons into Prayer , I see as much reason for turning a Catechism into Prayer . Yea , but this is to bring them to a Form. What then ? Take away Formality , and senseless Customariness , and running a Stage , or a Round of Prayer , without Preparation , Attention , or Care , what Answers are made , and what can be judiciously or charitably said against a Form of Prayer ? Whereas many holy , and very able Ministers , as well as private Christians , have in Judgment chosen a Form ; at least , ordinarily : And a Form is necessary to others , because of Weakness . Do you , who object against all use of Forms , really think , that whoever is regenerate and sanctified , hath the Spirit for Extempore Prayer ; by which I mean , a present Ability to vary Words and Matter upon all Occasions ? And that none have the Spirit of Christ , or Adoption , but such as can do , or such as do so ; and that they who keep ordinarily to the same Matter and Words , are destitute of the Spirit ? Or do you think that Professors in these Days , have more of the Spirit , than holy Men had in former times ? You will never be able to prove these things , and you are confutable by Clouds of Examples of holy and able Men , excellent for Gifts . If you say the Spirit is limited in a Form of Prayer , take heed you do not limit the Spirit to a sort of Men. The Spirit of Grace doth excite his own Graces in the Soul that prayeth ; and those Graces act according to the Capacity of them that pray ; and also brings many things to mind , which were not thought of before ; and when God brings in Matter , he doth help to utter it , but not all alike . I condemn lary , heartless Formality ; mine own practice is known to many ; but I honour the Name and Memory of holy and eminent Men and Fathers , who had the Spirit of Holiness in a great measure , who used Forms on ordinary stated Times and Occasions : And I would not discourage sincere weak ones from using a good Form , lest I dis-hearten them from praying at all . Let me add ; I do not teach any to be tied up to a Form , the same number of Words and Petitions for all times ; but give Directions for Matter and Vse of Prayer ; with a Prayer , that may be daily used with Acceptation , if prayed with Vnderstanding , and Faith , and other Graces . It hath been the Study of many , and some of them able , good Men , much an Prayer , to publish Prayers fitted to several Occasions : But , alas ! what can they do , if the Hearts of them that use them are not fitted for them ? It is not Devotion that is printed in a Book , but what is kindled in the Heart : And he is poor indeed , that hath not a Prayer for his Mouth , except his Book be in his Pocket , or before his Eyes .

There is great reason for these Exhortations , Pray without ceasing , and Continue in Prayer ; for we have continual cause to draw near to God. And we that are Ministers have to do with many Souls , in various Conditions ; and general Praying is no more effectual , than general Preaching : In the one , there are particular Applications of the Word to Men's Hearts , from God ; in the other , particular Applications to God , on the behalf of Men , according to particular Conditions . And there is a more excellent way , than making a Prayer of Patches taken out of Books of Devotion : The holy Scripture is the Prayer-book ; it affords Matter for Prayer , as well as Preaching : And how can that Man preach , that cannot pray ? And this of praying with , and for particular Persons in private , and also in publick if the Case require it , according to their particular Cases , is one of those , Every good Work , for which we should be furnished , 2 Tim 3.16 . Those Men whom God honoured most in the Reformation , and Edification , and Comfort of his Church , have been most like to Elijah for praying : And we should study to shew our selves Men approved of God , in this part of our Ministry , with sound Judgment , heavenly Wisdom , and holy Affections . Epaphras was wont to labour fervently in Prayer , Col. 4.12 . And the Apostle besought the Romans to strive together with him in Prayer , Rom 15.30 . But yet this striving , though in some active Spirits , it cannot be confined to a set Form of Words , doth not require us to lay aside all Forms , which many holy Men that I could name , have used , out of Judgment and Choice ; and have prevailed with God , by Faith and Fervency . And let those who speak much of praying , and daily , or frequently pray apart , and together , took well to the matter , and to their Spirits , and see that they do not offer the Sacrifice of Fools , nor be rash to utter a Matter before God. And it were better with the Church of God , if we did put on Charity , if we were cloathed with Humility , if we disputed less about Forms , and prayed more with all manner of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit , Ephes. 6.18 . Vnbelief and Hypocrisie are a dead Load upon the Heart , and keep Prayer from ascending . When a Man's Heart is God's , and when the Prayers we make , are our own Sense , offered up in the Name of Christ , by the Spirit of Adoption , according to the Will of God , we shall be heard . Yet I would not be understood , as if Prayer were not a Duty of Natural Religion , or that only regenerate Persons should pray ; but they , be sure , pray acceptably . Wrangle not your selves into Breaches of Communion , and Dis-union of the Spirit ; and let all things be done in Peace . And so I offer this Help to such as need it , as God shall be pleased to make it serviceable . Of Forms , and Extempore Prayers , you may see Bishop Downham , of the Lord's Prayer , p 137. And Mr. Baxter's Cases .

3. The last Chapter of this Part contains Directions for Self-Examination , and Preparation for the Table of the Lord ; Behaviour at it , and after it . Much hath been printed upon this Subject , and yet Communicants are comparatively few , and prepared ones , we fear , are fewer . The low and distracted , broken state of the Church of Christ , is matter of Grief and Mourning . How unlike are we to a Body animated by the same Spirit , joined to the same Head ! How many live and die , grown to Years , that never tasted of the Supper ! How many but very seldom ! How many are ignorant , prophane , negligent , stupid , do we what we can ! Oh , that Longing after , and Love to Christ , had more power with many , than the Observation of Customs and Seasons , and the Laws of Men ! Some are affected with the Duty and Privilege , and seem earnestly to desire it , who fall off again . How many are afraid of it , lest this Table of the Lord become a Snare ? How many break Communion , upon distaste of a Form of Administration ( though very sound , ) or some dis-liked Communicants , against whom they do not proceed as they ought ? How many labour under great Desections , Melancholy and Fear ? How many put themselves off , and abide in Vnsettlement ; that separate from publick , and do not join with other Assemblies ? What! Do they wait for some higher Dispensation ? Or do they seek for what is no where promised ; or keep in suspence , as afraid to renew Covenant with God ? Or what other Reason ? But can they live without Communion with the Lord ? How can they think of dying ? How many , incorporate with particular Churches , that with hold Communion from all others , for meer Accidents and Circumstances ? Oh , take heed , lest between this Way , and that Way , you do not keep out of the Way which the Lord himself hath commanded you , to shew forth his Death . I should rejoice to see Matters of just and rational Offence taken away , and Access to the Lord's Table to be as free and open , as the Way to Heaven is . But hour , or when shall it be , as long as that which is an Offence to one , is a Duty to another ? Oh , let us remember our Covenant with God , our being incorporate with the Body of Christ , labour to grow together in him , who is not a little Head of a Sect , or Party , but of all that call upon him , in all places . I look upon Breaches in , and about , and from this holy Ordinance , next to breaking the Vnity of the Spirit , to be , of all Breaches , the most deadly . Let us not divide for meer Accidents , but look to the main . The substance of the Ordinance , and what is left , as perpetual to the Church , is delivered us by the holy Apostle , who received it from the Lord , 1 Cor. 11.23 , &c. where there is no Rehearsal of the Circumstances of Place , Gesture , and other Accidents of the first Supper ; but the standing Ordinance and Institution : And where the Institution is observed , the Ordinance is pure .

The next necessary Injunction is , Self-Examination . Let us look more to our own Hearts , and fit them for Communion with the Body and Blood of our Lord , and we shall not be so given to divide , as we are . And as for Communicants , pray for them , admonish them , proceed regularly , make not their Sin yours , and their Presence doth not pollute you .

2. The Design of these three Chapters being to carry them further on , who had been conversant in the forementioned Catechism , hath given occasion to bring it forth once more to Light ; with some few Propositions , to fill up some spaces between one Point , and another ; and to explain them with Quotations of Scripture . It is not hard to see , how some will be offended at this , for its first Name and Title : But , without detracting from the Church Catechism , or any other Form of sound Words , by which Christ hath edified his Church , I cannot easily conceal , nor express my due Admiration of this . 1. For the Soundness of the divine Matter , clearly and excellently expressed . 2. For the Comprehensiveness of it . 3. For the Method and Connexion of Parts . 4. For its Consonance with the holy Scripture ; by which it is proved , and upon which it is built .

Whereby it appears , the Faith of the Learner is not made to stand upon the Word of Man , Decrees of Councils , or Synods ; but the Word of God.

Every Answer is full and clear ; but that which raiseth up my Heart in praise of God for it , is the rare Description of my glorious Redeemer , and the Doctrines that belong unto it . In them we have as much Truth as can be laid together ; and as many Heresies cast out from them , as can be summed up in so few Words . There is an Antidote against the Prison of Cerinthus , Ebion , Arrius , Samosatenus , Nestorius , Eutyches , the Socinians , and other Hereticks , which appeared with the Reformation , and gave those blessed Souls , who were the Lights of the World , much trouble .

The Harmony of the whole with the Doctrine of our Church , has been judiciously shewed by Mr. Thomas Adams ; ( whose Learning , Graces , and sweet Temper might have been a great Blessing in these Times , if God had been pleased to continue him on Earth ) in a Book called , Principles of Religion explained , published by his genuine , worthy Brother , Mr. R. A. And the Agreement of it with the Doctrine of our Church is manifest to all that know the one , and the other ; and therefore the Enmity expressed against it , most proceed from an ill Opinion of the first Compliers of it , and the Time of its Birth : But shall the Wrath of Men endure to all Generations ? Can we forgive the Living , and never forgive the Dead , who were rarely accomplished for so great a Work ? Is it not time , and high time , to mortisie An mostlies ? And have we not great cause , if there be any Love to Truth , to bless God for causing so much pure Light to shine in those Days of Clouds , Tempest , Whirl-wind , Confusion , Smoak and Fire ?

If I should express the high Esteem the most Reverend Primate Usher had for it , as I have often heard from several Persons , I should but make some Men think the worse of both .

The great Esteem which hath been , and still is shewed to it by some of all Ranks , makes it seem impossible to suppress it , without an Inquisition . And let those who have said , it was worse than the Racovian Catechism , speak out ; and then we know what Opinion and Affection they have for this Church , and Christianity it self : And let them take notice now zealously the Convocation in the Year 1640. declared against Socinianism . So that if these Men , who preferr a Socinian Catechism ; that is , to say plainly , an Antichristian Collection of Heresie , they dissent from the whole Church of England , and the most zealous Antipuritan part of it . But I hope these Speeches were only spoken while the hot Fit was upon them .

I could wish those Gentlemen , who presented a certain Catechism , stigmatized to their hands , no doubt , to recollect themselves , and see whether they were so cantious , as to present nothing but what was seditious in it ; or whether they presented all , from the Title-Page , to the Finis ; and the very Scriptures , the Creed , the Ten Commandments , and Lord's Prayer , always printed in it . If they presented nothing in it , but what was false , erroneous , scandalous and dangorous ; then it is altogether safe , and untainted : But if they presented it all together , without Reservation of due Reverence to any Doctrine , Scriptures , Creed , Commandments , or Lord's Prayer ; then all that is in it fared no worse than the Rule of Faith it self .

These , and other ways to suppress this Book , had this unhappy Effect , that it hath widened the Separation , and increased Suspicions and Jealousies in the Minds of Men.

There are many Catechisms yet common in several parts of the Kingdom , which have never been dis-allowed in the strictest Times .

It is no Derogation from the Church Catechism , that People grow in sound Knowledge by larger , that may be used as Expositions of it .

This Catechism speaks for it self , and the Oracles of God speak for it ; and I will say no more , but what tends to Satisfaction about the present Publication of it . 1. The best instructed in these parts , both of them who learn the Church-Catechism first , and hear it publickly explained , and that object against the first introductory Questions and Answers , have a great Opinion of this , and are much profitted and delighted with the Answers and Scriptures ; and come to be better versed in the Scriptures , than otherwise they could be , without greater pains . 2. Because the poorer sort cannot buy many Books ; and it will encourage and allure them to learn this more perfectly , when they find more benefit by it than bare Knowledge . 3. Because it doth excellently explain the Covenants , Creed , Commandments , and Lord's Prayer . 4. All due Respect reserved to many other Catechisms , I know none so capable of being improved to the aforesaid Vses as this is .

And many other Advantages may be made of it , if well studied , and thought upon . As , 1. To inform us of our highest Aim and Happiness , to take off our Affections from the World. 2. The Way to attain it , by the Scriptures ; and the Way and Means revealed in the Scriptures , and to shew us the great use we ought to make of the Scriptures , to direct us to God. 3. It acquaints us with God in his Nature , Attributes , Trinity in Vnity ; with his Works of Nature and Grace , the way of God's Government by Laws and Covenants , and the different States of Man . 4. It serves to humble us under Conviction of Sin , Guilt , Corruption and Wrath. 5. It teacheth an humbled Spirit , what he shall do to be saved , and by whom , and how . 6. We come to know Jesus Christ ; what , and who he is , what he hath undertaken and done , and what he procured , and for whom . 7. We see what Benefits are to be had from Christ , and his Offices ; how we are united to him , and partake of his Fulness of Grace . 8. It directeth the Believer how to walk , and abide in Christ . 9. It is exceeding comfortable to find so many , and so great Advantages and Blessings from Christ , in Life , in Death , and for ever . 10. It doth endear Christ to the Soul exceedingly , and makes the Grace and Love of God in Christ illustrious and wonderful .

And Lastly , I must drive the Nail that will go : This , or none , will be embraced by many : And if Good be to be done by Catechising , it must be done by this , or by none ; or some other , not so compleat as this .