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This_our excellent short Catechism hath been the fruitful Subject of many profitable Expositions; and for ought I see, it is still capable of more; there being Failings in good Books, as well as in good Men: And I must profess, that of all our explicatory Catechisms, for the Use of Children and Families, I know not any that I have seen without some notable Defect. As to inStance in some Particulars, the nature of Saving Baptism is either grossly mistaken, or not sufficiently explained in them. The like may be said also concerning the Lord's Supper. The Doctrine of original Sin is almost wholly pretermitted: And the Attributes of God, whereby his Nature is described, are feldom or never mentioned in their right Order. And I hope that in these, and other material Points, this following Exposition may be a Supplement to others. I have followed the Reapers, and gathered up some things that others have let flip.

But that which is most peculiar to this following Essay, is the Method and Manner of it. For, first 1 bave here divided, and methodized this our Catechism by Chapters and Sections, under their several Heads and Titles. And then my Manner of explaining them, is both Positive and Catechetical: i. e. both in continued and interlocutory Discourses. In the former of which is shewed the Composure of its Materials, as when a Watch is put together, and we see the System of it: And in the latter, the Materials or Subject Matters of its Composure; as when a Watch is took to pièces, and we see them severally by themselves.

In these Catechetical or Interlocutory Discourses, 1 have comprized my Instruction chiefly in the Interrogative Part or Questions: And the Answers to those Queftions are made only by Yes or No; with apposite Proofs from Scripture, applied to those Answers. And the Catechift

techist may repeat them properly, whenever the Learner cannot, and go on with his Catechizing without a Baulk or Interruption. And the Dialogues are all concluded with some practical Application.

In this plain Method, and after this familiar Manner, this Excellent useful and difficult Work of Catechizing may be managed with great Facility both in Schools and in Families. And it highly concerns those that have the Government and Charge of either, to promote and praEtice it in their respective Province's. He that provides only things neceffary for the Body, but neglects the immortal Souls of those of his House or Family, is certainly a most unfaithful, injurious and cruel Housholder. And he is not worthy of the Name of a Christian SchoolMaster, who maketh it not his chief Business, to teach his Scholars the Knowledge of Jesus Christ and Everlasting Life.

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READER, Thou art here defired to excuse and rectify such Mispointings and other Errors as have.

escaped in the Margin, and in the Body of this Book.

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Pag. 22. for special Subject, read (special Subjects). P. 58. at 1. 15. blot out (he). P. 67. about 1. 5. add (our Obligations to the Baptifmal Duties). P. 268. at lin. 4. add (in special). P. 248. at 1. 29. add (the first Petition). P. 250. at 1. 1. add (The second Petition). P. 256. at 1. 14. add (The fifth Petition). From p. 159. to 236. read over the page for Faith, Obedience. From p. 236. to 263. read over the page, for Faith, Prayer. From p. 263. to 287. over the page for Faith (Sacraments). P. 275. about lin. 2. add (Baptifm what).

In the Body of the Book.

Pag. 71. 1. 10. for Proparents read Proprietors. P. 158. 1. 5. for Nations read Mansions. P. 170. 1. 7. fupply (A. Yes). P. 175. 1. 5. for then read (thou). Lin. 8. for is, read (feeth), P. 181. 1. 28. for his, read (this). P. 184. 1. 17. dele by. P. 191. 1. 22. for, it is, read (at). P.195. 1. 11. read (from the Morning of

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The Church Catechifm Methodized, and Explained.

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O intimate the Design and Use of this Treatise, it is entitled, An INSTRUCTION, to be learned of every one, before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop, i. e. an Instruction in the Baptismal Covenant; that such as in their Infancy were engaged therein by others, might afterwards approve of, and confirm it in their own Persons, in a ferious and

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and folemn Manner, before the Church or Congregation; and the Bishop being present to this End or Purpose, he lays his Hands upon them, prays over them, and blesseth them. This is Confirmation. And the Catechism is an Instruction fuited to this End. And that the Principles and Points of Doctrine contained in this Instruction, may be the better understood, and more easily recall'd to Mind, I shall endeavour to draw them forth into an orderly Scheme or Method; and then I shall add also an Explanation of them.

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