A Catechism, Title page – To the reader
¶ A Cathechiſme conteining the ſumme of Chriſtian Religion, giuing a moſt excellent light to all thoſe that ſeek to enter the path-way to ſaluation: Newlie ſet foorth by G. G. Preacher of Gods word at Malden in Eſſex.
Pſalme. 19.8. The Statutes of the Lord are right, and reioyce the heart: the commandement of the Lord is pure and giueth light vntounto the eies.
¶ Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vintree by Thomas Dawſon. 1583.
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To the Reader.
I Know right well, that manye men of good iudgement in the trueth are of this minde, that they would hauehave but one, or as few catechiſmes as might be: and in as briefe and fewe wordes, as with any light the neceſſary poyntes of doctrine may be compriſed. Wherefore I cānot eſcape ſome blame, not only for ſetting forth this of mine after ſo many: but alſo for being ſo large. I ſhould bee of the ſame minde, were it not that our Church doth conſiſt of diuers ſortes of men: and that I hauehave learned by experience, that the multitude of Catechiſmes doth not hinder, but bring furtherance vntounto the better ſorte. If all were as the Prophet ſaith, as Infantes newe weaned frō the breaſt, yt in teaching there muſt be line vntounto line, precept vntounto precept, a litle here, a litle there: then I confeſſe, that ſome one briefe forme were beſt. If to reſt in the wordes or ſentences, when a man can repeate them, were ſo ſure a way, as to ſearch into the matter it ſelfe, which is better, and with more iudgement attained vntounto by manye, then by one: I ſhould alſo thinke it beſt. Finally, if all needefull poyntes were handled in any one, then might it ſeeme a vaine trauel, and loſt labour. This therfore being my purpoſe to write of ſome thinges which are not handled in the reſt, I hold my ſelfe ſatiſfied, If not to profit all, yet to be a furtheraunce vntounto ſome. I craue no more but this of him, whom it cannot further: that hee will giuegive it gentle paſſage to ſuch as it is ſent.
George Gyffard.