Catechism Abridged, Title page – Prayer
MAYERS CATECHISME ABRIDGED.
OR, The A.B.C. inlarged.
With many neceſſary Queſtions fitted vntounto it, for the benefit of all that deſire to teach or learne it effectually.
A dutie to which all wee of the Church of England are bound, it being generally appointed by Authoritie.
The ſecond Edition made more compleat and perfect by the Author.
LONDON, Printed by A. M. for I. M. and are to be ſold by Iohn Griſmand, at his ſhop in Pauls Alley, at the Signe of the Gun. 1623.
The Epistle to the Reader.
COurteous Reader, loe here I offer vntounto thee the ſecond time, the Briefe of my larger Tract. Thou haſt beene once abuſed by the temeritie and indiſcretion of the Stationer, offering thee the Engliſh Teacher; a title none of mine, and an imperfect confuſed Chaos of Queſtions and Anſwers, whereof I was much aſhamed. To amend this fault, and to ſatisfie the longing deſire of many, I hauehave done that which here thou ſeeſt. And I doe now aſſure thee of a perfect Catechiſme, containing the ſubſtance both of Text and Comment compleat, wherein is both milke for Babes, and ſtronger meate for ſuch as hauehave attained more growth in knowledge. The milke is in a greater Character, which if you pleaſe, may be firſt learned thorow: the ſtronger meate is in a character ſomwhat leſſer. Read, conſider, and vſe all according to thy diſcretion, but be ſure to vſe it, or ſome like vntounto it for the common good of Vniformitie and Order; and the God of Order graunt, that wee may ſo lay the foundation of the light of truth here, as that wee may attaine the light of glorie heereafter.
A Prayer to bee vſed before the reading of Bookes of Pietie, or Inſtruction.
O God that art the Father of Lights, enlighten my darkned vnderſtanding, that I may ſee into the wonders contained in the Law. Diſpell in me the miſtie clouds of ignorance, expell the louelove of darkneſſe, and repell the rebellious Law of ſinne. Sanctifie my wit, that I may bee able to retaine, and rectifie my will, that I may obediently ſubmit my ſelfe to thy good will in all things. Thou which art the Maſter-builder of thine owne houſe, ſettle me as one of thy liuing ſtones vponupon the right foundation, Ieſus Chriſt; in whom I may daily grow vp, till that all the building, coupled together, groweth to an holy Temple in the Lord. And this I craue in the name of thy deare Son, my moſt bleſſed Sauiour and Redeemer. Amen.