Explanation of the Assemblys Shorter Catechism, Title page – To the reader
A Most Familiar EXPLANATION OF THE ASSEMBLIES Shorter Catechism. Wherein their Larger Answers are broken into Lesser Parcels, thereby to let in the light, by degrees, into the minds of the Learners. To which is added, in the close, a most brief help for the necessary, but much neglected duty of self-examination, to be daily perused. And to this is subjoined; a Letter of Christian Counsel, to a destitute Flock.
The last Edition Corrected and much amended.
By JOS. ALLAINE, late Preacher of the Gospel at Taunton in Somerset-shire, a Lover of Truth and Peace.
London, Printed for Edw. Brewster at the Crane in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1674.
AN ADMONITION TO THE READERS.
I Am not insensible, that this little tract may seem to many, as a thing born out of due time. But they that have their spiritual senses exercised, and have seen and tasted, how jejune, and lifeless, and insipid the more publick exercises of religion somewhere are; will be easily convinced, that now they are called to double their diligence in family duties. And sith it is the great charge of Housholders (aDeut. 6. 6, 7.), to teach their Children, and their (bGen. 18, 19.), housholds after them, and to (cProv. 22. 6. the margin.) catechize them in the way wherein they should go (whereunto the present exigencies, do more than ordinarily oblige them) it may not seem altogether unseasonable, to have added this plain and familiar help for their assistance.
If therefore the earnest Calls of your suffering Ministers, the dreadful Charge of immortal souls, the strict Commands of your Maker and Judg, have engaged you in a resolution to set up this much neglected, but necessary and most beneficial exercise, let me advise you to take this plain method. First, let those under your charge learn the Answers in the Assemblies Catechism, Then ask them these little Questions drawn from thence, and if they are at a loss, shew them out of which part of the greater Answer, they should have made return to the lesser Question. And this would be the more effectual, if you did run over all a second time, that they might observe the force of every clause and word in the Answer out of the Assembly, before you pass to examine them further on. Do not put them upon learning the Scriptures, till they ean get through all the Chatechism, and then examine them, how they can prove such or such a clause in the answer, leaving the order that the Scriptures ly in. And as ever you desire to see the happy issue, of this most useful exercise.
1. Let it be done solemnly, and appoint stated times for the weekly performing it; and if through necessity, or negligence, you should omit the season, watch for an opportunity speedily to do it, at least let it be done once the oftner the next week.
2. Set to every one his task, according to their several capacities, and be punctual in requiring it, and shew your selves as zealous for the doing of Gods work, as you are for your own. But let not the explicatory Questions and Answers be learnt without book by any, because this would be a needless burden, and they are in effect learnt already by them that can give an account of the Catechism it self.
This I cannot omit, that it is my fervent desire, that not only the younger, but also the elder sort would become students of the Catechism, and (if able) commit it to memory. Beloved, would you know wherein you might rejoice the soul of your Minister, would you do me a pleasure and refresh me in my tribulations for your sakes? why, herein you may do it. This would be no little pleasure to me, and (I am sure) no little profit to you. O the miserable defect of knowledg, even among Professors themselves, for want of humility and diligence to commit to memory the principles of religion?
There is a twofold knowledg; Confused and Distinct; The confused knowledg is only to know the quod sit, that there is such or such a thing: and here, too often, many Professors rest. The distinct knowledg is, to understand the quid sit, and to be able to give a description of any grace, priviledg, or the like, and the difference of it from any other; and also the cur sit, or the ground or reason from the Scripture, why they do believe such or such a truth: and here men do (generally) unhappily fail.
Beloved, my ambition is, that you should grow in grace, and the knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should be clear and distinct in your knowledg, that there should not not be one among you, but should be able to give a good account of his faith from the Word of Truth. Verily, it is no small shame for men of years, under the Gospel (especially for Professors, and this when we have yet such easie and excellent helps) not to be able to prove the main point of our religion from the Scriptures, and to give a solid description of faith, repentance, justification, sanctification, effectual calling, and the like; which will never be done to purpose, except they will learn a Catechism. If any think themselves above it, I fear it is from their pride and ignorance: for my part, I profess my self a learner. Well, will you learn with me? why should you not stir up each other, and engage together, that you will set to this work? O that I might but hear that you would so far gratifie the request of a Messenger of Christ, and his Embassador to youward.