A Soul-Searching Catechism, Title page – To the reader
A Soul-ſearching CATECHISM, Wherein is opened and explained, Not onelyonly the Six Fundamental Points ſet down Heb. 6.1.
But alſo many other Queſtions of higheſt concernment in Chriſtian Religion.
Wherein is ſtrong meat for thoſe that are grown, and milk for babes, in a very ſhort Catechiſm at the end, exceeding needful for all Families, in theſe ignorant and unſetled Times.
Written by Christopher Blackwood, a ſervant of CHRIST.
The ſecond Edition, with Addition.
1 Theſſ. 5.21. Prove all things: hold faſt that which is good.
2 Tim. 1.12. Hold faſt the form of ſound words which thou haſt heard.
Luke 1.3, 4. It ſeemed good to me to write, that thou mightſt know the certainty of thoſe things wherein thou haſt been inſtructed.
LONDON, Printed by J.C. for Giles Calvert, at the black Spread-Eagle at the Weſt-end of Pauls. 1653.
The Epiſtle to the READER.
TO preach unto people, and not to catechize them, I take to be a building without laying a foundation. Hence the Apoſtle firſt laid the foundation of the ſix Principles, Heb. 6.1, 2. Not laying again the foundation of Repentance from dead works, of Faith towards God, of the doctrine of Baptiſms, and Laying on of hands, of the Reſurrection of the dead, and of the eternal Judgment. After which Pattern, I have propoſed unto thee the Reader a form (I truſt) of ſound words, wherein thou mayſt inſtruct thy Family. That thou mayſt do it the better to thine own comfort, and their edification, take theſe Directions.
Firſt, Cauſe thy children and ſervants to commit to memory the ſhort Catechiſm which is at the end of the Book.
Secondly, Every time thou doſt catechize in thy Family, which I would have thee to do once every week at leaſt, read and explain to them one or two of the larger queſtions; and do them and me that favour, as to turn to the places of Scripture, which, for brevity ſake, I could not write down; and read them unto them, and ſhew them how the alleadged Scriptures prove the point in hand.
Thirdly, If thy ſervants and children be more towardly, or more ingeniouſly bred, or more quick witted, let them learn without book the larger Catechiſm: but if they be more ſlow and uncapable, let them onelyonly learn the ſecond; and oft read and expound to them the former, remembring that narrow-mouth'd veſſels can receive liquors poured into them onelyonly by degrees.
Fourthly, Pray for a bleſsing upon the Inſtruction, without which, thy pains will not be effectual.
If thou art different in judgement from me in ſome one Point propoſed, yet let not that hinder thee from informing others in the reſt of the Points wherein we are agreed. If upon pretence of errour in ſome one Point, thou ſhalt conceal the whole from thy Family, for fear they ſhould be drawn away with error; take heed that the things herein contained, which thou acknowledgeſt ſound, be not a witneſs againſt thy miſ-guided Zeal (mingled with Cruelty) in the day of the Lord.
And foraſmuch as thou liveſt in times wherein many, for want of ſound Principles laid at firſt, go a whoring from God after ſundry, dangerous, and deſtructive Errours; let it be thy care to train up thine in their youth, in the way of Truth, that they may not depart from it when they are old.
So heartily deſiring that the Spirit of Grace would make theſe Inſtructions home to thy heart, which I preſent to thy eye and ear, I take my leave, and reſt,
Thine affectionate friend, in the bowels of Jeſus Chriſt, Chriſtopher Blackwood.