Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Title page – To the reader
AN EXPOSITION OF THE Assemblies Catechism, WITH PRACTICAL INFERENCES From each QUESTION: As it was carried on in the Lords Days Exercises in DARTMOUTH, In the First Year of Liberty, 1688. By IOHN FLAVELL, Preacher of the Gospel in DARTMOUTH.
2 Tim. 1.13.
Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus.
LONDON: Printed for Tho. Cockerill, at the Three Legs in the Poultry over against Stocks-Market, 1692.
And because the Answers therein are some of them pretty large, and Treat of the most profound Mysteries of our Religion; therefore several Persons have bestowed their good and laudable Pains, some in descanting more largely, and proving by Scriptural Reasons the Particulars: and one has shewn the harmony thereof with the Articles and Homilies of the Church of England (designed, I suppose, to remove the prejudice which some have taken against it). Others have parted the Questions and Answers into several little ones, under each, to make them more intelligible to younger ones, and more easy to be remembred.
Among whom, Worthy, Orthodox, and Excellent Mr. Iohn Flavell may be ranked, who among other of his many and most profitable Labours, applied himself to the chewing of this Bread of Life, or crumbling it into smaller pieces, for the Cenveniency of Children and (indeed) of all; wherein (as in all his other Works) he hath shewn himself a Workman that needs not to be ashamed.
There needs no other recommendations to this Posthumus Piece, but the worthy Author's Name; he was removed before he had compleatly finished it; he had prepared his Questions and Answers upon the second Petition of the Lord's Prayer; but lived not to propose them in the publick Congregation. God then translated him into his Kingdom of Glory above, while he was so industriously endeavouring to promote the Kingdom of Grace below.
The other five remaining Questions and Answers (to compleat the Work) were done by a ruder hand; as may easily be discerned by any observant Reader, who will find himself transfer'd from a plain, clear, and delightful Stile, method, and manner, into more rough, disorderly, and unpleasant ones; for who, indeed, could equal this Divine Labourer? Not the Compleater: who would account himself to have made very great Attainments in Divinity and Usefulness, if he were left but a few furlongs behind him.
Let the Reader use and peruse this Piece, and he will see cause to bless God for the Author.
VALE.
TO THE READER.
THE Divine Providence having unexpectedly cast my Lot for a few Days in Dartmouth, where that blessed man of God Mr. John Flavell did for many years honour Christ, and was honoured by him; I have been favoured with a sight of that most judicious Explication of the Assemblies Catechism, which is emitted herewith.
Being desired to testify my Respect to the worthy Author, by Prefacing this Excellent Labour of his with a few Lines; I can truly say (as sometimes Beza of Calvin) Now Mr. Flavell is dead, Life will be less sweet, and Death less bitter to me.
My heart bleeds to look on this desolate Place, and not to see him, that whilst living, was the glory of it.
But neither the Author, nor his Writings stand in need of the commendation of others, much less of mine.
His Works already published have made his Name precious in both Englands, and it will be so as long as the Earth shall endure.
There are some considerations which may cause the Reader to expect (and he will not find himself disappointed therein) that which is extraordinary in this little Manuel: for the Author's Heart was very much engaged in doing this Service for Christ, in thus feeding his Lambs. And he did himself design the Publication of what is here committed to the Press; and was very desirous (with an holy submission to the Will of God) to have perfected this Work before his Decease; but had strange intimations that he should finish his Course, before that could be done.
When he did viva voce deliver his Meditations, there were many Enlargements, and lively Passages which are not here inserted: nevertheless here is as much as he thought needful for publick view, not being willing that his Book should be Voluminous.
In his last Catechetical Exercise concerning Hallowing the Name of God, he was exceedingly enlarged; but he must himself go into the Kingdom of Glory, when he intended to have discoursed on that Petition, Thy Kingdom come.
He also began some Meditations on the Joys of Heaven: But before he had an opportunity to express what had been in his Heart, the Lord Iesus said unto him, Enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. And thus doth it happen many times to the eminent and holy Servants of God.
Another Consideration, recommending what comes herewith, is, that it was amongst Mr. Flavell's last Works. The (foreign) Last Sayings of wise and great Men have been esteemed Oraculous; and the Scripture puts an Emphasis on the last Words of David, the sweet singer of Israel, 2 Sam. 23.1. Not that those were the last words that ever David spake, only they were written not long before his Death, when he was come near Heaven.
So was what is now put into the Reader's Hand, written by Mr. Flavell not long before his translation to the World of Souls, where the Spirits of Iust men are made perfect.
There was a more than ordinary presence of God with him to his last; and in his last Days, not the last Sermon that he preached (which was June 21. 1691.) He did more than once surprize his Hearers with an Intimation that, that might be the last time he should speak to them in the Name of the Lord. And was not then the Secret of the Lord with him?
Dartmouth will know, and Devonshire will know, that there has been a Prophet among them.
And now my Soul bleeds to Look on the dear Flock of God, which are as Sheep without a Shepherd. The Lord Iesus, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, bave compassion on them, and give them a Shepherd like to his blessed Servant Flavell, who did for many years feed them with Knowledge, and with Understanding.
Dartmouth, March the 21th 1691/2. Increase Mather.