208 OR INSTIUCTION BY C,1TI.CuISM1IC. 00" But though those are the fountains and foundations of the law, those gentlemen knoiv that institutes ,atul abridgments, c.d- lections of, and references to the cases adjudged in the books, are of great use to them, to prepare them for the study of the originals, and to assist them in the application of them ; but they are not thought to derogate from the authority and honour of them ; such we reckon our forms of sound words to be. If in any thing they mistake the sense of the text, or misapply it, they must be corrected by it ; but as far as they agree with it, they are of great use to make it more 'easy and ready to us. That which is intended in these forms of sound words, is not like thecouncil of Trent, to make a new c212.ed, and add it to what we. have in the scripture, but to collect and methodize the truths and laws of God, an to make them familiar." Thus this pious writer makes it appear, that there are three valuableends'at- tained by framing such comprehensive systems of religion out of theword of God : " 1. Hereby, saith he, the main principles of christianity, which lie scattered in the scripture, are collected and brought together ; and by this means they are set in a much easier view before the minds of men. Our catechisms and confessions of faith pick up from the several parts, of holy writ those passa- ges, which though perhaps occasionally delivered, contain the essentials of religion, the foundations and main pillars upon which christianity is built, which we are concerned rightly to understand, and firmly to believe in' the first place, and then to go on to perfection. " 2. Hereby the truths of God, the several articlesofchris- tian doctrine and duty are methodized and put in order. It is true, the books of scripture are written in an excellent method according to the particular nature and intention of them ; but when the design is to represent the main principles of religion in one view, it is necessary that they be put into another method proper to serve that design, that we may understand them the more distinctly by observing their mutual references to each other, their connexion with, and dependence upon each other, and thereby they appear in the truer light and fuller lustre. " 3. Hereby the truths of God are brought down to the capa- city of those who are as yet but weak in understanding." In all this acèount of things this worthy author has spoken so much of my sentiments, that I chose to set before the reader in his own words, the several advantages of drawingup such little schemes of the principles of christianity. Sscr. IV.Catechisms are the best Summaries of Religion for Children. Now among the various forms and methods wherein the
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