SECTION VIII. 22t of language in which they are expressed, and the amplification of them in more particulars. I add further, That the scripture itself intimates what we find by constant experience, viz. That when we teach knowledge to children who are weaned from the milk, and make themwho are drawn from the breasts to understand doctrine, precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon hue, line upon line, here a little and there a little ; Is. xxviii. 9, 10. 'l'heit young understandings must be addressed and allured in various and repeated forms of speech, and their memories must be re- freshed in an agreeable manner, otherwise all our teachings will be in vain. II. Rule. In the younger catechisms insert only those things which are necessary to be known by children, and which are plain and easy to be understood by them. There are many things relating to our religion, which are not only very important, but very necessary in themselves, in order to bring about our salvation, both in the counsels and la the transactions of God and Christ : and yet they are by no means necessary to be known even by men in order to their inte- rest in this salvation. Otherwise no man could be saved who could not enter into the incomprehensible depths of the nature and counsels of God. There are also many things needful and proper to be known by persons of maturer years, which children should not be troubled with, as being too far above their under- standings, and not requisite for any part of their practice. I think it best to have scarceany thing mentioned in these younger catechisms but what children can in some measure conceive, or of what they can frame some tolerable notion, what they can put to some proper use, and what will direct, or some way influence, or assist their practice. Thus they will learn religion indeed, and not mere words and syllables. Under this head I may observe, that it is hardly possible to compose a catechism for young children in so evangelical a man- ner as may be done for the instruction of grown persons. Young children are more easily taught to understandwhat are the chief duties they must practise, and what are the chief vices they should avoid ; and they more readily learn the rewards of obe- dience and the punishments due to sin. 'l'hey may be taught indeed that they are sinners, and that there is no salvation for them but by the mercy of God and for the sake of Jesus Christ, why bath suffered death which they have deserved ; and that they must pray to God to pardon their sins for the sake of Jesus Christ. This is as muds of faith in Christ, as they can well understand very early. But they can never take in the whole scheme of the covenant of grace, with the doctrines of election, regeneration, and of justification by faith in Christ, or be taught
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