SECTION VIII. 225 man is; toobey my parents, to speak the truth always, and be honest and kind to all." So in the second catechism, when we enquire concerning the worship which God requires of us, it is enough to mention thanks or praises for mercies received, prayers for mercies wanted, and diligent attention to his word ; nor is there any need in this place to speak of adoration, confession, humiliation for sin, self-resignation, trust and dependence, though theymay be all included in the large idea of worship. We find that God himself, when he wrotehis laws on tables of stone for the peopleof Israel, which was the infant state of the church, practised that very thing which I now propose. Instead of a long and particular detail of the duties ofpiety which belong to the first table, such as the adoration and fear of God, the love of God, and trusting in him, obeying his will, and submitting to his providences, he sums all these up in general in the first com- mand, "'I'hou shalt have no other God before me :" Or, " Thou shalt have me for thy only God :" But he particularly forbids idolatry, and the abuse of God's name, and enjoins the holy sabbath of the seventh day, and all in distinct commands, because hewould inculcate these things in a special manner on the Israelites, as peculiarlyproper for their state and circumstances. If in the youngest catechisms we are, to reckon up long catalogues of the particular doctrines and duties which are con- tained in the more general ones, the memories of children would be over-burdened, and their tender minds confounded with too great a variety; then their spirits are fatigued, and they grow tired of learning ; whereas if they were led into an easy acquaint- ance with the great and general things of religion, and were taught only suchparticulars as are most suited to and proper for their age, learningwould be rendered pleasant to them in child- hood, and they would easily arrive at a more spacious and exten- sive knowledge in their growingyears. V. Rule. Among those easier points of religion, which are plain enough to'be inserted into younger catechisms, chose out rather such as are most practical. Do not incumber nor entan- gle the minds or memories of children with notions and specu- lations whichare not so needful to influence their behaviour toward Godor men. By making every thing tend toward practice which they find in their catechisms, children will be early led into this important truth, viz. That thechief business of religion is prac- tice rather than notion, and this will have a happy effect upon their future opinions and conduct ; whereas if their early cate- chisms are too much taken up in speculative points and controver- sial matters, these young creatures will imagine that religion is a business of notion, and controversy, and dispute, and that it has not so much to do about the government of their hearts or lives. Vol.. v. P
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