PREFACE TO " THE ASSEMBLY'S SHORTER CATECHISM." IN the discourse which I have written concerning catechisms, and the best methods of composing them, I think it is made sufficiently evident that this catechism framed by the assembly of divines, as comprehensive and as valu- able as it is in itself, yet is by no means the fittestfor the instruction of child- ren in their youngest years ; but I have here proposedit for the use of those that arrive at twelve or fourteen years of age, and whp are supposed by learning shorter and easier forms of instruction to be better prepared to enter into the deep things of God which are treated of in this catechism. In copyingit out I have not added the scriptureswhich are usually set to support every answer : This would have considerably enlarged the bulk of the book, and the book itself with the proofs of scripture is tobe purchased any where at an easy rate. The creed and the Lord's- prayer stand at the end of it : but there was no need to print the ten commanpmentsover again, they being all so expressly contained in the catechism itself. As for the explainingnotes which are added at the end of most Of the answers, I hope I have observed the rules which I proposed in my discourse of catechisms, and I need not repeat them here. Some persons perhaps may think I have explained too manywords, and those which were well enough known, such aschief end in the first question, andthe like: But I have been informed of one child whowas asked, What the chief end of manwas, and heanswered, His head ; another beingasked the same question, answered death : neither of them taking inthe true idea or meaning of the words : And to avoid such mistakes I have explained this and such like words here. Others may imagine that many more words should have been explained which I have omitted and the explications of all should have been larger andplainer; I grant it should be so, if I had designed them for young children of five, six or seven years old ; but then what a bulky catechism would this be for infants? Whereas, since I propose this catechism only to youth of twelve or fourteen, I hope the words which I have explained are sufficient for that age. I would only take notice farther, that though I have not thrown these explications of the words into questions and answers, yet when parents or teachers make use of it for the instruction of youth, it is a very easy matter for them toask, What is such a thing? Or, What is the meaning of such and such a term which is explained, and which is written in the italic letter ? And the child should make answer according to what is written in the Roman letter. his necessary also that I should add concerning this catechism what is said concerning the former, viz. that children should be put upon reading it often with these notes which explain the words, while they are learning the former catechisms by heart, and before they come to learn this as their appointed task. By this means they will know the meaning of many words which are used in scripture and in sermons more early, and understand their bible the better, as well as be.better prepared to commit this catechism to their memory when they have learned theothers. If the great God shall please to favour this small labour of mine in the exposition of this usefulcatechism, perhaps it may, serve for She instruction of some fathers and mothers as well as children ; and that at a smaller expenee of the purchase, and much less labour of the mninory than any other exposition which 1 have either seen or read; and to this end I humbly entreat the divine blessing to attend it.
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