The Christian's manual in three parts ... / by L. Addison ...

TO THE READER.

THE Condition of this small Treatise is so little agreeable to the present Genius of the Age, that there needs no great Sagacity to foretel its Entertainment. But those who value Books not by their Dress and Fashion, but Matter and Ʋsefulness; and who look not so much upon what will take with a corrupt Generation, as help to amend it; when they mature∣ly weigh the Subject and Design of the Ensuing Papers, instead of censu∣ring will be ready to resent the weak mana••••ment of so concerning a Theme, ••nd pity to see it faln into the hands of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 un••kilful an Artificer.

For which this is the only Apology, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 what is here written, was not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Perfection, but Essay;

and that it had never left its retire∣ment, had it not been forced thence by impulse of the present Necessity. For it is too evident, that this is a Season which not only warrants, but exacts our greatest endeavours to per∣swade to such things as may beget, re∣store, and establish Truth and Union among us. And that Catechising by a more peculiar Energy is thereunto subservient, appears upon this account, that the Church in all Ages has used it to that purpose.

The raising up of which Institution (so disastrously faln in our Borders) in hopes of the great edification which thereby will accrue unto this Church, as it was the first motive of this Essay, so it is the last Design; for which I shall think my self largely recompenc'd, if by this contributed Mite, I may provoke the more able to cast richer gifts into the same Corban.

If what I now write of were to be backt with the Example either of pro∣fessed Infidels or Romanists, I could from a long Conversation with both

produce their unwearied care in Cate∣chising; to which I ever thought the paucity of Converts both from Infide∣lity and Romanism ought chiefly to be imputed.

The Mahumetans (as in another Discourse I have observed) have their Mustadarif, out of which the younger sort are trained up in the Principles of a Mussulman. And the Jews Sepher Chinnuck, and Sepher Ikkarim yield sufficient attestation that they are no Truands in this School.

The Romanists from being our Ri∣vals in this particular, are become our Masters; for not only the Jesuits, but also other Religious, glory to have made Catechising their Profession; only with this difference, That the Je∣suits Catechise the Rich and Inge∣nious, and other Orders the Poor and Dull. But their Diligence here∣in herein first sprang from an imita∣tion of ours. For till on Sundays and Holy-days we both preach'd in the Morning and Catechis'd in the After∣noon,

the Papists did neither. And it was undeniably happy with the Protestant Religion, when dili∣gent Catechising was the chief En∣gine imployed to supplant Popery, and give deeper Roots to the Reforma∣tion.

But Catechising (as all things else, whereof human weakness hath the Custody and Government) is greatly faln from that Observation which it had once in this Church; yet methinks if nothing else, this alone should provoke us to a little more di∣ligence in this excellent Institution, to see our Adversaries manage it to our reproach and damage.

But, Reader, in Mercy to your Patience, I will only add, That the Author is none of those who impose upon others what they will not do them∣selves; for he is a constant La∣bourer in that Vineyard, wherein he desires his Brethren to take a little more pains.

Next, That he is really of Opinion, the Minister may sleep with a good Conscience of having well discharged his Duty, when every Lords-day, he observes (as he is bound) the Chur∣ches 59. Canon. And as for those who do otherwise, he leaves them to the Reflexions of their own Brests.