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

CHAP. VI. Catechism necessary in respect of the en∣crease and advancement of Spiritual Knowledge: To have a distinct Under∣standing of things necessary to Salva∣tion, &c.

AND not only the sure grounding, but also the regular and solid ad∣vance and increase in the Knowledge of Things Divine, makes Catechising a ne∣cessary Introductive. For unless by this means we be firmly principled in Chri∣stianity, our knowledge therein will be both small and unstable: and as a per∣nicious consequent thereof, we shall be∣come trifling and affected in that little we know. For it fares in Divinity as Philosophy, wherein a little smattering Knowledge makes Men vain and as∣suming, whom a deeper insight therein would render composed and settled. And this has been, and is still, misera∣bly apparent in the Ancient and Mo∣dern Sectaries, whom a meer conceit of knowledge hath tempted to assume and

usurp the Place and Function of Teach∣ers, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm, 1 Tim. 1.7. And indeed their ignorance is the Mother of such assuming Knowledge, as is seen in our great Pretenders to Spiritual Science, who but too exactly prove them∣selves descended of those Old Gnosticks, who were so pestilential to the Primitive Church; being notoriously addicted to Blaspheme, rail at, and speak evil of the things they know not; and in a pecu∣liar manner are gifted with Malicious∣ness, Avarice, Schismaticalness, Rebel∣lion, and Contumacy: According to their description in St. Jude 10.11.12, &c. And the want of having been duly acquainted with the true grounds of Re∣ligion, is one main reason why they are in that Divine Science such Smatterers and half-witted; whereof there is small hopes ever to have them cured, but by a full Institution in those Elements which are undeniably requisite to sound Know∣ledge.

But Catechising is not only necessary upon the account of a regular entrance and encrease of Knowledge in Religi∣on, but also to give us a clear intuiti∣on of those particular Truths whereof we cannot be ignoran•• ••ut with the

peril of our eternal Happiness. For not∣withstanding that all things necessary to Salvation are clear and plain in Scrip∣ture, yet the Scripture it self is so spaci∣ous a Field, that even a wary Traveller may therein lose himself. And besides this, the things necessary to be known by us in order to our future Welfare, are in Sacred Writ so often mingled with things that are otherwise, that it exceeds the generality of Capacities to find them out, and rightly to sever. Those that are idle (as the most are in this Study) will not take pains; and those that are ignorant have not the ability to distin∣guish, collect, and reduce such necessary Points to their respective Chapters. And yet till such Points be plainly digested into several Heads, many, at least the the illiterate Multitude, will unavoida∣bly want a competent Knowledge of what is necessary both to their Tempo∣ral and Immortal Happiness. Now that the gathering of these necessary Truths into Sums and Models, is the proper Work of Catchism, is visible in all those Systems which have ever born that Name. And of this Truth, our own Church-Ca∣techism yields a sufficient Testimony: In which all things that concern Faith, Practice, Prayer, and Doctrine; are col∣lected

into such short and plain Sums, that the weakness of no Mans Wit can either hinder altogether the Knowledge, or excuse the utter ignorance of things necessary to Salvation. For whosoever, with a mind free from Prejudice, shall impartially peruse the Church Catechism, he therein may observe all saving Truths, reduced to such short, but full Heads, that the weak are not left to the hazard∣ous, nor the slothful to the laborious re-search thereof in Holy Scriptures.