To the reverend Clergy of England.

THe Day is short, the Labour* (or worke) much ^a, said an old Rabbine, a saying not un∣like to that (as old and true) of the older Phisitian that said Art is long, life short, b both which may hint our care in this short day and life how to go through that much and long work and Art: and especially in this both much and long and Art of Religion: the Grounds whereof we now onely in this small peece propose: in the composing whereof, I have (besides other approved Au∣thors) consulted also many Catechismes, in most of all which (though many both good and Orthodox) are meat for stronger folkes, and not that I especially hereby aimed at to yeeld, Milk for Children. In them many are hard and Page  [unnumbered] intricate and obscure words and Prases, as if set of purpose to puzzell Divines, and not as I desired herein to expresse plainnesse and most easie termes to informe the more unlearned. However all that I have herein and that you have not in others, is little more then the Me∣thod, and that too not much different from ma∣ny others: though they some be more copious, some more concise, not as I conceive so much consonant to the weake capacities of Children that must learne, and (sometimes) not of them of most abilities that may teach. So as plain∣nesse and perspicuity even to both may be the best mean to help on this my intendement to ad∣minister this Milk for Children, these instru∣ctions for the more rude and ignorant. Which they more learned may not disdaine to peruse, yea too for the advantage of them more unlearned that depend upon them, as a worke done to their hands that might requir their paines of search and composure, though otherwise never so wise and knowing. Not to intrude therefore upon any your charges, if what I have here composed for the instruction of my owne, may (by Gods blessing) become an case to any of you or usefull to any of yours: let it have both courteous and Christian entertainment with you: and that by your cha∣ritable supplying what is defective, and favou∣rable correcting what may be amisse in it.

Goats hair a was useful for the Tabernacle as Page  [unnumbered] wel• as Gold, Silver, Brasse, blew Purple, Scar∣let and fine Linnen, and with a willing heart given as well accepted: so for the Salvation of soules these like meane and familiar grounds of Instruction may be as usefull, as more learned and more eminent Structures. In as much as those Structures may hardly stand, but where first are laid these like Grounds. When therefore it be∣hoves some to lay these grounds, as well as others to erect those Structures. In which, when as ser∣vants to one God, and Labourers in one Vine∣yard, the Church of God, let us all worke together for good, and that by our every wayes carefull tender of the People of God committed to us. And being the worke we have is hard and pressing, let us in what we may ease and releeve each other, the worke of one be helpfull to the studies of a∣nother, the both workes and studies of both be helpfull to the edification of all. Which is all that I hereby aime at, And so rest