The public catechizing of children by way of familiar dialogue in short and plain questions & answers, though it be scrupled by some, as if it wanted Scripture warrant: yet such as acknowledge children to be members of Christ's kingdom and church, (as all but Antipaedobaptists do) (Mark 10:14) they cannot deny, that (being members of Christ's house) the stewards of his house must (in faithfulness to Christ, and them) dispense a portion of spiritual food to them in due season (Luke 12:42). And evident it is by daily experience that long discourses (sermon-wise) run over children's heads (like water over a mill, that grinds no meal at all) and pass their capacity. No way of instruction is so proper for them, as that which the prophet describes as most suitable to the understanding of children, line upon line, here a little and there a little (Isaiah 28:9, 10.) which can no way so conveniently be dispensed, as in brief and familiar questions and answers put into their mouths.
But as this way of short and familiar catechizing is the fittest portion of young children's bread: so there is a larger doctrine of catechism, containing the whole body of divinity, which being solidly compacted together, and evidently confirmed from Scripture light, and familiarly delivered to the apprehensions of God's people, it will be a seasonable portion for children of riper age: not only for their further building up in the faith and obedience of the doctrine of the Gospel: but also for their establishment in the truth, that they be not plucked away with the error of the wicked. Hence Luther had his major as well as his minor Catechismus: and Beza his larger confession of the faith as well as his shorter. Yes, the Apostle Paul (whose example was now precedential, as being indeed authentic and binding to imitation) he committed to Timothy a platform of sound and wholesome words, in faith and love: which he commanded and charged him, not only to hold fast himself (2 Timothy 1:13.) but likewise to commit the same to faithful men, who might be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2.). This charge, as it then was (and always will be) weighty, and seasonable: so never more important and necessary, than in this capricious and fastidious age, when men will not suffer wholesome doctrine, but having itching ears and wits, do turn away their hearts from the truth, and are given up to such empty and windy notions, wherein it is hard to judge whether arrogancy or ignorance be the more predominant: arrogance of higher attainments in Christ, or ignorance of the true Christ, and of life in him.
Now for casting in some help, (by the grace of Christ) to prevent the spreading of such a gangrene of vanity and apostasy; and to establish the people of God in the truth of the doctrine which is according to godliness: our reverend brother (according to the precious talent of wisdom, and sound judgment given to him, &c. out of his faithful love to the flock of Christ) he has compiled this ensuing platform of wholesome doctrine, in way of a larger catechism: wherein you shall find the sum of the doctrine of Christian religion, with pithy solidity and orderly dexterity digested together; and with clear evidence of truth confirmed from the holy Scriptures: and both with such familiar plainness of savory language, as (by the blessing of Christ) the simple-honest-hearted reader may be informed and established in the highest truths, and the most intelligent may be refreshed and comforted, in revising and recounting the treasures of wisdom and knowledge which they have received and embraced, and the grounds upon which they have believed; and all may be led on in the constant profession and practice of the faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
So we commend this ensuing treatise to the diligent perusal of the Christian reader; and both it and you to the rich blessing of the grace of Christ, and rest.
Your to serve in the faith and love of the Gospel, JOHN COTTON. JOHN WILSON.
