DEDICATION. thofe Texts declaring the Unbelievers Doom; if they will be executed upon any Perfons whatfoever, they muft fall with their full Weight upon those, who, through Sloth, or Idleness, or any vain Conceits of their own Righteousness, fhall, in this bright Light of the Gospel, continue wilfully ignorant of it. THESE things, My Brethren, I hope you have often confider'd; and, notwithstanding. the knowing and being well acquainted with the glad Tidings of Salvation, published in the Gospel, may require fome Pains and Application; you are convinced, that this Knowledge is of as much Value to you, as your own Souls: And are therefore determined to make your Growth in Grace, and in the Knowledge of Christ Jefus Our Lord, your First, as it is your Greatest Concern in this World. AND DEDICATION. AND of fo great Concern indeed it is to you and me, that I dare not leave any thing unattempted, which may affift and further you in it. And therefore, as I humbly hope, the Putting into your Hands the Abstracts of thofe Lectures, which I fhall continue, in the future Course of my Ministry, to read to you, may very much contribute to this great End: I fhall only beg Pardon of the Publick, that after fo many excellent Expofitions on the Church-Catechifm, I fhould prefùme to publifh this Plain Inftruction in the Principles and DoEtrines of the Chriftian Religion; and, defiring your Prayers for a Bleffing upon my Labours, subscribe my felf, as I really am, Tour most affectionate Paftor, and Servant in Christ Jefus, SAM. ADAMS. THE DIVISION OF THE Church-Catechifm. With an EXPLANATION of the I NTO how many Parts is this Catechifm divided? A. Into Five Parts. What doth the First contain? A. It contains the Baptifmal Vow; and teaches me upon what Conditions, and under what Promises I was made in Baptism a Member of Chrift's Church. Q. What does the Second Part contain? A. It contains all the Articles of the Christian Faith; and teaches me in fhort what I am to Believe. 2. What is the Third Part? A. The Ten Commandments, and teaches me what I am to do: And the Creed and the Commandments together, that Faith and Obedience are both neceffary to Salvation. Q. What is the Fourth Part? A. It is Chrift's Prayer in His own Words; and teaches me the best of Prayers; the best Pattern of Prayer; and the Neceffity of daily Prayer. A 2. What Q. What doth the Fifth Part contain? A. It contains the Doctrine of the Sacraments, and teaches me the Use of them, 2. What may you in the whole learn from this Catechifm? A. All that I am to forfake, believe, and do; and in fhort, to lead a good and holy Life, upon Chriftian Principles. 2. What Name is enquired after in the first Question? A. My Chriftian Name. 2. How many Names have you? A. Two; One called my Christian Name, derived from the Word Chrift; the Other called my Sir-name, from Sire, fignifying Father. What is fignified by your having these iwo Names? A. There are Two things fignified by it: Firft, That every Christian hath a twofold Relation; one to Christ, another to Man; that he belongs to two Families, the Family of Christ, and the Family of Adam: And Secondly, That he has undergone a Second Birth in being born again of Water and the Holy Ghoft, 2. Why is the Christian Name placed firft? A. Because it is the moft Honourable, it being a greater Honour to be a Christian than a Man. Q. What Reason may be given for making this the first Question in the Catechifm? A. First, To comply with the Weakness, and for the Encouragement of Young Learners and Children. Secondly, Because it is defigned for the Instruction only of thofe that have a Chriftian Name, and have given un their Names unto Chrift. Thirdly, Because that Name was given in Baptifm, and fo is a proper Introduction to the following Queftions concerning the Vow in Baptifm. Q. What are the Ufes we ought to make of this Question? A There are Three Ufes; First, That this Chriftian Name ought (at fome times at leaft) to put us in mind that we are Chriftians. Second |