And so all well governed, and wisely managed Churches, have still maintained and used it, as knowing the necessity and usefulness thereof; for the younger sort to inform them in the Principles of that Religion whereunto they were Baptized; and for the establishment of the Adult and more aged therein.

Hence have issued all those little Composures of all the fundamental Doctrines of Faith and practice so handled (which we call Catechisms) in the Churches; and particularly in ours, whereof there are many and diverse, whose Authors have well deserved for their Endeavours to inform and edify the People thereby. But among them all, none excel this little Catechism of the Assembly, for orthodoxy, Fulness, and Method.

And because the Answers therein are some of them pretty large, and treat of the most profound Mysteries of our Religion; therefore several persons have bestowed their good and laudable Pains, some in descanting more largely, and proving by Scriptural Reasons the Particulars: and one has shown the harmony thereof with Articles and Homilies of the Church of England (designed, I suppose, under each, to make them more intelligible to younger ones, and more easy to be remembered.

Among whom, Worthy, Orthodox, and Excellent Mr. John Flavel may be ranked, he among other of his many and most profitable labours, applied himself to the chewing of this bread of Life, or crumbling it in to smaller pieces, for the Conveniency of Children and (indeed) of all; wherein (as in all his other Works) he hath shown himself a Workman that needs not to be ashamed.

There needs no other recommendations to this Posthumous Piece, but the worthy Author's Name; he was removed before he had completely finished it; he had prepared his Questions and Answers upon the seond Petition of the Lord's Prayer; but lived not to propose them in the public Congregation. God then translated him into his Kingdom of Glory above, while he was so industriously endeavouring to promote the Kingdom of Grace below.

The other five remaining Questions and Answers (to complete the Work) were done by a ruder hand; as may easily be discerned by any observant Reader, who will find himself transferred from a plain, clear, and delightful Style, method, and manner, into more rough, disorderly, and unpleasant ones; for who, indeed, could equal this Divine Labourer? Not the Completer: who would account himself to ahve made very great Attainments in Divinity and Usefulness, if he were left but a few furlongs behind him.

Let the Reader use and peruse this Piece, and he will see cause to bless God for the Author.

Being desired to testify my respect to the worthy Author, by prefacing this Excellent Labour of his with a few Lines; I can truly say (as sometimes Beza of Calvin) Now Mr. Flavel is dead, Life will be less sweet, and Death less bitter to me.

My heart bleeds to look on this desolate place, and not to see him, that whilst living, was the glory of it.

But neither Author, nor his Writings, stand in need of the commendation of others, much less of mine.

His works already published have made his Name precious in both Englands, and it will be so as long as the Earth shall endure.

There are some considerations which may cause the Reader to expect (and he will not find himself disappointed therein) that which is extraordinary in this little Manual: for the Author's Heart was very much engaged in doing this Service for Christ, in thus feeding his Lambs. And he did himself design the publication of what is here committed to the Press; and was very desirous (with an holy submission to the will of God) to have perfected this work before his Decease; but had strange intimations that he should finish his Course, before that could be done.

When he did viva voce deliver his Meditations, there were many Enlargements, and lively Passages which are not here inserted: nevertheless here is as much as he thought needful for public view, not being willing that his book should be Volumious.

In his last Catechetical Exercise concerning Hallowing the Name of God, he was enlarged; but he must himself go into the Kingdom of Glory, when he intended to have discoursed on that Petition, Thy Kingdom come.

He also began some Meditations on the Joys of Heaven: But before he had an opportunity to express what had been in his Heart, the Lord Jesus said unto him, Enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord. And thus doth it happen many times to the eminent and holy servants of God.

Another Consideration, recommending what comes herewith, is, that it was amongst Mr. Flavel's last Works. The (exodia rhmata) Last sayings of wise and great men have been esteemed Oraculous; and the Scripture puts an Emphasis on the last Words of David, the sweet singer of Israel, 2 Samuel 23:1. Not that those were the last words that ever David spake, only they were written not long before his Death, when he was come near Heaven.

So was what is now put into the Reader's hand, written by Mr. Flavel not long before his Translation to the World of Souls, where the Spirits of Just men are made perfect.

There was a more than ordinary presence of God with him to his last; and in his last days, not the last Sermon that he preached (which was June 21, 1691). He did more than once surprise his Hearers with an Intimation, that that might be the last time he should speak to them in the name of the Lord. And was not then the secret of the Lord with him?

Dartmouth will know, and Devonshire will know, that there has been a Prophet among them.