14.

no human Establishment can fecure the Church of God, while fhe is Militant here upon Earth. And till this can be effected, it is to be wished the Reverend Clergy would more frequently inftruct the People in fuch Duties; the Want of which neceffary Knowledge makes the Principles of Church-Communion fo little understood, Eph. iv. that Men are toffed to and fro, and carried about with every Wind of Doctrine, by the Slight of Men, and cùnning Craftiness whereby they lay in wait to deceive. I am very fenfible great Modesty hath prevailed upon them to divert their thoughts from this Subject, left it should be interpreted a preaching up themselves; but the fame Fears may as well prevent Parents from inftructing their Children, and Masters their Servants, in those Duties that relate to themfelves; and fince the Reafon does not hold good in one Cafe, it cannot be thought conclufive in the other. And if, after all, People will misinterpret the Discharge of their Duty though never fo neceffary, I hope they will 2 Cor. vi. think fit, with St. Paul, to approve themselves the

2.

4

Minifters of God, by evil Report, as well as good Report, as Deceivers and yet true; rather than neglect what may have fo great an Influence upon the Welfare of thofe Souls committed to their Charge. And I dare undertake for those whofe Modefty, as before obferved, too often with-holds them from magnifying their

Office as they jusly might; that they would not only be content, but very much rejoice to affift in all spiritual Affairs, such as skall make Application to them on thofe Accounts; and take it for a great Comfort and Encouragement to their Labours, if they could find their Parishioners ready upon all Occafions to confult them in the Concerns of their Souls, either for the Inftruction of their Ignorance, for the Refolution of their Doubts, for Direction in order to the avoiding or withstanding Temptations, for their Confolation under Trials and Afflictions, or for the beft Method of obtaining Pardon of their Sins, and quieting their Confciences.

I have long thought a Defign of this Nature might be ferviceable to the Intereft of Religion; and might contribute fomething towards reviving the Piety and Devotion of the Primitive Times; to which I wish we were as conformable in our Practices, as I am well fatisfied we are in our Doctrines. It is for this Reafon I havé ven-, tured to make this Effay, not knowing how bet→ ter to employ that Leifure and Command of Time which the good Providence of God has entrusted me with, than by confecrating it to this Service; depending upon the fame good Providence that fuggefted the Thought, to enable and support me in the Execution And I hope a Layman may be allowed at leaft

it.

to express his Defire to see Religion flourish, when fo many in the fame Rank make bold Attempts, in thofe vile and wicked Pamphlets that daily abound among us, to undermine the Christian Priesthood, and to ridicule the Mysteries of our Redemption: The mischievous ConSequences whereof the State, as well as the Church, may feel, if not timely prevented.

be

I am not much concerned for thofe juft Cenfures the World may fix upon the Meannefs of this Performance; the Defign of it will, with good People, atone for many Imperfections: Befides, a Man of moderate Attainments may ferviceable to thofe that have leffer Degrees of Knowledge, as alfo to fuch who, though they may have Capacity, yet have not Leifure nicely to enquire into thofe Matters. And provided I can but in the leaft Manner promote a Sense of Religion among thofe that want it, or contribute to the Increase of it where it is already entertained, I shall be much better pleased than to deferve the Praises of the most accomplished Critic.

Upon this Account I have chofe to throw the whole Subject of thefe Papers into a catechetical Form; hoping thereby they may become more univerfally inftructive; for many can judge of the Force of an Anfwer who are very much puzzled to follow Reason through a Chain of Confequences.

And

And if there be any fuch Readers ar fhall be prevail. d upon by my weak Endeavours to become more careful and folicitous about the one Thing neceffary; and shall be perfuaded or enabled to improve the Holy Seafons of the Church to the Advantage of their Souls; let God's holy Name have the Glory, who was pleafed to bless the meanest Inftrument in fo great a Work. Let me only beg the Favour of their Prayers, that when, upon fuch Occafions, they proftrate themselves at the Throne of Grace, and approach the holy Altars of God, they would, in the Fervor of their Devotions, offer up a Petition for the unworthy Author; that among all the Changes and Chances of this mortal Life, his Heart may furely there be fixed where true Joys are to be found; and that while he is folicitous about the Salvation of others, he may not fall fhort in fecuring his own.

All Saints, 1703.
Ormond-Street,

ROB. NELSON.

RULES

Feafts and Holy-Days begin.

EASTER-Day, on which the reft depend, is always the first Sunday after the first full Moon, which happens next after the One and Twentieth Day of March. And if the Full Moon happens upon a Sunday, Eafter-Day is the Sunday after.

Advent-Sunday is always the nearest Sunday to the Feaft of St. Andrew, whether before or after.