000.5. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE THIRD EDITION
ADVERTISEMENT TO THE THIRD EDITION THE words of the Shorter Catechism, being devised with the greatest judgment, and with a peculiar view, both for establishing scripture-truth, and likewise for refuting contrary errors, they are therefore, in this edition, particularly taken notice of; and to distinguish them, they are put in Italics, that the reader may the more easily discern how they are explained in this treatise. As the Confession of Faith and Larger Catechism are granted to be the best interpreters of the Shorter, the latter is carefully explained by the former, and several of the following questions and answers framed from these standards, as will easily appear by the quotations taken from them, and the references made unto them. In this edition, almost every answer is confirmed by the scriptures; many are added, where they were formerly wanting, and several exchanged, for those that are thought more apposite. In the former impressions, the scripture-proofs were, mostly, subjoined to the end of the answer; but now, each scripture is immediately annexed to that part of the answer it is designed to confirm, that it may be consulted with greater certainty, and less trouble, by those who incline to bring every position here advanced, to the unerring rule and standard of the Word. Some of the longer answers are divided into two or more, for sake of the memory; and some additional questions are interspersed through the whole, for illustration. A short Index is likewise annexed, of the most material things in both Parts.
I have employed my spare time for several months, in studying to make this Edition as correct and useful to the public as I could; and now I leave it in the hands of the God of Truth, that he may use it for the purposes of his own glory, in edifying the body of Christ, till they all come, in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
JAMES
FISHER.
GLASGOW, Jan. 14, 1765.