An Help for the Ignorant

By John Brown of Haddington

Westminster Shorter Catechism questions:

(A work in progess.)

The title page:

An Help for the Ignorant,
OR
An Essay towards an easy, plain, practical, and extensive Explication of the [Westminster] Assembly’s Shorter Catechism.

BY
Mr JOHN BROWN
Minister of the Gospel at Haddington [Scotland].

SECOND EDITION, WITH IMPROVEMENTS

Isaiah 27:11. It is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Hosea 4:6. My people destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Proverbs 22:6. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

2 Peter 3:18. Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“He that teacheth in a low, childish, and vulgar manner, teacheth best.”—Luther.

Edinburgh
Printed by JOHN GRAY and GAVIN ALSTON.
Sold at their printing house in Jackson’s Close, opposite to the City-guard.

MDCCLXI
[1761]

PREFACE

The following Catechism is generally extracted from the writings of the celebrated Boston, Usher, Owen, Durham, etc.: And in order to avoid repetitions, and render it at once low-priced, practical, abundant in matter, and brief and plain in its answers, some more important questions of the Shorter Catechism are more largely explained; while others, especially towards the end, are more briefly considered, their subject-matter being reviewed under some other head. It is therefore hoped the reader will compare Quest. 9. 11. 46. 54. 55. with quest. 4. Quest. 31. with quest. 14. 18-28. Quest. 33. with quest. 14. 18. 19. 20. 25. Quest. 35. with quest. 46. to 81. Quest. 50. with quest. 26. 54. 55. 88. 102. Quest. 84. with quest. 14. 19. Quest. 86. with quest. 31-38. Quest. 87. with quest. 18. 31. 35. etc.

In this edition (according to the plain sense of which every correspondent expression of the former, dubious or obscure, is SOLELY to be understood) there is a variety of improvements attempted, in polishing the language; inserting scripture-quotations; and in transposing, uniting, disjoining, adding, or retrenching, as appeared necessary for the sake of truth, or the edification of men. However, as the work, as well as its author, certainly retains a variety of imperfections, which, on the smallest conviction, I resolve a constant readiness to correct, may God, for Christ’s sake, forgive what is mine, and accept and bless with success what belongs to himself.

Meanwhile, let me earnestly obtest [entreat; beg] you, my young and ignorant readers, to acquaint yourselves now with God, that thereby good may come unto your souls: Know you the Lord God of your fathers, whom to know is life eternal: Get wisdom, and with all your getting, get spiritual understanding. Why should you trample on the distinguished favours of God, and the multiplied means of instruction he has put in your power? Has be sent his only begotten Son to assume your nature, and pay your infinite debt? Has he given you his word to unfold the glories of the Redeemer’s person, kingdom, righteousness, and love? Can you then be so foolish and ungrateful as to despise the knowledge of these things into which angels desire to look? Why should you ruin your souls by sloth and ignorance? Why should you so carefully study an earthly business, which cannot avail you in the grave, or at God’s tribunal, while you neglect the one thing needful, the eternally profitable knowledge of Christ, and him crucified?—And you parents and masters, permit me to request you, as you would not involve yourselves in the blood of your children and servants; as you would not train them up as Heathens in ignorance and impiety, and so render them a plague to your families, and reproach to their country, and the church of God; and as you would have them a comfort in your dying moments, and your crown of rejoicing in the great and terrible day of the Lord; study that wisdom which lies in winning their souls to Christ: with Abraham, command your families to know and keep the ways of God; and, with Joshua, resolve that you and your house shall serve the Lord, Genesis 18:19; Joshua 24:15.

Simon Padbury’s Notes

This text is from a digitised version of the second edition of this book by John Brown of Haddington, found on Google Books. I read through the PDF of scanned pages while correcting the OCR rendered text.

In the title, “ignorant” refers to those who have not been raised and educated in the Christian religion. We might say “unchurched” today. That said, many churches these days do not educate their children or adults to the level of this Help, so this will be of help to many people.

The 18th Century English in these pages has mostly been left as it is. It is close enough to 21st Century English that many young readers can read it easily. (The chapters of questions and answers that follow are easier to read than the Preface above.) However, the following modernisations have been made:

  • The obsolete tall ſ has been replaced with the short s.
  • In a few places, 18th Century spellings have been updated, e.g. Malachy—Malachi; shew—show; every where—everywhere; chuse—choose; doth—does; hath—has; &c.—etc..
  • A few old words require explanations that I have added in [square brackets].
  • Bible references: book names were originally abbreviated, but here they are given in full. Chapters were originally in Roman numerals, but here they are converted to our modern Arabic numerals.