Page:Catechismoftrent.djvu/13

 of all, a Work explanatory of Catholic doctrine, and universally acknowledged authority in the Catholic Church.

To the Pastor, upon whom devolves the duty of public instruction, the "Catechismus ad Parochos" presents peculiar advantages. In its pages he will discover a rich treasure of theological knowledge, admirably adapted to purposes of practical utility. The entire economy of religion he will there find developed to his view—the majesty of God, the nature of the divine essence—the attributes of the Deity, their transcendent operations—the creation of man, his unhappy fall—the promise of a Redeemer, the mysterious and merciful plan of redemption—the establishment of the Church, the marks by which it is to be known and distinguished—the awful sanction with which the Divine Law is fenced round, the rewards that await and animate the good, the punishments that threaten and awe the wicked—the nature, number and necessity of those supernatural aids instituted by the Divine goodness to support our weakness in the arduous conflict for salvation—the Law delivered in thunder on Sinai, embracing the various duties of man, under all the relations of his being—finally, the nature, necessity and conditions of that heavenly intercourse that should subsist between the soul and its Creator; the exposition of that admirable prayer composed by the Son of God—all this, comprehending as it does, the whole substance of doctrinal and practical religion, and at once instructive to Pastor and people, the reader will find in the "Catechismus ad Parochos," arranged in order, expounded with perspicuity, and sustained by convincing argument.

Besides a general index, one pointing out the adaptation of the several parts of the Catechism to the Gospel of the Sunday will, it is hoped, facilitate the duty of public instruction, and render this Catechism, what it was originally intended to be, the manual of Pastors.

Such are the nature and object of the present work: a brief sketch