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Because the doctor of Catholic truth ought not only to teach the
proficient, but also to instruct beginners (according to the
Apostle: As unto little ones in Christ, I gave you milk to drink,
not meat -- 1 Cor. 3:1-2), we purpose in this book to treat
of whatever belongs to the Christian religion, in such a way as may
tend to the instruction of beginners. We have considered that students
in this doctrine have not seldom been hampered by what they have found
written by other authors, partly on account of the multiplication of
useless questions, articles, and arguments, partly also because those
things that are needful for them to know are not taught according to the
order of the subject matter, but according as the plan of the book
might require, or the occasion of the argument offer, partly, too,
because frequent repetition brought weariness and confusion to the minds
of readers.
Endeavouring to avoid these and other like faults, we shall try, by
God's help, to set forth whatever is included in this sacred doctrine
as briefly and clearly as the matter itself may allow.
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