THE
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.
The Roman Catechism, of which an English translation is now submitted to the public, was composed by decree of the Council of
Trent; and the same venerable authority commands all Bishops "to
take care that it be faithfully translated into the vernacular language, and expounded to the people by all pastors."[1]
The Fathers of the Council had examined with patient industry, and, in the exercise of their high prerogative, had defined, with unerring accuracy, the dogmas of faith which were then denied or disputed: but the internal economy of the Church, also, solicited and engaged their attention; and accordingly, we find them employed in devising measures for the instruction of ignorance, the amelioration of discipline, and the reformation of morals.
Amongst the means suggested to their deliberative wisdom for the attainment of these important ends, the Roman Catechism has been deemed not the least judicious or effective. The ardour and industry of the "Reformers" were actively employed, not only in the publication of voluminous works, "to guard against which required, perhaps, little labour or circumspection;" but, also, in composition of "innumerable smaller works, which, veiling their errors under the semblance of piety, deceived with incredible facility the simple and the incautious."[2] To meet the mischievous activity of such men, and to rear the edifice of Christian knowledge on its only secure and solid basis, the instruction of its authorized teachers; to afford the faithful a fixed standard of Christian belief, and to the Pastor a prescribed form of religious instruction; to supply a pure and perennial fountain of living waters to refresh and invigorate at once the Pastor
