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Act approving the LARGER CATECHISM.

THE General Assembly having exactly examined and seriously considered the LARGER CATECHISM, agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with assistance of Commissioners from this Kirk, copies thereof being printed, and sent to Presbyteries, for the more exact trial thereof; and publick intimation being frequently made in this Assembly, that every one that had. any doubts or objections upon it might put them in; do find, upon due examination thereof, That the said Catechism is agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this Kirk; a necessary part of the intended uniformity in religion, and a rich treasure for increasing knowledge among the people of God: and therefore the Assembly, as they bless the Lord that so excellent a Catechism is prepared, so they approve the same, as a part of uniformity; agreeing, for their part, that it be a common Catechism for the three kingdoms, and a Directory for catechising such as have made some proficiency in the knowledge of the grounds of religion.

Quest. 1.

THE

LARGER CATECHISM.

WHAT is the chief and highest end of man?
Ans. Man's chief and highest end is to glo-

rify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever.

1. à Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Cor. x. 31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or

Q. 2. How

whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

b Psal. lxxiii. 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. Ver. 25. Whom H5 have

Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God?

A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvationd.

Q. 3. What is the word of God?

A. The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience f.

have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. Ver. 26. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Ver. 27. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a wł whoring from thee. Ver. 28. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. John xvii. 21. That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. Ver. 22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one. Ver. 23. I in them, and thou in me, that tliey may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved

me.

2. Rom. i. 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Ver. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal, power and Godhead;: so that they are without excuse. Psal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of,

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are

God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Ver. 3. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Acts xvii. 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being.

d1 Cor. ii. 9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Ver. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit 2 for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Ver. 16. Alk scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Ver. 17. That the man of God may be per-. fect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Isa. lix. 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them,. saith the Lord, My Spirit that is. upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever..

2.2 Tim.

Q. 4. How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God? A. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the

3.2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Pet. i. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: Ver. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. Ver. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

f Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Rev. xxii. 18. For I testify unto every man that. heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall, add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: Ver. 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Isa. viii. 20. To the law, and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Luke xvi. 29. They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Ver. 31. If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though.

one rose from the dead. Gal. i. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Ver. 9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 2 Tim. 3. 15, 16. [See in letter d.]

4. 8 Hos. viii. 12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. 1. Cor. ii. 6. Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought. Ver. 7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Ver. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teach eth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Psal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold. wondrous things out of thy law... Ver. 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them..

h-Paal. xii. 26. The words of the Land are pore words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psal. cxix. 140. Thy word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it.

H6

i Acts

the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation': but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God m.

i Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts xxvi. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.

* Rom. iii. 19. Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.. Ver. 27. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of

faith.

Acts xviii. 28. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that pubickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Heb. iv. 12. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. James i. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. Psal. zix. 7. The law of the Lord is pertect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple: Ver. 8. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the

Q. 5. What

heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes: Ver. 9. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous alto-. gether. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might mi have hope. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

m John xvi. 13. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Ver. 14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 1 John ii. 20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all. things. Ver. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you; and ye need not that. any man teach you: but, as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. John xx. 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name..

5.2 Tim

Q. 5. What do the scriptures principally teach? A. The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man".

What man ought to believe concerning God.

Q. 6. What do the scriptures make known of God? A. The scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, his decrees, and the execution of his decrees'.

Q. 7. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit', in and of himself infinite in being, glory", blessedness ", and perfection*; all-sufficient', eternal,

5.2 Tim. i. 13. Hold fast the

form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

6. Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

P1 John v. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one.

9 Acts xv. 14. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Ver. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written. Ver. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Acts iv. 27. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together, Ver. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done...

7. $ John iv. 24. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

t Exod. iii. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Job xi. 7. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto per-. fection? Ver. 8. It is high as heaven, what canst thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? Ver. 9.. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

u Acts vii. 2. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.

w1 Tim. vi. 15. Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

x Mat. v. 48. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Y Gen. xvii. 1. And when Abraham was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abraham, and said unto him, I am the

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