THE LARGER CATECHISM, Agreed upon by the ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES at Westminster: Examined and approved, Anno 1648, by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF the CHURCH of SCOTLAND, &c. Question 1. THAT is the chief and highest end of man? Anfwer. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God a, and fully to enjoy him for ever b. 1. a Rom. 11.36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom beglory for ever. Amen. I Cor. 10. 31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or what foever ye do, do all to the glory of God. b Pfal. 73.24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, & afterwards receive me to glory. v. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none on earth that I desire befides thee. v. 26. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the ftrength of my heart, and my portion for ever. v. 27. For lo they that are far from thee, shall perish: thou shalt destroy all them that go a whoring from thee. v.28. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have putmy truft in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. John 17. 21. That they all maybe one, as thou, Father, art in me, and Spi I in thee; that they alsomay be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. v. 22. And the glory which thou gavelt me, I have given them: that they maybe one, even as we are one. v. 23. Ι in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou haft fent me, and haft loved them, as thou hast loved me. 2. c Rom. 1. 19. Because that which may be known of God, is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. v. 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.Pfal.19.1. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. v. 2. Day unto day L 1 spirit only do fufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their falvation d. Q. 3. What is the word of God? A. The holy fcriptures of the Old and New Teftament are the word of God e, the only rule of faith and obedience f. Q. 4. How doth it appear that the fcriptures are the word of God? A. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, day uttereth speech, and night unto night theweth knowledge. v. 3. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Acts, 17.28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being. d Cor. 2. 9. But as it is written, Eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1, 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his fpirit: for the spirit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 2 Tim. 3. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto salvation, through faith which is in Chrift Jefus v. 16. All fcripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof reproof, for correction, for inftruction in righteousness: v. 1,7. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.lfa.59. 21. As for me, this ismy covenant with them faith the Lord, my spirit that is upon thee, and mywords which I have put in thy mouth, hall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy feed, nor out of the mouth of thy feeds feed, faith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. 3. e 2 Tim. 3.16. All fcripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Pet. 1. 19. We have alfo a more fure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that thineth into a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arife in your hearts: v. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the fcripture is of any private.terpretation. v. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spa as they were moved by the holy Ghoft. f Eph. 2. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and proets, Jesus Christhimself being the chief corner ftone. Rev.22, 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 fhall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: v. 19. And if any manshall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God thall 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. 8. 20. Το the law and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Luke 16. 29. They have Mofes and the prophets; let them hear them: ". 31.1f they hear not Mofes and the prophets, neither will they be perfwaded, thoughone rose from the dead. Gal. 1. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospelunto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. v. 9. As we faid before fo say I now again, if any man preach anyothergospelunto you, than that ye have received, let him be accurfed. 2 Tim.3.15,16. (See letter d.) 4. & Hofea F f y t e F t God, by their majesty g, and purityh; by the consent of all the parts i, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God k; by their light and power to convince and convert finners, to comfort and build up believers unto falvation 1: but the Spirit of God beareth witness by and with the fcriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to perswade it that they are the very word of God m. 4. g Hofea 8. 12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. 1 Cor.2.6. Howbeit wespeak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world that come to nought. v. 7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory.v.13.Which things alfo we speak, not in the words whichmans wisdomteacheth, but which the holy Ghost teacheth; comparingspiritual thingswithspiritual. Pfal. 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of the law. v. 129. Thy teftimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my foul keep them, h Pfal. 12.6. The words of the Lord are pure words: as filver tried in a furnace of earth, purified feven times. Plal. 119. 140. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. i Acts 10.43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of fins. Acts 26. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, laying none other things than those which the prophets and Mofes did fay should come. k Rom.3.19. Now we know that what things loever the law faith, it faith to them who are under thelaw; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ข. 27. Where is Q5. boafting then? it is excluded. By what law? of works? nay: but by the law of faith. 1 Acts 18.28.Forhemightilyconvinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures, that Jesus wasChrist, Heb.4.12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, andsharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to thedividing afunder of Soul and Spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is adifcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. James 1. 18. Of his own will begat he uswith the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. Plal. 19.7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is fure, making wise the simple. v. 8. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightningthe eyes. v. 9. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Rom. 15.4. For whatfoever things were written aforetime, werewrittenfor ourlearning; that we through patience andcomfort of the scriptures might have hope. Acts 20. 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 16 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 ke 164 The Larger Catechism. Q. 5.What do the fcriptures principally teach ? A. The fcriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man n. 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 o, the perfons in the Godhead p, his decrees q, and the execution of his decrees r. Q. 7. What is God? A. God is a spirit s, in and of himself infinite in being t, glory v, blessedness w, and perfection x; All-fufficient y, eternal 2, Unchangeable a, incomprehensible b, every where present c, Almighty d, knowing all things e, most wise f, most holy g, most just h, most merciful and gracious, long-fuffering, and abundant in goodnefs and truth i. he speak: and he will shew you things to come. v. 14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 2. 20. But ye have an unEtion from the holy One, and ye know all things. . v. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him, abideth in you: and ye need not that any man teach you: But, asthe fame anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie: & even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. John.20. 31. But thele are written, that ye mightbelievethat Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, & that believing ye might have life through hisname. 5.n2 Tim.1 13. Hold faft the form of found words, which thou halt heard of me, in faith and love which is in Chrilt Jesus. 6,0 Heb.11.6. 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.5.7.Forthere are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, andtheholy Ghoft: and these three are one. qActs 15.14.Simeonhath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them on a people for his name. V. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written. v. 18.Known unto God are all his works fromthe beginning of the world. rActs 4.2%. For of a truth againft thy holy Child Jesus, whom thou haft anointed, both Herod & Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and Pilate the people of Ifrael were gathered together.v. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 7. 1 John 4. 24. Godis a spirit; and they that worship him, muft worship him in spirit and in truth. t Exod. 3. 14.AndGod faid unto Moses: I AM THAT I AM: And he said, thus shalt thou fay unto the children of Ifrael, I AM hath fent me unto you. Job. 11.7. 8,9. Canst thou by searching find out God? Canft thou find out the Almighty unto perfection ? v. 8. It is as high as heaven, what canft thou do? deeper than hell, what canft thou know? v, 9. The meafure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the lea. v. Acts 7. 2. The God of glory appeared unto ourfather Abraham, when he was in Mefopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran. wrTim. 6.15. Which in histimes he shall thew, who is the blessed and Q.8. Are there more God's than one? A. There is but one only the living and true God k. and only potentate, the king of kings, and Lord of lords. x Mat 5.48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father which is in heaven is perfect. y Gen. 17.1. And when Abraham was ninty years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abraham, & faid unto him, I am the almighty God; walk before me, & be thou perfect. -z Pfal. 90. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world: even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. every a Mal. 3. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not confumed James 1.17. Every good gift, and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shaddow of turning. b 1 Kings 8.27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and heavenof heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? c Pfal.139.1.tothe 13.ver. O Lord, thou halt fearched me and known me: thou knowest my down fitting and mine up-rifing, thou under standest my thoughts afar off, &c. Whether shalli go from thy spirit? or whether shall I flee from thy presence? &c. d Rev. 48. And the four beasts had each of them lix wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Q.9. e Heb. 4. 13. Neither is thereany creature that is not manifest in his fight: but all things are naked, and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Pial. 147,5. Great is our Lord and of great power: his understanding is infinite. f Rom. 16.27. To God onlywife be glory through Jesus Chrift, for ever. Amen. g Ifa. 6. 3. And one cried unto another, and faid, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Rev.15.4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifeft. h Deut. 32. 4. He is the rock, his work is perfect: for all hisways are judgments: a Godof truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he.. i Exod.34.6. And the Lord pafled by before him, andproclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-fuffering, & abundant in goodness and truth. 8k Deut. 6. 4. Hear, O Ifrael, The Lord our God is one Lord. Cor.8.4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is noneother God but one, v. 6. But to us there is but one God, the father of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Chrift, by whom are all things, andweby him. Jer. 10. 10. But the Lord is |