THE

LARGER CATECHISM;

AGREED UPON BY THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF COMMISSIONERS FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

AS A PART OF THE COVENANTED UNIFORMITY IN RELIGION

BETWIXT THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE KINGDOMS

OF SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, AND IRELAND.

AND

APPROVED ANNO 1648, BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, TO BE A DIRECTORY FOR CATECHISING SUCH AS HAVE MADE SOME PROFICIENCY

IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROUNDS OF RELIGION.

WITH

THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

Assembly at EDINBURGH, July 2, 1648. Sess. 10.

Act approving the LARGER CATECHISM.

HE General Assembly having exactly examined and seriously considered

ting 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 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.

THE

LARGER CATECHISM.

QUEST. 1. WHAT is the chief and highest end of man?

Ans. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God,"

and fully to enjoy him for ever.b

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 salvation.

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.'

h

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 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:1 but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and 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 teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Ps. 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.

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 interpreta tion. 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.

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. iii. 15, 16. [See in letter d.]

4. & Hos. viii. 12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

h Ps. xii. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Ps. cxix. 140. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

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.

k 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.

1 Acts xviii. 28. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, 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 dis

with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God."

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?

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.

P 1 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.

A. God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, cerner 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. Ps. xix. 7. The law of the Lord is perfect, 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 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 altogether. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning: that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might 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 be lieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

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 begin. ning of the world.

r 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 perfection? Ver. 8. It is as 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.

▾ Acts vii. 2. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham,