163

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.

of Man?

1. Question. W HAM in the chief and highest End

T is Answer. Man's chief and highest End is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever 5.

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

Anfw. 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 1. * Rom. 11.36. For of him, and good for me to draw nearto God: I through him, and to him are all have put my trust in the Lord God, things: to whom be glory for ever. that i may declare all thy works. Amen. 1. Cor. 1o. 31. Whether John 17.21. That they all may be therefore ye car or drink, or what- one, as thon, Father, art in me, and soever ye do, do all to the glory lin thee; that they also may be one of God.

in us : that the world may believe Pfal. 73. 24: Thou shalt guide that thou hast sent me. v. 22. And me with thy counsel, and afterwards the glory which thou gavest me, I receive me to glory. v.25. Whom have given them: that they may be have I in heaven but thee? and there one, even as we are one. v. 23. 1 in is none on earth, that I desire be- them and thou in me, that they may lides thee. v. 26. My flesh and my 'be made perfect in one, and that the heart faileth: but God is the strength world may know that thou haft sent of my heart, and my portion for me, and hast loved them, as thou ever. v. 27. .For lo, they that are haft loved me. far from thee, fhall perith : thou Rom. 1. 19. Because that Thalt destroy all them that go a which may be known of God, is whoring from thee. v. 28. But it is

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and effe&tually reveal him unto Men for their Salvation d.

3. Quest. What is the Word of God ?

Answ. The holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God; the only Rule of Faith and Obedience f.

4. Queft. manifest in them ; for God hath rit that is upon thee, and my words fhcwed it unto them. 'v. 20. For which I have put in thy mouth, shall the invisible things of him from the not depart out of thy mouth, nor creation of the world are clearly out of the mouth of thy seed, nor seen,being understood by the things out of the mouth ofthy seeds

seed, that are made, even his eternal power faith the Lord, from henceforth and Godhead; so that they are with- and for ever. out excuse. Psal. 19. 1. The hea- 3. ¢ 2 Tim. 3. 16. All fcripture vens declare the glory of God: and is given by infpiration of God. 2 Pet. the firmament shewerh his handy- 1. 19. We have also a more sure work. v. 2. Day unto day uttereth word of prophecy; whereunto ye do speech and night'unto night sheweth well that ye take heed, as unto a 'knowledge. v. 3. There is no speech light that shineth into a dark place, nor language, where their voice is until the day dawn, and the day-star 'not heard. Acts 17. 28. For in him arise in your hearts: v.20. Knowing we live, and move, and have our this first, that no prophecy of the being.

scripture is of any private interpreI Cor. 2.9. But as it is written, tation. v. 21. For the prophecy Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, came not in old time by the will of neither have entred into the heart of man: but holy men of God spake man, the things which God hath as they were moved by the holy Ghoit. prepared for them that love him. f Eph. 2, 20. And are built upon v. 10. But God hath revealed them the foundation of the apostles and unto us by his Spirit: forthe Spirit prophets, Jesus Christ himself being searcheth all things, yea, the deep thechief corner-stone. Rev. 22. 18. things of God. 2 Tim. 3. 15. And For I testify unto every man that that from a child thou hast known heareth the

words of the prophecy the holy scriptures, which are able of this book, If any man shall add to make thee wise unto salvation, unto these things, God shall add unthrough faith which is in Christ Je- to him the plagues that are written Sus. v. 16. All scripture is given by in this book : v. 19. And if any inspiration of God, and is profitable man shall take away from the words for doctrine, for reproof, for cor- of the book of this prophecy, God reation, for instruction in righteout- shall take away his part out of the ness. v. 17. That the man of God book of life, and out of the holy may be perfect, throughly furnish- , city, and from the things which are ed unto all good works. Ifa. 59. written in this book. Isa. 8. 20. To 21. As for me, this is my covenant the law and to the testimony : it with them, saith the Lord, My Spi

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4. Quest. How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?

Answ. The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God by their Majesty , and Purity h by the Consent of all the Parts ļ, 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 Wit

ness they speak not according to this mine eyes, that I may behold wonword, it is because there is no light drous things out of thy law. v. 129. in them. Luke 16. 29. They have Thy testimonies are wonderful : Moses and the prophets ; let them therefore doth my soul keep them. hear them: v.31. If they hear not h Psalm 12. 6. The words of the Moses and the prophets, neither Lord are pure words: as filver tried' will they be perswaded, though one in a furnace of earth, purified seven rose from the dead. Gal. 1. 8. But times. Psalm 119. 140. Thy word though we, or an angel from hea- is very pure: therefore thy servant ven, preach any other gospel un- loveth it. to you, than that which we have Afts 10.43. To him give allthe preached unto you, let him be ac- prophets witness, that through his cursed, v. 9. As we said before, name whosoever believeth in him, fo say I now again, If any man preach shall receive remission of sins. Acts any other gospel unto you, than that 26. 22. Having therefore obtained ye have received, let him be ac- help of God, I continue unto this cursed. 2 Tim. 3. 15, 16. [ See let- day, witnessing both to small and ter d. ]

great, saying none other things than 4. 6 Hosea 8. 12. I have written those which the prophets and Moses to him the great things of my law, did say should come. but they were counted as a strange k Rom. 3. 19. Now we know that thing. I Cor. 2.6. Howbeit we speak what things soever the law saith, it wisdom among them that are per-. faith to them who are under the law: fe&t : yet not the wisdom of this that every mouth may be stopped, world, nor of the princes of this and all the world may become guilty world, that come to naught. v.7. before God. 0.27. Where is boaftBut we speak the wisdom of God in a ing then? It is excluded. Ry what's mystery, even the hidden wisdom law: of works : Nay: but by the which God ordained before the law of faith. world unto our glory. v. 13. Which Aits 18. 28. For he mightily things also we speak, not in the convinced the Jews, and that publickwords which mans wisdom teacheth, ly, shewing by the scriptures, that but which the holy Ghost teacheth; Jesus was Christ. Heb. 4. 12. For the comparing spiritual things with spi- word of God is quick, and powerritual. Psalm 119. 18. Open thou

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nefs by and with the Scriptures in the Heart of Man, is alone able fully to perswade' it that they are the very Word of God in. 5. Quest . What do the Scriptures principally

, teach? Answ. The Scriptures principally teach, what Man is to believe concerning God, and what Duty God requires of Man'n

What Man ought to believe concerning God.

6. Quest. What do the Scriptures make known of God? Anfru. The Scriptures make known what God is ',

the ful, and sharper than any two-edged he the Spirit of truth is come, he' sword, piercing even to the dividing will guide you into all truth : for asunder of soul and spirit, and of he shall not speak of himself; but the joints and marrow, and is a dif- whatsoever he shall hear, that shall cerner of the thoughts and intents he speak : and he will shew you of the heart. James 1. 18. Of his things to come. v. 14. He shall own will begat he us with the word of glorifie me: for he shall receive of truth, that we lliould be a kind of mine, and shall shew it unto you. first fruits of his creatures. Psalmi9. 1 John 2. 20. But ye have an un7. The law of the Lord is perfe&, &tion from the holy One, and ye converting the soul : the testimony know all things. v. 27. But the of the Lord is sure, making wise the anointing which ye have received fimple. . v. 8. The statutes of the of him, abideth in you: and ye need Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: not that any man teach you : But, as the commandment of the Lord is the same anointing teacheth you of pure, enlightning the eyes. v. 9. all things and is truth, and is no lie : The fear of the Lord is clean, endu- and even as it hath taught you, ye ring for ever: the judgments of the shall abide in him. John 20. 31. But Lord are true and righteous altoge- these are written, that ye might bether. Rom. 15.4. For whatsoever lieve that Jesus is the Christ the Son things were written aforetime, were of God, and that believing ye might written for our learning;: that we haye life through his name. through patience and comfort of 2 Tim. 1. 13. Hold fast the the scriptures might have hope. Acts form of sound words, which thou 20. 32. And now brethren, Icom- haft heard of me; in faith and love mend youto God, and to the word which is in Christ Jesus, of his grace, which is able to build 6. • Heb. II, 6. But without you up, and to give you an inheri- faith it is impossible to please him : tance among all them which are for he that cometh ro God, must fanctified.

believe that he is, and that he is a ma Jokn 16, 13. Howbeit, when

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the Persons in the Godhead P., his Decrees , and and the Execution of his Decrees?

7. Queft. What is God?

Answ. God'is a Spirit', in and of himself infis nite in Being !, Glory , Blessedness w, and Perfedion *; all-Tufficient, eternal ?, unchangeable , incomprehensible b, every where presente, almigh

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ty rewarder of them that diligently appeared unto our father Abraham, seek him.

when he was in Mesopotamia, beP. 1 John's :7. For there are thrce fore he dwelt in'Charran. that bear record in heaven, the Fa- wiTim, 6.15. Which in his times ther, the Word, and the holy Ghost: he shall shew, who is the blessed and and these three are one,

only.Potentate, the King of kings, 9 Acts 15. 14. Simeon hath de- and Lord of lords. clared how God at the first did visit * Mat. s. 48. Be ye therefore the Gentiles, to take out of them a perfect, even as your Father which people for his name. v. 15. And is in heaven is perfect. to this agree the words of the pro-- -* Gen. 17 1. And when Abraham phets, as it is written. U. 18. Known was ninety years old and nine, the unto God are all his works from the Lord appeared to Abraham,and said beginning of the world.

unto him, I am the almighty God; Acts 4.27. Forof a truth against walk before me and be thou perfect. thy holy child Jesus, whom thou ? Pfalm go. 2. Before the mounhaft anointed, both Herod and Pon- tains were brought forth, or ever tius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and thou hadft formed the earth and the the people of Israel were gathered world: even from everlasting to together, v. 28. For to do whatso- everlasting, thou art Göd. ever thy hand and thy counsel de- a Mal. 3. 6. For I am the Lord, termined before to be done. I change not : therefore ye sons of

7. © John 4. 24. God is a Spitit, Jacob are not consumed. James 1. and they that worship him, muft 17. Every good gift, and every per, worship him in spirit and in truth. fe& gift is from above, and cometh

* Exod. 3. 14. And God said unto down from the Father of lights, with Moses, I AM THAT I AM: And whom is no variableness, neither he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the shadow of turning. children of Israel, I AM hath sent 1 Kings 8. 27. But will God inme unto you. Job 11.7,8,9. Canft deed dwell on the earth? Behold, thou by searching find out God ? the heaven, and heaven of heavens Canst thou find out the Almighty cannot contain thee; how much less unto perfe&tion: 0.8. It is as high as this house that I have builded : heaven, what canst thou do: deeper Pfal. 139. 1.10 13. verse. O Lord; than hell,what canst thou know: 7.9, thou hast searched me and known The measure thereof is longer than me: thou knoweft my down-litting the earth, and broader than the sea. and mine up-rising, thou understanvas 7. 2. The God of glory

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