V. 10. [S:-e letter d.] Ver. 1 1 . Know-

ing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men ; but we are made nxanifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 2 Thess. i. 5. Which is a manifest t(jken of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted wor- thy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. Ver. G. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you ; Ver. 7. And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be re- vealed from heaven with hb mighty angels. Luke ixi. 27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. Ver. iJS, And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; fnr your redemption draweth nigh, Rom. viii. 2?>. And not only they, but ourselves al^^o, which have tlie fir£t-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, , H 3 waiting
174
The Confession of Faith Chap. XXXIII.
they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchfuJ, because they know not at what hour the liOrd will come ; and may be ever prepared to say. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen ".
waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Ver. 24. for we are saved by hope : but hope that is seen is not hope r for what a jnan seeth, why doth h^i yet hope for? Ver. 25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
8 Mat. XX •\ 36, 42, 43, 44. [See in. the £w'e^ Mark xiii. 35. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house co- meth ; at even, or at midnight, #s a^ the cock-crowing, or in the
morning ; Ver. 36. Lest coming sud- denly, he find you sleeping. Ver. 37. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch, Luke xii. 35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; Ver. 36. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding, that, when he Cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Rev. xxii. 20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly ; Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus,
F J N I S^
THE
LARGER CATECHISM,
AOHKltt) vvou »r
I' THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES t AT WESTMINSTER,
i WITH TBE ASSISTANCE OF
I COMMISSIONERS \ rKOM THX
\ CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,
AS
- A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of Cur I ST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland.
AND
Approved Anno 1648, by the General Assembly of the Church of Scot- ia no, to be a Directory for catechising such as have made tonui proficiency in the Knowledge of the Grounds of Religion.
WITH TUE
PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.
Assembly at Edtxbu^GH, July 2. 164S, Sess; 10. Act approving the Larger Catechism.
rPIE General Assembly having exactly examined and seriously considered the Larger Catechism, agreed pon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster^ Yith assistance of Commissioners from this Kirk, copies [hereof being printed, and sent to Presbyteries, for the :aore exact trial thereof; and publick intimation being requently made in this Assembly, that every one that had, my doubts or objections ujK^n it might put tliem in ; do ind, upon due examination thereof, That the said Catechism s agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary o the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and govern- nent of this Kirk ; a necessary part of the intended uni- brmity in religion, and a rich treasure for increasing cnowledge among the people of God : and therefore the \ nibly, as they bless the Lord that so excellent a Cate- 11 is prepared, so they approve the same, as a part of rmity ; agreeing, for their part, that it be a common . chisiu for the three kingdoms, and a Directory for catechising such as have made some proficiency in the knowledge of the grounds of religion.
=^»
THB
LARGER CATECHISM.
Quest. 1. 71^ HAT is the chief and highest aid of man?
'' Ans. Man"*s chief and highest end is to glo-- rify God *. and fully to enjoy liim for ever ^
Q, 2. How
1. * Rom. x!, 36. Fc\ of hire, whatsoever ye do^ do all to the ard throui^h hm. and to h*m, are glory of Ood. all things; to wh-»m be glory for ^^ PsaL Ixxiii. 24. Thou fhalt guide
ever. Amen. 1 Cor. x. SJ. Whe- me with thy counsel, and afterwards ther . thuerore ye eat w diiiik, or xecei^fc me to glory. Vcr. 'J5. Whcn^,
US. hayti.
178
The Larger Catechism.
Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God 9
A. The very light of nature in maii^ and the works ol God, declare plainly that there is a God " ; but his wort 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
have r 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 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 iinus: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. Vier. 22. And the glory which thou^gavest Die I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one. Ver. 23. I in them, and thou in me, that they 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 eeen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead;, so that they, iire without excuse. Psal.. xix. 1. The heav£ns declare the glory of^
God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night shewetli 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.
d I Cor. ii. 9. But as it is writ- ten. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which Godi hath prepared for them that love him. Ver. 10; But God hath re- vealed them unto us by his Spirit fc 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. IG. All scripture is given by inspiration of. God, and is profitable for doctrine,, for reproof, for correction, for in- struction in righteousness: Ver. 17. That the man of God may be per- fect, thoroughly furnished unto all. good v/orks. 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 de-- part out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out cf the mouth of thy seeds seed, saith the Lord,, from henceforth and forr ever,
a.'^aTinu
11;
7%e Larger Catechism.
179
are the word of God% the only rule of fartli and obe- dience ^
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
S.-^ 2 Tim. lii. IG. All scripture is
given by inspiration of Gotl. 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. Know-
injf this first, that no prophecy of
*^ cripture is of any private inter-
:ion. Vcr. 21. For the pro-
• came not in old time by the
)f man: but holy men of God
.:■ as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost.
f Eph. ii. 20. And are built upv>n the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Rev. xxii. 18. For I terrify unto every man that heareih the words of the prophecy of this bofjk, If any man shall add unto these thinp^, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book : Ver. 1 9. And if any man shall take away from the \N'ord3 of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his^ part out of the book of life, and cut of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this Iwok. Isa. viii. 20. To the law, and to the testimony : if they spenk not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them. Luke xvi. 29. They hava Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Ver. Ul. If they hear Rot Moses and the prophets, nei^. Shei will they be .persuaded thou^-h .
one rose from the cJead. Ga). 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 ac- cursed. Ver.^ 9. As we said before, so say I now again. If any maa preach any other gospel unto you than th:it ye have received, let him be accursed. 2 Tim. .3. 15, 16.
4. 6 Hos. viii. 1 2. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. l.Ctor.ii. 6. Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of tjie princes of this world, that come to nought. Ver. 7. Cut we speak the wisdom of God ia 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 wii^dom teach- eth, but which the Hiily Ghost- taacheth ; comparing spiritual thing* with spiritual. ?»al. cxix. J K. Open thou mine eyes^ that I may behold wondrouB things out of thy law.- Ver. r2r>.' Thy testimonies are won- derfiU: therefore dotix m.y soul keep them- .
h-PaaL Jtii. jG. Tk». 'crorih «f the Lead :\ce pire words: as silver tried in. a furnace of earth, purified seven times.' Psal. cxix. 140. Thy word is verjr pure j therefore thy servant luve:h it.
H 6 i^Uta
ISO'
The Lixrger Catechism.
the parts \ and the scope of the whole, which is to give all gloiy to God ^' ; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto sal- vation^: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to per- suade it that they are the very word of God '".
Q. 5. What
I Acts X. 43. To him give all die prophets witness, th;it through his XiUme, whosoever helieveth in kinx i-iull receive remission of sins. Acts xvi. 22. H.iving therefore ohtained *.iclp of God, I continue unto this *lay, witnessing hoth to small and ji-reat, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses «ud say should come.
^ Rom. iii. 1 9. Now we know, tJiat what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law : that every niouth jiiay be stopped, and all the world may become guilty bc'fore God.. Ver. 27. Where is boasting then ? It is excluded. By what law ? of Tvorks f Nay ; but by the law of 'ikh.
' Acts xyiii. 28. For he mightily I nnvinced the Jews, and that pub- Lckly,. shewing by the scriptures that .lesus was Christ.. Heb. iv.. 12. For the word of God is quick and power- iul, and sharper than any two-edged -word, piercing even to the dividing uiunder of soul and spirit, and of , he joints and marrow, and is a dis- onier of the thoughts and intents oi the heart. James i. 18. Of his 'iwn will btgat he us with the word 'if truth, that we should be a kind of 'u-st-fniits of his creatures. Psal. /,tx. 7. The law of the I^ord is per- lect, converting the soul: the testi- 4iony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple : Ver. 8. The statutes •i the Lord are right, rejoicing the
heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes :. Ver. 9. The fear of the I^ord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments o£ the Lord are true and righteous alto- gvrther. Rom. xv. 4. For whatso- ever 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. inhcricauce among all them whicb are sanctified.
"'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 what- soever he shall hear, that shall he speak : and he will shew you things to come. Ver. 1 4. 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. V«r. 27. But the anointing whicJi 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 hatli taught you, ye shall abide in him. John xx, 31. But the&e are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing ye might. haset lift through, his mme*
5,. ° 2 Tjiru
The Larger Cakchiam.,
ISI
Q. .'), What do the seriptuixs jyn'ncr'palh/ teach 9 A. The scriptures principally teach, what man is to be- lieve concerning God, and what duty God requires of man"
What man ought to believe concerning God.
Q. 6. What do (he scriptures make Icnowyi of God?
A. The scriptures make known what God is", the per- sons 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 ^ ; alUsufhcient
nal^
5. " 2 Tim. i. 1 .1. Hold fast the form of sound word*, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
6. ° Heh. xL C. Bui without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to Ood must heUeve 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 Koly Ghojt : and these three are one.
*• Acts XV. 14. Simeon hath de- clared how God at :he 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. J 8. Known unto God are all his w orks from the beginning of the world.
^ Acts iv. 'J 7. Tor of a truth, agaln&t thy holy child Jt-us, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gen- tiles aiid the people of Israel, were gathered together, Ver. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel dtit'jriaiiied btfure to be dfiue.
7. 5 John iv. 24. God is a Spirit ; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
r Exod. iii. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto t+ie 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 thao the earth, and broader than the sea.
" Acts vii. 2. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham,, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.
*" 1 Tim. vi. 15. Which in his times he thuU shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
X Mat. V. 48. Be ye therefore per- fect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
y Gen. xvii. 1. And when Ab- raham was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Ab- fijiiiim, acd sold, uclo him, I anv
18^
The Larger Catechism.
nal^, unchangeable % incomprehensible*', every where pre* sent % ahiiighty **, knowing all things *, most wise % most holy % most just ^, most merciful and gracious, long-suffer- ing, and abundant in goodness and truth *.
Q. 8. Are there more Gods than one ?
A, There is but One only, the living and true God \
Q. 9. Horn
the Almighty God : walk before me, and be thou perfect.
^ Psal. xo. 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.
* Mai. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. James i. 1 7. Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
bl Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth ! Behold, heaven, and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee ; how much less this house that I have builded ?
*= Psal. cxxxix. 1,— LS. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me : thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising, thou understand- est my thoughts afar off, life. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit.? or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? Iffc.
dRev. iv. 8. And the four beasts had each of them six 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.
*^ Heb. iv, 1 S. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight ; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to 4o. Psal. cilyii« 5% Great ii oiur
Lord, ahd of great power; his un- derstanding is infinite.
f Rom. xvi. 27. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Chrisf for ever. Amen. ;j
S Isa. vi. 3. And one cried unto^; another, and said. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts ; the whole earth . is full of his glory. Rev. xv. 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord^. and glorify thy name } for thou only art holy : for all nations shall com© and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
1' Deut. xxxii. 4. He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways^' are judgment : a God of truth, and , ^ without iniquity, just and right is-^' he.
i Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the I>ord passed by before him, and proclaim- ed, 1'he Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffer- ing, and abundant in goodness and truth.
8. kDeut. vi. 4. Hear, O Israel _ The Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor, viii.. 4. As concerning there- fore the eating of those things ■ that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothitig in the world, and that there is none other God but ore Ver; 6. But to us there is buc oi.i God, the Father, of whom are ali things, and we in him ; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Jer,