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THE

LARGER CATECHISM,

Agreed upon by the ASSEMBLY of DIVINES at Westminster: Examined and approved, Anno 1648, by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the CHURCI of SCOTLAND, &c.

Question 1.

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AT 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. 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 c: but his word and

1. a Rom.11.36. For of him,and through him, and to him are all things: to whom beglory for ever. Amen. 1 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 counfel, & afterwards receive me to glory. v. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and. there is none on earth that I defire befides thee. "..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, fhall perish: thou shalt destroy all them that go a whoring from thee. v.28. But it is good for me to draw near toGod: 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

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I in thee; that they alfomay 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. I 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 haft loved me.

2. c Rom. 1. 19. Because that which may be known of God, is manifeft in them; for God hath fhewed it unto them. v. 20. For the invifible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly feen, being understood by the things that are made,even his eternal power and Godhead; fo that. they are without excufe.Pfal.19.1. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament fheweth his handy-work. v. 2. Day unto

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fpirit 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 feriptures manifeft themfelves to be the word of
God,

day uttereth fpeech, and night un-
to night theweth knowledge. v. 3.
There is no fpeech 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 bath prepared for them that love him. 2, 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his fpirit: for the fpirit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 2 Tim. 3. 15. And that from a child thou haft known the holy fcriptures,which are able to make thee wife unto falvation, through faith which is inChrift Jefus v.16.All fcripture is given by infpiration of God,and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor1rection, for inftruction in righteoufnefs v. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnifhed unto all good works.lfa.59. 21. As for me, this ismy covenant with them faith the Lord, my fpirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, fhall 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 scripture is given by infpiration of God. 2 Pet. I. 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 ftar arife in your hearts: 7. 20. Knowing this firft, that no prophecy of the fcripture is of any private terpretation. v. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the willfman: but holy men of God ipa as they were moved by the holy Ghost.

f Eph. 2. 20.And are built upon the foundation of the apoftles and prorets, Jefus Chrifthimself being the chief corner ftone. Rev.22, 18. For I teftify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man fhall add unto thefe things, God fhall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: v. 19. And if any manfhall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God hall 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.Ifa. 8. 20. To the law and to the testimony: If they fpeak not according to this word,it is because there is no light in them. Luke 16. 29. They have Moles and the prophets; let them hear them: v. 31.If they hear not Mofes and the prophets, neither will they be perfwaded, thoughone rofe from the dead. Gal. 1. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other golpel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accurfed. v. 9. As we faid before fo fay I now again,if any man preach any othergofpelunto you,than that ye have received, let him be accurfed. 2 Tim.3.15,16. (See letter d.) 4. & Hofea

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God, by their majefty g, and purity h; by the confent of all the parts i, and the fcope 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 perfwade 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 ftrange thing. 1 Cor.2.6.Howbeit wefpeak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wildom of this world, nor of the princes of this world that come to nought. v. 7. But we speak the wifdom ofGod in a mystery,even the hidden wildom which God ordained before the world unto our glory.v.13.Which things alfo we peak, not in the words whichmans wifdomteacheth, but which the holy Ghoft teacheth; comparingfpiritual thingswithfpiritual. 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 fervant loveth it.

i Acts 10.43. To him give all the prophets witnefs,that through his name whofoever believeth in him, fhall receive remiffion of fins. Acts 26. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witneffing both to small and great, laying none other things than thofe which the prophets and Mofes did fay should come.

k Rom.3.19.Now we know that what things foever 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. v. 27. Where is

Q: 5.

boafting then? it is excluded. By what law? of works? nay: but by the law of faith.

1Acts 18.28.Forhemightilyconvinced the Jews, and that publickly, fhewing by the fcriptures,that Jefus wasChrift, Heb.4.12. For the word of God is quick,and powerful,andharper than any two-edged fword,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 fhould be a kind of firit-fruits of his creatures. Pfal. 19.7. The law of the Lord is perfect,converting the foul: the teftimony of the Lord is fure, making wife the fimple. v. 8. The ftatutes 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 and comfort of the fcriptures 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 fanctified.

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 fhall hear, that fhall

Q5.What do the scriptures 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.

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Q. 7. What is God?

A. God is a fpirit, f, in and of himself infinite being t, glory v, bleffedness w, and perfecti

he fpeak: and he will fhew you things to come. v. 14. He fall glorify me: for he fhall receive of mine, and fhall fhew it unto you. John 2, 20. But ye have an unction from the holy One, and ye know all things. v. 27. But the a nointing 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 fhall abide in him. John.20. 31. But thefe are written, that ye mightbelievethat Jefus is theChrift 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 Chrift Jefus.

6.0 Heb.11.6.But without faith it is impoffible to please him: for he that cometh to God, muft believe that he is,and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him.

p1 John.5.7.Forthere are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,andtheholy Ghost: and thefe three are one.

qActs 15.14.Simeonhath declared how God at the firft did vifit the Gentiles, to take out of them

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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.

rActs4.2%. For of a truth against thy holy Child Jefus, whom thou haft anointed, both Herod & Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles,and the people of Ifrael were gathered together.v. 28. or to do whatioever thy hand and thy counfel determined before to be done.

7. 1 John 4. 24. Godis a fpirit; and they that worship him, muft worship him in fpirit and in truth.

t Exod. 3. 14.AndGod faid unto Mofes: I AM THAT I AM: And he faid, thus fhalt thou fay unto the children of Ifrael, I AM hath fent me unto you. Job. 11.7. 8,9. Canft thou by fearching 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 fea,

v. Acts 7. 2. The God of glory appeared unto ourfather Abraham, when he was in Mefopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

WiTim. 6.15.Which in histimes he shall fhew, who is the blessed

and

on x All-fufficient y, eternal, Unchangeable a, incomprehenfible b, every where prefent c, Almighty d, knowing all things e, moft wife f, most holy g, most just h, most merciful and gracious, long-fuffering, and abundant in goodnefs and truth i,

Q.8. Are there more God's than one?`·

A. There is but one only the living and true God k.
Q. 9.

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.

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a Mal. 3. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not therefore ye fons of Jacob are not confumed James 1. 17. Every good gift,and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights, with whom is no variablenefs, neither fhaddow of turning. b1 Kings 8.27. But will God indeed well on the earth? Behold, the heaven,and heavenof heavens cannot contain thee; how much Jefs this houfe that I have builded? c Pfal.139. 1.tothe13.ver.OLord, thou halt fearched me and known me: thou knoweft my down fitting and mine up-rifing thou under flandeft my thoughts afar off, &c. Whether fhallI go from thy fpirit? or whether fhall I flee from thy prefence? &c.

d Rev. 48. And the four beafts had each of them fix wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and they reft not day and night, faying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

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g Ifa. 6. 3. And one cried unto another, and faid, Holy,holy,holy, is the Lord of hofts, the whole earth is full of his glory.Rev.15.4. Who fhall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy for all nations fhall 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, juft 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 goodnels and truth.

8k Deut. 6. 4. Hear, O Iirael, The Lord our God is one Lord. Cor.8.4. As concerning therefore the eating of thofe things that are offered in facrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,and that there is noncother 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 Jefus Chrift, by whom are all things,and we by him. Jer. 10. 10. But the Lord is

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