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THE

LARGER CATECHISM.

Question 1. WAnTwer. Man's chief and highest end is to

WHAT is the chief and highest end of man?

glorify God a, and fully to enjoy him for everb.

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 Spirit only do fufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their falvation d.

1. a Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Cor. x. 31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

bPfal.lxxiii. 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counfel, and 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. v. 26. My fleth 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 fhalt destroy all them that go a whoring from thee. v. 28. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my truft 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 in us: that the world may believe that thou haft fent me. v. 22. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them: that they may be one, even

Q. 3.

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. i. 19. Because that which may be known of God, is manife 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. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament fheweth his handy-work. v. 2. Day unto day uttereth fpeech, and night unto night fheweth knowledge. v. 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.

d1 Cor. ii. 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

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Q3. What is the word of God?

A. The holy fcriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of Gode, the only rule of faith and obediencef. Q4. How doth it appear that the fcriptures are the word of God?

A. The fcriptures manifeft themselves to be the word of God, by their majeftyg, and purity b; by the confent of all

prepared for them that love him. V. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy fcriptures, which are able to make thee wife unto falvation, through faith which is in Chrift Jefus. v. 16. All fcripture is given by infpiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: v. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Ifa. lix. 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, faith the Lord, My Spirit 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 forever. 3. e 2 Tim. iii. 16. All fcripture 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 shineth into a dark place, until the day dawn, and the dayftar arife in your hearts: v. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the fcripture is of any private interpretation. v. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God fpake as they were moved by the Ho

ly Ghoft.

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f Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apoftles and prophets, Jefus Christ himself being the chief corner-ftone. 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 fhall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: v. 19. And if any man fhall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God fhall 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. viii. 20. To the law and to the teftimony: If they fpeak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Luke xvi. 29. They have Mofes and the prophets; let them hear them: v. 31. If they hear not Mofes and the prophets, neither will they be perfuaded, though one rofe 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 accurfed. v.9. As we faid before, fo fay I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you, than that ye have received, let' him be accurfed. 2 Tim.iii. 15, 16. (See letter d.)

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

the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to Godk; by their light and power to convince and convert finners, to comfort and build up believers unto falva tion /: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the fcriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to perfuade it that they are the very word of God m. Q: 5.

thing. 1 Cor. ii. 6. Howbeit we fpeak 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 wifdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory. v. 13. Which things alfo we fpeak, not in the words which man's wifdom teacheth, but which the holy Ghoft teacheth; comparing fpiritual things with fpiritual. Pfal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold won drous things out of thy law. v. 129% Thy teftimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my foul keep them.

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

i Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whofoever believeth in him, fhall receive remiffion of fins. Acts xvi. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnefling both to fmall and great, faying none other things than those which the prophets and Mofes did fay fhould come.

Rom. iii. 19. Now we know that what things foever the law faith, it faith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. v. 27. Where is boaf

ting 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 pu blickly, fhewing by the fcriptures, that Jefus was Chrift. Heb. iv. 12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and fharper than anytwo edged fword, piercing even to the dividing afunder of foul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a difcerner 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 fhould be a kind of firft fruits of his creatures. Pfal. xix. 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 statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. v. 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 whatioeverthings were written afore-time, were written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of the fcriptures 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 who are sanctified.

m John xvi. 13. Howbeit, when he the Spirit of truth is come, he

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Q5. What do the fcriptures principally teach?

A. The scriptures principally teach, what man is to be lieve concerning God, and what duty God requires of man n.

What man ought to believe concerning God.

Q. 6. What do the fcriptures make known of God?

A. The fcriptures make known what God iso, the persons in the Godhead p, his decrees q, and the execution of his de

crees r.

Q.7. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being t,

will guide you into all truth: for he fhall not speak of himself; but whatfoever he fhall hear, that fhall he fpeak: and he will fhew you things to come. v. 14. He shall glorify me: for he fhall receive of mine, and fhall fhew it unto you. 1 John. ii. 20. But ye have an unction 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, as the fame anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie and even as it hath taught you, ye fhall abide in him. John xx 31. But thefe are written, that ye might believe that Jefus is the Chrift the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life thro' his name.

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5. n 2 Tim. i. 13. Hold fast the form of found words, which thou haft heard of me, in faith and love which is in Chrift Jesus.

6. Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impoffible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him. p 1 John v. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoft: and these three are one.

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glory,

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. v. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written. v. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

r Acts iv. 27. For of a truth againft thy holy child Jefus, whom thou haft anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Ifrael were gathered together. v. 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counfel determined before to be done.

7. John iv. 24. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him, must worship him in fpirit and in truth.

Exod. iii. 14. And God faid unto Mofes, I AM THAT IAM: And he faid, Thus fhalt thou fay unto the children of Ifrael, I AM hath fent me unto you. Job. xi. 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 measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the fea.

glory v, bleffednefs w, and perfection ; all-fufficienty, eternalz, unchangeable a, incomprehenfibleb, every where prefent c, Almighty d, knowing all things e, most wisef, most holy g, most just h, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth i.

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

w 1 Tim. vi. 15. Which in his times he shall fhew, who is the bleffed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Mat. v. 48. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

y Gen. xvii. 1. And when Abraham was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abraham, and faid unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

z Pfal. xc. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world: even from everlafting to everlasting, thou art God.

a Mal. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye fons of Jacob are not confumed. James i. 17. Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither fhadow of turning.

b1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much lels this houfe that I have builded?

Pfal. cxxxix. 1. to the 13. ver. O Lord, thou haft searched me and known me: thou knoweft my downfitting and mine up-rifing, thou underftandeft my thoughts afar off, &c.

Q. 8. Are

Whither fhall I go from thy Spirit? or whither fhall I flee from thy prefence? &c.

d Rev. iv. 8. And the four beasts 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, who was, and is, and is to come.

Heb. iv. 13. Neither is there any 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. Pfalm cxlvii. 5. Great is our Lord and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

fRom. xvi. 27. To God only wife be glory through Jesus Christ, for, ever. Amen.

g Ifa. vi. 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. xv. 4. Who fhall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy Name? for thou only art holy for all nations fhall come and worthip before thee; for thy judgments are made manifeft.

b Deut. xxxii. 4. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth, and without iniquity, juft and right is he.

i Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord paffed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-fuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth...

8. Deut.

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