THE

LARGER CATECHISM,

RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE

SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA, Held at Philadelphia, May the 16th, 1788, and continued by adjournments, until the 28th of the same.

Q. 1. What is the chief and highest end of man?

A. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever."

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 suffi

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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.

b Ps. lxxiii. 24, 25, 26. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. John xvii. 22 and 24. The glory which thou gavest me I have given them.-Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.

Rom. i. 19, 20. Because that which may be known of God, is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation

ciently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.

d

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. "

f

of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. See also Psa.

xix. 1, 2, 3.

d 2 Tim. iii. 15, 16, 17. 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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 1 Cor. ii. 10.

e 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Pet. i. 19, 20, 21. 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; knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.

f 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, 31. They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.-If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. Gal. i. 8, 9. 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. 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. See also 2 Tim. iii. 15, 16, 17.

Q. 4. How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the word of God?

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g

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. But the

g Isa. lxvi. 1. Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? See also Amos ix. 2, 3, 4. Psa. lxxvii.

h Psa. xii. 6.

as silver tried in

Psa. cxix. 140.

The words of the Lord are pure words:

a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thy word is very pure.

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.

i Rom. iii. 19, 27. 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.-Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.

Acts xviii. 28. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing 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 discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. James i. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth. Psa. xix. 7, 8, 9. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting

Spirit of God bearing witness by and 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 deP and the execution of his decrees.

crees,

the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple, &c.

1 John xvi. 13, 14. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 1 John ii. 20, 27.

m John xx. 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 2 Tim. i. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love. Psa. cxix. 105. » John iv. 24. God is a Spirit. Ex. iii. 14, and

xxxiv. 6, 7.

。 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.

P Acts xv. 14, 15, 18.

4 Acts iv. 27, 28. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus-both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the

Q. 7. What is God?

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A. God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness," and perfection; all-sufficient," eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, every where pres

V

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Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

John iv. 24. God is a Spirit.

Ex. 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, 8, 9. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 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, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.

u 1 Tim. vi. 15. Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

▾ Matt. v. 48. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

w Gen. xvii. 1.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be

thou perfect.

Psa. xc. 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.

James

y Mal. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. i 17.

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