and willing to help usg, fo we by faith are emboldned to plead with him that he would b, and quietly to rely upon him, that he will fulfil our requests i. And, to testify this our defire and assurance, we say, Amen k.

FROM THE

OF SCOTLAND,

AS A

Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland.

AND

Approved Anno 1648, by the General Affembly of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND, to be a Directory for Catechifing fuch as are of weaker Capacity.

WITH THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

Affembly at Edinburgh, July 28. 1648, Seff. 19.

ACT approving the SHORTER CATECHISM.

THE

of

'HE General Affembly having seriously confidered the Shorter Catechism agreed upon by the Affembly Divines fitting at Westminster, with affiftance of Commiffioners from this kirk; do find, upon due examination thereof, that the faid Catechifm is agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, difcipline, and government of this kirk: And therefore ap prove the faid Shorter Catechism, as a part of the intended uniformity, to be a directory for catechifing fuch as are of weaker capacity.

SHORTER CATECHIS M.

THE

Question 1.HAT is the chief end of man?
Anfwer. Man's chief end is, to glorify

God a, and to enjoy him for ever b.

K

Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?

A. The word of God, which is contained in the fcriptures of the Old and New Teftaments c, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him d.

Q. 3. What do the fcriptures principally teach?

A. The fcriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man e.

Q: 4.

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

:

ver.

my

b Pfal. Ixxiii. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I defire befides thee. v. 26. My flesh and 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 haft destroyed 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.

2. £ 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scrip- 16. (See in letter .)

ture is given by infpiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inftruction in righteoufnefs. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jefus Chrift himself being the chief corner-stone.

di John i. 3. That which we have feen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye alfo may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jefus Chrift. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

v. 4.

3. e 2 Tim. i. 13. Hold faft the form of found words, which thou halt heard of me, in faith and love which is in Chrift Jefus. 2 Tim. iii.

John

Q: 4. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit f, infinite g, eternal b, and unchangeable i, in his being k, wildom, power m, holiness n, juftice, goodness, and truth o.

Q. 5. Are there more gods than one?

A. There is but one only, the living and true God p. Q.6. How many perfons are there in the God-head? A. There are three perfons in the God-head; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghoft; and these three are one God, the fame in fubftance, equal in power and glory q.

Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?

A. The decrees of God, are his eternal purpose according to the counfel of his will, whereby, for his

Own

4. John iv. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, muft worship him in fpirit and in truth.

g Job xi. 7. 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 can thou know? v. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea..

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

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 variablenefs, neither fhadow of turning.

k Exod. iii. 14. And God 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.

/ Pfal. cxlvii. 5. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his underftanding is infinite.

m 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, which was, and is, and is to come.

:

n 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 worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifeft.

• 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. v. 7. Keeping mercy for thou fands, forgiving iniquity, and tranf greffion, and fin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; vifiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the childrens children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

5. Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Ifrael, the Lord our God is one Lord. Jer, x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an ever lafting King: at his wrath the earth fhall tremble, and the nations tha not be able to abide his indignation.

6. q. 1. John v. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the

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