A part of the covenanted uniformity in religion betwixt the churches of CHRIST in the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland. Approved Anno 1648, by the General Assembly of the CHURCH of Scotland, to be a DIRECTORY for Catechising fuch as are of weaker capacity. With the proofs from the Scripture. 1 GLASGOW, Printed by JAMES KNOX. 1752 Affembly at Edinburgh, July 28. 1648.Seff. 19. THE general affembly having seriously confidered the Shor Catechism agreed upon by the assembly of divines fitting at Westminster, with affiftance of commiffioners from this kirk; do find, upon due examination thereof, that the faid Catechism is agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline and government of this kirk: and therefore approve the faid Shorter Catechism, as a part of the intended uniformity, to be a directory for catechising fuch as are of a weaker capacity. A-KER. THE 359 THE SHORTER CATECHISM, Agreed upon by the ASSEMBLY of DIVINES at WESTMINSTER: Examined and approved, Anno 1648, by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the CHURCH of SCOTLAND, &c. Question 1. HAT is the chief end of man? Winwer. Man's cher end , and to enjoy him for ever b. to glorify God 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 scriptures of the old and new testaments 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 scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man e. -! Q. 4. 1.21 Cor.10.31. Whether there- 2. c 2 Tim.3.16. All fcripture'is fore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever given by inspiration of God, and is ye do, do all to the glory of God. profitable fordoctrine, for reproof, Rom. 11. 36. For of him, and for correction, for instruction in through him, and to him are all righteousness. Eph. 2. 20. And are hings: to whom be glory for e- built upon the foundation of the a ver. Amen. postles and prophets, Jesus Chrift b Pfal. 73. 25. Whom have I in himselfbeingthechiefcorner-ftone. heaven but thee? and there is none d 1 John 1.3. That which we have upon earth that I defire befides seen and heard, declare we unto thee. v. 26, My flesh, and my heart you, that yealso may have fellowfaileth: but God is the strength of ship with us: and truly our fellow. my heart, and my portion for ever, ship is with the Father, and with 2. 27. Forlo, they that are far from his Son Jesus Christ. v. 4. And thee, thall perith: thou haft de- these things write we unto you, ffroyed all them that go a whoring that your joy may be full. from thee, v.28. But it is good for 3. e 2 Tim. 1. 13. Hold faft the me to draw near to God: I have form of found words, which thou put my truft in the Lord God, that halt heard of me, in faith and love I may declare all thy works. 24 which Q. 4. What is God? A. God is a spirit f, Infinite g, Eternal b, and unchange. able i, in his being k, Wisdom 1, power m, Holiness n, Justice, goodness and truth o. Q. 5. Are there more God's than one? A. There is but one only, the living and true God P. Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead? A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost; and these three are one God the fame in substance, equal in power and Glory 4. Q7. What are the Decrees of God? A. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass r. which is in Christ Jesus, 2 Tim, 3. 16. (See in letter c,) 4. fohn 4, 24. God isaspirit, and they that worship him, muft worship him in spirit and in truth. g Job. 11. 7 Canftthoubysearching find out God? Canft thou find outthe Almighty unto perfection? 7.8 It is as high asheaven, what canst thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know?v, 9, The meafurethereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the fea, h Pfal. 90. 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. i James 1. 17. Every good gift & everyperfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, withwhomisno variablenefs, neither shaddow of turning. k Exod. 3. 14, And God laid un, to Mofes, I AM THAT I AM; and he said, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Ifrael I AM hath fent me unto you. 1 Pfal. 147, 5. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his under Itanding is infinite. m Rev. 4, 8. And the four beafts had each of them fix wings about him, and they were full of eyes within: and they relt not day and night, faying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. to n Rev. 15. 4. Who shallnot fear thee, O Lord, & glorify thyname? for thou only art holy; for all nations thall come and worship bes fore thee; for thy judgments are made manifeft. o Exod. 34,6. And the Lordpaffed by before him, and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord, God, merciful and gracious, long-luffering & abundantin goodness and truth, v. 7. keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquityandtranfgreffion and fin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting theiniquityof the fathers upon the children, and upon the childrens children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. 5 p Deut. 6. 4. Hear, O Ifrael, the Lord our God is one Lord. Jer. 10, 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king; at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide hiş indignation. 6. q, John 5, 7, For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghoft; and these three are one. Mat. 28, 19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghoft 7 Ephe Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees? A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence. Q9. What is the work of creation? A. The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of fix days, and all very good f. Q. 10. How did God create man ? A. God created man male and female,after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures t. Q.11. What are God's works of providence? A. God's works of providence are, his most holy v, wife w, and powerful preserving %, and governing all his crea 7. r Eph 1. 4. According as he thing that creepethupon theearth. hath chosen us in him, before the v. 27. So God created man in his foundation of the world, that we own image in the image of God should be holy, and without blame created he him; male and famale before him in love.2.11. In whom created he them. 7. 28 And God also we have obtained an inheri- blessed them, and God faid unto tance, being predeflinated accord- them, Be fruitful, and multiplyand ing to the purpose of him who replenish the earth, and subdue it: work ethallthings after the counsel and have dominion over the fith of of his own will. Rom. 9. 22. What the sea,andover the fowl of the air, if God, willing to shew his wrath & over every living thingthat moand to make his power known,en. veth upon the earth, Col.3 10. And dured withmuch long-fuffering the have put on the new man, which is yessels of wrath fitted to deftructi- renewed in knowledge, after the on;v.23. And that he might make image of himthat createdhim, Eph known the riches of his glory on 4. 24 And that ye put on the new the vessels of mercy which he had man, which after God is created afore prepared unto glory? 9.fGen.1.throughout.Heb. 11.3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. in righteousness, and true holiness. II. V v Pfal. 145. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. w Pfal. 104. 24. O Lord, how, manifold are thy works! in wifdom haft thou made them all: the 10. t Gen. 1.26. AndGod said, earth is full of thy riches. Ifa. 28. Let us make manin our own image, 20. This also cometh forth from after our likeness; and let them the Lord of hosts, which is wonhave dominion over the fish of the fea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all, the earth, and over every creepingn derful in counsel, and excellent in |