NOTE.

THE following Catechism was composed by a body of learned and pious Divines, assembled at Westminster, in the year 1643, with a view to afford a more full and systematic statement of divine truth than was contained in the elementary manuals previously in use. Though, perhaps, of too elaborate and technical a cast for the instruction of mere children, the Catechism is fitted to be of great service both as a Bible Class Text-Book, and as a closet companion. It is, perhaps, the most masterly summary of doctrinal and practical theology ever given to the world.

LICENSE.

In terms of Her Majesty's Letters Patent to her Printers for Scotland, and of the Instructions issued by Her Majesty in Council, dated Eleventh July Eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, I hereby License and Authorise Murray and Gibb, Letterpress Printers in Edinburgh, to print within their premises situated in North East Thistle Street Lane, Edinburgh, and to publish, as by the authority of Her Majesty, an Edition of the Shorter Catechism, in Pica Type (with Scriptural Proofs in Longprimer Type), two sheets, Demy octavo size, consisting of Fifteen Thousand Copies, as proposed in their Declaration, dated the ninth day of May Eighteen hundred and fifty-seven years; the terms and conditions of the said Instructions being always, and in all points, fully complied with and observed by the said Murray and Gibb.

LONDON, 14th May 1857.

J. MONCREIFF.

THE

SHORTER CATECHISM,

WITH THE PROOFS THEREOF OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES, IN WORDS AT LENGTH.

QUEST. 1. What is the chief end of man?

Answ. Man's chief end is to glorify God a, and to enjoy him for ever b.

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 Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man e. Q. 4. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit f, infinite g, eternal h, and unchange

a 1 Cor. 10. 31. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

b Psal. 73. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. V. 26. My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

c Eph. 2. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.

2 Tim. 3. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

d 1 John 1. 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

e 2 Tim. 1. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

f John 4. 24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

g Job 11. 7. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

h Psal. 90. 2. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

able i, in his being k, wisdom l, power m, holiness n, justice, goodness, and truth o.

Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only p, the living and true God q. 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 r; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory s.

Q. 7. 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 foreordained whatsoever comes to pass t.

Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees?

A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation u and providence w.

i James 1. 17. The Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

k Exod. 3. 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.

7 Psal. 147. 5. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

m Rev. 4. 8. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

n Rev. 15. 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy.

o Exod. 34. 6. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth: V. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.

p

Deut. 6. 4. Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord.

q Jer. 10. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King.

r Matt. 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 Ghost.

s 1 John 5. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

t Eph. 1. 11. Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; V. 12. That we should be to the praise of his glory.

u Rev. 4. 11. Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

w Dan. 4. 35. He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth.

Q. 9. What is the work of creation?

A. The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing x, by the word of his power y, in the space of six days, and all very good z.

Q. 10. How did God create man?

A. God created man male and female, after his own image a, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness 6, with dominion over the creatures c.

Q. 11. What are God's works of providence?

A. God's works of providence are, his most holy d, wise e, and powerful preserving ƒ and governing all his creatures, and all their actions g.

Q. 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?

A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience h;

x Gen. 1. 1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. y 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.

z Gen. 1. 31. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

a Gen. 1. 27. So God created man in his own image: in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

b Col. 3. 10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him.

Eph. 4. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

c. Gen. 1. 28. And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

d Psal. 145. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

e Isa. 28. 29. This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

f Heb. 1. 3. Upholding all things by the word of his power.

9 Psal. 103. 19. His kingdom ruleth over all.

Matt. 10. 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

h Gal. 3. 12. And the law is not of faith; but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.