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BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the ninth day of June, in the thirty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America, Whiting & Watson, of the said District, have deposited in this Office, the title of a Book, the right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words following, to wit; The Larger Catechism, agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, with the assistance of Commissioners from the Church of Scotland, and received by the several Presbyterian Churches in America, with the proofs from the Scripture, revised by Alexander M'Leod, D. D."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ;" and also to an act entitled, An act supplementary to an act, entitled, an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etching Historical, and other Prints."

THERON RUDD,
Clerk of the District of New York.

THE

Larger Catechism."

WHAT is the chief and highest end

Question I. Woman?

Ans. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God (a), and fully to enjoy him forever (b).

Q. 2. How doth it appear that there is a God?

A. 2. 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, sufficiently and effectually, reveal him unto men for their salvation (d).

(a) Rom. 11. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things; to whom be glory for ever, Amen. 1 Cor. 10. 31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

(b) Psal. 73. 24, 25. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory.-Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that. I desire besides thee. John 17. 24. 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.

(c) Rom. 1. 19, 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation 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. Psalm 19. 1, 2, 3. The heavens

declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

(d) 1 Cor. 2. 9, 10. But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God. 2 Tim. 3. 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 righ teousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly fur nished unto all good works.

Q. 3. What is the word of God?

A. The holy scriptures of the old and new testament are the word of God (e), the only rule of faith and obe dience (f).

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

A. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty (g), and purity (h); by the consent of all the parts (i), and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God (k); by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation (1). But the 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 (m).

(e) 2 Tim. 3. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Tim. 3. 21. 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) Isai. 8. 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. Gal. 1. 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 acoursed.

(g) Hos. 8. 12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. Psal. 119. 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

(h) Psal. 12. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times. Psalm 119. 140. Thy word is very pure.

(i)Acts 10. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remis

sion of sins. Acts 26. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, 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.

(k) Rom. 3. 19. 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. v. 27. Where is boasting then? it is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.

(1) Psalm 19. 7, 8. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Acts 20. 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 which are sanctified.

(m) John 16. 13. Howbeit,

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 (n).

when he the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come. 1 Thess. 1. 5. For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy

:

Ghost, and in much assurance.

(n) John 20. 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. Psalm 119. 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

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 (o), the persons in the Godhead (p), his decrees (q), and the execution of his decrees (r).

Q. 7. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit (s), in and of himself infinite in being (t), glory (v), blessedness (w), and perfection (x);

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