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whom all power and judgment is given of the Father b. In which day, not only the apoftate angels fhall be judged c, but likewife all perfons that have lived upon earth fhall appear before the tribunal of Chrift, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil d. II. The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifeftation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal falvation of the elect, and of his juftice in the damantion of the reprobate, who are wicked and difobedient. For then fhall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing which fhall come from the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jefus Chrift, fhall be cast into eternal torments, and be punifhed with everlasting deftruction from the prefence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power e.

III. As Chrift would have us to be certainly perfuaded

whereby he is able even to fubdue all things unto himself.

I.a Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given affurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

b John v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. v. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment alfo, because he is the Son of man.

> c 1 Cor. vi. 3. Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Jude 6. (See letter d, chapter foregoing.) 2 Pet. ii. 4. For if God fpared not the angels, that finned, but caft them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be referved unto judgment.

d 2 Cor. v. 10. For we must all appear before the judgment feat of Chrift; that every one may receive the things done in his body, accord

that

ing to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Eccl. xii. 14. For God fhall bring every work into judgment, with every fecret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Rom. ii. 16. In that day when God fhall judge the fecrets of men by Jefus Chrift, according to my gofpel. Rom. xiv. 10. But why doft thou judge thy brother? or why doft thou fet at nought thy brother? for we fhall all ftand before the judgment-feat of Chrift. v. 12. So then every one of us fhall give account of himself to God. Matth. xii. 36. But I fay unto you, that every idle word that men fhall fpeak, they fhall give account thereof in the day of judgment. v. 37. For by thy words thou fhalt be juftified. and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

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Chap. XXXIH, that there fhall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from fin, and for the greater confolation of the godly in their adverfity f: fo will he have that day unknown to men, that they may fhake off all carnal fecurity, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come, and may be ever prepared to fay, Come, Lord Jefus, come quickly. Amen g.

to his deeds. Rom. ix. 21. What if God, willing to fhew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long fuffering the veffels of wrath fitted to deftruction: v. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the veffels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory? Matth xxv. 21. His lord faid unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful fervant; thou haft been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Acts. iii. 19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your fins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the prefence of the Lord. 2 Theff.i. 7.-10. (See in the Bible.) III. f 2 Pet. iii. 11. Seeing then that all these things fhall be diffolved, what manner of perfons ought ye to be in all holy converfation and godlinefs? v. 14. Wherefore, beloved, feeing that ye look for fuch things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without fpot, and blameless. 2 Cor. v.10. (See in letter d.) v. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we perfuade men; but we are made manifest unto God, and I truft alfo, are made manifeft in your confciences. 2 Theff. i. 5. Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye alfo fufler. v. 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompenfe tribulation to them that trouble you;

v. 7. And to you who are troubled,
reft with us, when the Lord Jefus
fhall be revealed from heaven, with
his mighty angels. Luke xxi. 27.
And then fhall they fee the fon of
man coming in a cloud with power
and great glory. v. 28. And when
these things begin to come to pafs,
then look up, and lift up your heads;
for your redemption draweth nigh.
Rom. viii. 23. And not only they, but
ourfelves alfo, which have the firft-
fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourfelves, waiting for
the adoption, to wit, the redemption
of our body. v. 24. For we are faved
by hope: but hope that is feen, is
not hope for what a man feeth,
why doth he yet hope for ?
V. 25.
But if we hope for that we fee not,
then do we with patience wait for it.

:

g Matth. xxiv. 36. 42, 43, 44. (See in the Bible.) Mark xiii. 35. Watch ye therefore, (for ye know not when the mafter of the house cometh; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning.) v. 36. Left coming fuddenly, he find you sleeping. v. 37. And what I fay unto you, I lay unto all, Watch Luke xii. 35. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; v. 36. And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Rev. xxii. 20. He which teftifieth these things, faith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even fo, come. Lord Jefus. FINI S.

LARGER CATECHISM,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF

ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES

A T

WESTMINSTER,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF

COMMISSIONERS

FROM THE

CHURCH 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 have made fome Proficiency in the Knowledge of the Grounds of Religion.

WITH THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

ASSEMBLY at Edinburgh, July 2. 1648, Seff. 10.

A&t approving the LARGER CATECHISM.

HE General Affembly, having exactly examined and seriously confidered the LARGER CATECHISM, agreed upon by the affembly of divines fitting at Westminster, with affiftance of commiffioners from this kirk, copies thereof being printed, and fent to prefbyteries, for the more exact trial thereof, and public intimation being frequently made in this affembly, That every one that had any doubts or objections upon it might put them in; 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, difcipline, and government of this kirk; a neceffary part of the intended uniformity in religion, and a rich treasure for increafing knowledge among the people of God: and therefore the affembly, as they bless the Lord, that fo excellent a CATECHISM is prepared; fo they approve the fame, as a part of uniformity; agreeing, for their part, that it be a common CATECHISM for the three kingdoms, and a directory for catechifing fuch as have made fome proficiency in the knowledge of the grounds of religion.

THE

LARGER CATECHI S M.

Question 1. WHAT is the chief and highest end of Man? Anfwer. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God a, and fully to enjoy him for ever b.

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 c; but his word and Spirit only do fufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their falvation d.

1. 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 Pfal. Ixxiii. 24. Thou fhalt guide me with thy counfel, and afterwards receive me to glory. v. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I defire befides thee. v. 26. My flesh and my 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. John xvii. 21. That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they alfo may be one in us that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. v. 22. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them:

Q. 3. What

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2. c Rom. i. 19. Because that which may be known of God, is manifeft in them; for God hath fhewed it unto them. V. o For the invifible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly feen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; fo that they are without excufe. Pfal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament fheweth his handy-work. v. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night fheweth knowledge. v. 3. There is no speech, nor language, where there voice is not heard. Acts xvii. 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being.

d1 Cor. ii. 9. But as it is written, Eye hath not feen, nor ear heard,

neither

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