prayers to join praises ', ascribing to God alone eternal sovereignty, omnipotency, and glorious excellency f; in regard whereof, as he is able and willing to help us, so we by faith are emboldened to plead with him that he would “, and quietly to rely upon him, that he will fulfil our requests i, love him, and to them that keep his the victory, and the majesty : for all commandments.--Ver. 7. O Lord, that is in the heaven and in the earth righteousness belongeth unto thee, is thine ; thine is the kingdom, o but unto us confusion of faces, as at Lord, and thou art exalted as head this day :-Ver. 8. O Lord, to us be- above all. Ver. 12. Both riches and longeth confusion of face, to our honourcome of thee, and thou reignkings, to our princes, and to our fa. est over all, and in thine hand is thers, because we have sinned power and might, and in thine hand against thee. Ver. 9. To the Lord it is to make great, and to give our God belong mercies and for- strength unto all." Ver. 13. Now giveness, though we have rebelled therefore, Our God, we thank thee, against him. Ver. 16. O Lord, ac- and praise thy glorious name. cording to all thy righteousness, ! g Eph. iii. 20. Now unto him that beseech thee, let thine anger and is able to do exceeding abundantly, thy fury be turned away from thy above all that we ask or think, accity Jerusalem.-Ver. 17. Now cording to the power that worketh therefore, O our God, hear the in us, Ver. 21. Unto him be glory prayer of thy servant, and his sup. in the church by Christ Jesus, plications, and cause thy face to throughout all ages, world without shine upon thy sanctuary that is de end. Amen. Luke xi. 13. If ye solate, for the Lord's sake. Ver. 18. then, being evil, know how to give O my God, incline thine ear, and good gifts unto your children; how hear; open thine eyes, and behold much more shall your heavenly Fa. our desolations, and the city which ther give the Holy Spirit to them is called by thy name : for we do not that ask him? present our supplications before thee h 2 Chron. xx.-6. And (Fehosha. for our righteousnesses, but for thy phat) said, O Lord God of our fa. great mercies. Ver. 19. O Lord, thers, art not thou God in heaven? hear; O Lord, forgive ; O Lord, and rulest not thou over all the hearken and do; defer not, for kingdoms of the heathen ? and in thine oyn sake, O my God : for thy thine hand is there not power and city and thy people are called by might, so that none is able to withthy name.

stand thee? Ver. 11. Behold, I say, e. Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for no. how they reward us, to come to thing: but in every thing by prayer cast us out of thy possession, which and supplication, with thanksgiv- thou hast given us to inherit. ing, let your requests be made i 2 Chron, xiv, 11. And Asa cried known unto God, &c.

unto the Lord his God, and said, f 1 Chron. xxix. 10. Wherefore Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, David blessed the Lord before all whether with many, or with them the congregation : and David said, that have no power: help us, O Lord Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our God; for we rest on thee, and in our Father, for ever and ever. Ver. thy name we go against this multi11. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, tude: 0 Lord, thou art our God, let and the power, and the glory, and not man prevail against thee,

And to testify this our desire and assurance, we
Amen.k.

say

k 1 Cor. xiv. 16. Else, when thou Rev. xxii. 20. He which testifieth shalt bless with the spirit, how these things saith, Surely I come shall he that occupieth the room quickly: Amen. Even so, come, of the unlearned say Amen at thy Lord Jesus. Ver. 21. The grace of giving of thanks, seeing he un. our Lord Jesus Christ be with you derstandeth not what thou sayest ? all. Amen.

THE

SHORTER CATECHISM,

AGREED UPON BY THE

ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT 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 ASSEMBLY OF THE

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

TO BE A DIRECTORY FOR CATECHISING SUCH AS ARE OF WEAKER CAPACITY

WITH THE

PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

ACT APPROVING THE SHORTER CATECHISM.

THE General Assembly having seriously considered the SHORTER CATECHISM agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines 'sitting at Westminster, with assistance of Com. missioners from this Kirk; do find, upon due examination thereof, that the said 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 said Shorter Catechism, as a part of the intended uniformity, to be a Directory for catechising such as are of weaker capacity.

A. KER.

THE

SHORTER CATECHISM.

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

Answ. Man's chief end is to glorify God", 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 '.

1. « 1 Cor. x. 31. Whether there. put my trust in the Lord God, that fore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever I may declare all thy works. ye do, do all to the glory of God. 2. c 2 Tim, iii. 16. All scripture is Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and given by inspiration of God, and is through him, and to him, are all profitable for doctrine, for reproof, things: to whom be glory for ever. for correction, for instruction in Amen.

righteousness. Eph. ii. 20. And are b Psal. Ixxiii. 25. Whom have I in built upon the foundation of the heaven but thee? and there is none apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ upon earth that I desire besides thee. himself being the chief corner-stone. Ver. 26. My flesh and my heart fail. d 1 John i. 3. That which we have eth: but God is the strength of my seen and heard declare we unto you, heart, and my portion for ever. that ye also may have fellowship Ver. 27. For, lo, they that are far with us : and truly our fellowship is from thee shall perish: thou hast dé- with the Father, and with his Son stroyed all them that go a whoring Jesus Christ. Ver. 4. And these from thee. Ver. 28. But it is good things write we unto you, that your for me to draw near to God: I have joy may be full.

GS