whom all power and judgment is given of the Father b. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged c, but likewife all perfons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, 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 manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal falvation of the elect, and of his justice in the damantion of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the prefence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting deftruction from the prefence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power e.

III. As Christ would have us to be certainly perfuaded that

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

I. a Acts xvii. 3 1. 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 afssur ance 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 also, 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 spared not the angels, that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved 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

ing to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Eccl. xii. 14. For God shall 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 shall judge the fecrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gofpel. Rom. xiv. 10. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-feat of Chrift. v. 12. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Matth. xii. 36. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. v. 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified. and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

II. e (Matth. xxv. 31. to the end.) Rom. ii. 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righ. teous judgment of God; v. 6. Who will render to every man according

te

that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from fin, and for the greater confolation of the godly in their adversityf: so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake 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 Jesus, come quickly. Amen g.

to his deeds. Rom. ix. 21. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: v. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory? Matth xxv. 21. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast 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. II. Seeing then that all these things shall be diffolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? v. 14. Wherefore, beloved, feeing that ye look for fuch things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, 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 trust also, are made manifest in your confciences. 2 Thess. 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 also fufler. v. 6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

v. 7. And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels. Luke xxi. 27. And then shall 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 pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Rom. viii. 23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. v. 24. For we are faved by hope: but hope that is seen, 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 master of the house cometh; at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning.) v. 36. Left coming suddenly, he find you fleeping. v. 37. And what I say unto you, I fay 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 testisfieth these things, faith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come. Lord Jesus.

LARGER CATECHISM,

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF

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 have made some Proficiency in the Knowledge of the Grounds of Religion.

WITH THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

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

T

Act approving the LARGER CATECHISM.

HE General Assembly, having exactly examined and serioufsly con fidered the LARGER CATECHISM, agreed upon pon by the assembly of divines fitting at Westminster, with assistance of commiffioners from this kirk, copies thereof being printed, and sent to presbyteries, for the more exact trial thereof, and public intimation being frequently made in this assembly, 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, discipline, and government of this kirk; a necessary part of the intended uniformity in religion, and a rich treasure for increasing knowledge among the people of God: and therefore the assembly, as they bless the Lord, that so excellent a CATECHISM is prepared; so they approve the same, as a part of uniformity; agreeing, for their part, that it be a common CATECHISM for the three kingdoms, and a directory for catechising such as have made some proficiency in the knowledge of the grounds of religion.

THE

LARGER CATECHISM.

Question 1. WHAT is the chief and highest end of Man? Answer. 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 sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their falvation d.