II. The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect, and of his justice in the damnation of the repro. bate, 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 presence 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 destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his powere.

III. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity f; so will he have that day unknown to men, that shall bring every work into judgment, faithful over a few things, I will make with every secret thing, whether it be thee ruler nver many things: enter good, or whether it be evil. Rom. ii. thou into the joy of thy lord. Acts 16. In the day when God shall judge iii. 19. Repent ye, therefore, and be the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, ac- converted, that your sins may be blotcording to my gospel. Rom. xiv. 10. ted out, when the times of refreshing But why dost thou judge thy brother? shall come from the presence of the or why dost thou set at nought thy Lord. 2 Thess. 1.7—10. [See in the brother? for we shall all stand before Bible.] the judgment-seat of Christ. Ver. 12. III. f 2 Pet. iii. 11. Seeing then So then, every one of us shall give ac- that all these things shall be dissolved, count of himself to God. Matt. xii. what manner of persons ought ye to 36. But I say unto you, That every be, in all holy conversation and godliidle word that men shall speak, they ness? Ver. 14. Wherefore, beloved, shall give account thereof in the day seeing that ye look for such things, of judgment. Ver. 37. For by thy be diligent that ye may be found of words thou shalt be justified, and by him in peace, without spot, and blame. thy words thou shalt be condemned. less. 2 Cor. v. 10. (See letter d.] Ver.

II. e (Matt. xxv. 31. to the end.] 11. Knowing therefore the terror of Rom. ii. 5. But after thy hardness and the Lord, we persuade men; but we inspenitent heart, treasurest up unto are made manifest unto God, and I thyself wrath against the day of trust also are made manifest in your wrath, and revelation of the righteous consciences. 2 Thess. i. 5. Which is judgment of God; Ver. 6. Who will a manifest token of the righteous render to every man according to his judgment of God, that ye may be deeds. Rom. ix. 22. What if God, counted worthy of the kingdom of willing to shew his wrath, and to God, for which ye also suffer. Ver. 6. make his power known, endured with Seeing it is a righteous thing with much long-suffering the vessels of God to recompense tribulation to them wrath fitted to destruction : Ver. 23. that trouble you? Ver. 7. And to And that he might make known the you who are troubled, rest with us, riches of his glory on the vessels of when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed mercy, which he had afore prepared from heaven with his mighty angels. unto glory ? Matt. xxv. 21. His lord Luke xxi. 27. And then shall they see said unto him, Well done, thou good the Son of man coming in a cloud, and faithful servant; thou hast been with power and great glory, Ver. 28.

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they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come ; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen 6. And when these things begin to come ye therefore, for ye know not when to pass, then look up, and lift up your the master of the house cometh ; at heads; for your redemption draweth even, or at mi ght, or at the cocknigh. Rom. viii. 23. And not only crowing, or in the morning; Ver. 36. they, but ourselves also, which have Lest coming suddenly, he find you the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we sleeping. Ver. 37. And what I say ourselves groan within ourselves, unto you, I say unto all, Watch. waiting for the adoption, to wit, Luke xii. 35. Let your loins be gird. the redemption of our body. Ver. 24. ed about, and your lights burning ; For we are saved by hope : but hope Ver. 36. And ye yourselves like unto that is seen is not hope: for what a men that wait for their lord, when he man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? will return from the wedding, that, Ver. 25. But if we hope for that we when he cometh and knocketh, they see not, then do we with patience may open unto him immediately. Rev. wait for it.

xxii. 20. He which testifieth these g Matt. xxiv. 36, 42, 43, 44. (See things saith, Surely I come quickly : in the Bible. ] Mark xiii. 35. Watch Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

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.

a

WITH THE

PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE.

Act approving the Larger Catechism. TH HE General Assembly having exactly examined and

seriously considered the LARGER CATECHISM, agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with assistance of Commissioners from this Kirk, copies thereof being printed, and sent to Presbyteries, for the more exact trial thereof; and publick 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 said 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.

Quest. 1. WHAT is the chief and highest end of man?

Ans. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God", and fully to enjoy him for ever b.

1. a Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and sides thee. Ver. 26. My flesh and my through him, and to him, are all heart faileth : but God is the strength things: to whom be glory for ever. of my heart, and my portion for ever. Amen. 1 Cor. x. 31. Whether there. Ver. 27. For, lo, they that are far from fore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye thee shall perish : thou hast destroyed do, do all to the glory of God. all them that go a whoring from thee.

b Psal. lxxiii. 24. Thou shalt guide Ver. 28. But it is good for me to draw me with thy counsel, and afterwards near to God: I have put my trust in receive me to glory. Ver. 25. Whom the Lord God, that I may declare all have I in heaven but thee? and there thy works. John xvii. 21. That they is none upon earth that I desire be. all may be one, as thou, Father, art ir

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