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WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM (1674)

Q1: What is the chief end of man?
A1: Man's chief end is to = glorify God,=20 and to enjoy Him for ever.=20

Q2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and = enjoy Him?=20
A2: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old = and New=20 Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy = Him.=20

Q3: What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A3: The Scriptures=20 principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty = God=20 requires of man.=20

Q4: What is God?
A4: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and=20 unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, = and=20 truth.=20

Q5: Are there more Gods than one?
A5: There is but one only, the = living=20 and true God.=20

Q6: How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A6: There are = three=20 persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and = these three=20 are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.=20

Q7: What are the decrees of God?
A7: The decrees of God are, his = eternal=20 purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own = glory, he=20 hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass.=20

Q8: How doth God execute his decrees?
A8: God executeth his = decrees in=20 the works of creation and providence.=20

Q9: What is the work of creation?
A9: The work of creation is, = God's=20 making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of = six=20 days, and all very good.=20

Q10: How did God create man?
A10: God created man male and = female, after=20 his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion = over the=20 creatures.=20

Q11: What are God's works of providence?
A11: God's works of = providence=20 are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his=20 creatures, and all their actions.=20

Q12: What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in = the estate=20 wherein he was created?
A12: When God had created man, he entered = into a=20 covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; = forbidding him=20 to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of = death.=20

Q13: Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were = created?=20
A13: Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, = fell=20 from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.=20

Q14: What is sin?
A14: Sin is any want of conformity unto, or=20 transgression of, the law of God.=20

Q15: What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate = wherein=20 they were created?
A15: The sin whereby our first parents fell from = the=20 estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.=20

Q16: Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
A16: The = covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his = posterity; all=20 mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and = fell=20 with him, in his first transgression.=20

Q17: Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A17: The fall = brought=20 mankind into an estate of sin and misery.=20

Q18: Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man = fell?=20
A18: The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in = the guilt=20 of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the = corruption of=20 his whole nature, which is commonly called Original Sin; together with = all=20 actual transgressions which proceed from it.=20

Q19: What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
A19: = All=20 mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and = curse,=20 and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to = the=20 pains of hell for ever.=20

Q20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and = misery?=20
A20. God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, = elected=20 some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver = them=20 out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of = salvation by a Redeemer.=20

Q21: Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A21: The only Redeemer = of God's=20 elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, = became man,=20 and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, = and one=20 person, for ever.=20

Q22: How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A22: = Christ, the=20 Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a = reasonable soul,=20 being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the = Virgin Mary,=20 and born of her yet without sin.=20

Q23: What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A23: = Christ, as=20 our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a = king,=20 both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.=20

Q24: How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A24: Christ = executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and = Spirit,=20 the will of God for our salvation.=20

Q25: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A25: Christ=20 executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a = sacrifice=20 to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making = continual=20 intercession for us.=20

Q26: How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A26: Christ = executeth=20 the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending = us, and=20 in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.=20

Q27: Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A27: Christ's = humiliation=20 consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the = law,=20 undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed = death of=20 the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for = a time.=20

Q28: Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A28: Christ's = exaltation=20 consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in = ascending up=20 into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in = coming to=20 judge the world at the last day.=20

Q29: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ? =
A29: We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by = the=20 effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.=20

Q30: How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by = Christ?=20
A30: The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, = by=20 working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual = calling.=20

Q31: What is effectual calling?
A31: Effectual calling is the = work of=20 God's Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening = our=20 minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth = persuade and=20 enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.=20

Q32: What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in = this=20 life?
A32: They that are effectually called do in this life partake = of=20 justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits = which, in=20 this life, do either accompany or flow from them.=20

Q33: What is justification?
A33: Justification is an act of God's = free=20 grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous = in His=20 sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received = by faith=20 alone.=20

Q34: What is adoption?
A34: Adoption is an act of God's free = grace,=20 whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the = privileges=20 of the Sons of God.=20

Q35: What is sanctification?
A35: Sanctification is the work of = God's=20 free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of = God, and=20 are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.=20

Q36: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow = from=20 justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A36: The benefits which = in this=20 life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and = sanctification, are,=20 assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, = increase of=20 grace, and perseverance therein to the end.=20

Q37: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? =
A37: The=20 souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do=20 immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to = Christ, do=20 rest in their graves till the resurrection.=20

Q38: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the = resurrection?=20
A38: At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall = be=20 openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgement, and made = perfectly=20 blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.=20

Q39. What is the duty which God requireth of man?
A39. The duty = which God=20 requireth of man is obedience to His revealed will.=20

Q40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his = obedience?=20
A40. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, = was the=20 Moral Law.=20

Q41. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended?
A41. The = Moral Law is=20 summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments.=20

Q42. What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
A42. The sum of the = Ten=20 Commandments is, "to love the Lord our God" with all our heart, all our = soul,=20 with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as = ourselves.=20

Q43. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
A43. The = preface to the=20 Ten Commandments is in these words, "I am the Lord your God, who brought = you out=20 of the land of Egypt, out of the house OF SLAVERY."=20

Q44. What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
A44. = The=20 preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us, That because God is The = Lord, and=20 our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His = commandments.=20

Q45: Which is the First Commandment?
A45: The First Commandment = is, "thou=20 shalt have no other gods before Me."=20

Q46: What is required in the First Commandment?
A46: The First=20 Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be only true = God, and=20 our God; and to worship and glorify Him accordingly.=20

Q47: What is forbidden in the First Commandment?
A47: The First=20 Commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying = the true=20 God, as God, [and our God,] and the giving of that worship and glory to = any=20 other which is due to Him alone.=20

Q48: What are we specially taught by these words, "before me" in the = First=20 Commandment?
A48: These words "before me" in the First Commandment, = teach=20 us, That God who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much = displeased=20 with, the sin of having any other God.=20

Q49: Which is the Second Commandment?
A49: The Second Commandment = is,=20 "thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any = thing=20 that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in = the=20 water under the earth, thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor = serve them:=20 for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the = fathers=20 upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that = hate Me;=20 and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep my=20 commandments."=20

Q50: What is required in the Second Commandment?
A50: The Second=20 Commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and = entire, all=20 such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in His Word. =

Q51: What is forbidden in the Second Commandment?
A51: The Second = Commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other = way not=20 appointed in His Word.=20

Q52: What are the reasons annexed to the Second Commandment?
A52: = The=20 reasoned annexed to the Second Commandment are, God's sovereignty over = us, and=20 the zeal He hath to His own worship.=20

Q53: Which is the Third Commandment?
A53: The Third Commandment = is, "thou=20 shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will = not hold=20 him guiltless that taketh His name in vain."=20

Q54: What is required in the Third Commandment?
A54: The Third=20 Commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God's names, titles,=20 attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.=20

Q55: What is forbidden in the Third Commandment?
A55: The Third=20 Commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing [of] anything whereby = God maketh=20 Himself known.=20

Q56: What is the reason annexed to the Third Commandment?
A56: = The reason=20 annexed to the Third Commandment is, That however the breakers of this=20 commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will = not suffer=20 them to escape His righteous judgement.=20

Q57: Which is the Fourth Commandment?
A57: The Fourth Commandment = is,=20 "Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, = and do=20 all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in = it thou=20 shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy = manservant, nor=20 thy maid- servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy = gates:=20 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in = them=20 is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath = day, and=20 hallowed it."=20

Q58: What is required in the Fourth Commandment?
A58: The Fourth=20 Commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as He = appointed in=20 His Word; expressly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath to = Himself.=20

Q59: Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly = Sabbath?=20
A59: From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, = God=20 appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the = first=20 day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which = is the=20 Christian Sabbath.=20

Q60: How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
A60: The Sabbath is to = be=20 sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly = employments=20 and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time = in the=20 public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to = be taken=20 up in the works of necessity and mercy.=20

Q61: What is forbidden in the Fourth Commandment?
A61: The Fourth = Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the = duties=20 required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is = in=20 itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our = worldly=20 employments or recreations.=20

Q62: What are the reasons annexed to the Fourth Commandment?
A62: = The=20 reasons annexed to the Fourth Commandment are, God's allowing us six = days of the=20 week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the = seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath-day.=20

Q63: Which is the Fifth Commandment?
A63: The Fifth Commandment = is,=20 "honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the = land which=20 the Lord thy God giveth thee."=20

Q64: What is required in the Fifth Commandment?
A64: The Fifth=20 Commandment requireth the preserving the honour, and performing the = duties,=20 belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as = superiors,=20 inferiors, or equals.=20

Q65: What is the forbidden in the Fifth Commandment?
A65: The = Fifth=20 Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the = honour=20 and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and = relations.=20

Q66: What is the reason annexed to the Fifth Commandment?
A66: = The reason=20 annexed to the Fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and = prosperity (as=20 far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good) to all such as = keep=20 this commandment.=20

Q67: Which is the Sixth Commandment?
A67: The Sixth Commandment = is, "thou=20 shalt not kill."=20

Q68: What is required in the Sixth Commandment?
A68: The Sixth=20 Commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, = and the=20 life of others.=20

Q69: What is forbidden in the Sixth Commandment?
A69: The Sixth=20 Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of = our=20 neighbour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.=20

Q70: Which is the Seventh Commandment?
A70: The Seventh = Commandment is,=20 "thou shalt not commit adultery."=20

Q71: What is required in the Seventh Commandment?
A71: The = Seventh=20 Commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor's = chasity, in=20 heart, speech, and behaviour.=20

Q72: What is forbidden in the Seventh Commandment?
A72: The = Seventh=20 Commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.=20

Q73: Which is the Eighth Commandment?
A73: The Eighth Commandment = is,=20 "thou shalt not steal."=20

Q74: What is required in the Eighth Commandment?
A74: The Eighth=20 Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and = outward=20 estate of ourselves and others.=20

Q75: What is forbidden in the Eighth Commandment?
A75: The Eighth = Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or = our=20 neighbour's wealth or outward estate.=20

Q76: What is the Ninth Commandment?
A76: The Ninth Commandment = is, "thou=20 shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."=20

Q77: What is required in the Ninth Commandment?
A77: The Ninth=20 Commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man = and=20 man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in = witness-=20 bearing.=20

Q78: What is forbidden in the Ninth Commandment?
A78: The Ninth=20 Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudical to truth, or injurious = to our=20 own or our neighbour's good name.=20

Q79: Which is the Tenth Commandment?
A79: The Tenth Commandment = is, "thou=20 shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy = neighbour's=20 wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, = nor any=20 thing that is thy neighbour's."=20

Q80: What is required in the Tenth Commandment?
A80: The Tenth=20 Commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a = right and=20 charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all this is his.=20

Q81: What is forbidden in the Tenth Commandment?
A81: The Tenth=20 Commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own own estate, = envying or=20 grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and = affections=20 to any thing that is his.=20

Q82: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of = God?
A82: No=20 mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the = commandments=20 of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.=20

Q83: Are all transgression of the law equally heinous?
A83: Some = sins in=20 themselves, and by reason of several aggravations are more heinous in = the sight=20 of God than others.=20

Q84: What doth every sin deserve?
A84: Every sin deserveth God's = wrath and=20 curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.=20

Q85: What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and = curse due=20 to us for sin?
A85: To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us = for sin,=20 God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with = the=20 diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us = the=20 benefits of redemption.=20

Q86: What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A86: Faith in Jesus Christ is = a saving=20 grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he = is=20 offered to us in the gospel.=20

Q87: What is repentance unto life?
A87: Repentance unto life is a = saving=20 grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and = apprehension of the=20 mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn = from it=20 unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.=20

Q88: What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us = the=20 benefits of redemption?
A88: The outward and ordinary means whereby = Christ=20 communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, = especially=20 the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the = elect for=20 salvation.=20

Q89: How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A89: The Spirit = of God=20 maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an = effectual means=20 of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in = holiness and=20 comfort, through faith, unto salvation.=20

Q90: How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become = effectual to=20 salvation?
A90: The the Word may become effectual to salvation, we = must=20 attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it = with faith=20 and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practise it in our lives.=20

Q91: How do the sacraments become effectual means of = salvation?
A91: The=20 sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in = them, or=20 in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, = and the=20 working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.=20

Q92: What is a sacrament?
A92: A sacrament is an holy ordinance = instituted=20 by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the = new=20 covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.=20

Q93: Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
A93: The = sacraments of=20 the New Testament are, Baptism, and the Lord's supper.=20

Q94: What is baptism?
A94: Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the = washing=20 with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy = Ghost,=20 doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the = benefits=20 of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's.=20

Q95: To whom is baptism to be administered?
A95: Baptism is not to = be=20 administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they = profess their=20 faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are = members of=20 the visible church are to be baptized.=20

Q96: What is the Lord's supper?
A96: The Lord's Supper is a = sacrament,=20 wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ's=20 appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worth receivers are, not = after a=20 corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and = blood,=20 with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in = grace.=20

Q97: What is required to be the worthy receiving of the Lord's=20 supper?
A97: It is required of them that would worthily partake of = the Lord's=20 super, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the = Lord's=20 body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and = new=20 obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgement to = themselves.=20

Q98: What is prayer?
A98: Prayer is an offering up of our desires = unto God=20 for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession = of our=20 sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.=20

Q99: What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A99: = The whole=20 Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of = direction=20 is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly = called The=20 Lord's Prayer.=20

Q100: What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?
A100: = The=20 preface of the Lord's prayer, which is, "Our Father which art in = heaven,"=20 teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, = as=20 children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray = with=20 and for others.=20

Q101: What do we pray for in the first petition?
A101: In the = first=20 petition, which is, "Hallowed be thy name," we pray, That God would = enable us=20 and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known; = and that=20 he would dispose all things to his own glory.=20

Q102: What do we pray for in the second petition?
A102: In the = second=20 petition, which is, "Thy kingdom come," we pray, That Satan's kingdom = may be=20 destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and = others=20 brought into it, and kept in it; and the kingdom of glory may be = hastened.=20

Q103: What do we pray for in the third petition?
A103: In the = third=20 petition, which is, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," we = pray,=20 That God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, = and submit=20 to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.=20

Q104: What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
A104: In the = fourth=20 petition, which is, "Give us this day our daily bread," we pray, That of = God's=20 free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this = life,=20 and enjoy his blessing with them.=20

Q105: What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A105: In the = fifth=20 petition, which is, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our = debtors," we=20 pray, That God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins; = which we=20 are able to be rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are = enabled=20 from the heart to forgive others.=20

Q106: What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A106: In the = sixth=20 petition, which is, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us = from evil,"=20 we pray, That God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or = support and=20 deliver us when we are tempted.=20

Q107: What doth the conclusion the Lord's prayer teach us?
A107: = The=20 conclusion of the Lord's prayer, which is, "For thine is the kingdom, = and the=20 power, and the glory, for ever, Amen." teacheth us, to take our = encouragement in=20 prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing = kingdom, power=20 and glory to him.=20

And, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, = Amen.=20