The Westminster assembly's shorter catechism explained...

Part I. What Man Is To Believe Concerning God

BY SEVERAL MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL.

" Hold fast the form of sound words." — 2 Tim. i. 13.

PHILADELPHIA: PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Presbyterian Board of Publication, in issuing an edition of this valuable work, have omitted those questions and answers relating to the power of the civil magistrate, which contain sentiments at variance with the standards of the Presbyterian Church in this country. A few other questions and answers on points of comparatively trivial importance, have been stricken out for a similar reason. There are, however, no omissions which affect the system of divinity taught by the author.

W. M. Engles.

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Printed by WM. S. MARTI EN.

Preface To The First Edition

The Shorter Catechism, composed by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, with assistance of Commissioners from the Church of Scotland, being approved by the General Assembly of the said church in 1648, and ratified by the Estates of Parliament in the year following, is above any recommendation of ours ; having its praises already in all the churches of Christ, abroad and at home, among whom it has been justly admired as a master -piece of its kind, both for the fulness of its matter, and the compendious and perspicuous manner in which it is expressed.

Although it is only a human composure, yet being a form of sound words, agreeable unto, and founded on the word of God, it ought to be held fast, and earnestly contended for, by all the lovers of truth, in opposition to the contrary errors that are revived and raging in our day ; and, in order hereto, it ought to be considered, that a divine faith is due to the words of the Holy Ghost supporting it, as the evident proofs thereof.

Nothing tends more to the advantage and well-being of the church, than sound standards of doctrine, worship, and government ; because, as they are a strong bulwark against contrary errors and opinions, so they tend to preserve truth in its purity, and the professors of it in unity and harmony among themselves. On the other hand, there is nothing more galling to the adversaries of truth, than such public standards, because they are a very severe check and curb upon their unbounded and licentious liberty,

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