UNivå iTV 113. ARY The following Explication of the Shorter Catechism, and the Sermons annexed, are printed from the Author's original Manuscripts, without the smallest Variation. . . BRIEF EXPLICATION ..OF A The First Part of the ASSEMBLY'S i SHORTER CATECHISM. fleth and my heart faileth: but God is 'the • strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. ". For lo, they that are far from thee, shall perish : - schon God; imperfectly indeed here, but perfectly in Quest. 2. What Rule hath God given to direct us, how we may glorify and enjoy him? Anf. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, is the only Rule to dia rect us, how we may glorify and enjoy him. EXPLICATION. The End for which the Scriptures are given, is, to be a Rule to direct us, how we muy glorify God, and come to the Enjoyment of him as our God. And they are the only Rule to direct us in these Mat. ters. Withal, they are a certain and infallible : Rule ; and that, because they are the Word of . God. It appears, that they are the Word of God, by the Holiness and Efficacy of their Doctrine, and the Miracles wrought to confirm it: And this, although for the mist Part they were written by Men, because all fcripture is girsen by inspiration of God, 2 Tim. iii. i 6r. The Word Scriptures signifies Writings : But the Church had not always the written Word, till about Mores's Time. Howbeit, they were supplied, while they waniéd it, by extraordinary Revelations : And it is the same Doctrine that was then lo revealed, which we have now in the Scripture. Neverthea! less, the Scripture is altogether necessary for the com A 2 Church |