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united one to another in the Church, which is His body. He calls and anoints ministers for their holy office, qualifies all other officers in the Church for their special work, and imparts various gifts and graces to its members. He gives efficacy to the Word, and to the ordinances of the Gospel. By Him the Church will be preserved, increased until it shall cover the earth, purified, and at last made perfectly holy in the presence of God.

CHAPTER XXXV.

OF THE LOVE OF GOD AND MISSIONS.

I. God, in infinite and perfect love, having provided in the covenant of grace, through the mediation and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, a way of life and salvation, sufficient for and adapted to the whole lost race of man, doth freely offer this salvation to all men in the Gospel.

II. In the Gospel God declares His love for the world and His desire that all men should be saved, reveals fully and clearly the only way of salvation; promises eternal life to all who truly repent and believe in Christ; invites and commands all to embrace the offered mercy; and by His Spirit accompanying the Word pleads with men to accept His gracious invitation.

III. It is the duty and privilege of every one who hears the Gospel immediately to accept its merciful provisions : and they who continue in impenitence and unbelief incur aggravated guilt and perish by their own fault.

IV. Since there is no other way of salvation than that revealed in the Gospel, and since in the divinely established and ordinary method of grace faith cometh by hearing the Word of God, Christ hath commissioned His Church to go into all the world and to make disciples of all nations. All believers are, therefore, under obligation to sustain the ordinances of religion where they are already established, and to contribute by their prayers, gifts, and personal efforts, to the extension of the kingdom of Christ throughout the whole earth.

DECLARATORY STATEMENT

WHILE the ordination vow of ministers, ruling elders, and deacons, as set forth in the Form of Government, requires the reception and adoption of the Confession of Faith only as containing the System of Doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures, nevertheless, seeing that the desire has been formally expressed for a disavowal by the Church of certain inferences drawn from statements in the Confession of Faith, and also for a declaration of certain aspects of revealed truth which appear at the present time to call for more explicit statement, therefore the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America does authoritatively declare as follows:

First, With reference to Chapter III. of the Confession of Faith: that concerning those who are saved in Christ, the doctrine of God's eternal decree is held in harmony with the doctrine of His love to all mankind, His gift of His Son to be the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, and His readiness to bestow His saving grace on all who seek it. That concerning those who perish, the doctrine of God's eternal decree is held in harmony with the doctrine that God desires not the death of any sinner, but has provided in Christ a salvation sufficient for all, adapted to all, and freely offered in the Gospel to all; that men are fully responsible for their treatment of God's gracious offer; that His decree hinders no man from accepting that offer; and that no man is condemned except on the ground of his sin.

Second, With reference to Chapter X., Section 3, of the Confession of Faith, that it is not to be regarded as teaching that any who die in infancy are lost. We believe that all dying in infancy are included in the election of grace, and are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who works when and where and how He pleases.

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THE

LARGER CATECHISM,

ADOPTED BY THE

SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA,
IN 1788.

Q. 1. What is the chief and highest end of man? A. Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God," and fully to enjoy him for ever."

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; but his Word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.d

1. a Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Cor. x. 31. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

b Psa. lxxiii. 24-26. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. John xvii. 22, 24. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.--Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.

2. Rom. i. 19, 20. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. See Psa. xix. 1-3. d1 Cor. ii. 9, 10. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things. yea, the deep things of God. 2 Tim. iii. 15-17. And that from a child thou

Q. 3. What is the Word of God?

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A. The holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. Q. 4. How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?

A. The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty 9 and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give

hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

3. e2 Tim. iii. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Pet. i. 19-21. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Isa. viii. 20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Luke xvi. 29, 31. They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. -If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Gal. i. 8, 9. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. See 2 Tim. iii. 15-17.

4. 9 Hos. viii. 12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. 1 Cor. ii. 6, 7. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Psa. cxix. 18, 129. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.-Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

Psa. xii. 6. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psa. cxix. 140. Thy word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it.

*Luke xxiv. 27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that

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all glory to God; * by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God.m

Q. 5. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man."

through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts xxvi. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.

* Rom. xvi. 25-27. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. See 2 Cor. iii. 6-11.

'Acts xviii. 28. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Heb. iv. 12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. James i. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth. Psa. xix. 7-9. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

m John xvi. 13, 14. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth :-and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. See 1 John ii. 20, 27.

5. " John xx. 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have

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