The Scriptures

Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

This uncovered treasure is intended for all who desire to teach or to learn the rule that God has given to direct us to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. John Hall (1806-1894) is best known for his long-term friendship with J.W. Alexander, that later resulted in his two volume work which included the 800 letters he received from Alexander over their 40 year relationship.

"The author, in illustrating the answer to the Second Question in the Shorter Catechism, has furnished a well digested treatise on the value of the Bible as the only true and infallible rule of faith. The excellence of this little volume will be appreciated by the intelligent reader.It gives a portable and effectual preventitive of the prime error of Popery." -from The Descriptive Catalogue of the Publication of the Presbyterian Board of Publication

This little gem is the complementary volume to our book entitled THE CHIEF END OF MAN: An Exposition of the First Answer of the Shorter Catechism, also written by Hall. Parents and children, teachers and pupils, pastors and congregation alike will benefit from this wonderful book.

We have chosen to add a brief Introduction by John Whitecross drawn from his book THE SHORTER CATECHISM ILLUSTRATED (also published by Solid Ground). A few examples are given below:

John Locke, a little before his death, being asked what was the shortest and surest way for a young gentleman to attain a true knowledge of the Christian religion, made this reply; 'Let him study the Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament; therein are contained the words of eternal life. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter.'

It was customary, in Cromwell's time, for his soldiers to carry each a Bible in his pocket; among others, a profligate young man, who was ordered out to attack some fortress. During the engagement, a bullet had perforated his Bible, and gone so far as to rest opposite these words in Ecclesiastes; 'Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth; and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.' These words so appropriate to his case, powerfully affected his mind, and proved, by the blessing of God, the means of his conversion. He wed to observe that the Bible had been the happy means of saving both his soul and his body.