(The Westminster Shorter Catechism, original of the year 1647).
In 1643, when the Long Parliament of England convened the Westminster Assembly to produce the Confession of Faith, it also laid down guidelines for a "Catechism."
The Assembly asked Herbert Palmer to draw up an outline of the Catechism, but Robert Baillie and the other Scottish commissioners were left disappointed.
In December a committee was appointed to write a catechism, and in January 1647 the Assembly gave up the idea of writing a single catechism and divided it into two: the Shorter Catechism, meant to be "brief and easy for beginners," and the Larger Catechism, more precise and comprehensive.
The catechism was completed in 1647, and the following year it was adopted by the General Assembly of Scotland.
