Part 1: What Man Ought to Believe (Qs 1-90)
1 What
is the chief and highest end of man? A. Man's Chief and highest end is to
glorify God,(1) and fully to enjoy him forever.(2)
(1)Rom.
(2)Ps 73:24-28; John 17:21-23
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;(1) but his word and Spirit
only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their
salvation.(2)
(1)Rom.
(2)1 Cor. 2:9,10; 2 Tim. 3:1517; Isa. 59:21
3 What
is the word of God? A. The Holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the
word of God,(1) the only rule of faith and obedience.(2)
(1)2 Tim.
3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19-21;
(2)Eph. 2:20; Rev. 22:18,19; Isa. 8:20; Luke 16:29,31; Gal. 1:8,9; 2 Tim. 3:15,16.
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(1) and purity(2); by
the consent of all the parts(3), and the scope of the whole, which is to give
all glory to God(4); by their light and power to convince and convert sinners,
to comfort and build up believers unto salvation.(5) 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.(6)
(1)Hos. 8:12;
1 Cor. 2:6,7,13; Ps. 119:18,129
(2)Ps. 12:6;
Ps. 19:140
(3)Acts
(4)Rom.
(5)Acts
18:28; Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; Ps. 19:79; Rom 15:4; Acts 20:32
(6)John 16:13,14; 1 John 2:20,27; John 20:31
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.(1)
(1)2 Tim. 1:13
6 What
do the scriptures make known of God? A. The scriptures make known what God
is,(1) the persons of the Godhead,(2) his decrees,(3) and the execution of his
decrees.(4)
(1)Heb. 11:6
(2)1 John
(3)Acts
(4)Acts 4:27,28
7 What
is God? A. God is a Spirit,(1) in and of himself infinite in being,(2) glory,(3)
blessedness,(4) and perfection;(5) all-sufficient,(6) eternal,(7)
unchangeable,(8) incomprehensible,(9) every where present,(10) almighty,(11)
knowing all things,(12) most wise,(13) most holy,(14) most just,(15) most
merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.(16)
(1)John 4:24
(2)Exod.
3:14; Job 11:7-9
(3)Acts 7:2
(4)1 Tim.
(5)Matt. 5:48
(6)Gen. 17:1
(7)Ps. 90:2
(8)Mal. 3:6; James 1:17
(9)1 Kings
(10)Ps
139:1-13
(11)Rev. 4:8
(12)Heb.
4:13; Ps. 147:5
(13)Rom.
(14)Isa. 6:3;
Rev. 15:4
(15)Deut.
32:4
(16)Exod. 34:6
8 Are
there more Gods than one? A. There is but one only, the living and true God.(1)
(1)Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4,6; Jer. 10:10
9 How
many persons are there in the Godhead? A. There be three persons in the Godhead,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal
God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by
their personal properties.(1)
(1)1 John
5:7; Matt.
10 What are the personal properties of the
three persons in the Godhead? A. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son,(1)
and to the Son to be begotten of the Father,(2) and to the Holy Ghost to proceed
from the Father and the Son from all eternity.(3)
(1)Heb.
1:5,6,8
(2)John
1:14,18
(3)John 15:26; Gal. 4:6
11 How
doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father? A.
The scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the
Father, ascribing unto them such names,(1) attributes,(2) works,(3) and
worship,(4) as are proper to God only.
(1)Isa.
6:3,5,8 with John
(2)John 1:1;
Isa. 9:6; John 2:24,25; 1 Cor. 2:10,11
(3)Col. 1:16;
Gen. 1:2
(4)Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14
12
What are the decrees of God? A. God's decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts
of the counsel of his will,(1) whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own
glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time,(2) especially
concerning angels and men.
(1)Eph.
(2)Eph.
1:4,11; Rom.
13 What hath God especially decreed
concerning angels and men? A. God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of
his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due
time, hath elected some angels to glory;(1) and in Christ hath chosen some men
to eternal life, and the means thereof:(2) and also, according to his sovereign
power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will, (whereby he extendeth or
withholdeth favour as he pleaseth,) hath passed by and foreordained the rest to
dishonour and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory
of his justice.(3)
(1)1 Tim.
(2)Eph.
1:4-6; 2 Thess. 2:13,14.
(3)Rom.
14 How doth God execute his decrees? A. God executeth his decrees in
the works of creation and providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge,
and the free and immutable counsel of his own will.(1)
(1)Eph. 1:11
15
What is the work of creation? A. The work of creation is that wherein God did in
the beginning, by the word of his power, make of nothing the world, and all
things therein, for himself, within the space of six days, and all very good.(1)
(1)Gen. 1:1-31; Heb. 11:3; Prov. 16:4
16 How
did God create angels? A. God created all the angels(1) spirits(2), immortal(3),
holy(4), excelling in knowledge(5), mighty in power(6), to execute his
commandments, and to praise his name(7), yet subject to change.(8)
(1)Col. 1:16
(2)Ps. 104:4.
(3)Matt.
22:30.
(4)Matt.
25:31
(5)2 Sam.
(6)2 Thess.
1:7
(7)Ps.
103:20,21
(8)2 Pet.
17
How did God create man? A. After God had made all other
creatures, he created man male and female;(1) formed the body of the man of the
dust of the ground,(2) and the woman of the rib of the man,(3) endued them with
living, reasonable and immortal souls;(4) made them after his own image,(5) in
knowledge,(6) righteousness, and holiness;(7) having the law of God written in
their hearts,(8) and power to fulfil it,(9) and dominion over the creatures;(10)
yet subject to fall.(11)
(1)Gen. 1:27.
(2)Gen. 2:7.
(3)Gen. 2:22.
(4)Gen. 2:7
with Job 35:11 and Eccl. 12:7 and Matt.
(5)Gen. 1:27.
(6)Col. 3:10.
(7)Eph. 4:24
(8)Rom.
(9)Eccl.
7:29.
(10)Gen. 1:28
(11)Gen. 3:6; Eccl. 7:29
18
What are the works of providence? A. God's works of providence are his most
holy,(1) wise,(2) and powerful preserving(3) and governing(4) all his creatures;
ordering them, and all their actions,(5) to his own glory.(6)
(1)Ps. 145:17
(2)Ps.
104:24; Isa. 28:29
(3)Heb. 1:3
(4)Ps. 103:19
(5)Matt.
10:29,31; Gen. 45:7
(6)Rom.
19 What is God's providence towards the angels? A. God by his
providence permitted some of the angels, wilfully and irrecoverably, to fall
into sin and damnation,(1) limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to
his own glory;(2) and established the rest in holiness and happiness;(3)
employing them all,(4) at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power,
mercy, and justice.(5)
(1)Jude 6; 2
Pet. 2:4; Heb. 2:16; John 8:44
(2)Job 1:12;
Matt. 8:31
(3)1 Tim.
(4)Ps. 104:4
(5)2 Kings 19:35; Heb. 1:14
20
What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created?
A. The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was
the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to
eat of the fruit of the earth;(1) putting the creatures under his dominion,(2)
and ordaining marriage for his help;(3) affording him communion with himself;(4)
instituting the Sabbath;(5) entering into a covenant of life with him, upon
condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience,(6) of which the tree of
life was a pledge;(7) and forbidding to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil, upon the pain of death.(8)
(1)Gen. 2:8,15,16
(2)Gen. 1:28
(3)Gen. 2:18
(4)Gen. 1:26,27,28,29; Gen. 3:8
(5)Gen. 2:3
(6)Gal. 3:12;
(7)Gen. 2:9
(8)Gen. 2:17
21
Did man continue in that estate wherein God first created him? A. Our first
parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of
Satan, transgressed the commandment of God in eating the forbidden fruit; and
thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created.(1)
(1)Gen. 3:6,7,8,13; Eccl. 7:29; 2 Cor. 11:3
22 Did
all mankind fall in that first transgression? A. The covenant being made with
Adam as a publick person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all
mankind descending from him by ordinary generation,(1) sinned in him, and fell
in that first transgression.(2)
(1)Acts
(2)Gen.
2:16,17 with Rom.
23 Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? A. The fall brought
mankind into an estate of sin and misery.(1)
(1)Rom.
24 What is sin? A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or
transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature.(1)
(1)1 John 3:4; Gal. 3:10,12
25
Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? A. The
sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam's
first sin,(1) the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the
corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made
opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and
that continually;(2) which is commonly called Original Sin, and from which do
proceed all actual transgressions.(3)
(1)
(2)Rom.
3:10-19; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 5:6; Rom. 8:7,8; Gen. 6:5.
(3)James 1:14,15; Matt. 15:19.
26 How
is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity? A.
Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural
generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born
in sin.(1)
(1)Ps. 51:5; Job 14:4; Job 15:14; John 3:6.
27
What misery did the fall bring upon mankind? A. The fall brought upon mankind
the loss of communion with God,(1) his displeasure and curse; so as we are by
nature children of wrath,(2) bond slaves to Satan,(3) and justly liable to all
punishments in this world, and that which is to come.(4)
(1)Gen.
3:8,10,24.
(2)Eph.
2:2,3.
(3)2 Tim.
(4)Gen. 2:17; Lam. 3:39; Rom. 6:23; Matt. 25:41,46; Jude 7.
28
What are the punishments of sin in this world? A. The punishments of sin in this
world are either inward, as blindness of mind,(1) a reprobate sense,(2) strong
delusions,(3) hardness of heart,(4) horror of conscience,(5) and vile
affections;(6) or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our
sakes,(7) and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates,
relations, and employments;(8) together with death itself.(9)
(1)Eph. 4:18.
(2)
(3)2 Thess.
(4)Rom. 2:5
(5)Isa.
33:14; Gen. 4:13; Matt. 27:4.
(6)
(7)Gen. 3:17.
(8)Deut.
28:15-18.
(9)Rom.
29 What are the punishments of sin in the world to come? A. The
punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the
comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body,
without intermission, in hell-fire for ever.(1)
(1)2 Thess. 1:9; Mark 9:43,44,46,48; Luke 16:24.
30
Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? A. God
doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery,(1) into which
they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the Covenant of
Works;(2) but of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and
bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly
called the Covenant of Grace.(3)
(1)1 Thess.
5:9.
(2)Gal.
3:10,12.
(3)Tit. 3:4-7; Gal. 3:21; Rom. 3:20-22
31
With whom was the covenant of grace made? A. The covenant of grace was made with
Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed.(1)
(1)Gal.
32 How is the grace of God manifested in the
second covenant? A. The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in
that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator,(1) and life and
salvation by him;(2) and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in
him,(3) promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit(4) to all his elect, to work in
them that faith,(5) with all other saving graces;(6) and to enable them unto all
holy obedience,(7) as the evidence of the truth of their faith(8) and
thankfulness to God,(9) and as the way which he hath appointed them to
salvation.(10)
(1)Gen. 3:15;
Isa. 42:16; John 6:27
(2)1 John
(3)John 3:16;
John 1:12
(4)Prov. 1:23
(5)2 Cor.
(6)Gal.
5:22,23
(7)Ezek.
36:27
(8)James
2:18,22
(9)2 Cor.
(10)Eph. 2:18.
33 Was
the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner? A. The
covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the
administration of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the
New.(1)
(1)2 Cor. 3:6-9.
34 How
was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament? A. The covenant
of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises,(1)
prophecies,(2) sacrifices,(3) circumcision,(4) the pass-over,(5) and other types
and ordinances, which did fore-signify Christ then to come, and were for that
time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,(6) by
whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.(7)
(1)Rom. 15:8.
(2)Acts
(3)Heb. 10:1
(4)Rom.
(5)1 Cor. 5:7
(6)Heb.
Chapters VIII, IX and X; Heb.
(7)Gal. 3:7,8,9,14.
35 How
is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament? A. Under the New
Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace
was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word,(1) and the
administration of the sacraments of baptism(2) and the Lord's Supper;(3) in
which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and
efficacy, to all nations.(4)
(1)Mark
(2)Matt.
28:19,20
(3)1 Cor.
(4)2 Cor. 3:6-18; Heb. 8:6,10,11; Matt. 28:19
36 Who
is the Mediator of the covenant of grace? A. The only Mediator of the covenant
of grace is the Lord Jesus Christ,(1) who, being the eternal Son of God, of one
substance and equal with the Father,(2) in the fulness of time became man,(3)
and so was and continues to be God and man, in two entire distinct natures, and
one person, for ever.(4)
(1)1 Tim.
2:5.
(2)John
1:1,14; John 10:30; Phil. 2:6
(3)Gal. 4:4
(4)Luke 1:35;
37 How
did Christ, being the Son of God, become man? A. Christ the Son of God became
man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul,(1) being conceived
by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance,
and born of her,(2) yet without sin.(3)
(1)John 1:14;
Matt. 26:38.
(2)Luke
1:27,31,35,42; Gal. 4:4.
(3)Heb. 4:15; Heb. 7:26.
38 Why
was it requisite that the Mediator should be God? A. It was requisite that the
Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from
sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death;(1) give worth
and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession,(2) and to satisfy
God's justice,(3) procure his favour,(4) purchase a peculiar people,(5) give his
Spirit to them,(6) conquer all their enemies,(7) and bring them to everlasting
salvation.(8)
(1)Acts
(2)Acts
20:28; Heb. 9:14; Heb. 7:25-28.
(3)
(4)Eph. 1:6;
Matt. 3:17.
(5)Tit.
2:13,14.
(6)Gal. 4:6.
(7)Luke
1:68,69,71,74.
(8)Heb.
5:8,9; Heb.
39 Why was it requisite that the Mediator
should be man? A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be man, that he
might advance our nature,(1) perform obedience to the law,(2) suffer and make
intercession for us in our nature,(3) have a fellow-feeling of our
infirmities;(4) that we might receive the adoption of sons,(5) and have comfort
and access with boldness unto the throne of grace.(6)
(1)Heb. 2:16.
(2)Gal. 4:4
(3)Heb. 2:14; Heb. 7:24,25
(4)Heb. 4:15
(5)Gal. 4:5
(6)Heb. 4:16
40 Why
was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one person? A. It
was requisite that the Mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should
himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of
each nature might be accepted of God for us,(1) and relied on by us, as the
works of the whole person.(2)
(1)Matt.
1:21,23; Matt. 3:17; Heb. 9:14.
(2)1 Pet. 2:6
41 Why
was our Mediator called Jesus? A. Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he
saveth his people from their sins.(1)
(1)Matt. 1:21
42 Why
was our Mediator called Christ? A. Our Mediator was called Christ, because he
was annointed with the Holy Ghost above measure;(1) and so set apart, and fully
furnished with all authority and ability,(2) to execute the offices of
prophet,(3) priest,(4) and king of his Church,(5) in the estate both of his
humiliation and exaltation.
(1)John 3:34;
Ps. 45:7.
(2)John 6:27;
Matt. 28:18,19,20.
(3)Acts
3:21,22; Luke 4:18,21.
(4)Heb.
5:5,6,7; Heb. 4:14,15.
(5)Ps. 2:6; Matt. 21:5; Isa. 9:6,7; Phil. 2:8-11.
43 How
doth Christ execute the office of a prophet? A. Christ executeth the office of a
prophet, in his revealing to the church,(1) in all ages, by his Spirit and
word,(2) and in divers ways of administration,(3) the whole will of God,(4) in
all things concerning their edification and salvation.(5)
(1)John 1:18.
(2)1 Pet.
(3)Heb.
1:1,2.
(4)John 15:15
(5)Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:11,12,13; John 20:31
44 How
doth Christ execute the office of a priest? A. Christ executeth the office of a
priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God,(1) to be a
reconciliation for the sins of his people;(2) and in making continual
intercession for them.(3)
(1)Heb.
9:14,28.
(2)Heb. 2:17.
(3)Heb. 7:25.
45 How
doth Christ execute the office of a king? A. Christ executeth the office of a
king, in calling out of the world a people to himself,(1) and giving them
officers,(2) laws,(3) and censures, by which he visibly governs them;(4) in
bestowing saving grace upon his elect,(5) rewarding their obedience,(6) and
correcting them for their sins,(7) preserving and supporting them under all
their temptations and sufferings,(8) restraining and overcoming all their
enemies,(9) and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory,(10) and their
good;(11) and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey
not the gospel.(12)
(1)Acts
15:14,15,16; Isa. 55:4,5; Gen. 49:10; Ps. 110:3
(2)Eph.
4:11,12; 1 Cor. 12:28
(3)Isa.
33:22.
(4)Matt
18:17,18; 1 Cor. 5:4.
(5)Acts
(6)Rev.
22:12; Rev. 2:10.
(7)Rev. 3:19.
(8)Isa. 63:9.
(9)1 Cor.
(10)Rom.
(11)Rom.
(12)2 Thess. 1:8,9; Ps. 2:8,9.
46
What was the estate of Christ's humiliation ? A. The estate of Christ's
humiliation was that low condition, wherein he for our sakes, emptying himself
of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth,
life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection.(1)
(1)Phil 2:6,7,8; Luke 1:31; 2 Cor. 8:9; Acts 2:24.
47 How
did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth? A. Christ humbled himself
in his conception and birth, in that, being from all eternity the Son of God, in
the bosom of the Father, he was pleased in the fulness of time to become the son
of man, made of a woman of low estate, and to be born of her; with divers
circumstances of more than ordinary abasement.(1)
(1)John 1:14,18; Gal. 4:4; Luke 2:7.
48 How
did Christ humble himself in his life? A. Christ humbled himself in his life, by
subjecting himself to the law,(1) which he perfectly fulfilled,(2) and by
conflicting with the indignities of the world,(3) temptations of Satan,(4) and
infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly
accompanying that his low condition.(5)
(1)Gal. 4:4.
(2)Matt.
(3)Ps. 22:6;
Heb. 12:2,3.
(4)Matt.
4:1-12; Luke 4:13.
(5)Heb. 2:17,18; Heb. 4:15; Isa. 52:13,14.
49 How
did Christ humble himself in his death? A. Christ humbled himself in his death,
in that having been betrayed by Judas,(1) forsaken by his disciples,(2) scorned
and rejected by the world,(3) condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his
persecutors,(4) having also conflicted with the terrors of death and the powers
of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God's wrath,(5) he laid down his life
an offering for sin,(6) enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the
cross.(7)
(1)Matt. 27:4
(2)Matt.
26:56.
(3)Isa.
53:2,3.
(4)Matt.
27:26-50; John 19:34.
(5)Luke
22:44; Matt. 27:46.
(6)Isa.
53:10.
(7)Phil 2:8; Heb. 12:2; Gal. 3:13.
50
Wherein consisted Christ's humiliation after his death? A. Christ's humiliation
after his death consisted in his being buried,(1) and continuing in the state of
the dead, and under the power of death till the third day;(2) which hath been
otherwise expressed in these words, He descended into hell.
(1)1 Cor.
15:3,4.
(2)Ps.
51 What was the estate of Christ's
exaltation ? A. The estate of Christ's exaltation comprehendeth his
resurrection,(1) ascension,(2) sitting at the right hand of the Father,(3) and
his coming again to judge the world.(4)
(1)1 Cor.
15:4.
(2)Mark
(3)Eph. 1:20
(4)Acts 1:11; Acts 17:31.
52 How
was Christ exalted in his resurrection? A. Christ was exalted in his
resurrection, in that not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not
possible for him to be held(1)), and having the very same body in which he
suffered, with the essential properties thereof,(2) (but without mortality, and
other common infirmities belonging to this life), really united to his soul,(3)
he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power;(4) whereby he
declared himself to be the Son of God,(5) to have satisfied divine justice,(6)
to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it,(7) and to be Lord of
quick and dead:(8) all which he did as a public person,(9) the head of his
Church,(10) for their justification,(11) quickening in grace,(12) support
against enemies,(13) and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at
the last day.(14)
(1)Acts
(2)Luke 24:39
(3)Rom. 6:9;
Rev. 1:18
(4)John 10:18
(5)
(6)Rom.
(7)Heb. 2:14.
(8)Rom. 14:9
(9)1 Cor.
(10)Eph.
1:20,22,23; Col. 1:18.
(11)Rom.
(12)Eph.
2:1,5,6; Col. 2:12
(13)1 Cor.
(14)1 Cor. 15:20.
53 How
was Christ exalted in his ascension? A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in
that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his
apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God,(1)
and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations,(2) forty days
after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head,(3) triumphing over
enemies,(4) visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for
men,(5) to raise up our affections thither,(6) and to prepare a place for us,(7)
where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the
world.(8)
(1)Acts 1:2,3
(2)Matt.
28:19,20.
(3)Heb. 6:20.
(4)Eph. 4:8.
(5)Acts
1:9,10,11; Eph. 4:10; Ps. 68:18.
(6)Col.
3:1,2.
(7)John 14:3.
(8)Acts 3:21.
54 How
is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God? A. Christ is exalted
in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to
the highest favour with God the Father,(1) with all fulness of joy,(2) glory,(3)
and power over all things in heaven and earth,(4) and doth gather and defend his
church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth ministers and people with gifts and
graces,(5) and maketh intercession for them.(6)
(1)Phil. 2:9.
(2)Acts
(3)John 17:5.
(4)Eph. 1:22;
1 Pet. 3:22.
(5)Eph.
4:10,11,12; Ps. 110:1 (see the Psalm throughout).
(6)
55 How
doth Christ make intercession ? A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing
in our nature continually before the Father in heaven,(1) in the merit of his
obedience and sacrifice on earth,(2) declaring his will to have it applied to
all believers;(3) answering all accusations against them,(4) and procuring for
them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings,(5) access with
boldness to the throne of grace,(6) and acceptance of their persons(7) and
services.(8)
(1)Heb
9:12,24.
(2)Heb. 1:3.
(3)John 3:16;
John 17:9,20,24.
(4)Rom.
(5)
(6)Heb. 4:16.
(7)Eph. 1:6.
(8)1 Pet. 2:5.
56 How
is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world? A. Christ is to
be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly
judged and condemned by wicked men,(1) shall come again at the last day in great
power,(2) and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father's,
with all his holy angels,(3) with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trumpet of God,(4) to judge the world in righteousness.(5)
(1)Acts
(2)Matt.
24:30.
(3)Luke 9:26;
Matt. 25:31.
(4)1 Thess.
(5)Acts 17:31.
57
What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation? A. Christ, by his
mediation, hath procured redemption,(1) with all other benefits of the covenant
of grace.(2)
(1)Heb. 9:12.
(2)2 Cor. 1:20.
58 How
do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured ? A.
We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the
application of them unto us,(1) which is the work especially of God the Holy
Ghost.(2)
(1)1 John
(2)Tit. 3:5,6
59 Who
are made partakers of redemption through Christ? A. Redemption is certainly
applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath
purchased it;(1) who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ
according to the gospel.(2)
(1)Eph.
1:13,14; John 6:37,39; John 10:15,16
(2)Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 4:13
60 Can
they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe
in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature? A. They who,
having never heard the gospel,(1) know not Jesus Christ,(2) and believe not in
him, cannot be saved,(3) be they never so diligent to frame their lives
according to the light of nature,(4) or the laws of that religion which they
profess;(5) neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone,(6) who
is the Saviour only of his body the church.(7)
(1)Rom.
(2)2 Thess.
1:8,9; Eph.
(3)John 8:24;
Mark
(4)1 Cor.
(5)John
(6)Acts
(7)Eph. 5:23
61 Are
all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church? A. All that hear the
gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are
true members of the church invisible.(1)
(1)John 12:38-40; Rom. 9:6; Matt. 22:14; Matt. 7:21; Rom. 11:7
62
What is the visible church? A. The visible church is a society made up of all
such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion,(1) and
of their children.(2)
(1)1 Cor.
1:2; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 15:9-12; Rev. 7:9; Ps. 2:8; Ps. 22:27-31; Ps. 45:17;
Matt. 28:19,20; Isa. 59:21
(2)1 Cor.
7:14; Acts
63
What are the special privileges of the visible church? A. The visible church
hath the privilege of being under God's special care and government;(1) of being
protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all
enemies,(2) and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of
salvation,(3) and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the
ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be
saved,(4) and excluding none that will come unto him.(5)
(1)Isa.
4:5,6; 1 Tim. 4:10
(2)Ps.
115:1,2,9; Isa. 31:4,5; Zech. 12:2,3,4,8,9
(3)Acts
(4)Ps.
147:19,20; Rom. 9:4; Eph. 4:11,12; Mark
(5)John 6:37
64
What is the invisible church? A. The invisible church is the whole number of the
elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the
head.(1)
(1)Eph. 1:10,22,23; John 10:16; John 11:52
65
What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ? A.
The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him
in grace and glory.(1)
(1)John 17:21; Eph. 2:5,6; John 17:24
66
What is that union which the elect have with Christ? A. The union which the
elect have with Christ is the work of God's grace,(1) whereby they are
spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as
their head and husband;(2) which is done in their effectual calling.(3)
(1)Eph. 1:22;
Eph. 2:6-8
(2)1 Cor.
(3)1 Pet. 5:10; 1 Cor. 1:9
67
What is effectual calling? A. Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty
power and grace,(1) whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and
from nothing in them moving him thereunto(2)) he doth, in his accepted time,
invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit;(3) savingly
enlightening their minds,(4) renewing and powerfully determining their wills,(5)
so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able
freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and
conveyed therein.(6)
(1)John 5:25;
Eph. 1:18-20; 2 Tim. 1:8,9
(2)Tit.
3:4,5; Eph. 2:4,5,7,8,9;
(3)2 Cor.
(4)Acts
26:18; 1 Cor. 2:10,12
(5)Ezek.
11:19; Ezek. 36:26,27; John 6:45
(6)Eph. 2:5; Phil. 2:13; Deut. 30:6
68 Are
the elect only effectually called? A. All the elect, and they only, are
effectually called;(1) although others may be, and often are, outwardly called
by the ministry of the word,(2) and have some common operations of the
Spirit;(3) who, for their wilful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to
them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus
Christ.(4)
(1)Acts
(2)Matt.
22:14
(3)Matt.
7:22; Matt. 13:20,21; Heb. 6:4-6
(4)John 12:38-40; Acts 28:25-27; John 6:64,65; Ps. 81:11,12
69
What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have
with Christ? A. The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church
have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their
justification,(1) adoption,(2) sanctification, and whatever else, in this life,
manifests their union with him.(3)
(1)Rom.
(2)Eph. 1:5
(3)1 Cor. 1:30
70
What is justification? A. Justification is an act of God's free grace unto
sinners,(1) in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their
persons righteous in his sight;(2) not for any thing wrought in them, or done by
them,(3) but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by
God imputed to them,(4) and received by faith alone.(5)
(1)Rom.
(2)2 Cor.
(3)Tit.
3:5,7; Eph. 1:7
(4)
(5)Acts 10:43; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9
71 How
is justification an act of God's free grace? A. Although Christ, by his
obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God's
justice in the behalf of them that are justified,(1) yet in as much as God
accepteth the satisfaction from a surety, which he might have demanded of them
and did provide this surety, his own only Son,(2) imputing his righteousness to
them,(3) and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith,(4)
which also is his gift,(5) their justification is to them of free grace.(6)
(1)
(2)1 Tim.
2:5,6; Heb.
(3)2 Cor.
(4)Rom.
(5)Eph. 2:8
(6)Eph. 1:7
72
What is justifying faith? A. Justifying faith is a saving grace,(1) wrought in
the heart of a sinner by the Spirit(2) and word of God,(3) whereby he, being
convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other
creatures to recover him out of his lost condition,(4) not only assenteth to the
truth of the promise of the gospel,(5) but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and
his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin,(6) and for the
accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for
salvation.(7)
(1)Heb. 10:39
(2)2 Cor.
(3)Rom.
(4)Acts 2:37;
Acts 16:30; John 16:8,9; Rom. 5:6; Eph. 2:1; Acts 4:12
(5)Eph. 1:13
(6)John
(7)Phil. 3:9; Acts 15:11
73 How
doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God? A. Faith justifies a sinner in
the sight of God, not because of those other graces which do always accompany
it, or of good works that are the fruits of it,(1) not as if the grace of faith,
or any act thereof, were imputed to him for his justification;(2) but only as it
is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ and his
righteousness.(3)
(1)Gal.
(2)Rom. 4:5;
Rom.
(3)John 1:12; Phil. 3:9; Gal. 2:16
74
What is adoption? A. Adoption is an act of the free grace of God,(1) in and for
his only Son Jesus Christ,(2) whereby all those that are justified are received
into the number of his children,(3) have his name put upon them,(4) the Spirit
of his Son given to them,(5) are under his fatherly care and dispensations,(6)
admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of
all the promises and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory.(7)
(1)1 John 3:1
(2)Eph. 1:5;
Gal. 4:4,5
(3)John 1:12
(4)2 Cor.
(5)Gal. 4:6
(6)Ps.
103:13; Prov. 14:26; Matt. 6:32
(7)Heb. 6:12; Rom. 8:17
75
What is sanctification? A. Sanctification is a work of God's grace, whereby they
whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in
time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit(1) applying the death and
resurrection of Christ unto them,(2) renewed in their whole man after the image
of God;(3) having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving
graces, put into their hearts,(4) and those graces so stirred up, increased and
strengthened,(5) as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness
of life.(6)
(1)Eph. 1:4;
1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13
(2)
(3)Eph.
4:23,24
(4)Acts
11:18; 1 John 3:9
(5)Jude 20;
Heb. 6:11,12; Eph. 3:16-19; Col. 1:10,11
(6)
76
What is repentance unto life? A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace,(1)
wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit(2) and word of God,(3) whereby
out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger,(4) but also of the
filthiness and odiousness of his sins,(5) and upon the apprehension of God's
mercy in Christ to such as are penitent,(6) he so grieves for(7) and hates his
sins,(8) as that he turns from them all to God,(9) purposing and endeavouring
constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience.(10)
(1)2 Tim.
(2)Zech.
12:10
(3)Acts
(4)Ezek.
18:28,30,32; Luke 15:17,18; Hos. 2:6,7
(5)Ezek.
36:31; Isa. 30:22
(6)Joel
2:12,13
(7)Jer.
31:18,19
(8)2 Cor.
(9)Acts
26:18; Ezek. 14:6; 1 Kings 8:47,48
(10)Ps. 119:6,59,128; Luke 1:6; 2 Kings 23:25
77
Wherein do justification and sanctification differ? A. Although sanctification
be inseparably joined with justification,(1) yet they differ, in that God in
justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ,(2) in sanctification his
Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof;(3) in the former,
sin is pardoned;(4) in the other, it is subdued:(5) the one doth equally free
all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life,
that they never fall into condemnation;(6) the other is neither equal in all,(7)
nor in this life perfect in any,(8) but growing up to perfection.(9)
(1)1 Cor.
(2)
(3)Ezek.
36:27
(4)Rom.
(5)
(6)Rom.
(7)1 John
2:12-14; Heb. 5:12-14
(8)1 John
1:8,10
(9)2 Cor.
7:1; Phil.
78 Whence ariseth the imperfection of
sanctification in believers? A. The imperfection of sanctification in believers
ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them, and the
perpetual lustings of the flesh against the spirit; whereby they are often
foiled with temptations, and fall into many sins,(1) are hindered in all their
spiritual services,(2) and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the
sight of God.(3)
(1)Rom.
(2)Heb. 12:1
(3)Isa. 64:6; Exod. 28:38
79 May
not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations
and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace? A. True
believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God,(1) and his decree and
covenant to give them perseverance,(2) their inseparable union with Christ,(3)
his continual intercession for them,(4) and the Spirit and seed of God abiding
in them,(5) can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of
grace,(6) but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.(7)
(1)Jer. 31:3
(2)2 Tim.
(3)1 Cor.
1:8,9
(4)Heb. 7:25;
Luke 22:32
(5)1 John
3:9; 1 John
(6)Jer.
32:40; John 10:28
(7)1 Pet. 1:5
80 Can
true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and
that they shall persevere therein unto salvation? A. Such as truly believe in
Christ, and endeavour to walk in all good conscience before him,(1) may, without
extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God's promises,
and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which
the promises of life are made,(2) and bearing witness with their spirits that
they are the children of God,(3) be infallibly assured that they are in the
estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation.(4)
(1)1 John 2:3
(2)1 Cor.
(3)Rom.
(4)1 John 5:13
81 Are
all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of
grace, and that they shall be saved? A. Assurance of grace and salvation not
being of the essence of faith,(1) true believers may wait long before they
obtain it;(2) and, after the enjoyment thereof, may have it weakened and
intermitted, through manifold distempers, sins, temptations, and desertions;(3)
yet are they never left without such a presence and support of the Spirit of God
as keeps them from sinking into utter despair.(4)
(1)Eph. 1:13
(2)Isa. 1:10;
Ps. 88:1,2,3,6,7,9,10,13,14,15
(3)Ps.
77:1-12; Cant. 5:2,3,6; Ps. 60:8,12; Ps. 31:22; Ps. 22:1
(4)1 John 3:9; Job 13:15; Ps. 73:15,23; Isa. 54:7-10
82
What is the communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have
with Christ? A. The communion in glory which the members of the visible church
have with Christ, is in this life,(1) immediately after death,(2) and at last
perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment.(3)
(1)2 Cor.
(2)Luke 23:43
(3)1 Thess. 4:17
83
What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible
church enjoy in this life? A. The members of the invisible church have
communicated to them in this life the first-fruits of glory with Christ, as they
are members of him their head, and so in him are interested in that glory which
he is fully possessed of;(1) and, as an earnest thereof, enjoy the sense of
God's love,(2) peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory;(3)
as, on the contrary, sense of God's revenging wrath, horror of conscience, and a
fearful expectation of judgment, are to the wicked the beginning of their
torments which they shall endure after death.(4)
(1)Eph. 2:5,6
(1)Eph. 2:5,6
(2)Rom. 5:5
compared with 2 Cor. 1:22
(3)Rom.
5:1,2; Rom.
(4)Gen. 4:13; Matt. 27:4; Heb. 10:27; Rom. 2:9; Mark 9:44
84
Shall all men die? A. Death being threatened as the wages of sin,(1) it is
appointed unto all men once to die;(2) for that all have sinned.(3)
(1)Rom.
(2)Heb. 9:27
(3)Rom. 5:12
85
Death, being the wages of sin, why are not the righteous delivered from death,
seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ? A. The righteous shall be
delivered from death itself at the last day and even in death are delivered from
the sting and curse of it;(1) so that, although they die, yet it is out of God's
love,(2) to free them perfectly from sin and misery,(3) and to make them capable
of further communion with Christ, in glory, which they then enter upon.(4)
(1)1 Cor.
(2)Isa.
57:1,2; 2 Kings 22:20
(3)Rev.
14:13; Eph. 5:27
(4)Luke 23:43; Phil 1:23
86
What is the communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible
church enjoy immediately after death? A. The communion in glory with Christ,
which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death, is, in
that their souls are then made perfect in holiness,(1) and received into the
highest heavens,(2) where they behold the face of God in light and glory,(3)
waiting for the full redemption of their bodies,(4) which even in death continue
united to Christ,(5) and rest in their graves as in their beds,(6) till at the
last day they be again united to their souls.(7) Whereas the souls of the wicked
are at their death cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter
darkness, and their bodies kept in their graves, as in their prisons, till the
resurrection and judgment of the great day.(8)
(1)Heb. 12:23
(2)2 Cor.
5:1,6,8; Phil.
(3)1 John
3:2; 1 Cor.
(4)Rom.
(5)1 Thess.
(6)Isa. 57:2
(7)Job
19:26,27
(8)Luke 16:23,24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6,7
87
What are we to believe concerning the resurrection? A. We are to believe, that
at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the
just and unjust:(1) when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be
changed; and the self-same bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave,
being then again united to their souls for ever, shall be raised up by the power
of Christ.(2) The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of
his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual,
incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body;(3) and the bodies of the
wicked shall be raised up in dishonour by him, as an offended judge.(4)
(1)Acts 24:15
(2)1 Cor.
(3)1 Cor.
(4)John 5:27-29; Matt. 25:33
88
What shall immediately follow after the resurrection? A. Immediately after the
resurrection shall follow the general and final judgment of angels and men;(1)
the day and hour whereof no man knoweth, that all may watch and pray, and be
ever ready for the coming of the Lord.(2)
(1)2 Pet.
2:4; Jude 6,7,14,15; Matt. 25:46
(2)Matt. 24:36,42,44; Luke 21:35,36
89
What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment? A. At the day of
judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ's left hand,(1) and, upon clear
evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences,(2) shall have the
fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them;(3) and
thereupon shall be cast out from the favourable presence of God, and the
glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels, into hell,
to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil
and his angels for ever.(4)
(1)Matt.
25:33
(2)Rom.
(3)Matt.
25:41-43
(4)Luke 16:26; 2 Thess. 1:8,9
90
What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment? A. At the day of
judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds,(1) shall be
set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted,(2) shall
join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men,(3) and shall be
received into heaven,(4) where they shall be fully and for ever freed from all
sin and misery;(5) filled with inconceivable joys,(6) made perfectly holy and
happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy
angels,(7) but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the
Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity.(8)
And this is the perfect and full communion, which the members of the invisible
church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of
judgment.
(1)1 Thess.
(2)Matt.
25:33; Matt. 10:32
(3)1 Cor.
6:2,3
(4)Matt.
25:34,46
(5)Eph. 5:27;
Rev. 14:13
(6)Ps. 16:11
(7)Heb.
12:22,23