A Body Of Divinity - free ebook by Thomas Ridgley

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A Body Of Divinity

Thomas Ridgley

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A Body of Divinity

A Body of Divinity

District of Pennsylvania, to wit : BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the seventeenth day of May, in the thirty-eighth year of the Independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1813, William W. Woodward, of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit: “A Body of Divinity: wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion, are explained and defended. Being the substance of several lectures on the Assemb

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To The Reader.

To The Reader.

In this first American edition the original text remains unaltered, the notes which Dr. Ridgley had subjoined to his work are retained, and for the sake of distinction, printed in Italics. The other notes have been added by Dr. Wilson; and in every instance wherein they have been selected by him from others, they are accompanied by marks of quotation, and the name of the author or book from whence they were taken....

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Preface.

Preface.

The influence which the different sentiments of men, in matters of religion, have, for the most part, on their temper and behaviour towards one another, affords very little ground to expect that any attempt to explain or defend the most important doctrines of Christianity, should not be treated with dislike and opposition by some, how much soever it may afford matter of conviction to others. This consideration would have put a stop to my pen, and thereby saved me a great deal of fatigue, in prep

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The Introduction.

The Introduction.

Before we enter on our present undertaking, we shall premise a few things leading to the subject matter thereof; and that we may begin with what is most obvious, let it be considered, I. That it is a duty incumbent on all who profess the Christian name, to be well acquainted with those great doctrines on which our faith, hope, and worship are founded; for, without the knowledge hereof, we must necessarily be at a loss as to the way of salvation, which none has a right to prescribe, but he who is

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Quest. I.

Quest. I.

Quest. I. What is the chief and highest end of man? Answ. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever. 1. It is supposed, in this answer, that every intelligent creature, acting as such, designs some end, which excites endeavours to attain it. 2. The ends for which we act, if warrantable, may be considered as to their degree of excellency, and, in proportion to it, are to be pursued by proper means conducing thereto. 3. There is one that may be termed the chief

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Quest. II.

Quest. II.

Quest. II. How doth it appear that there is a God? Answ. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only, do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation. Before we enter on the proof of this important doctrine, let it be premised, that we ought to be able to prove by arguments, or give a reason of our belief that there is a God. 1. Because it is the foundation of all natural and revealed religion; and there

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Quest. III.

Quest. III.

Quest. III. What is the Word of God? Answ. The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. In speaking to this answer, we shall consider the several names by which the scripture is set forth with the import thereof, and more particularly that by which it is most known; to wit, the Old and New Testament, and then speak of it as a rule of faith and obedience. I. There are several names given to the word of God, in Psalm cxix. one of which

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Quest. IV.

Quest. IV.

Quest. IV. How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God? Answ. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers to 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

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Quest. V.

Quest. V.

Quest. V. What do the scriptures principally teach? Answ. The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. [46] Having, in the foregoing answer, proved the scriptures to be the word of God, there is in this a general account of the contents thereof; there are many great doctrines contained therein, all which may be reduced to two heads, to wit, what we are to believe, and what we are to do. All religion is contained in these two things,

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Quest. VI.

Quest. VI.

Quest. VI. What do the scriptures make known of God? Answ. The scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, the decrees, and the execution of his decrees. It is an amazing instance of condescension, and an inexpressible favour which God bestows on man, that he should manifest himself to him, and that not only in such a way as he does to all mankind, by the light of nature, which discovers that he is; but that he should, in so glorious a way, declare what he is, as he does in hi

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Quest. VII.

Quest. VII.

Quest. VII. What is God? Answ. God is a Spirit, in and of himself, infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection, all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, every where present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful, and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Before we proceed to consider the divine perfections, as contained in this answer, let it be premised, 1. That it is impossible for any one to give a perfec

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Quest. VIII.

Quest. VIII.

Quest. VIII. Are there more Gods than one? Answ. There is but one only, the living and true God. I. In this answer, God is described as the living and true God. As life is the greatest excellency belonging to the nature of any finite being, upon which account some have concluded that the lowest degree thereof renders a creature more excellent in itself, than the most glorious creatures that are without it; and inasmuch as intelligent creatures have a superior excellency to all others, because th

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Quest. IX., X., XI.

Quest. IX., X., XI.

Quest. IX. How many persons are there in the Godhead? Answ. 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. Quest. X. What are the personal properties of the three Persons in the Godhead? Answ. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from

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Quest. XII., XIII.

Quest. XII., XIII.

Quest. XII. What are the decrees of God? Answ. God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will; whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass in time; especially concerning angels and men. Quest. XIII. What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men? Answ. 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

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Quest. XIV., XV.

Quest. XIV., XV.

Quest. XIV. How doth God execute his decrees? Answ. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to his infallible fore-knowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will. Quest. XV. What is the work of creation? Answ. 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. Having considered God’s eternal

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Quest. XVI.

Quest. XVI.

Quest. XVI. How did God create angels? Answ. God created all the angels, spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute his commandments, and to praise his name, yet subject to change. There are two species of intelligent creatures, to wit, angels and men. The former of these are more excellent; and we are in this answer, led to speak concerning their nature, and the glorious works which they are engaged in: But let it be premised, that this is a doctrine that we co

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Quest. XVII.

Quest. XVII.

Quest . XVII. How did God create man? Answ. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls, made them after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it, with dominion over the creatures, yet subject to fall. In this answer it is observed, I. T

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Quest. XVIII.

Quest. XVIII.

Quest. XVIII. What are God’s works of Providence? Answ. God’s works of Providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to his own glory. In speaking to this answer, we must consider what we are to understand by providence in general. It supposes a creature brought into being; and consists in God’s doing every thing that is necessary for the continuance thereof, and in his ordering and over-ruling second causes, to

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Quest. XIX.

Quest. XIX.

Quest. XIX. What is God’s providence towards the angels? Answ. God, by his providence, permitted some of the angels, wilfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins to his own glory, and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all at his pleasure, in the administration of his power, mercy, and justice. It was observed, in a foregoing answer, that God created all the angels holy; but, in this, some of them are descr

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Quest XX.

Quest XX.

Quest. XX. What was the providence of God toward man in the estate wherein he was created? Answ. The providence of God toward man, in the estate wherein 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, putting the creatures under his dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help, affording him communion with himself, instituting the Sabbath, entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, per

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Quest XXI.

Quest XXI.

Quest. XXI. Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created him? Answ. 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 state of innocency, wherein they were created. In this answer, I. There is something supposed, namely, that our first parents were endued with a freedom of will. This is a property belonging to man, as a reasonable creature;

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Quest. XXII.

Quest. XXII.

Quest. XXII. Did all mankind fall in that first transgression? Answ. The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. Having shewn, in the foregoing answer how our first parents sinned and fell, we are now led to consider, how their fall affected all their posterity, whom they represented; and accordingly it is said, that the cov

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Quest. XXIII., XXIV., XXV., XXVI.

Quest. XXIII., XXIV., XXV., XXVI.

Quest. XXIII. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? Answ. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. Quest. XXIV. What is sin? Answ. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. Quest. XXV. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? Answ. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was

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Quest. XXVII.

Quest. XXVII.

Quest. XXVII. What misery did the fall bring upon mankind? Answ. The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, his displeasure and curse, so as we are, by nature, children of wrath, bond-slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come. Having considered the doctrine of original sin, as imputed to, and inherent in us, we are now led to speak concerning the miseries that are consequent hereupon, or the punishment that is due to it. And

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Quest. XXVIII., XXIX.

Quest. XXVIII., XXIX.

Quest. XXVIII. What are the punishments of sin in this world? Answ. The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections; or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sakes, and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments, together with death itself. Quest. XXIX. What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?

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Quest. XXX.

Quest. XXX.

Quest. XXX. Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the state of sin and misery? Answ. God will not leave all mankind to perish in the state of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called, the covenant of works; but of his mere love and mercy, delivereth his elect out of it, and bringeth them to an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. Hitherto we have considered man as made upright, and having many blessi

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Quest. XXXI.

Quest. XXXI.

Quest. XXXI. With whom was the covenant of grace made? Answ. The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam; and in him, with all the elect, as his seed. As the covenant of grace is opposed to that which was made with Adam, as the head of mankind, so it is considered in this answer, as made with the second Adam, and, in him, with all his elect, who are described, by the Psalmist, as a seed that should serve him, which should be accounted to the Lord for a generation , Psal. xxii.

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Quest. XXXII.

Quest. XXXII.

Quest. XXXII. How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant? Answ. The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant in that he freely provideth, and offereth to sinners a Mediator, and life and salvation by him; and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him, promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit to all his elect, to work in them that faith, with all other saving graces, and to enable them unto all holy obedience, as the evidence of the truth of their faith and than

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Quest. XXXIII., XXXIV., XXXV.

Quest. XXXIII., XXXIV., XXXV.

Quest. XXXIII. Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner? Answ. The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner; but the administrations of it, under the Old Testament, were different from those under the New. Quest. XXXIV. How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament. Answ. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the passover, and other types

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Quest. XXXVI., XXXVII.

Quest. XXXVI., XXXVII.

Quest. XXXVI. Who is the Mediator of the Covenant of Grace? Answ. The only mediator of the covenant of grace is the Lord Jesus Christ, who being the eternal Son of God, of one substance and equal with the Father, in the fulness of time became man, and so was and continues to be God and Man, in two entire distinct natures, and one Person for ever. Quest. XXXVII. How did Christ, being God, become Man? Answ. Christ, the Son of God, became Man by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul,

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Quest. XXXVIII., XXXIX., XL.

Quest. XXXVIII., XXXIX., XL.

Quest. XXXVIII. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God? Answ. 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, give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession; and so satisfy God’s justice, procure his favour, purchase a peculiar people, give his Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation. Quest. XXXIX.

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Quest. XLI., XLII.

Quest. XLI., XLII.

Quest. XLI. Why was our Mediator called Jesus? Answ. Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins. Quest. XLII. Why was our Mediator called Christ? Answ. Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure, and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, to execute the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King of his church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation. I. Our Mediator is very often cal

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Quest. XLIII.

Quest. XLIII.

Quest. XLIII. How doth Christ execute the office of a Prophet? Answ. Christ executeth the office of a Prophet, in his revealing to the church, in all ages, by his Spirit and word, in divers ways of administration, the whole will of God, in all things concerning their edification and salvation. That which may be first observed, before we consider the parts of Christ’s prophetical office, and the manner of his executing it, is the order in which it is mentioned, as set before his priestly and king

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Quest. XLIV.

Quest. XLIV.

Quest. XLIV. How doth Christ execute the office of a Priest? Answ. Christ executeth the office of a Priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice, without spot, to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people, and in making continual intercession for them. In considering Christ’s Priestly office, as described in this answer, we may observe the two great branches thereof, namely, the offering himself a sacrifice; and making intercession. There are several scriptures which expressly m

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Quest. XLV.

Quest. XLV.

Quest. XLV. How doth Christ execute the office of a King? Answer. Christ executeth the office of a King, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them, in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for h

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Quest. XLVI., XLVII., XLVIII.

Quest. XLVI., XLVII., XLVIII.

Quest. XLVI. What was the estate of Christ’s humiliation? Answ. 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. Quest. XLVII. How did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth? Answ. Christ humbleth himself in his conception, in that, being from all eternity, the Son of God, in the bosom of the Fa

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Quest. XLIX., L.

Quest. XLIX., L.

Quest. XLIX. How did Christ humble himself in his death? Answ. Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judas, forsaken by his disciples, scorned and rejected by the world, condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his persecutors, having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God’s wrath, he laid down his life an offering for sin, enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross. Quest. L. Wherein

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Quest. LI., LII.

Quest. LI., LII.

Quest. LI. What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation? Answ. The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again to judge the world. Quest. LII. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection? Answ. 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, and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties t

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Quest. LIII., LIV.

Quest. LIII., LIV.

Quest. LIII. How was Christ exalted in his ascension? Answ. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having, after his resurrection, often appeared unto, and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of those things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations; forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our Head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise

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Quest. LV.

Quest. LV.

Quest. LV. How doth Christ make intercession? Answ. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature, continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers, answering all accusations against them, procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and services. The intercession of Christ, as has

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Quest. LVI.

Quest. LVI.

Quest. LVI. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world? Answ. 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, shall come again at the last day, in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the arch-angel, and with the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness. Our Saviour being in his e

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Quest. LVII., LVIII., LIX.

Quest. LVII., LVIII., LIX.

Quest. LVII. What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation? Answ. Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace. Quest. LVIII. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured? Answ. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost. Quest. LIX. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ? Answ. R

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Quest. LX.

Quest. LX.

Quest. LX. 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? Answ. They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the law of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Saviour only of his body

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Quest. LXI., LXII., LXIII., LXIV.

Quest. LXI., LXII., LXIII., LXIV.

Quest. LXI. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church? Answ. 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. Quest. LXII. What is the visible church? Answ. 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, and of their children. Quest. LXIII. What are the special privileges of the visible church? Answ. The visible chur

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Quest. LXV., LXVI.

Quest. LXV., LXVI.

Quest. LXV. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ? Answ. The members of the invisible church, by Christ, enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory. Quest. LXVI. What is that union which the elect have with Christ? Answ. The union which the elect have with Christ, is the work of God’s grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably joined to Christ, as their head and husband, which is done in their effectual calling

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Quest. LXVII., LXVIII.

Quest. LXVII., LXVIII.

Quest. LXVII. What is effectual calling? Answ. Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace; whereby, out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto, he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ by his word and Spirit, savingly enlightening their minds, renewing, and powerfully determining their wills; so as they, although in themselves dead in sin, are hereby made willing and able, freely to answer his call,

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Quest. LXIX.

Quest. LXIX.

Quest. LXIX. What is the communion in grace, which the members of the invisible church have with Christ? Answ. 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, adoption, sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him. Having considered the vital union which the members of the invisible church have with Christ in their effectual calling, we are now led to

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Quest. LXX., LXXI.

Quest. LXX., LXXI.

Quest. LXX. What is justification? Answ. Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone. Quest. LXXI. How is justification an act of God’s free grace? Answ. Although Christ, by his obedience and death, did make a pro

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Quest. LXXII., LXXIII.

Quest. LXXII., LXXIII.

Quest. LXXII. What is justifying Faith? Answ. Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner, by the Spirit and word of God; 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, not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of

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Quest. LXXIV.

Quest. LXXIV.

Quest. LXXIV. What is adoption? Answ. Adoption is an act of the free grace of God, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ; whereby all those that are justified, are received into the number of his children, have his name put upon them, the Spirit of his Son given to them, are under his fatherly care and dispensations, 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. In speaking to this answer we shall consider,

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Quest. LXXV.

Quest. LXXV.

Quest. LXXV. What is sanctification? Answ. 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, applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man, after the image of God, having the seeds of repentance unto life, and of all other saving graces put into their hearts; and those graces so stirred up, increased and strengthened, as that t

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Quest. LXXVI.

Quest. LXXVI.

Quest. LXXVI. What is repentance unto life? Answ. Repentance unto life, is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner, by the Spirit and word of God; whereby, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filth and odiousness of his sins, and upon the apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ, to such as are penitent, he so grieves for, and hates his sins, as that he turns from them all to God, purposing and endeavouring, constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new

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Quest. LXXVII.

Quest. LXXVII.

Quest. LXXVII. Wherein do justification and sanctification differ? Answ. Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification; yet they differ, in that God in justification, imputeth the righteousness of Christ, in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof; in the former sin is pardoned, in the other it is subdued; the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into co

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Quest. LXXVIII.

Quest. LXXVIII.

Quest. LXXVIII. Whence ariseth the imperfection of sanctification in believers? Answ. The imperfection of sanctification in believers, ariseth from the remains 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, are hindered in all their spiritual services, and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God. In this answer we may consider, I. That there is someth

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Quest. LXXIX.

Quest. LXXIX.

Quest. LXXIX. 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? Answ. True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance, their inseparable union with Christ, his continual intercession for them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of G

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Quest. LXXX.

Quest. LXXX.

Quest. LXXX. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation? Answ. Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavour to walk in all good conscience before him, 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, and bearing witness with their spirits, that they are th

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Quest. LXXXI.

Quest. LXXXI.

Quest. LXXXI. Are all true believers, at all times, assured of their present being in the estate of grace; and that they shall be saved? Answ. Assurance of grace and salvation not being of the essence of faith, true believers may wait long before they obtain it; and after the enjoyment thereof, may have it weakened and intermitted through manifold distempers, sins, temptations, and desertions; yet are they never left without such a presence and support of the Spirit of God, as keeps them from si

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Quest. LXXXII.

Quest. LXXXII.

Quest. LXXXII. What is the communion in glory, which the members of the invisible church have with Christ? Answ. The communion in glory, which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is, in this life, immediately after death; and at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment. After having considered believers, or the members of the invisible church, as enjoying this privilege of union with Christ, and, as the immediate consequence hereof, communion with him. It has been

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Quest. LXXXIII.

Quest. LXXXIII.

Quest. LXXXIII. What is the communion in glory, with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy in this life? Answ. 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; and as an earnest thereof, enjoy the sense of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory; as, on the contrary

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Quest. LXXXIV., LXXXV.

Quest. LXXXIV., LXXXV.

Quest. LXXXIV. Shall all men die? Answ. Death being threatened as the wages of sin, it is appointed unto all men once to die; for that all have sinned. Quest. LXXXV. Death being the wages of sin, why are not the righteous delivered from death, seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ? Answ. 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; so that, although they die, yet it is out of God’s love, to free them pe

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Quest. LXXXVI.

Quest. LXXXVI.

Quest. LXXXVI. What is the communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death? Answ. 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, and received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies, which, even in death, continue united to Christ, and

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Quest. LXXXVII.

Quest. LXXXVII.

Quest. LXXXVII. What are we to believe concerning the resurrection? Answ. We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust; 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; the bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrec

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Quest. LXXXVIII.

Quest. LXXXVIII.

Quest. LXXXVIII. What shall immediately follow after the resurrection? Answ. Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the general and final judgment of angels and men; the day and hour whereof no man knoweth, that all may watch and pray, and be ever ready for the coming of the Lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ having finished the work which he undertook to perform, in gathering in his elect, and bringing that grace which he wrought in them to perfection; the only thing then remaining to be done

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Quest. LXXXIX.

Quest. LXXXIX.

Quest. LXXXIX. What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment? Answ. At the day of judgment the wicked shall be set on Christ’s left hand; and upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences, shall have the fearful, but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them; 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

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Quest. XC.

Quest. XC.

Quest. XC. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment? Answ. At the day of judgment, the righteous being caught up to Christ in the clouds, shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged, and acquitted; shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men, and shall be received into heaven; where they shall be fully and for ever freed from all sin and misery, filled with unconceivable joys, made perfectly holy and happy, both in body and soul, in the comp

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Quest. XCI., XCII.

Quest. XCI., XCII.

Quest. XCI. What is the duty that God requireth of man? Answ. The duty which God requireth of man, is, obedience to his revealed will. Quest. XCII. What did God at first reveal unto man as the rule of his obedience? Answ. The rule of obedience revealed to Adam in the estate of innocency, and to all mankind in him, beside a special command, not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, was, the moral law. Having, in the former part of the Catechism, been led to consider w

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Quest. XCIII., XCIV., XCV., XCVI., XCVII.

Quest. XCIII., XCIV., XCV., XCVI., XCVII.

Quest. XCIII. What is the moral law? Answ. The moral law is the declaration of the will of God to mankind, directing and binding every one to personal, perfect, and perpetual conformity and obedience thereunto, in the frame and disposition of the whole man, soul and body, and in performance of all those duties of holiness and righteousness which he oweth to God and man; promising life upon the fulfilling, and threatening death upon the breach of it. Quest. XCIV. Is there any use of the moral law

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Quest. XCVIII.

Quest. XCVIII.

Quest. XCVIII. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? Answ. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten commandments, which were delivered by the voice of God upon mount Sinai, and written by him in two tables of stone, and are recorded in the twentieth chapter of Exodus; the four first Commandments containing our duty to God, and the other six our duty to man. Having considered the moral law, as written on the heart of man at first, and the knowledge thereof, in some degree attai

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Quest. XCIC.

Quest. XCIC.

Quest. XCIX. What rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the Ten Commandments? Answ. For the right understanding of the Ten Commandments, these rules are to be observed, I. That the law is perfect, and bindeth every one to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof, and unto entire obedience, for ever, so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty, and to forbid the least decree of every sin. This implies, that how unable soever we are to yield perfec

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Quest. C., CI., CII.

Quest. C., CI., CII.

Quest. C. What special things are we to consider in the Ten Commandments? Answ. We are to consider in the Ten Commandments, the preface, the substance of the Commandments themselves, and several reasons annexed to some of them, the more to inforce them. Quest. CI. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments. Answ. The preface to the Commandments is contained in these words [ I am the Lord thy God, who have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage ] wherein God manifeste

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Quest. CIII., CIV.

Quest. CIII., CIV.

Quest. CIII. Which is the first commandment? Answ. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me . Quest. CIV. What are the duties required in the first commandment? Answ. The duties required in the first commandment, are, the knowing and acknowledging of God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly, by thinking, meditating, remembering, highly esteeming, honouring, adoring, choosing, loving, desiring, fearing of him, believing him, tru

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Quest. CV., CVI.

Quest. CV., CVI.

Quest. CV. What are the sins forbidden in the first Commandment? Answ. The sins forbidden in the first Commandment, are, Atheism, in denying, or not having a God; idolatry, in having, or worshipping more gods than one, or any with, or instead of the true God; the not having and avouching him for God, and our God; the omission or neglect of any thing due to him required in this Commandment, ignorance, forgetfulness, misapprehensions, false opinions, unworthy and wicked thoughts of him, bold and c

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Quest. CVII., CVIII., CIX., CX.

Quest. CVII., CVIII., CIX., CX.

Quest. CVII. Which is the second Commandment? Answ. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands, of them

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Quest. CXI., CXII., CXIII., CXIV.

Quest. CXI., CXII., CXIII., CXIV.

Quest. CXI. Which is the third Commandment? Answ. The third Commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain . Quest. CXII. What is required in the third Commandment? Answ. The third Commandment requires, that the name of God, his titles, attributes, ordinances, the word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, his works, and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and revere

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Quest. CXV., CXVI.

Quest. CXV., CXVI.

Quest. CXV. Which is the fourth Commandment? Answ. The fourth Commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh d

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Quest. CXVII., CXVIII.

Quest. CXVII., CXVIII.

Quest. CXVII. How is the Sabbath, or Lord’s day to be sanctified? Answ. The Sabbath, or Lord’s day, is to be sanctified, by an holy resting all the day, not only from such works as are, at all times, sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful, and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy) in the public and private exercises of God’s worship; and to that end we are to pr

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Quest. CXIX., CXX., CXXI.

Quest. CXIX., CXX., CXXI.

Quest. CXIX. What are the sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment? Answ. The sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment, are, all omissions of the duties required, all careless, negligent, and unprofitable performing of them, and being weary of them, all profaning the day by idleness, and doing that which is in itself sinful, and by all needless works, words, and thoughts about worldly employments and recreations. Quest. CXX. What are the reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment the more to enfo

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Quest. CXXII.

Quest. CXXII.

Quest. CXXII. What is the sum of the six Commandments, which contain our duty to man? Answ. The sum of the six Commandments, which contain our duty to man, is to love our neighbour as ourselves, and to do to others what we would have them do to us. As the first table of the ten Commandments respects our duty to God, the other contains our duty to our neighbor; which is comprized in the general idea of love . This is therefore styled the sum of the following six Commandments; and it is included i

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Quest. CXXIII., CXXIV., CXXV., CXXVI., CXXVII., CXXVIII.

Quest. CXXIII., CXXIV., CXXV., CXXVI., CXXVII., CXXVIII.

Quest. CXXIII. Which is the fifth Commandment? Answ. The fifth Commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee . Quest. CXXIV. Who are meant by father, and mother, in the fifth Commandment? Answ. By father and mother, in the fifth Commandment, are meant not only natural parents; but all the superiors in age, and gifts, and especially such as by GOD’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, chur

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Quest. CXXIX., CXXX., CXXXI., CXXXII., CXXXIII.

Quest. CXXIX., CXXX., CXXXI., CXXXII., CXXXIII.

Quest. CXXIX. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors? Answ. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love, pray for, and bless their inferiors; to instruct, counsel, and admonish them; countenancing, commending, and rewarding such as do well; discountenancing, reproving, and chastising such as do ill; protecting, and providing for them all things necessary for soul, and body; and by grave, wise, holy, and

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Quest. CXXXIV., CXXXV., CXXXVI.

Quest. CXXXIV., CXXXV., CXXXVI.

Quest. CXXXIV. What is the sixth Commandment? Answ. The sixth Commandment is, [ Thou shalt not kill .] Quest. CXXXV. What are the duties required in the sixth Commandment? Answ. The duties required in the sixth Commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavours to preserve the life of ourselves, and others, by resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just d

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Quest. CXXXVII., CXXXVIII., CXXXIX.

Quest. CXXXVII., CXXXVIII., CXXXIX.

Quest. CXXXVII. Which is the seventh Commandment? Answ. The seventh Commandment is, [ Thou shalt not commit adultery. ] Quest. CXXXVIII. What are the duties required in the seventh Commandment? Answ. The duties required in the seventh Commandment, are, chastity in body, mind, affections, words, and behaviour; and the preservation of it in ourselves and others; watchfulness over the eyes, and all the senses; temperance, keeping of chaste company, modesty in apparel, marriage by those that have no

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Quest. CXL., CXLI.

Quest. CXL., CXLI.

Quest. CXL. Which is the eighth Commandment? Answ. The eighth Commandment is, [ Thou shalt not steal. ] Quest. CXLI. What are the duties required in the eighth Commandment? Answ. The duties required in the eighth Commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts, and commerce between man and man; rendering to every one his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof; giving, and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others

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Quest. CXLII.

Quest. CXLII.

Quest. CXLII. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth Commandment? Answ. The sins forbidden in the eighth Commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, theft, robbery, man-stealing, and receiving any thing that is stolen, fraudulent dealing, false weights and measures, removing landmarks, injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man, or in matters of trust; oppression, extortion, usury, bribery, vexatious law-suits, unjust inclosures, and depopulations; ingross

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Quest. CXLIII., CXLIV., CXLV.

Quest. CXLIII., CXLIV., CXLV.

Quest. CXLIII. What is the ninth Commandment? Answ. The ninth Commandment is, [ Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour .] Quest. CXLIV. What are the duties required in the ninth Commandment? Answ. The duties required in the ninth Commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbour as well as our own. Appearing, and standing for, and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the t

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Quest. CXLVI., CXLVII., CXLVIII.

Quest. CXLVI., CXLVII., CXLVIII.

Quest. CXLVI. Which is the tenth Commandment? Answ. The tenth Commandment is, [ Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. ] Quest. CXLVII. What are the duties required in the tenth Commandment? Answ. The duties required in the tenth Commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul towa

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Quest. CXLIX.

Quest. CXLIX.

Quest. CXLIX. Is any man able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God? Answ. No man is able, either in himself, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the Commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. Having considered man’s duty and obligation to keep the Commandments of God; we are now led to speak of him as unable to keep them; and, on the other hand, chargeable with the daily breach thereof, which is an argument of the imperfection of this pre

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Quest. CL.

Quest. CL.

Quest. CL. Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God? Answ. All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous. But some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. Though all sins be objectively infinite, and equally opposite to the holiness of God; yet there are some circumstances attending them, which are of that pernicious tendency, that they render one sin more he

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Quest. CLI.

Quest. CLI.

Quest. CLI. What are those aggravations which make some sins more heinous than others? Answ. Sins receive their aggravations, I. From the persons offending, if they be of riper age, greater experience, or grace, eminent for profession, gifts, place, office; guides to others, and whose example is likely to be followed by others. Sins are greater than otherwise they would be when committed by those whose age and experience ought to have taught them better. Thus Elihu says, A multitude of years sho

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Quest. CLII., CLIII.

Quest. CLII., CLIII.

Quest. CLII. What doth every sin deserve at the hands of God? Answ. Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty, goodness, and holiness of God, and, against his righteous law, deserveth his wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come, and cannot be expiated, but by the blood of Christ. Quest. CLIII. What doth God require of us, that may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the law. Answ. That we may escape the wrath and curse of Go

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Quest. CLIV.

Quest. CLIV.

Quest. CLIV. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation? Answ. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are, all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. In explaining this answer, we shall consider, I. What we are to understand by the ordinances, which are here styled outward and ordinary means of grace. The f

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Quest. CLX.

Quest. CLX.

Quest. CLV. How is the word made effectual to salvation? Answ. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners, of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ, of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will, of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions, of building them up in grace, and establishing their heart in holiness and comfort through faith un

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Quest. CLVI., CLVII.

Quest. CLVI., CLVII.

Quest. CLVI. Is the word of God to be read by all? Answ. Although all are not to be permitted to read the word publicly to the congregation, yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves, and with their families, to which end the holy scriptures are to be translated out of the original, into vulgar languages. Quest. CLVII. How is the word of God to be read? Answ. The holy scriptures are to be read, with an high and reverend esteem of them; with a firm persuasion that they are

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Quest. CLVIII., CLIX., CLX.

Quest. CLVIII., CLIX., CLX.

Quest. CLVIII. By whom is the word of God to be preached? Answ. The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office. Quest. CLIX. How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereto? Answ. They that are called to labour in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine, diligently; in season, and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit,

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Quest. CLXI., CLXII., CLXIII., CLXIV.

Quest. CLXI., CLXII., CLXIII., CLXIV.

Quest. CLXI. How doth the sacraments become effectual means of salvation? Answ. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation; not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety and intention of him by whom they are administered; but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted. Quest. CLXII. What is a sacrament? Answ. A sacrament is an holy ordinance, instituted by Christ in his church, to signify, seal, and exhibit, unto

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Quest. CLXV.

Quest. CLXV.

Quest. CLXV. What is baptism? Answ. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption and resurrection unto everlasting life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement, to

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Quest. CLXVI.

Quest. CLXVI.

Quest. CLXVI. Unto whom is baptism to be administered? Answ. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but infants descending from parents, either both, or but one of them, professing faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are in that respect within the covenant, and to be baptised. In this answer, which principally respects the subjects of baptism, we

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Quest. CLXVII.

Quest. CLXVII.

Quest. CLXVII. How is baptism to be improved by us? Answ. The needful, but much neglected duty of improving our baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long; especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others, by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein, by being humbled for our sinful defi

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Quest. CLXVIII., CLXIX., CLXX.

Quest. CLXVIII., CLXIX., CLXX.

Quest. CLXVIII. What is the Lord’s Supper? Answ. The Lord’s supper is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is shewed forth; and they that worthily communicate, feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace, have their union and communion with him confirmed, testify and renew their thankfulness, and engagement to God, and their mutual love and fellowship each wit

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Quest. CLXXI.

Quest. CLXXI.

Quest. CLXXI. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, to prepare themselves before they come unto it? Answ. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves, of their being in Christ, of their sins, and wants, of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance, love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong, of their desires after Chr

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Quest. CLXXII., CLXXIII.

Quest. CLXXII., CLXXIII.

Quest. CLXXII. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, and of his due preparation, come to the Lord’s Supper? Answ. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not assured thereof; and in God’s account, hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it, and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ, and to depart from iniquity, in which case (because promises ar

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Quest. CLXXIV., CLXXV.

Quest. CLXXIV., CLXXV.

Quest. CLXXIV. What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, in the time of the administration of it? Answ. It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, that during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lord’s body, and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, and thereby stir

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Quest. CLXXVI., CLXXVII.

Quest. CLXXVI., CLXXVII.

Quest. CLXXVI. Wherein do the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper agree? Answ. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, agree, in that the author of both is God, the spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits; both are seals of the same covenant, are to be dispensed by ministers of the gospel, and by none other, and to be continued in the church of Christ, until his second coming. Quest. CLXXVII. Wherein do the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ? Answ. The

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Quest. CLXXVIII.

Quest. CLXXVIII.

Quest. CLXXVIII. Which is Prayer? Answ. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies. Having considered the things that are to be believed and done; what remains is, to enquire concerning those things that are to be prayed for, and how this great duty of prayer is to be performed. This is necessary to be insisted on, inasmuch as we are obliged to yield obedience to the r

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Quest. CLXXIX., CLXXX., CLXXXI.

Quest. CLXXIX., CLXXX., CLXXXI.

Quest. CLXXIX. Are we to pray unto God only? Answ. God only being able to search the hearts, hear the requests, pardon the sins, and only to be believed in, and worshipped with religious worship, prayer, which is a special part thereof, is to be made by all to him alone, and to none other. Quest. CLXXX. What is it to pray the name of Christ? Answ. To pray in the name of Christ is in obedience to his command, and in confidence on his promises to ask mercy for his sake, not by bare mentioning of h

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Quest. CLXXXII., CLXXXIII., CLXXXIV.

Quest. CLXXXII., CLXXXIII., CLXXXIV.

Quest. CLXXXII. How doth the Spirit help us to pray? Answ. We not knowing what to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom, and what, and how prayer is to be made, and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all persons, not at all times in the same measure) those apprehensions, affections, and graces, which are requisite for the right performance of that duty. Quest. CLXXXIII. For whom are we to pray? Answ. We are to p

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Quest. CLXXXV.

Quest. CLXXXV.

Quest. CLXXXV. How are we to pray? Answ. We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the Majesty of God, and deep sense of our own unworthiness, necessities, and sins, with penitent, thankful, and enlarged hearts, with understanding, faith, sincerity, fervency, love, and perseverance, waiting upon him, with humble submission to his will. This answer respects the manner of performing this duty, and the frame of spirit with which we are to draw nigh to God. Accordingly, 1. We are to pray with an

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Quest. CLXXXVI., CLXXXVII.

Quest. CLXXXVI., CLXXXVII.

Quest. CLXXXVI. What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer? Answ. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of praying; but the special rule of direction, is that form of prayer, which our Saviour Christ taught his disciples, commonly called the Lord’s prayer. Quest. CLXXXVII. How is the Lord’s prayer to be used? Answ. The Lord’s prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern, according to which we are to make other prayers, but may also be used as a prayer,

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Quest. CLXXXVIII., CLXXXIX.

Quest. CLXXXVIII., CLXXXIX.

Quest. CLXXXVIII. Of how many parts doth the Lord’s prayer consist? Answ. The Lord’s prayer consists of three parts, a preface, petitions, and a conclusion. Quest. CLXXXIX. What doth the preface of the Lord’s prayer teach us? Answ. The preface of the Lord’s prayer [contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven ] teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein, with reverence, and all other child-like dispositions, heave

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Quest. CXC.

Quest. CXC.

Quest. CXC. What do we pray for the first petition? Answ. In the first petition [which is, Hallowed be thy Name ,] acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honour God aright, we pray that God would, by his grace, enable and incline us, and others, to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem him, his titles, attributes, ordinances, word, works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by, and to glorify him in thought, word, and deed; tha

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Quest. CXCI.

Quest. CXCI.

Quest. CXCI. What do we pray for in the second petition? Answ. In the second petition, [which is, Thy kingdom come ,] acknowledging ourselves, and all mankind to be, by nature, under the dominion of sin and Satan; we pray that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, the fulness of the Gentiles brought in, the church furnished with all gospel officers and ordinances, purged from corruption, countenanced and maintained by the civi

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Quest. CXCII.

Quest. CXCII.

Quest. CXCII. What do we pray for in the third petition? Answ. In the third petition, [which is, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ] acknowledging that, by nature, we, and all men, are not only utterly unable and unwilling to know and do the will of God, but prone to rebel against his word, to repine and murmur against his providence, and wholly inclined to do the will of the flesh, and of the Devil: We pray, that God would by his Spirit, take away from ourselves and others, all blind

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Quest. CXCIII.

Quest. CXCIII.

Quest. CXCIII. What do we pray for in the fourth petition? Answ. In the fourth petition, [which is, Give us this day our daily bread ,] acknowledging, that in Adam, and by our sin, we have forfeited our right to all the outward blessings of this life, and deserve to be wholly deprived of them by God, and to have them cursed to us in the use of them; and, that neither they of themselves are able to sustain us, nor we to merit, or by our own industry, to procure them, but prone to desire, get, and

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Quest. CXCIV.

Quest. CXCIV.

Quest. CXCIV. What do we pray for the fifth petition? Answ. In the fifth petition, [which is, Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors ] acknowledging that we, and all others, are guilty both of original and actual sin, and thereby become debtors to the justice of God; and that neither we, nor any other creature, can make the least satisfaction for that debt. We pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ apprehended and

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Quest. CXCV.

Quest. CXCV.

Quest. CXCV. What do we pray for in the sixth petition? Answ. In the sixth petition, [which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil ,] acknowledging that the most wise, righteous, and gracious God, for divers holy and just ends, may so order things, that we may be assaulted, foiled, and for a time, led captive by temptations, that Satan, the world, and the flesh, are ready, powerfully to draw us aside and ensnare us; and that we, even after the pardon of our sins, by reason

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Quest. CXCVI.

Quest. CXCVI.

Quest. CXCVI. What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s prayer teach us? Answ. The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, [which is, For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever, Amen ] teacheth us to enforce our petitions with arguments, which are to be taken, not from any worthiness in ourselves, or in any other creature, but from God; and with our prayers, to join praises, ascribing to God alone eternal sovereignty, omnipotency, and glorious excellency; in regard whereof, as he is able

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Theological Questions.

Theological Questions.

Many theological instructors teach their pupils successfully, by requiring them, besides the usual course of systematical reading, interrogative examinations, and critical study of the scriptures in the original languages, also to write disquisitions on a number of Questions in Theology. Hereby they are provided with a store of arguments, on the most difficult subjects, and furnished with the mature advices of their preceptors; to which they may recur in any period of after life. To aid in this

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PRESBYTERIAL QUESTIONS FOR EXEGESES.

PRESBYTERIAL QUESTIONS FOR EXEGESES.

Vid. Form of Gov. c. xiii. sec. 3. 1. Quî Deus unus dicitur? 2. Quibus testimoniis probas Trinitatem? 3. Cur Christum verum hominem esse opportuit? 4. Quæ argumenta probant scripturam a Deo profectam esse? 5. Qua ratione peccatum originis transmittitur in posteros? 6. Estne peccatum aliquid positivum an privativum? 7. Quid est peccatum in Spiritum Sanctum? 8. An una et eadem ratio salutis consequendæ post lapsum fuit? 9. Quæ sunt causa efficiens fidei, et objectum? 10. Quo sensu fide justificari

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NOW IN PRESS

NOW IN PRESS

THE REV. DR. JOHN GILL’S COMMENTARY . The Old Testament is now in the press, and the first volume expected out in the month of May. To subscribers the price will be 6 dollars per vol. sheep; $7 in calf; and $5 25 per vol. in boards. On subscribing, the New Testament can be delivered in 3 volumes, being already printed. The following is taken from the Minutes of the Philadelphia Baptist Association—October, 1815. “Oct. 18.—This association have heard with pleasure, by a communication from Mr. Woo

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