Of Christ's Ordinances
A. That an hard heart is a dreadful sign of a lost state of soul; Rom.
2:5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Q. 13. What is the last inference hence?
A. That there is no cause to despair of the vilest sinner, seeing there is power enough in the Spirit of God to break the hardest heart; Ezek.
36:26. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Of Christ's Ordinances Quest. 88. WHAT are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
Q. 1. What makes any thing become a divine ordinance?
A. The institution or appointment of God, is that alone which makes a divine ordinance; Matth. 28:20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, &c.
Q. 2. Are the institutions of all ordinances alike clear in scripture?
A. No; Some are more explicitly and clearly revealed in scripture than others; as the Lord's supper is more clear than baptism: But whatever hath scripture-warrant, in the words or consequence, is of divine appointment.
Q. 3. May not men institute ordinances of divine worship?
A. No; this in scripture is condemned as will-worship; Col. 2:20, 22, 23. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world; why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances? &c. Which things indeed have a shew of wisdom in willworship, &c.
Q. 4. Why cannot man institute a divine ordinance?
A. He cannot do it, because it is the prerogative belonging to Christ's kingly office; Mat. 28:20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
Q. 5. For what other reason cannot man do it?
A. Because he cannot bless them, and make them effectual to their ends: but they will be in vain; Matth. 15:9. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Q. 6. Why are the ordinances called means of salvation?
A. Because by and through them the Spirit of the Lord conveys spiritual graces into men's souls; 1 Cor. 1:21. It pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. 1 Cor. 3:5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
Q. 7. Whence is the virtue of ordinances?
A. It is not in and from themselves, or the gifts and abilities of him that administers them, but from the blessing and Spirit of the Lord; 1
Cor. 3:7. Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.
Q. 8. Do all God's ordinances attain their end?
A. Yes; there is none of them in vain, but do attain their end, in the salvation or damnation of all that come under them; Isa. 55:10, 11.
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be, that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it. 2 Cor. 2:15, 16. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death, and to the other the savour of life unto life, &c.
Q. 9. Are instituted ordinances the only means o£ salvation?
A. They are not the only means; for God can convert men to Christ without them; Acts 9:4, 5. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said,
Who art thou Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. But they are the ordinary standing means; Rom. 10:14, 15. How then shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? &c.
Q. 10. To whom are the ordinances made effectual to salvation?
A. To all God's elect they are effectual to salvation, and to them only; Acts 13:48. As many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. John
10:26. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, &c.
Q. 11. What is the first instruction from hence?
A. That great preparation is due to all the ordinances, before we engage in them; Job 11:13, 14. If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands towards him. If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. 1 Chron
29:18. And prepare their heart unto thee.