Part 17
hand ; Heb. x. 23. For he is faithful that promised.
Q. 8. What is the fourth lesson from God's truth ? A. That whatever God hath threatned in his word against sinners, shall surely come upon them, except they repent; Zech. i. 6. But my word,and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers ? and they returned and said, like as the Lord of hosts thoughttodounto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, fo hath he dealt with us. Ezek. xii. 27, 28.
478 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. The word which I have spoken, shall be done, faith the Lord God.
Q. 9. What is the fifth lesson from God's truth? A. That falsehood, in words and actions, is contrary to God's nature, and abhorred by him ; John viii. 44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do; he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him ; when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own ; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Q. 10. What is the last lesson from God's truth ? A. The day of judgment will rightly and justly state every man's condition; Rom. ii. 2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth, againstthemwhich commit such things.
OfoneGod. RE there more Gods than one ?
God? A
A. There is but one only, the livingandtrue
Q. 1. How doth it appear that there is but one God ? A. It is evident from scripture there is but one God; Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: and as scripture reveals no more, so reason will allow no more.
Q. 2. Why will reason allow no more but one God ? A. Because God is the first being ; Rev. i. 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last ; and there can be but one first being, and God is the most perfect, and excellent being ; Psal. lxxi. 19. Thy righteousness, also, O God, is very high, who hath done great things : OGod, who is like unto thee? And there can be but one most perfect and excellent being.
Q. 3. But doth not the scriptures say, in 1 Cor. viii. 5. that there are gods many, and lords many?
A. Yes ; there are many in title, and many in opinion, but one only in truth ; Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King.
Q. 4. Why is he called the true God ? A. Todistinguishhimfrom the idols and false gods of the heathens ; 1 Thef. i. 9. Howyeturned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. Acts xiv. 15. We preach unto you, that ye should turn fromthefevanitiesunto the living
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism, 479 God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.
Q. 5. Why is he called the living God? A. Because all life, natural, spiritual, and eternal, is in him, and from him only. First, Natural life ; Acts xvii. 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being. Secondly, Spiritual life ; Eph. ii. 1. You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and fins. Thirdly, Eternal life in glory , Col. iii. 4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Q. 6. What is the first instruction from hence ? A. If but one God, then all his children should be of one heart, having one and the fame Father ; Eph. iv. 5, 6. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Q. 7. What is the second inference from hence ? A. That it is idolatry to perform worship to anyotherbut God only; Psal. lxxxvi. 9, 10. All nations whom thou haft made, shall come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorifythyname, for thou art great, and dost wondrous things, thou art God alone.
Q. 8. What is the third inference from it ? A. That our supreme love is due to God only, and it is very fiaful to place it on any other ; Deut. vi. 4, 5. Hear, OIfrael, The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy foul, and withallthymight.
Q. 9. What is the fourth inference from God's unity? A. That God only must have the reliance and dependence of our souls ; Jer. xvii. 5, 7. Thus faith the Lord, cursed be the man that trusteth in man, that maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
Q. 10. What is the last inference from it ? A. That we have great cause to be thankful for the gospel, which discovers the only true God to us ; and that we are not as the heathens, worshipping many and false gods ; 1 Cor. viii. 5, 6. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as there be gods many, and lords many; but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him ; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, andwebyhim.
480 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
Of three Persons in the Godhead. HOW many persons are there inthegodhead?
Quest. 6.
A. There are three persons in thegodhead, the Father, the Son,and the holy Ghost, and these three are one God, the fame in substance, equal in power and glory.
Q. 1. What mean you by the word, godhead ? A. It is the nature, essence, or being of God, as the apostle speaks, Acts xvi 29. Forasmuch then as we are the off-spring of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art, and man's device.
Q. 2. What isa person in the godhead ? A. It is the godhead distinguished by personal properties; eachpersonhaving his distinct personal properties ; Heb. i. 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, upholding all things by the word of his power. Q.3. How doth itappearthere are three persons, and no more ?
A. First, From Christ's baptism ; Mat. iii, 16, 17. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and lighting upon him ; and lo, a voice from heaven,saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Q. 4. How else,in the second place, doth it appear ? A. From the institution of our baptism ; Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the holy Ghost.
Q.5. What is the thirdprooffrom scripture ? A. From the apoftolicalbenediction ; 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy Ghost, be with you all, Amen: Where three distinct blessings are wished from the three divine persons in the godhead, grace from Christ, love from the Father, and communion with the Spirit.
Q. 6. What farther evidence is there of it in scripture? A. From plain, positive assertions of the scripture, asserting, First, A trinity of persons. Secondly, A unity of essence; 1 John v. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,and the holy Ghost, and these three are one.
Q. 7. What is the first instruction from the trinity ? A. That the doctrine of the gospel concerning Christ, is fully confirmed and ratified by three witnesses from heaven,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 481 who are above all exceptions ; 1 John v. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost.
Q. 8. What is the second instruction from the trinity ? A. Hence we learn the true order and manner of worshipping God, in the Son ; John xvi. 23. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name,he shall give it you. And by the Spirit ; Eph. vi. 18. Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit . Q9 . What is the third instruction from the trinity? A. That the covenant of grace conveys a rich portion to believers, in making over all three persons to them ; Jer. xxxi. 33. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, faith the Lord; I will put my law into their inward parts, and write it in their hearts and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Q. 10 What is the fourth instruction from the trinity ? A. That as it is the duty of all the saints to give distinct glory to the three persons in the Godhead ; so it will be a special part of their blessedness in heaven, to contemplate the distinct benefits received from them all; Rev. i. 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth ; unto him that loved us, and washed us from our fins in his own blood.
of God's Decrees. Hat are the decrees of God ? Quest . 7. What A. The decrees of God are his eternalpurpofe, according to the counsel of his will, whereby for his own glory hehathforeordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Q. 1. What things are decreed of God ? A. All things whatsoever come to pass, even the smallest ; Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predeftinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.
Q. 2. What is the end of God's decrees ? A. The glory of his own name; Eph. i. 11, 12. Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will, that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Q. 3. But there are some evil things done in the world ; Do they fall under God's decree ?
A. Though God doth neither approve them, nor necessitate VOL. VII, Ppp
482 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. men to commit them, yet he doth permit and fufferthem to be done, and will turn them to his own glory; Acts iv. 27, 28. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel are gathered together, for todowhatsoeverthyhand, and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Q. 4. Who are the objects of God's special decrees ? A.Angels and men are the objects of God's special decrees ; 1 Tim. v. 21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thouobfervethesethings, &c. Rom . viii. 33. Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?
Q.5 . What is the first property of God's decrees ? A. That they are most wife acts of God, laid in the depth of wisdom and counsel ; Rom.xi. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways are past finding out !
Q. 6. What is the second property of God's decrees ? A. The decrees of God are most free, all flowing from the mere pleasure of his will ; Rom. ix. 18. Therefore hath he •mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth .
Q. 7. What is the third property of God's decrees ? A. They are most firm and stable ; 2Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure ; having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his, Zech . vi . 1 .
Q. 8. What is the fourth property of God's decrees ? A They are eternal, and before all time ; Acts xv. 18 . Known unto God are all his works, from the beginning of the world.
Q9. What is the fifth property of God's decrees ? A. They are most pure, and altogether unspotted of fin; 1 John i. 5. This is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all .
Q. 10. What is the first instruction from God's decrees ? A. That we ought to ascribe nothing to chance, but to the appointment or providence of God ; Prov. xvi. 33. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Q. 11. What is the second instruction from God's decrees ? A. That God's hand is to be acknowledged in the greatest afflictions that befal us ; 2 Sam xvi. 11. And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, behold, my son, which came
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 483 forth of my bowels, seeketh my life; how much more now may this Benjamite do it ? Let him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him .
Q. 12. What is the last instruction from God's decrees ? A. That we ought to be thankful to God for all the good, and patient under all the evils that befal us ; Job ii. 10. Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?
OW doth God execute his decrees ?
A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
Of the Creation. HAT are the works of creation?
A. The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of fix days, and all very good.
Q. 1. What is it to create ? A. To create, is to give a being to that which had no being ; or to bring something out of nothing ; Heb. xi. 3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God ; so that things which are seen were not made of things that do appear.
Q. 2. How did God create the world ?
A. By his infinite power, executed in his word of command; Psal. xxxiii . 6, 9. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth ; for he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
Q. 3. What attributes of God shine forth in the creation ? A. The wisdom of God shines forth gloriously, not only in their formation, but dependance one upon another ; Psal. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom haft thou made them all : The earth is full of thy riches .
Q. 4. What may we learn from the creation ? A. That God perfectly knows all that is in the creature, be it never so secret ; Psal. xciv. 8, 9. Understand, O ye brutish among the people; an dye fools, when will ye be wife ? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear ? He that formed the eye, shall he not fee ?
Q. 5. What is the second instruction from the creation? A. That God is the rightful owner of us all, and may do - what he will with us ; Rom. ix. 20. Nay but, Oman, who artthouthat repliest against God! shall the thing formed say
1 Ppp2
484 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. to him that formed it, why haft thou made me thus ? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the fame lump to make one vessel to honour, and another to dish on our ?
Q. 6. What is the third instruction from the creation ? A. That God only is the proper object of worship ; Jer.x. 11. Thus shall he say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens, and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens .
Q. 7. What is the fourth instruction from hence ? A. That Christians should not fear the power of creatures, fincethey derive their being and power from God ; Ifa. liv. 16, 17. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire,that bringeth for than instrument for his work; and I have created the wafter to destroy; no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.
Q. 8 What is the fifth instruction from hence ?
A. That Atheism is a fin against natural light and reason; Rom. i. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead ; fo that they are without excuse.
Q.9. What is the sixth instruction from hence ? A. That God's glory is the end of all being ; Col. i. 16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him .
Q. 10. What is the seventh instruction from hence ? A. That there is an unnatural rebellion in fin, smiting at him that made and preserves our being ; Isa. i. 6. I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
Q. 11. What is the eighth instruction from hence ? A. That God can in a moment revive and save the church when at the lowest ebb ; Isa. lxv. 18. Behold, 1create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Q. 12. What is the last instruction from hence ? A. That it is easy with God to revive a dejected foul; Ifa. Ivii. 19. I create the fruit of the lips ; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, faith the Lord; and I willhealhim.
Quest. 1.H
Of Man's Creation . OW did God create man ?
A. God created man male and female, :
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 485 after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures .
Q. 1. How did Godcreateman? A. God createdmanin his own image ; Gen. i. 27. So God createdman in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them .
Q. 2. What is meant by the image of God ? A. Not a resemblance of God in any bodily thape or figure, but in holiness; Eph. iv. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Q. 3. In what graces did man resemble God ? A. In such a knowledge of God himself, and the creatures, which made him happy ; Col. iii. 10. And have put on the newman, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him.
Q. 4. In what other graces did this image consist? A. In righteousness as well as holiness ; Eph. iv. 24. And thatye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness andtrueholiness.
Q. 5. What is the first inference from hence ? A. The deplorable misery of the fall ; Rom. v. 12. Wherefore as by one man fin entered into the world, and death by fin, andfo death passed upon all men, for that all have finned.
Q. 6. What is the second instruction from hence? A. The beauty of holiness, which is the image of God, and the excellency of man ; Psalm xvi. 3. But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Q. 7. What is the third instruction from hence? A. We have infinite cause to bless God for Christ, who repairs this lost image in his people ; Eph. iv. 23. And be renewed in the spiritofyourmind.
Q. 8. What is the fourth instruction from hence ? A. That thedespisers of holiness are the despisers of God ; for holiness is God's image.
Q. 9. What is the fifth instruction from hence ? A. The excellency of fanctification, which defaces the image of Satan, and draws the image of God upon the foul of man.
Of Divine Providence.
HAT are God's works of providence ?
A. God's works of providence, are his
486 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. most holy, wife, andpowerfulpreferving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
Q. 1. How doth it appear that there is a divine providence? A. It appears by plain scripture testimonies ; Heb. i. 3 . Upholding all things by the word of his power. Col. i. 17. By him all things consist. Luke xii. 6, 7. Are not five spar-_ rows fold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God ; but even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Q. 2. How else is providence evinced ? A. By scripture emblems ; as Jacob's ladder, Gen. xxviii. 12, 13. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; behold the angels of God ascended and descended on it: And Ezekiel's wheels, Ezek. i. 20. Whitherfoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go, and the wheels were lifted up over against them, for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Q.'3. What farther scripture evidence is there ? A. The sure accomplishment of scripture predictions ; as Israel's captivity, and deliverance from Egypt and Babylon ; Christ's incarnation ; the rife and ruin of the four monarchies ; Dan. ii. 31. Thou, O king, fawest, and, behold, a great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee, and the form thereof was terrible. Dan. vii. 3. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from the other.
Q. 4. What is its first act about the creatures? A. It sustains, preserves, provides for them ; Psalm cxlv. 15,16. The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou giveft them their meat indue season ; thou openestthine hand, and fatisfieft the desire of every living thing, anddefendeft them from danger. Psalm xxxvi. 6. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains, thy judgments are a great deep ; O Lord, thou preferveft man and beast. Q5. What is the second act of providence about the creatures?
A. It rules and governs the creatures and their actions ; Psalm lxvi. 7. He rulethby his power for ever, his eyesbeholdthe nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Q. 6. How manifold is divine providence ? A. It is common and general over all, or special and peculiar to some men ; 1 Tim. iv. 10. Who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe .
Q. 7. How is providence exercised about sinful actions ?
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 487
A. Inpermittingthem ; Acts iv. 16. Inrestrainingthem ; Psalm lxxvi. 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee, and the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. And overrulingthem to good; Gen. 1. 20. But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Q. 8. What are the properties of providence ? A. It is (1.) Holy; Psalm clv. 17. The Lord is righteous, in all his ways, and holy in all his works. (2.) Wife; Psal. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all. (3.) Powerful ; Dan. iv. 35. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing, and he doth according to his will, in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What dost thou ? Q. 9. What is the first instruction from it ? A. That God's people are safe amidst all their enemies and dangers ; 2Chron. xvi. 9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to thew himself strong in the behalfofthem whose hearts are perfect towards him.
Q. 10. What is the second instruction ? A. That prayer is the best expedient to prosperity and success of our lawful affairs; Psalm cxlv. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Q. 11. What is the third instruction from it ? A. That God's people should rest quietly in the care of his providence for them in all their straits ; Matth. vi. 26. Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet our heavenly Father feedeth them : are not ye much better than they ?
Q. 12. What is the last instruction from it ? A. That it is no small privilege to be adopted children of God, and the members of Christ ; for all is ordered for their eternal good ; Eph . i. 22, 23. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
12.WHAT special act of providence did God
Of the Covenant of Works. exercise towards man, in the estate wherein he was created ?
A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding
488 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. him to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.
Q.1 . What was God's covenant with Adambeforethe fall? A. It was to give life and happiness upon condition of perfect perfopal obedience ; Gal. iii. 12. The law is not of faith; but the man that doth them, shall live in them.
Q. 2. Was this covenant made only with Adam, or with him and his posterity?
A. It was made with him, and all his natural posterity, descending in the ordinary way of generation from him ; Rom. v. 12. Wherefore as by one man fin entered into the world, and death by fin, and to death paffedupon allmen, for that all have finned. Ver. 14, and 18. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not finned after the fimilitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come: Therefore as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation ; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men untojuftification of life.
Q. 3. Was Adam able to performtheobedience required of him in that covenant?
A. Yes ; for he was made upright ; Eccl. vii. 29. God mademanupright; but they have fought out many inventions.
Q. 4. Had this covenant any Mediator ? A. No ; he neither had, nor needed any Mediator for satisfaction, because no finwas in him; nor interceffion, for he wanted nothing.
Q. 5. Did this covenant admit of no repentance, nor ac cept any short endeavours ?
A. No, it did not; but sentenceth and curseth the tranf greffors of it, for the least breach; Gal. iii. 10. Cursed is e veryone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them .
Q. 6. How was this threatening fulfilled, of dying the day he eat, seeing he lived 930 years ?
A. He died spiritually that day; and though the sentence on his body was respited in order to posterity, yet then his body received the death's wound, of which afterward he died.
Q. 7. What is the first inference from Adam's covenant ? A. Miserable are all they that grow on the natural root of the firstAdam : Gal. iv. 21, 22. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law ? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman.
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 489 Q. 8. What is the second inference?
1 A. That God is just in all the punishments and miseries that come upon man; yea, infants that never finned after his fimilitude; Rom. v. 14. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not finned after the fimilitude of Adam's transgression.
Q.9 What is the third inference ? A. The glorious privilege of believers, who are under a better covenant, established upon better promises ; Heb. viii.
6. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which is established upon better promises.
Q. 10. What is the last inference? A. That we should pity the unregenerate, especially our own among them ; and lab our to plant them in the second Adam: 57 Of the Fall of Man. ID our first parents continue in the estate
Quest. 13.D wherein they were created ? A. Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, byfinning against God.
Q. 1. How doth it appear that man is fallen ? A. By the scripture history: An account of it is in Gen. iii.6, 7. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to bedefired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons ; and they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day; and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God, amongst the trees of the garden. And the sad experience we all have of it in ourselves ; Rom. v. 12. Therefore as by one man fin entered into the world, and death by fin, and so death passed upon allmen, for that all have finned.
Q. 2 How could man fall, since he was made upright ? A Though he was upright, yet his will was mutable ; and by abusing that libertyhefell; Ecclef. vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright,but they have foughtoutmany inventions. VOL. VII.
490 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. Q. 3. How did God leave him to abuse the freedom of his will?
A. Not by inclining him to abuse it; but by with-holding that further grace which he was nowayobliged to continue to him.
Q. 4. Did the will of man lose its liberty to good, by the fall? A. Yes, it did, and is so wounded, that it cannot, without thy preventing andregenerating grace, putforthone spiritual and saving act ; Eph. ii. 8, 9, 10. For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not ofyourselves ; it is the gift of God, not of works, least any man shouldboast; for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, &c.
Q. 5. What was the aggravation of Adam's fin ? A. It was aggravated in his being a public innocent person, so newly placed in a state of happiness and liberty.
Q. 6. What is the first inference from the fall ? A. That the best creature left to himself, cannot be long safe ; as the angels, and Adam; Psal. xlix. 12. Nevertheless, man being in honour abideth not; he is like the beasts that perish.
Q. 7. What is the second inference ? A. That since man could not be his own keeper, he can be much less his own saviour ; 2 Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves ; but our fufficiency is of God.
Q. 8 What is the third inference ? A. That it is impossible for the covenant of works to justify any one ; Rom. iii. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his fight ; Rom. viii. 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak, through the flesh ; God fending his own Son, in the likeness offinful flesh, and for fin condemned fin in the flesh .
Q. 9. What is the last inference ? A. What cause have we to bless God for Christ, who re.. covered us when the fall left us helpless ? Rom. v. 6. For when we were yet without strength, indue time Christ died for the ungodly.
Quest. 14.W
Of Sin. Hat is fin ?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the law of God.
Q. 1. What is meant by the law ? A. The commands and rules flowing from God'sfovereignty,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 491 whereby his will is manifested, and the creature bound to obedience.
Q. 2. Where is this law written ?
A. It is written either in the heart ; Rom. ii. 15. Which shews the work of the law written in their hearts, (which we call the law of nature) ; or in the Bible, which we call the written moral law.
Q. 3. What conformityisdue to this law of God? A. A twofold conformity is due to it : First, Internal, in our hearts. Secondly, External, in our lives ; and the want of either is fin ; 1 John iii. 4. Whosoever committeth fin, tranfgreffeth also the law ; for fin is the transgression of the law. Q4. How doth it appear that the want of internal conformity is fin?
A. Because thelawrequiresit ; Mark xii. 30. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength ; for this is the first commandment : And condemns the want of it ? Rom . vii. 7. What shall we say then ? Is the law fin ? God forbid ! nay, I had not known fin but by the law ; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Q. 5. Is nothing a finbutwhat is against God's law ? A. No, nothing can be a fin but what God hath either exprefly, or by consequence forbidden in his word.
Q. 6. Wherein lies the evil oftranfgreffing God's law ? A. The evil of fin principally lies in the offence and wrong done to God, whose sovereignty it labours to shake off, and despises his will ; Psal. li. 4. Against thee, thee only have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight .
Q. 7. What further evil is in fin ? A. It highly wrongs the sinner's foul, by defacing, defiling, and damning it ; Prov. viii. 36. But he that finneth against me, wrongeth his own soul : all they that hate me, love death.
Q. 8. Wherein is the evil of fin manifested ? A. It is manifested in the death of Christ, the terrors of conscience, and torments of hell.
Q. 9. What course must the sinner take to recover himself out of his misery?
A. Repentance towards God, faith towards Christ, and both evidenced by new obedience ; Acts xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ .
Q.ro. What may we infer from hence ?
492 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. A. That we have infinite cause to bless God for Christ's satisfaction of the law for our fins.
Of the Tree of Knowledge. W
Hat was the sinwherebyourfirst parents fell
15. from the estate wherein they were created? A. The fin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created,was their eating theforbiddenfruit.
Q. 1. Why was this tree calledthetree of knowledge ? A. Not from any natural efficacy it had to give knowledge, but the knowledge he should have by eating, or not eating, was experimental knowledge. i. e. Knowledge to his for row.
Q.2 WhydidGod forbid him this tree?
SeA. First, For the discovery of his dominion over man . condly, For the trial of his subjection and obedience. Thirdly, For the aggravation of his fin, if he should eat.
Q. 3. What evil was there in eating of it? A. There was a twofold evil, the evil of fin, and the evil of punishment, both very great.'
Q. 4. What was the evil of fin ? A. Athreefold evil of fin. First, Against God, calleddifobedience'; Rom. v. 19. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners. Secondly, Against himself, soul, body, and estate. Thirdly, Against his posterity ; Rom.v. 12. Wherefore as by one man fin entered into the world, and death by fin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.; Q.5. What was the evil of punishment ? A. First, Loss of God's image. Secondly, Horror of conscience. Thirdly, Sorrow on the female sex. Fourthly, Curle on the creature. Fifthly, Expulsion from paradise. Sixthly, Death both of body and foul.
Q. 6. What is the first instruction from it ? A. To take heed of small beginnings of temptations, and to resist it in the first motions ; James iii. 5. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth.
Q. 7. What is the second inference ? A. Not to hold a parlywith the tempter; see2Cor. xi. 3. But I fear left by any means, as the sepent beguiled Eve, through his fubtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the fimplicitythat is in Christ. Q. 8. What is the third inference?
A. That Satan's policy lies much in the choice of his tempting instruments; as Eve and Peter, &c.
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 493 Q. 9. What is the fourth inference ? A.Aneceffity of keeping strong guards on our senses ; Ifa. xxxiii. 15. That stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil, he shall dwellonhigh, his place ofdefence shall be themunition of rocks.
Q. 10. What is the fifth inference ? A. That covenant-breaking is a heinous sin, which God will punish ; Hofea viii. 1. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they havetranfgreffedmyco. venant, and transgressed againstmylaws.
Q. 11. What is the last inference ? A. That the corruption of our nature is much seen indefiring forbidden things ; Rom. vii. 7. What shall we say then? Is the law fin ? God forbid: Nay, I had not known fin, but by the law ; for I had not known lust, except the lawhadfaid, Thou shalt not covet.
Of the Fall of Adam, and ours in him. D
ID all mankind fall in Adam's first tranf-
16. greffion ? A.The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation,finned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression.
Q. 1. Didnoman everescapethe fin of Adam ? A. Yes, the man Christ Jesus did, and he only; Heb. vii. 26. For such an High Priest became us,who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.
Q. 2. Why was not Christ tainted with it ? A. Because he came into the world in an extraordinary way; Matth. i. 18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wife : When as his Mother Mary was espousedtoJoseph,before they came together, she was found with child of the holy Ghost. Q. 3. How doth it appear all others are tainted with it ? A. It appears by scripture-testimony, Rom. v. 12. Wherefore as by one man finentered into the world, and death by fin, and fo death passed upon all men, for that all have finned ; and experience of the best men, Rom. vii. 21. I find thenalaw, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Q. 4. How came allmen to fall with Adam ? A. Because all were included in Adam's covenant, asa man's covenant includes his children before they be born, or the freason of the father affects his posterity.
Q. 5. What inferyou from hence ?
494 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
A. The stupendous wisdom of Godinfending Christ in our nature, and yet without the sin and taint of it ; 1 Cor. i. 24. Christ the wisdom of God.
Q. 6. What is the second inference ? A. Hence we learn the admirable love of Christ in taking our nature, with all the finless infirmities thereof; Rom . viii. 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God fending his own Son in the likeness offinful flesh, and for fin condemned fin in the flesh .
Q. 7. What is the third inference ? A. The necessity of our union with Christ, in order to our participation of his righteousness and redemption ; 1 Cor. xv. 22. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. Q. 8. What is the fourth inference ? A. Hence we learn the malignant and mortal nature of fin, inasmuch as one findefiled and destroyed a whole world.
Q. 9. What is the fifth inference ? A. That though all be not equally sensible of their need, yet one sinner needs Christ as much as another.
Q. 10. What is the last inference ? A. That no man hath any cause or reason to boast of the goodness of his nature, since the best were by nature under the fame fin and misery as the worst ; Eph. ii. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath even as others.
Of Original Sin. Nto what estate did the fall bring mankind ?
Quest. 17. I finandmisery.
A. The fall brought mankind into an W
estate of
Herein consists the finfulness of that estate
18 . whereinto man fell ? A. Thefinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam'sfirstfin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called originalfin,together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.
Q. 1. How many forts of fin are allmenunder ? A. Allmen are guilty before God of two forts of fin ; of original, and of actual ; Psal. li. 5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in fin did my mother conceive me. Ecclef. vii. 20. For there is not ajustman upon earth, that doth good, and finnethnot.
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 495 Q. 2. How can we be guilty of Adam's first fin ?
A. We are guilty of it, becauseAdam finned not only as a single, but also as a public person, and representative of all mankind : Rom. v. 15, 16, 17. But not as the offence, so al-
is the free gift : for if through the offence of one, many be dead; much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by oneman, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many : And not as it was by one that finned, so is the gift ; for the judgment was by one to condemnation.
Q. 3. How else came we under his guilt ? A. We are guilty of his fin by generation ; for we were in his loins, as treason stains the blood of the posterity, or parents leprosy the children ; Psalm li. 5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in fin did my mother conceive me.
Q. 4. Wherein doth it consist ? A. It consists in two things. First, In our aversation and enmity to that which is good ; Rom. vii. 18. In me, that is, in my flesh, there dwelleth no good thing. Secondly, In proneness to that which is evil ; Rom. vii. 14. But I am carnal, fold under fin.
Q. 5. Is this corruption of nature in allmen ? A. Yes ; in all mere men, and women, none exempted; Rom. iii. 10. and 23. As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one, for all have finned, and come short of the glory of God.
Q. 6. In what part of our nature doth this fin abide ?
A. Itabides in the whole man, in every part of man,both foul and body ; Gen. vi. 5. God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 1 Thef. v. 23. Now the God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I pray God your whole spirit, and foul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. 7. How is the body infected by it ? A. In the readiness of the bodily members to further fin, and its temptations in the soul ; Rom. iii. 13, 14, 15. Their throat is an open fepulchre, with their tongues they have used deceit,the poison ofafps is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, their feet are swift to shed blood.
Q8 . What learn we from original fin ? A. To bear patiently the miseries we fee on our children, and their death also without murmuring ; Rom. v. 14. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over ther
496 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. that had not finned after the fimilitude of Adam's transgression. Q. 9. What is the second instruction ? A. It teaches us humility, and should be matter ofconfef fionandhumiliation,when we fin actually; Psal. li. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in findidmymother conceive me.
Q. 10. What is the third instruction ? A. It should provoke parents to use their utmost diligence for the conversion of their children who draw fin from them.
Q. 11. What is the last iustruction ? •A. It teaches us the necessity of regeneration, and should provokeusgreatly to desire it.
of Man's Misery.
19. What isthemiseryofthatestatewhereintoman fell? A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath aud curse; andfo made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. Q1 . What communion had God withmanbefore the fall?
A.Manthenenjoyed the gracious presence and favour of Godwithhim, which was better than life.
Q. 2. How doth it appear this was lost by the fall? A. It appears by scripture-testimony,that Adam loftit as to himself ; Gen. iii. 8. And Adam and his wife hid them. selves from the presence of the Lord God, among the trees of the garden. And we in him; Eph. ii. 12. At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,having no hope, and without God in the world.
Q. 3. Was this the only misery that came by the fall. A. No; mandidnotonly lose communion with God, but fell under his wrath and curse; Eph. ii. 3. And were by nature children of wrath, even as others.
Q.4. Doth the wrath and curse of Godthenlieon all men ? A. It lies on all the unregenerate in the world ; Gal. iii. 10. Cursed is everyone thatcontinueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law,to do them : But believers are delivered from it by Christ ; 1 Thes. i. 10. Even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Q. 5.How are the miseriesofmanby the fall divided ? A. They are divided into the miseries of this world, and of the world to come.
Q.6.What are the miseries that comeonthem in this world! A. The miseries of life; as sickness, pain, poverty on the
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 497 bodys fear, trouble, sorrow on the mind, and at last death itself; Rom. vi. ult. The wages off in is death.
Q. 7. What are the miseries after this life ? A. The pains and torments of hell for ever; Psal. ix. 17. The wicked shall be turned into hell.
Q. 8. What are the tormentsofhell? A.Painoflofs, and pain of sense; Matth. xxv. 41. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.
Q. 9. What learn you from hence? A. Thewoful state of the unconverted; miferablehere, and miserable to eternity.
Q. 10. What else learn we hence? A. The great salvation believers have by Christ from all this misery; Heb. ii. 3. How shall we escape, if we neglect fo great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord,and was confirmed unto us by them thatheardhim.
of the Salvation of God's Elect, and of the Covenant of Grace. Quest. 20. IDGod leave all mankind to perish in the estate of fin and misery? D A. God having out of his mere good pleasure,from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate off in and misery ; and to bring them into an estate offalvation by a Redeemer.
Q. 1. Are some persons chosen to salvation and others left ? A. Yes: God hath chosen some to salvation, and passed by others; as the Scriptures speak ; SeeRom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate,them he also called. And Jude 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation,ungodly men, &c.
Q. 2. DidGodchuse some,because he foresaw they would be better than others ?
A. No : God's choice was not on foreseen works, but merely of his grace, and goodpleafure of his will ; Eph. i. 5, 6. Havingpredeftinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, acccording to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace. Q. 3. Is this election of God made in time,and that according as men use their free-will, or from eternity ? A.Election is an eternal act of God before the world was, and depends not on man's using his free-will ; as appears from Eph i. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him,before the VOL. VII. Rrr
498 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. foundation of the world, that we should be holy,and without blame before him in love.
Q. 4. Shall all that are elected,be called and saved ? A.Yes, the scripture is full and plain for it; Acts xiii. 48. And when the Gentiles heard this, theywereglad, andglorifiedthewordofthe Lord ; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predeftinate, them he also called, &c.
Q. 5. By whom are the elect saved ? A. By Christ, the only Redeemer ; Titus iii. 4, 5, 6. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done,but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Q. 6. Is there no other way offalvation but by Christ ? A. No, no other way is revealed in scripture ; Acts iv. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Q.7. What learn you from God's election? A. What cause we have to admire free-grace in our choice, who were no better than others ; Eph. ii. 3. Andwerebynature children of wrath even as others.
Q. 8. What is the second instruction ? A. It teaches us humility ; we made not ourselves to differ, but the free-grace of God made the difference ; 1 Cor. iv. 7. For who makeththee to differ from another? Q. 9. What is the third instruction ? A. It teaches us diligence to make our election fureto our selves, by our calling ; 2Pet. i. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren,give diligence to make your calling and election sure.
Q. 10. What is the fourth instruction ? A. It is matter of comfort to God's elect, amidst all dangers in the world; 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless,the foundation of God standeth sure, having this feal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
Quest. 1.W
of the Covenant of Grace.
Hat is the covenantofgrace? A. It is a new compact,or agreement, made with sinners, out of mere grace, wherein Godpromiseth to be our God, and that we shall be his people, and to give everlasting life to all that believe in Christ; Jer. xxxi. 33. But
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 499 this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, faith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Q2. How doth this covenant differ from the covenant of works?
A. They differ many ways ; but principallyinthreethings. First, The covenant of works had no Mediator; the covenant of grace hath a Mediator ; Heb. xii. 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. Secondly, In the former, no place was found for repentance ; in the second, God admits it; Heb. viii. 10. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, faith the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds, and write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be tome a people ; v. 12.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their fins will I remember no more. Thirdly, In their condition, the former requires exact obedience ; the latter faith and sincere obedience ; Mark. xvi. 16. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved.
Q. 3. Maya sinner thathathnoworthinessat all of his own, be taken into the covenant of grace?
A. Yes, he may ; Ifa. xliii. 25. I, even I, am he, thatblotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy fins. This covenant is not of works, but of grace,Rom.xi. 6. And if by grace, then it is no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace, otherwise work is no more work.
Q. 4. Is this covenant changeable, or an unchangeablecovenant ?
A. No, it is not changeable, but everlastingandunchangeable for ever ; Ifa. liv. 10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, faith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee.
Q. 5. What are the principal things bestowed in this covenant?
A. God himself,andinandwith him pardonandfalvation ; Jer. xxxi. 33. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Q. 6. Can no fin be forgiven out of this covenant? A. No, God pardons none out of this covenant ; John iii.. 18. But he thatbelieveth not iscondemnedalready. Q.7. What is is the first instruction hence ? Brr2
500 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. A. Humbled and believing sinners have singular fuppert from this new covenant, 1 John ii. 12. Iwriteuntoyou, little children,because your finsare forgivenyoufor his name'sfake.
Q. 8. What is the second instruction from hence ? A. That it is the great concern of allmen to examine whether they be in this covenant, or no ; 2 Cor. xiii. 5. Examine yourselves, whether yebeinthe faith; proveyourownselves; know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates ?
Q. 9. What is the third instruction ? A. See here the miserable state of the wicked, which have no interest in it ; Psalm 1. 16. But unto the wicked God faith, What hast thou to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth ?
Q. 10. What is the last instruction ? A. That Christians are obliged towalkaspeople in covenant with God ; 1 Pet. ii. 9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye shouldthew forth the praises of him who hath calledyouout of darkness into his marvellous light.
Quest. 21.W
Of the only Redeemer. HO is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect, is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God,became man, and so was, and continueth to be God and man, in two distinct natures, and onepersonforever.
Q. 1. What doth the name Redeemer signify ? A. It signifies one that frees another out of captivity and bondage, as Christ did us ; Matth. xx. 28. And to give his life aranfom for many.
Q. 2 What was the miferyfrom which Christdeliveredus?
A. Atwofold misery, viz . Sin and hell. First, Sin ;Matth. i. 21. Thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall fave his people from their sins. Secondly, Hell ; 1 Thes. i. 10. Even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
Q. 3. How did Christ deliver us from this misery? A First, By price. Secondly, By power. By price ; 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. Ye are not redeemed with filverand gold from your. vain conversation, received by tradition from your fathers ; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot. By power; Col. i. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us intothekingdom of his dear Son.
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 501 4. When was the redemption wrought by Christ? A It was decreed from eternity ; it was actually wrought on the cross ; Col. i. 20. And (having made peace through the blood of his cross) by him to reconcile all things unto him-
by him, I say, whether they be things inearth, or things in heaven.
Q5. How then could they be redeemed that died before ? A. Though Christ's blood was actually shed after the Old Testament believers died ; yet the virtue of Christ's death extends to them, as well as us ; Heb. xi. 39,40. And these all, havingobtainedagood report through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Q. 6. Why would not God deliver us without such a Redeemer?
A. Because it was not so much for the honour of his justice; Rom. iii. 25, 26. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiationthrough faith in his blood,to declare his righteousness for the remission of fins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, Ifay, at this time his righteousness, that he mightbejust, and the juftifier of him that believeth in Jesus. Q7. What is the first instruction from hence? A. That all that are out of Christ are inamiferablebondage and captivity ; John viii. 36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Q. 8. What is the second instruction? A. Hence seethe heinous natureoffin,which required such a price to satisfy for it ; 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. We were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as ofa lamb without blemish, and without spot.
Q. 9. What is the third instruction from hence ? A. The wonderful love of Christ in redeeming us at such a rate ; Rev. i. 5. Who loved us, andwashedusfrom our fins in his own blood.
Q. 10. What is the last instruction ? A. This strongly obligeth us to an universal holiness ; Cor. vi. 20. Forye are bought with a price; therefore glorify Godinyourbody, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Of Christ's Incarnation. OW did Christ,being the SonofGod,becomeman?
A. Christ,the Son of God,became man, by taking to himself a
402 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. true body, and a reasonable foul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet withoutfin.
Q. 1. Who is the only Redeemer of God's elect ? A. The Lord Jesus Christ is their only Redeemer, and there is no other Redeemer besides him; Acts iv. 12. Neither is their salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Q. 2. How is he the Son of God, or can be, as no other is fo?
A. He is the Son of God by nature, from all eternity, and so no angel or faint is ; Heb. i. 5. For unto which of the angels faidhe at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have Ibegottenthee?
Q. 3. Why was it necessary he should become man ? A. That he might be capable to suffer death in our room ; Heb. ii. 15, 16, 17. For verilyhetook not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the feed of Abraham ; wherefore in all things it behovedhim to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the fins of the people.
Q. 4. Why must the Redeemer be God as well as man ? A. Because the blood of a mereman could not satisfy and redeem us ; Acts xx. 28. Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Q. 5. Do these two natures make two persons ? A. No, the human nature is united to the second person, and subsists in union with it ; John i. 14. And the word was made flesh , and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Q. 6. Was the union only for a time ? A. No, it continues and abides for ever; Heb. vii. 24. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Q. 7. What is the first instruction from hence ? A. Hence we learn the transcendent love of God to poor sinners ; John iii. 16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoeverbelieveth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Q.8 What is the second instruction ? A. Hence we learn the matchless love of Christ, that he should stoop to such a condition for us; 2Cor. viii. 9. For ye
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. 503 knowthegrace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for yoursakes he became poor, that ye through his povertymightbemade rich. Q.9. What is the third instruction ? A. That the greatest sins are capable of remission to believers ; John i. 29. Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. Q. 10. What is the fourth instruction ? A. That those that be in Christ need not fear the denial or want of any other mercy ; Rom. viii. 32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all; how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ?
Q. 11. What is the fifth instruction ? A. Hence we learn how impious it is to ascribe any part of the glory of redemption to any other besides Christ. Q. 12. What is the sixth instruction ? A. This teaches us the miserable condition of all that are out of Christ, and the necessity of their damnation, he being the only Redeemer.
AS Christ's incarnation a Quest. 1.Whim? voluntary act in Of the Manner of Christ's Incarnation.
A. Yes, it was; for though he had a command to die for us, John x. 18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself; I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. Yet he came willingly; Psalm xl.6, 7. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, mine ears haftthou opened; burnt-offerings, and fin-offerings hast thou not required; lo, I come; in the volume of thy book, it is written of me. Ver. 8. I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy law is withinmyheart.
Q. 2. Was the body of Christ areal andtruehumanbody ? A. Yes, it was a true and real body, not the appearance and shape of a body only ; Luke xxiv. 38. And he said unto them, Whyareyetroubled, andwhydothoughts arise in your hearts ?
Ver. 39. Behold my hands, and my feet,that it is I myself ; handle me, and fee, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as you fee me have. Q.3 . Had he a true human foul as well as a body ? A. Yes, he had a real human foul also, and all the natural faculties and powers thereof; Matth. xxvi. 38. Then faith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.
Q. 4. Was he then in all respects like to othermen ? A.No, his conception was not like others ; Ifa. vii. 14. Be
504 An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. hold, a Virgin shall conceive,and bear aS on,and shall call his name EMANUEL. And he had no fin in him as others have; Heb. vii. 26. For such an High Priestbecameus,who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.
Q.5. Did Christ put offthehuman nature at his ascension? A. No, he did not,but carried ituptoglory, and now is in our nature in heaven; 1 Tim. iii. 16. Received up into glory.
Q.6. Why did he assume our nature ? A. That he mightdiein it for our salvation ; Heb. ii.15. And deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifefubject to bondage.
Q. 7. Why did herife in itafterdeath? A. He raised it from the dead for our justification; Rom. iv. 25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised-2gain for ourjuftification.
Q. 8. Whydidhe afcendin our nature into heaven? A. To be a Mediator of interceffion in our nature ; Heb. vii. 25. Wherefore he is able also tosavethemto theuttermost thatcomeunto Godbyhim, seeing he ever liveth to make interceffion for them .
Q. 9. What is the first instruction from hence ? A. Thatthebody of Christ is not everywhere,but is con tained in heaven ; Acts iii. 21. Whom the heaven must receive, untilthetimes of restitution of all things.
Q. 10.What is the second instruction ? A. That Christ is full of tender compassions to his people's infirmities; Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without fin.
Q. 11. What is the third instruction ?
4. That great and admirable is the glorydefigned for the bodesofbelievers ; Phil. iii. 21. Who shall change our vile bodies, that it maybe fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is ableevento fubdueall things unto himself.
Q. 12. What is the last instruction ? A. That the bodily eyes of believers after the resurrection, shall fee Christ in glory ; Job xix. 26, 27. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I fee God, whom I shall fee for myself,andmineeyes shall behold, and not another.
The End of the Seventh Volume.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
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