Of the demerit of fin,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
them both. And through the meritorious, satisfying blood of Christ ; Eph. i. 7.In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of fins, according to the riches of his grace.
Q.11 . What is the first inference hence ?
A. Though some fins are more heinous than others, yet no sinner should absolutely despair of mercy ; for the vilest have been pardoned ; 1 Cor. vi. 11. And such were some of you :
But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, butyeare justified, &c.
Q. 12. What is the second inference hence ?
A. That there are different degrees of torments in hell, pro. portioned to the different degrees of sins on earth ; Matth. xl.
21, 22. Wo unto thee, Chorazin, wo unto thee, Bethfaida :
For if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, at the day of judgment, than for you.
Q. 13. What is the third inference hence ?
A. That great sinners, when pardoned and received to mercy, should excel all others in love to Christ ; Luke vii. 42, 43.
Which of them will love him most ? Simon answeredandfid, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he faidunto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Q. 14. What is the last inference hence ?
A. Let no man neglect Christ because his fins are not so heinous as others ; because the least sin without Christ is damning :
Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of fin is death, &c.
And greater sinners areoftencalled, when lesser are not ; Matth. xxi. 31 , 32. The publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Of the Demerit of Sin.
Quest. 84. What doth everyfindeserve?
A. EveryfindefervethGod's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.
1. Wherein doth the evil of finprincipallyconsist ?
A. It consists principally in the offence it gives, and the wrong it doth to God; Píalm li. 4. Against thee, thee only have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight.
2.2. What is the first offence and wrong findoth to God ?
A. It consists in its enmity to God; Rom. viii. 7. Because thecarnalmindis enmity agaistGod, &c.
Expressed in scripturebywalking contrary to him; Lev. xxvi. 40. They have also walked contrary to me. Fighting against God; Acts v. 39.
VOL. VIII.
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
Lest haply ye be even found to fight against God. And resisting his Spirit ; Acts vii. 51. Ye do always resist the holy Ghost.
९. 3. Wherein is its enmity to God further discovered in scripture ?
A. It is discovered under the names and notions of hatred of God; Rom. i . 30. Backbiters, haters of God, &c. Rebellion against God ;
I Sam. xv. 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, &c. And despising the commandmentofGod; 2Sam.xii.
9. Whereforehaft thoudespisedthe commandment of the Lord ?
९. 4. What are the attributes of God that fin wrongs?
A. It wrongs all his attributes ; for it flights his sovereignty :
Exod. v. 2. And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice, to let Israel go ?
Resists his power ; 1Cor. x.
22. Are we stronger than he ?
Despiseth his goodness ; Rom. ii. 4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, &c. Taxeth his justice ; Ezek. xviii. 25. Yet ye say, the way of the Lord is not equal, &c. And clouds his holiness ; Jam. ii. 7. Do nor they blaspheme that worthy name, by the which ye are called ?
Q5. What doth fin deserve in the course of justice from God?
L A. It deserves all temporal and eternal effects of God'swrath, on the souls and bodies of sinners, all which in scripture gounder the name of death ; Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of fin is death, &c.
९. 6. Can these sufferings fatisfyGod for all this wrong ?
A. No, they cannot ; and therefore they must, and shall be eternal on the damned; Matth. v. 26. Verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Mark ix. 44. Where their wormdieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
. 7. Shall all sinners bear the desert of their sins ?
A. No ; all that are out of Christ shall ; but Christ hath freed believers from it; John iii. 18. He that believethon him , is not condemned, &c.
९. 8. But is it not hard, that sinners should suffer eternally for the fins of a few years ?
A. No, it is not ; for the evil of fin is not to be measured by the time in which, but by the object against which it is committed ; Psalm li. 4, 5. Against thee, thee only have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight, &c.
Q. 9. Whatlearnwe from hence ?
A. Hence in the first place we learn the impossibility of satisfying God's justice for the least sin that ever we committed;
Jobvii. 20. I have finned, what shall I do unto thee ? &c.