Of Christ's ordinances,
TOO An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
Q10. Is there a necessity of repentance, in order to forgiveness ?
A. Yes, there is ; and they are therefore conjoined in scripture; Acts v. 31. For to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of ins. And destruction threatened to the impenitent ;
Luke xiii. 3. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
: Q. 11. What is the first inference hence ?
A. That it is a false doctrine, which teaches us that fins are actually forgiven from eternity ; and therefore no need either of repentance or prayer, save only for the manifestation of pardon.
Q.12. What is the second inference hence ?
A. That an hard heart is a dreadful sign of a lost state of foul ; Rom. ii . 5. But after thy hardness and impenitentheart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
13. What is the last inference hence ?
A. That there is no cause to despair of the vilest sinner, see. ing there is power enough in the Spirit of God to break the hardest heart ; Ezek. xxxvi. 26. I will take away the stony heart out of your Aesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh..
Of Christ's Ordinances.
Quest. 88. WHat 7Hat are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outwardandordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances ; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer ; allwhicharemade effectualtothe clect for salvation.
1. What makes anything become a divine ordinance?
A. The institution or appointment of God, is that alone which makes a divine ordinance ; Matth. xxviii. 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. ii . 20, 22, 23. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world ; why, as though living in the world, areye subject to ordinances ? &c. Which things indeed have a Gewof wisdom in will-worship, &c.
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. sos ❤.4. Why cannot man institute a divine ordinance?
A. He cannot do it, because it is the prerogative belonging to Christ's kingly office ; Matth. xxviii. 20. Teaching themtoobserve 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. xv. 9. But in vaindotheyworship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Q. 6. Why are the ordinances called means of salvation ?
A. Becaule by and through them the Spirit of the Lord conveys spiritual graces into mens fouls ;
1 Cor. i. 21. It pleased God,by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe,
I Cor. iii. 5. Who thenisPaul, 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 ; 1Cor. iii. 7. Neither ishethatplanteth anything, 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. lv. 10, 11. For as the rain comethdown, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give feed to the fower, 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 thethingwhereto I send it. 2 Cor. ii. 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 favour of death unto death, and to the other the savour of life unto life, &c.
A Q. 9. Are institutedordinances the only means offalvation ?
A. They are not the only means; for God can convert men to Christ without them; Acts ix. 4, 5. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perfecutest 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. x. 14, 15. How then snall they call on him, in whom they have not believed ? And how shall they believe in him, ofwhomtheyhave not heard ? And how shall they hear