Of Christ's offices, page
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
2Cor. i. 20. For all the promises of God in him, are yea, and in him, amen.
Q.6. What promises flow out of the prophetical office ?
A. All promises of illumination, guidance, and direction flow out of Christ's prophetical office ?
Q.7. What promises flow out of the priestly office ?
A. All the promises of pardon and peace flow out of it.
Q. 8. What promises flow out of the kingly office ?
A.All the promises ofdefence,protection, anddeliverances.
Q. 9. What is the first instruction ?
A. Hence we learn the completeness of Christ for all the wants of his people; Col. ii. 10. Andyè are complete in hini .
Q. 10. What is the second instruction ?
A. Hence we learn the follyand misery of all those hypocrites that close partially with Christ.
Q.rr. What is the third instruction ?
A. Hence we learn the singular dignity of the Lord Jesus :
None ever having had all those offices but Christ.
Q. 12. What is the last instruction ?
A. That faith is a considerate act ; and requires much deliberation.
Quest. 24.4H Of Christ's Prophetical Office.
OW doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Ghrift executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.
Q. 1. What doth Christ's prophetical office imply ?
A.Itimpliesman's natural blindness and ignorance ; 1 Cor. ii. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him ; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Q. 2. What else doth it imply ?
A. That Christ is the original and fountain of all that light which guides us to salvation ; 2 Cor. iv. 6, 7. For God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Q. 3. How doth Christ teach men the will of God ?
A. He doth it by external revelation of it ; Acts iii. 22.
For Moses truly said to the fathers,A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me, him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you. And by internal illumination; Luke xxiv. 45. Then
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scripture.
Q. What need then of man's ministry ?
A. Very much ; for Christ hath instituted ministers as instruments, by whom he will teach us ; Eph. iv. 11 , 12. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelifts, and some pastors, and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power ofSatanuntoGod, thattheymay receive forgiveness of fins.
Q. 5. Can no man savingly know the will of God without the teachings of Christ ?
A. No; though common knowledge may be obtained in a natural way, yet not saving ; Matth. xi. 25. At that timeJefus answered, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wife and prudent, and haft revealed them unto babes .
墨 Q. 6. How appears it that Christ is appointed to this office ?
A. We have the written word for it ; Acts iii. 22. For.
Moses trulyfaid unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord. your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me, him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall fay unto you.
Q. 7. What is the first instruction from hence ?
A. None need be discouraged at their natural weakness, if Christ be their teacher ; Matth. xi. 25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wife and prudent, and haft revealed them unto babes.
Psalm xix. 7.
The testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wife the simple.
Q.8 . What is the second instruction ?
A. That it is a dreadful judgment to be spiritually blinded under the gospel ; 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. But if our gospel be hid, it. is hid to them that are loft ; in whom the god of this world. hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, left the light.. of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should thine unto them.
Q. 9. What is the third instruction ?
A. That prayer is the best expedient to obtain saving knowledge; James i. 5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, thatgiveth to allmen liberally,andupbraideth not;and
it shall be given him .
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