Of Christ's priesthood,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
10. What is the last instruction ?
A. Learn hence the transcendent excellency of the knowledge of Christ above all other knowledge ; Phil. iii. 8. Yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.
Of Christ's Priesthood.
OW doth Christ execute the office of a HO Quest 25 . priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual interceffionforus.
1. What is the priesthood of Christ in general ?
A. It is his expiation of our fins by the sacrifice of himself, and obtaining God's favour for us ; Col. i. 20. And (having made peace through the blood of his cross) by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven Q. 2. What are the parts of Christ's priestly office ?
A It hath two parts.
First, Oblation, or offering of himself; Heb. ix. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works, to serve the living God ?
Secondly, Intercession for us ; Heb. vii. 25.
Wherfore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make interceffion for them.
Q. 3. What is the end of Christ's oblation ?
A. The end of it, as to God, was to satisfy his incensed justice ; Rom. iii. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission offins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
And as to men, to put away their fins; Heb. ix. 26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the end of the world, hath he appeared to put away fin by the sacrifice of himself.
Q. 4. What is the first difference between Christ and other priests?
A. Other priests offeredtheblood of beasts ; Christ his own blood ; Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Q. 5. What is the second difference ?
A.They offeredmanysacrifices ;Christ perfected all by one
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism..
offering, Heb. x. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected: for ever them that are sanctified.
Q. 6. What was the sacrifice Christ offered to God?
A. His body ; Heb. x. 10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the bodyofJesus Christ once for all. And his soul ; Ifa. liii. 10. When thou shalt make his
foul an offering for fin.
Q. 7. Whence is the efficacy of this sacrifice ?
A. From the divine Person to whom that foul and body was united ; Acts xv. 28. Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Q. 8. What is the first inference from hence ?
A. That believers are discharged by Christ from all their fins and debts ; Acts xiii. 39. And by him, all that believe are justified from all things.
Q. 9. What is the second inference ?
A. That it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an absolute God ; Luke xxiii. 31. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
Q. 10. What is the third inference?
A. That it is impossible for man to fatisfyGod for his own fins ; Plal. cxxx. 3. If thou, Lord, shouldestmarkiniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand ?
Q. 11. What is the last inference ?
A. That the Christian religion only settles the conscience in peace ; Heb. ix. 14. How much more shall the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works to serve thelivingGod ?
Of Christ's Kingly Office.
OW doth Christ execute the office of a king?
Quest. 26.H A. Christ executeth the office ofa king, in fubduingus to himself, in ruling and defending us,and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q. 1. Howmanifoid is Christ's kingdom ?
A. Twofold.
First, Internal, in mens fouls ; Luke xvii .
21. Behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Secondly, External, over all the world ; Eph. i. 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be Head over all things to the church.
Q. 2. What is the end of Christ's providential kingdom ?
A. The good and salvation of the church ;John xvii. 2. As
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give
: eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Q. 3. Wherein doth he exercise his kingly power ?
A. In restraining his, and his people's enemies ; Psalm lxxvi. 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee; the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
; Q. 4. How else is it exercised ?
A. In protecting his church amidst all enemies; Exod. iii.
3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside,and see this great fight, why the bush is not burnt.
Q. 5. What instruments doth Christ use ?
A. Angels are mini string spirits to him ; Heb. i. 14. Are they not all miniftring spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs offalvation ?And men, yea the worst of men; Rev. xii. 16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Q. 6. In what manner doth Christ rule the world ?
A. By supreme power ; Rev. xix. 16. He hath on his vefture, and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.
And perfect wisdom ; Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the
# counsel of his own will.
7. What learn we from hence ?
A. That the Church is saved amidst all dangers ; Jer. xxx.
11. For I am with thee, faith the Lord, to fave thee ; though I make a full end of all nations, whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full endofthee.
Q. 8. What is the second instruction ?
A. Thatthegodly mayfafely trust to Christ's care ; 2 Chron . xvi. 9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalfofthem whose heart is perfect towards him.
Q. 9. What is the third instruction ?
A. Thatallplots against the church shall surely be defeated ; Ifa. liv. 17. No weapon that is formed againsttheeshallprofper.
Q. 10. What is the fourth instruction ?
A. It gives the faints full satisfaction in all conditions ; Rom. viii. 28. And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Q. 11. What is the last inference ?
A. We should not stand in a slavish fear of men; Ifa. li.