Page images
PDF
EPUB

Q. 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

A. No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed 2.

Q. 83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous ?

A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others 2.

forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Tho u shalt not covet. Ver. 8. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. Rom. xiii. 9. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Deut. v. 21. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.

82. Y Eccl. vii. 20. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 1 John i. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Ver. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Gal. v. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would,

Q. 84. What

Z Gen. vi. 5. And 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. Gen. viii. 21. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth: neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Rom. iii. 9. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.— And so on to Verse 21. James iii. 2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. And so on to Verse 13.

:

83. a Ezek. viii. 6. He said fur thermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? But turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. Ver. 13. He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. Ver. 15. Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, son of man? turn thee yet

JQ. 84. What doth every sin deserve?

A. Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come ".

b

Q. 85. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?

A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption d.

Q. 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?

A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we

again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. 1 John v. 16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. Psal. Ixxviii. 17. And they sinned yet more against him, by provoking the most High in the wilderness. Ver. 32. For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. Ver. 56. Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies.

84. b Eph. v. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Lam. iii. 39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

с

receive

85. Acts xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

d Prov. ii. 1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; Ver. 2. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Ver. 3. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; Ver. 4. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Ver. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Prov. viii. 33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Ver. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Ver. 35. For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Ver. 35. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Isa. lv. 3. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

86. Heb. x. 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;

18

receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?

A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner out of a true sense of his sin", and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christi, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience'.

dition; but of them that believe, to the saving of the soul.

f John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Isa. xxvi. 3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Ver. 4. Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

87.8 Acts xi. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

h Acts ii. 37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Ver. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and

Q. 88. What

be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

i Joel ii. 12. Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. Jer. iii. 22. Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God.

k Jer. xxxi. 18. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God. Ver. 19. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities, and for your abominations.

1 2 Cor. vii. 11. For, behold, this self-same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea,

what

Q. 88. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?

A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation". Q. 89. How is the word made effectual to salvation?

A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation".

what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! in all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Isa. i. 16. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Ver. 17. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

88. Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Acts ii. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Ver. 46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Ver. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

89. Nehem. viii. 8. So they read in the book in the law of God dis19

Q. 90. How

tinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. 1 Cor. xiv. 24.. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. Ver. 25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. Acts xxvi. 18. To their eyes, and open to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Psal. xix. 8. The sta tutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. 2 Tim. iii. 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scrip

tures,

Q. 90. How is the word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?

A. That the word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation and prayer 9; receive it with faith and love, lay it up our hearts, and practise it in our lives'.

in

Q. 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of

salvation?

A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them;

tures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Ver. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; Ver. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Rom. x. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ver. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Ver. 15. And how shall they preach except they be sent ? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Ver. 16. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Ver. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. i. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ : for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

[ocr errors]

90. Prov. viii. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

P1 Pet. ii. 1. Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evilspeakings, Ver. 2. As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

4 Psal. cxix. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Heb. iv. 2. For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them : but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 2 Thess. ii. 10. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish: because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

$ Psal. cxix. 11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

t Luke viii. 15. But that on the good ground are they, which, in an honest and good heart, having heard. the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. James i. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but

T

« PreviousContinue »