2. Can our own works save us?

By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. (3 Ro. 20.)

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ. (II Tim. 1. 9, 10.)

3. Are we all of ourselves spiritually dead?

The love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. (II Cor. 5. 14.)

4. Whom did Christ say that he came to save?

The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (19 Lk. 10.),

They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (2 Mar. 17.)

5. Are we sinners every moment dependant on God's mercy? It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not: they are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. (3 Lam. 22, 23.)

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him. (9 Dan. 9.)

6. Is "God our Saviour" willing to pardon sinners? Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (I Tim. 2. 4.)

We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (I Tim. 4. 10.)

7. How does God invite sinners to seek his mercy?

Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.(55Isa.1.)

Šeek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardón, (55 Is. 6, 7.)

8. What has Christ said to encourage us to come to him? All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (6 Jn. 37.)

9. How did Zechariah prophesy of Christ?

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. (13 Zech. 1.)

10. What did Isaiah say of the atonement of Christ?

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (53 Isa. 6.)

11. For what purpose did St. Paul say that Christ came into the world?

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. (I. Tim. 1. 15.)

12. How did Christ declare that he alone could save!

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me. (14 Jn. 6.)

13. Why did Christ offer himself as a sacrifice?

He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (9 Heb. 26, 28.)

14. How are sinners redeemed from the curse of God's holy law?

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. (3 Gal. 13.)

15. What blessings flow from the atonement of Christ?

God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.-For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (II. Cor. 5. 19, 21.)

t

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. (1Eph.7.)

* A sin-offering.

D

16. Why is the love of God towards us so peculiar and exalted?

God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (5 Ro. 8.)

17. Why did the holy Jesus once suffer?

Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. (I. Pet. 3. 18.)

18. Does the blood of Christ cleanse as well as pardon? The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (L., Jn. 1. 7.)

19. Can we escape if we despise the mercy of Christ? How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? (2 Heb. 3.)

20. What effect does godly sorrow produce?

Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of. (II. Cor. 7. 10.)

21. Must the heart of the penitent be deeply affected? Rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God. (2 Joel, 13.)

22. Do the angels rejoice over each returning sinner? There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (15 Lk. 10.)

23. What are suitable prayers for such sinners as we are? Lord, save us we perish. (8 Matt. 25.)

God be merciful to me a sinner. (18 Lk. 13.)

24. How did the Psalmist pray for the pardon of his sins? Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. (51 Ps. 1, 2, 3.)

25. Is the pardoned sinner blessed?

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (32 Ps. 1, 2.)

VIII. OF THE RENEWAL OF THE MIND.-REGENERATION, OR THE NEW BIRTH.

Man's inability to renew his own mind-Renewal absolutely necessary-God's promises to renew the penitent-Prayer for renewal-Blessedness of being renewed-Character of the renewed-Heaven's praises to a pardoning and renewing Saviour.

1. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?” (14 Job, 4.)

Not one. (14 Job, 4.)

2. Are we able to change our own hearts?

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. (13 Jer. 23.)

3. Is it absolutely necessary that our hearts should be changed?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.-Ye must be born again. (3 Jn. 3, 7.)

4. How has God declared himself willing to pardon and renew returning sinners?

If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done, he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God; and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (18 Ezk. 21, 22 and 23.)

5. Does God invite the greatest sinners to seek his mercy?

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (1 Is. 18.)

6. How did God command his prophet to warn the wicked?

As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (33 Ezk. 11.)

7. Is a new heart the gift of God?

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (36 Ezk. 26.)

8. How does God encourage backsliders to return to him?

I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely. (14 Hosen, 4.)

9. How did St. Peter exhort the Jews to repentance and conversion?

Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.-Unto you first, God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (3 Acts, 19, 26.)

10. How did the Psalmist pray for a renewed heart? Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.-Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (51 Ps. 7, 10.)

11. What is the character of every true Christian?

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new! (II Cor. 5. 17.)