30. 22. upon the apprehension of Gods mercy in Christ to such as are penitent n Ioel 2. 12. 13. he so grieves for o Ier. 31. 18. 19. and hates his sins p 2 Cor. 7. 11. as that he turns from them all to God q Acts 26. 28. Ezek. 14. 6. 1 Kin. 8. 47. 48. purposing and endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the wayes of new obedience r Psal 119. 6 19. 12. Luk. 1. 6. 2 Kin. 23. 25 Q. Wherein do justification and Sanctification differ A. Although Sanctificati-be inseparably joyned with Iustification Å¿ 1 Cor. 6. 11. 1 Cor. 1. â—â— yet they differ in that God in Iutification imputeth the righteousnesse of Christ t Rom. 4. 6 8 in sanctification his spirit infuseth grace and enableth to the exercise therof u Ezek 36 27 in the former sin is pardoned w Rom. 3. 24 25 in the other it is subdued x Rom. 6. 6 14 the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God and that perfectly in this life that they never fall into condemnation y Rom. 8. 33 34 the other is neither equall in all z 1 Ioh. 1. 12 13 14 Heb. 5. 12 13 14 nor in this life perfect in any a 1 Ioh. 1. 8 10 but growing up to perfection b 2 Cor. 7. 2 Phil. 3. 12 13 14 Q. Whence ariseth the imperfection of Sanctification in beleevers A. The imperfection of Sanctification in believers ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them and the perpetual lustings of the flesh against the spirit whereby they are often foiled with temptations and fall into many sins c Rom. 7. 18. 23 Mar. 14 66 to the end Gal. 2. 11 12 are hindered in all their spirituall services d Heb. 12. 1 and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God e Isa 64. 6 Exod 28 38 Q. May not true beleivers by reason of their imperfections and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with fall away from the state of Grace A. True Beleevers by reason of the unchangeable love of God f Ier. 31. 3 and his Decree Covenant to give them perseverance g 2 Tim. 2. 19 Heb. 13. 20 21 2 Sam. 23. 5 their inseparable union with Christ h 1 Cor. 18. 9 his continuall intercession for them i Heb. 7. 25 Luk. 22. 32 and the spirit and seed of God abiding in them k 1 Ioh. 3. 9 1 Ioh. 2. 27. can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace l Ier 32. 40 Ioh. 10. 28 but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation m 1 Pet. 1. 5 Q. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation A. Such as truly believe in Christ and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him n 1 Iohn 2. 3 may without extraordinary revelation by faith grounded upon the truth of Gods promises by the spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces in which the promises of life are made o 1 Cor. 2. 12 1 Ioh. 3. 4 18 19 21 24 1 Iohn 4. 13 16 Heb. 6. 11 12 and bearing witnesse with their spirits â—hat they are the children of God p Rom. 8. 16 be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace shall persevere therein unto salvation q 1 Ioh. 5. 1 Q. Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of grace and that they shall be saved A. Assurance of grace and salvation not being of the essence of faith r Eph. 1 13 true believers may wait long before they obtain it Å¿ Isa 50. 10 Psal 88. throughout and after the enjoyment thereof may have it weakned and intermitted through manifold distempers sins temptations and desertions t Psal 77. 1 to 12 Cant. â— 2 3 6 Psal 58. â—â— Psal 31. 22 Psal 22. 1. yet are they never left without such a presence support of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair u Ioh 3 9 Iob 13 15 Ps â—3 15 23. Isa 54. 7 8 9 10 Q. What is the Communion in Glory which the members of the Invisible Church have with Christ A. The Communion in glory which the members of the Invisible Church have with Christ is in this life w 2 Cor. 3. 18 immediately after death x Luk. 23. 43 and at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgement y 1 Thes 4. 17 Q. What is the Communion in Glory with Christ which the members of the Invisible Church enjoy in this life A. The members of the Invisible Church have communicated to them in this life the first fruits of glory with Christ as they are members of him their head so in him are interessed in that glory which he is fully possessed of z Eph. 2. 5. 6 and as an earnest thereof enjoy the sense of Gods love a Rom. 5. 5 with 2 Cor. 1. 22 peace of conscience joy in the holy Ghost and hope of glory b Rom. 5 1 2 Rom. 14. 17 as on the contrary the sense of Gods revenging wrath horrour of conscience and a fearfull expectation of judgement are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death c Gen. 4. 13 Mat. 27 4 Heb. 10. 27 Rom. 2. 9 Mat. 9. 44 Q. Shall all men die A Death being threatned as the wages of sin d Rom. 6. 25 it is appointed unto all men once to die e Heb 9 27 for that all have sinned f Rom. 5. 12 Q. Death being the wages of sin why are not the righteous delivered from death seeing all their sins are for given in Christ A. The righteous shall be delivered from death it self at the last day and even in death are delivered from the sting and curse of it g 1 Cor. 15 26 56 Heb 2. 15 so that although they die yet it is out of Gods love h Isa 57. 1 2 2 Kin. 22. 20 to free them perfectly from sin and misery i Rev. 14. 13 Eph. 5. 27 and to make them capable of further communion with Christ in glory which they then enter upon k Luk. 23. 43 Phil. 1. 23 Q. What is the commnuion in Glory with Christ which the members of the invisible Church enjoy immediately after death A. The communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible Church enjoy immediately after death is in that their souls are then made perfect in holinesse l Heb. 12. 23 and received into the highest heavens m 2 Cor. 5. 1 6 8 Phil. 1. 23 with Acts 3. 21. and Eph. 4. 10 where they behold the face of
being very and eternall God of one Substance and equall with the Father did when the fulnesse of time was come take upon Him mans nature k Iohn 1 1 14. 1 Iohn 5. 20. Phil. 2. 6. Gal. 4. 4 with all the Essentiall properties and common infirmities thereof yet without sin l Heb. 1. 14 16 17. Heb. 4. 15 being conceived by the Power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary of her substance m Luke 1. 27 31 35. Gal. 4. 4. So that two whole perfect and distinct Natures the God-head and the Man-hood were inseparably joyned together in one Person without Conversion Composition or Confusion n Luke 1. 35 Col. 2. 9 Rom. 9. 5 1 Pet. 3. 18 1 Tim. 3. 16 Which person is very God and very Man yet one Christ the only Mediator between God and Man o Rom. 1. 3 4 1 Tim. 2. 5 III. The Lord Iesus in his humane nature thus united to the divine was sanctified and anointed with the holy Spirit above measure p Psal 45. 7 Iohn 3. 34 having in him all the treasures of Wisdom and knowledge q Col. 2. 3 in whom it pleased the Father that all fulnesse should dwell r Col. 1. 19 to the end that being holy harmless undefiled and full of grace and truth Å¿ Heb. 7. 16 Iohn 1. 14 he might be thorowly furnished to execute the Office of a Mediator and surety t Acts 10. â—8 Heb. 12. 24 Heb. 7. 22 Which Office he took not unto himself but was thereunto called by his Father u Heb. 5. 4 5 who put all power and judgement into his hand and gave him commandment to execute the same * Ioh. 5. 22 27. Mat. 28 18 Act. 2. 36 IV. This Office the Lord Iesus did most willingly undertake x Psal 40. 7 8. with Heb. 10. 5. to 11 Iohn 10. 18 Phil. 2. 8 which that he might discharge he was made under the Law y Gal. 4. 4. and did perfectly fulfill it z Mat. 3. 15 Mat. 5. 17 indured most grievous torments immediatly in his Soul a Mat. 26. 37 38. Luke 22 44. Mat. 27 46. Mat. 26. 27 chapters and most painfull sufferings in his body b was crucified and died c Phil. 28. was buried and remained under the power of death yet saw no corruption d Act. 2. 23 24 27. Act. 13. 37. Rom. 6. 9. On the third day he arose from the dead e 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. with the same body in which he suffered f Iohn 20. 25 27. with which also he ascended into Heaven and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father g Mark 16 19. making intercession h Rom. 8. 34 Heb. 9. 24. Heb. 7. 25. and shall return to judge men and Angels at the end of the World i Rom. 14. 9 10. Acts 1. 11. Acts 10. 42. Mat. 13. 40 41 42. Iude v. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 4 V. The Lord Iesus by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself which he through the eternall Spirit once offered up unto God hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father k Rom. 5. Heb. 9. 14. 16. Heb. 10. 1 4. Eph. 5. 2 Rom. 3. 25 26. and purchased not only reconciliation but an everlasting inheritance in the Kingdome of Heaven for all those whom the Father hath given unto him l Dan 9. â—4 26. Col. 1. 19 20. Eph 1. 11 14. Iohn 17. 2. Heb. 9. 12 15. VI. Although the work of Redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his Incarnation yet the vertue efficacy and benefits thereof were communicated unto the Elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world in and by those promises types and sacrifices wherein he was revealed and signified to be the seed of the Woman which should bruise the Serpents head and the Lamb slaine from the beginning of the world being yesterday and to day the same and for ever m Gal 14 5. Gen. 3. 15. Rev. 13. 8. Heb. 13. 8. VII Christ in the work of Mediation acteth according to both Natures by each Nature doing that which is proper to it self n Heb. 9. 14. 1 Pet. â— 18. yet by reason of the unity of the Person that which is proper to one Nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the Person denominated by the other Nature o Acts 20. 25 Ioh 3. 1 â— Ioh. 3. 16. VIII To all those for whom Christ hath purchased Redemption he doth certainly and estectually apply and communicate the same p Ioh. 6. 3â— 39. Ioh. â—0 15 16. making intercession for them q 1 Ioh. 2 1. 2 Rom 8. 34 and revealing unto them in and by the Word the mysteries of salvation r Ioh. 15 13 15. Eph. 1. 7 8 9. Iohn 17. 6. effectually perswading them by his Spirit to beleeve and obey and governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit Å¿ Iohn 14. 16. Heb. 12 2. 2 Cor. 4. 13. Rom. 8. 9. 14. Rom. 15. 18 19. Ioh. 17. 17. overcoming all their enemies by his Almighty Power and Wisdom in such manner and wayes as are most consonant to his wonderfull and unsearchable dispensation t Psal 110. 1 1 Cor. 15. 25 26. Mal. 4. 2 3. Col. 2. 15. CHAP. IX Of Free-will GOD hath indued the Will of man with that naturall liberty that is neither forced nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to do good or evâ—â— a Mat. 17. 12. Iam. 1. 14. Deut. 30. 19 II. Man in his state of Innocency had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God b Eccles 7 29. Gen. 1 26. but yet mutably so that hee might fall from it c Gen. 2. 16 17. Gen. 3. 6 III. Man by his fall inâ—o a state of sin hath wholly lost all ability of Will to any spirituall good accompanying salvation d Rom. 5. 6 Rom. 8. 7 Iohn 15. 5 so as a naturall man being altogether averse from that good e Rom. 3. â—0 12. and dead in sin f Eph. 2. 1. 5 Col. 2. 13 is not able by his own strength to convert himself or to prepare himself thereunto g Ioh. 6. 44 65. Eph 2 â— 2. 3. 4 5. 1 Cor. 8. 14 Titus 3. 3 4 5. IV. When God converts a sinner and tanslates him into the state of grace he freeth him from his naturall bondage under sin h Col. 1. 13 Ioh. 8. 34 36 and by his grace alone inables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good i Phil. 2. 13 Rom. 6. 18 22. yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruption he doth not perfectly nor only will that which is good but doth also will that which is evill k Gal. 5. 17 Rom. 7. 15 19 21 V. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone in the
which is And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil d Mat. 6. 13 acknowledging that the most wise righteous and gracious God for divers holy and just ends may so order things that we may be assaulted foiled for a time led captive by temptations e 2 Chr. 32. 31 that Sathan f 1 Chr. 11. 1 the world g Luk. 21. 34 Mar. 4. 19 and the flesh are ready powerfully to draw us aside and insnare us h Iam. 1. 14 and that we even after the pardon of our sinnes by reason of our corruption i Gal. â— 17 weaknesse and want of watchfulnesse k Mat. 26. 41 are not onely subject to be tempted and forward to expose our selves unto temptations l Mat. â—6 66 70 71 72 Gal. 2. 11. to 15 2 Chr. 18. 3 with â— Chr. 19. 2 but also of our selves unable and unwilling to resist them to recover out of them and to improve them m Rom. 7. 23 24. 1 Chr 21 1 2 3 4 2 Chr. 16. 7. 8 9 16 and worthy to be left under the power of them n Ps 81. 11 12 we pray that God would so over-rule the world and all in it o Ioh. 17. 15. subdue the flesh p Psal 51. 10 Psal 119. 13â— and restrain Sathan q 2 Cor. 12 7 8 order all things r 1 Cor. 1â— 12 13 bestow and blesse all meanes of grace Å¿ Heb. 13 20 23 and quicken us to watchfulnesse in the use of them that we and all his people may by his providence be kept from being tempted to sin t Mat. 26. 41. Psal 19. 13 or if tempted that by his spirit we may be powerfully supported and enabled to stand in the hour of temptation u â—ph 3. 14 15 16 17. 1 Thes 3. 13 Iude v. 24 or when fallen raised again and recovered out of it w Psal 51. 12 and have a sanctified use and improvement thereof x 1 Pet. 5. 8 9 10 that our sanctification and salvation may be perfected y 2 Cor. 13 7. 9 Sathan trodden under our feet z Rom. 16. 20 Zech. 3. 2 Luk. 22 31 32 and we fully freed from sin temptation and all evil for ever a Ioh. 17. 15 1 Thes 5. 23 Q. What doth the conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The conclusion of the Lords Prayer which is For thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory forever Amen b Mat. 6. 13 teacheth us to enforce our Petitions with arguments c Rom. 15. 30 which are to be taken not from any worthinesse in our selves or in any other creature but from God d Dan. 9. 4 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 and with our prayers to joyn praises e Phil. 4. 6 ascribing to God alone eternall soveraignty omnipotency and glorious excellency f Chr. 29. 10 11 12 13 in regard whereof as he is able and willing to help us g Eph. 3. 20 21 Luk. 12. 13 so wee by faith are emboldned to plead with him that hee would h 2 Chr. 20 6. 11 and quietly to rely upon him i Chr. 14. 12 that he will fulfill our requests and to testifie this our desire and assurance we say Amen k 2 Cor. 14 16 Rev. 22. 20 21 COR. BURGES Prolocutor pro tempore HENRY ROBROUGH Scriba ADONIRAM BYFIELD Scriba FINIS THE SHORTER CATECHISM First agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at WESTMINSTER And now approved by the General ASSEMBLY of the Kirk of Scotland to be a part of Uniformity in Religion between the Kirks of Christ in the three Kingdoms QUESTION WHat is the chief end of man A. Mans chief end is to glorifie God a 1 Cor. 10 31. Rom. 11. 36 and to enjoy him for ever b Psal 73 24 to the end Q. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him A. The Word of God which is contained in the Scripture of the Old and New Testament c 2 Tim. 3 16. Eph. 2 20 is the onely rule to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him d 1 Ioh. 1 3 4 Q. VVhat do the Scriptures principally teach A. The Scriptures principally teach What man is to beleeve concerning God and what duty God requires of man e 2 Tim. 1 13. 3. 16 Q. VVhat is God A. God is a Spirit f Joh. 4. 24 infinite g Job 11 7 8 9 eternal h Psa 90. 2 and unchangeable i Jam. 1. 17 in his being k Exo 3. 14 wisdom l Psa 147. 5 power m Rev. 4. 8 holiness n Rev. 15. 4 justice goodness and truth o Exod. 34 6 7 Q. Are there more Gods then one A. There is but one onely the living and true God p Deu. 6. 4 Jer. 10. 10 Q. How many Persons are there in the God-head A. There are three Persons in the God-head the Father the Son and the holy Ghost and these three are one God the same in substance equal in power and glory q 1 Joh. 5. 7 Mat. 28. 19 Q. What are the decrees of God A. The Decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his Will whereby for his own glory he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass r Eph. 1. 4 11. Rom. 9. 22 23 Q. How doth God execute his decrees A. God executeth his Decrees in the Works of Creation and Providence Q. What is the Work of Creation A. The Work of Creation is Gods making all things of nothing by the Word of his Power in the space of six days and all very good s Gen. 1. Chap Heb. 11. 3 Q. How did God create man A. God created man male and female after his own image in knowledg righteousness and holiness with dominion over the creatures t Gen. 1 26 27 28 Col. 3 10 Eph. 4 24 Q. What are Gods Works of Providence A. Gods Works of Providence are his most holy u Ps 145. 17 wise w Psa 104 24. Isa 28 29 and powerful preserving x Heb. 1. 3 and governing all his creatures and all their actions y Ps 103. 19 Mar. 10. 29 30 31 Q. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein be was created A. When God had created Man he entred into a Covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledg of good and evil upon pain of death z Gal. 3. 12 Gen. 2. 17 Q. Did our first Parents continue in the estate wherein they were created A. Our first Parents being left to the freedom of their own will fell from the estate wherein they were created by sinning against God a Gen. 3. 6 7 8 13 Eccl. 7 29 Q. What is sin A. Sin is any want of conformity unto