THE 1647 WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH AND SUBORDINATE DOCUMENTS WITH THE AUTHORIZED VERSION

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The 1647 Westminster Confession of Faith

With Scripture Proofs and Texts from the King James Bible

Edited by C. Matthew McMahon and Therese B. McMahon

Copyright © 2011 by Puritan Publications

No changes have been made to the 1647 Confession pertaining to context. Changes made to the wording of the subordinate documents do not affect the overall language of the document, nor do they change the assembly’s intention. Some spelling and formatting changes have been made, and modernized wording is used in specific cases to help today’s reader more fully grasp the intention of the documents. For example, the word “Summe” would be “Sum”.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE ELECTRONIC VERSION

THE 1647 WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH AND SUBORDINATE DOCUMENTS WITH THE AUTHORIZED VERSION

Copyright Information

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE ELECTRONIC VERSION

ATTENDEES OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY

A THEOLOGICAL AND PRACTICAL HISTORY OF THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

PART 1: THE HISTORY OF THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

PART 2: THE THEOLOGY BEHIND THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

PART 3: PRACTICAL THOUGHTS FOR CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS ON THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

THE 1647 WESTMINSTER CONFESSION

MR. THOMAS MANTON’S EPISTLE TO THE READER

TO THE CHRISTIAN READER: ESPECIALLY HEADS OF FAMILIES.

CHAPTER 1: OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE.

CHAPTER 2: OF GOD, AND OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

CHAPTER 3: OF GOD’S ETERNAL DECREE.

CHAPTER 4: OF CREATION.

CHAPTER 5: OF PROVIDENCE.

CHAPTER 6: OF THE FALL OF MAN, OF SIN, AND OF THE PUNISHMENT THEREOF.

CHAPTER 7: OF GOD’S COVENANT WITH MAN.

CHAPTER 8: OF CHRIST THE MEDIATOR.

CHAPTER 9: OF FREE WILL.

CHAPTER 10: OF EFFECTUAL CALLING.

CHAPTER 11: OF JUSTIFICATION.

CHAPTER 12: OF ADOPTION.

CHAPTER 13: OF SANCTIFICATION.

CHAPTER 14: OF SAVING FAITH.

CHAPTER 15: OF REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE.

CHAPTER 16: OF GOOD WORKS.

CHAPTER 17: OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.

CHAPTER 18: OF THE ASSURANCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION.

CHAPTER 19: OF THE LAW OF GOD.

CHAPTER 20: OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY, AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE.

CHAPTER 21: OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP AND THE SABBATH DAY.

CHAPTER 22: OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS.

CHAPTER 23: OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE.

CHAPTER 24: OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.

CHAPTER 25: OF THE CHURCH.

CHAPTER 26: OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

CHAPTER 27: OF THE SACRAMENTS.

CHAPTER 28: OF BAPTISM.

CHAPTER 29: OF THE LORD’S SUPPER.

CHAPTER 30: OF CHURCH CENSURES.

CHAPTER 31: OF SYNODS AND COUNCILS.

CHAPTER 32: OF THE STATE OF MEN AFTER DEATH, AND OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

CHAPTER 33: OF THE LAST JUDGMENT.

THE LARGER CATECHISM

THE SHORTER CATECHISM

THE DIRECTORY FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP

Of the Assembling of the Congregation,

Of Publick Reading of the Holy Scriptures.

Of Publick Prayer before the Sermon.

Of the Preaching of the Word.

Of Prayer after Sermon.

Of the Administration of the Sacraments:

Of the Sanctification of the Lord’s Day

The Solemnization of Marriage.

Concerning Visitation of the Sick.

Concerning Burial of the Dead.

Concerning Publick Solemn Fasting.

Concerning the Observation of Days of Publick Thanksgiving.

Of Singing of Psalms.

THE DIRECTORY FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP

THE FORM OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GOVERNMENT

CONTENTS

THE PREFACE

Of the Church.

Of the Officers of the Church.

Pastors.

Teacher or Doctor.

Other Church-Governors.

Deacons.

Of Particular Congregations.

Of the Officers of a particular Congregation.

Of Classical Assemblies.

Of Synodical Assemblies.

Of Ordination of Ministers.

Touching the Doctrine of Ordination.

Touching the Power of Ordination.

Concerning the Doctrinal Part of Ordination of Ministers.

The Directory for the Ordination of Ministers.

The Rules for Examination are these:

THE SUM OF SAVING KNOWLEDGE

CONTENTS:

The Use of Saving Knowledge

Warrants and Motives to Believe.

Evidences of True Faith

The Sum of Saving Knowledge

The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge

Warrants to Believe

The Evidences of True Faith.

INDEX TO WORDS AND PHRASES TO THE WESTMINSTER STANDARDS

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

ATTENDEES OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY

The Promise and Vow taken by every member admitted to sit in the Assembly:

I [NAME] do seriously promise and vow, in the presence of Almighty God, that in this Assembly, whereof I am a member, I will maintain nothing in point of doctrine, but what I believe to be most agreeable to the word of God; nor in point of discipline, but what may make most for God’s glory, and the peace and good of this Church.

The Peers

Members of the House of Commons

The Assembly Divines

Scribes or Clerks of the Assembly

Scottish Commissioners/Ministers

Elders

Admitted to sit and hear in October 1644, the Prince Elector Palatine, and on one occasion permitted to speak.

Peers:

Algernon, Earl of Northumberland.

William, Earl of Bedford.

Philip, Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery.

William, Earl of Salisbury.

Henry, Earl of Holland.

Edward, Earl of Manchester.

William, Lord Viscount Say and Seale.

Edward, Lord Viscount Conway.

Philip, Lord Wharton.

Edward, Lord Howard of Escrick.

Basil, Earl of Denbigh.

Oliver, Earl of Bolingbroke.

William, Lord Grey of Warkey vice Bedford, Holland, and Conway.

Robert, Earl of Essex, Lord General.

Robert, Earl of Warwick, Lord High Admiral.

Members of the House of Commons:

John Selden, Esq.

Francis Rous, Esq.

Edmund Prideaux, Esq.

Sir Henry Vane, Knt., senior.

John Glynn, Esq., Recorder of London.

John White, Esq.

Bouldstrode Whitlocke, Esq.

Humphrey Salloway, Esq.

Mr. Serjeant Wild.

Oliver St. John, Esq., His Majesty’s Solicitor.

Sir Benjamin Rudyard, Knt.

John Pym, Esq.

Sir John Clotworthy, Knt.

John Maynard, Esq.

Sir Henry Vane, Knt. junior.

William Pierpoint, Esq.

William Wheeler, Esq.

Sir Thomas Kinington. Knt.

Walter Young, Esq.

Sir John Evelyn, Knt.

Sir Robert Harley Pym, deceased.

Sir William Massam, or Masson, Barrington, deceased.

William S. Fraud, v. White, deceased.

Sir Arthur Haselrig.

Robert Reynolds, Esq.

Zouch Tate, Esq.

Sir Gilbert Gerard.

Sir Robert Pye.

Sir John Cooke.

Nathaniel Fiennes.

Divines:

1. Herbert Palmer, B.D., of Ashwell, Herts, Assessor after White, and Master of Queen’s College, Cambridge.

2. Oliver Bowles, B.D., of Sutton, Bedford.

3. Henry Wilkinson, sen., B.D., of Waddesdon, Bucks, and St. Dunstan’s in East.

4. Thomas Valentine, U.D., of Chalfont, St. Gilea, Bucks, aft. of London.

5. William Twisse, D.U., of Newbury, Berks, Prolocutor.

6. William Raynor, B.D., of Egham, Surrey, aft. of St. John Baptist, London.

7. Hannibal Gammon, M.A., of Mawgan, Cornwall.

8. Jasperor Gaspar Hickes, M.A., of Lanrake, Cornwall, y. Joshua Hoyle, D.D., of Dublin, afterwards of Stepney, then Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford.

9. William Bridge, M.A., of Yarmouth.

10. Thomas Wincop, D.D., of Ellesworth, Cambridge.

11. Thomas Goodwin, B.D., of London, aft. of Magdalen College, Oxford.

12. John Ley, M.A., of Budworth, Cheshire.

13. Thomas Case, M.A., of St. Mary Magdalene, Milk Street, London.

14. John Pyne, of Bereferrers, Devon.

15. Francis Whidden, M.A., of Moreton-Hampstead, Devon.

16. Richard Love, D.D., of Ekington, and of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

17. William Gouge, D.D., of Blackfriars, London, Assessor after Palmer.

18. Ralph Brownerigg, D.D., Bishop of Exeter, sent excuse for non-attendance.

19. Samuel Ward, D.D., Master of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

20. John White, M.A., of Dorchester, Assessor.

21. Edward Peale, of Compton, Dorset.

22. Stephen Marshall, B.D., of Finchingfield, EssExo.

23. Obadiah Sedgewick, B.D., of Coggeshall, or of Farmham, EssExo.

24. John Carter, M.A., of York, after of Camberwell, or of St. Peter’s, Norwich.

25. Peter Clerk, M.A., of Carnaby, afterwards of Kirkby, York.

26. William Mew, B.D., of Easington, Gloucester.

27. Richard Capell, M.A., Pitchcombe, Gloucester.

28. Theophilus Bathurst, or Theodore Backhurst, of Overton Watervile, Wilts.

29. Philip Nye, M.A., of Kimbolton, Hunts.

30. Brocket (or Peter) Smith, D.D., of Barkway, Herts.

31. Cornelius Burges, D.D., of Watford, Herts, Assessor, aft. of St. Andrew’s, Wells.

32. John Green, of Pencombe, Hereford.

33. Stanley Cower, of Brampton Bryan, Hereford, and St. Martin’s, Ludgate.

34. Francis Taylor, B.D., of Yalding, Kent.

35. Thomas Wilson, M.A., of Otham, Kent.

36. Antony Tuckney, B.D., of Boston, and St. Michael Quern, aft. Master successively of Emmanuel and St. John’s, Cambridge, and Professor of Divinity after Arrowsmith.

37. Thomas Coleman, M.A., of Biyton, Lincoln, aft. of St. Peters, Cornhill.

38. Charles Herle, M.A., of Winwick, Lancashire, Prolocutor after Dr. Twisse.

39. Richard Herrick, or Heyrick, M.A., Warden of Christ’s College, Manchester, conformed at Restoration.

40. Richard Cicyton, M.A., of Shawell, Leicester, aft. East on Magna, EssExo.

41. George Gibbs, or Gippes, of Ayleston, Leicester.

42. Calibute Downing, LL.D., of Hackney, MiddlesExo.

43. Jeremy (Jeremiah) Burroughes, M.A., “Morning Star” of Stepney.

44. Edmund Calamy, B.D., of St. Mary’s, Aldermanbitry, London.

45. George Walker, B.D., of St. John’s Evangelist, Watling Street, London.

46. Joseph Carrill, M.A., Preacher at Lincoln’s Inn, aft. of St. Magnus, London.

47. Lazarus Seaman, B.D., of All Hallows, Bread Street, London, afterwards of Peter House, Cambridge.

48. John Harris, D.D., Warden of Winchester College, “took Covenant and other oaths,” but retired.

49. George Morley, D.D., of Mildenhall, Wilts, aft. Bishop of Winchester.

50. Edward .Reynolds, M.A., of Braunston, Northampton, aft. D.D., Dean of Christ Church, Oxf., and Bishop of Norwich.

51. Thomas Hill, B.D., of Titchmarsh, Northampton, aft. D.D. and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.

52. Robert Sanderson, D.D., of Boothby Pannell or Pagnell, Lincoln, afterwards Bishop of Lincoln.

53. John Foxcroft, M.A., of Gotham, Notts.

54. John Jackson, M.A., of Marske, Yorkshire, also preacher at Gray’s Inn.

55. William Carter, of London.

56. Thomas Thoroughgood, of Massingham, Norfolk.

57. John Arrowsmith, B.D., of King’s Lynne, Norfolk, afterwards Master successively of St. John’s and Trinity, Cambridge, and Professor of Divinity.

58. Robert Harris, B.D., of Hanwell, Oxford, aft. of Trinity College there.

59. Robert Crosse, B.D., of Lincoln College, Oxford.

60. James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh.

61. Matthias Styles, D.D., of St. George’s, Eastcheap, London.

62. Samuel Gibson, of Burleigh, Rutland.

63. Jeremiah Whitaker, M.A., of Stretton, Rutland afterwards of Bermondsey.

64. Edmund Stanton, D.D., of Kingston-on-Thames, aft. President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

65. Daniel Featley, D.D., of Lambeth, Third and last Provost of Chelsea College.

66. Francis Coke, or Cooke, of Yoxhall, Staffordshire.

67. John Lightfoot, M.A., of Ashley, Staffordshire, after D.D. and Master of Catherine Hall, Cambridge.

68. Edward Corbet, M.A., of Merton College, Oxford, and Rector of Chartham, Kent, succeeded Dr. Hammond as University Orator and Canon of Christ’s Church, Oxon.

69. Jo. Samuel Hildersham, B.D., of West Felton, Shropshire.

70. John Langley, M.A., of West Tuderley, or Tytherley, Hampshire.

71. Christopher Tisdale, or Tesdale, M.A., of Uphurst-borne, or Hurstborne-Tarrant, Hampshire.

72. Thomas Young, M.A., St. And., of Stowmarket, Suffolk, aft. D.D., and Master of Jesus College, Cambridge.

73. John Phillips, of Wrentham, Suffolk, brother-in-law of Dr. Ames.

74. Humphrey Chambers, B.D., of Claverton, Somerset, aft. of Pewsey, Wilts.

75. John Conant, B.D., of Lymington, Somerset, aft. of St. Stephen’s, Walbrook.

76. Henry Hall, B.D., of Norwich.

77. Henry Hutton, M.A., of Caldbeck, Cumberland, and Prebendary of Carlisle.

78. Henry Scudder, of Collingborne, Wilts.

79. Thomas Baylie, B.D., of Manningford-Bruce, Wilts.

80. Benjamin Pickering, of East Hoateley, or of Buckstead, SussExo.

81. Henry Nye, of Clapham.

82. Arthur Sallaway, or Salway, M.A., of Seavern Stoke, Worcester.

83. Sydrach Simpson, of London, afterwards succeeded Vines in Pembroke Hall, Cambridge.

84. Anthony Burgesse, or Burges, M.A., of Sutton Cold-field, War., and St Lawrence, Jewry, London.

85. Richard Vines, M.A., of Calcot, or Weddington War;

86. Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, aft. a minister in London.

87. William Greenhill, M.A., “Evening Star” of Stepney.

88. William Moreton, of Newcastle.

89. Richard Buckley, or Bulkley, B.D.

90. Thomas Temple, D.D., of Battersea, Surrey.

91. Simeon Ashe, of St. Bride’s, afterwards of St. Michael’s, Basingshaw, appointed in room of Josiah Shute, who died before Assembly met.

92. William Nicholson, M.A., Archdeacon of Brecknock.

93. Thomas Gattaker, B.D., of Rotherhithe, Surrey, “vir stupendae lectionis magnique judicii.”

94. James Weldy, or Welby, of Selattyn, Shropshire.

95. Christopher Pashley, D.D., of Hawarden, Flintshire.

96. Henry Tozer, B.D., Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford.

97. William Spurstow, D.D., of Hampden, Bucks, then of Catharine Hall, Cambridge, afterwards of Hackney.

98. Francis Cheynell, or Channell, of Oxford, aft. Master of St. John’s, D.D., and Margaret Professor of Divinity.

99. Edward Ellis, B.D., of Guilsfield, Montgomery.

100. John Hacket, D.D., of St. Andrew’s, Holborne, aft. Bishop of Lichfield.

101. Samuel De la Place, of French Ch., London.

102. John De la March, London.

103. Matthew Newcomen, M.A., of Dedham, EssExo.

104. William Lyford, B.D., of Sherborne, Dorset.

105. Thomas Carter, M.A., of Dynton, Bucks, aft. of St. Olave’s, Hart Street.

106. William Lance, of Harrow, MiddlesExo.

107. Thomas Hodges, B.D., of Kensington, afterwards Dean of Hereford.

108. Andreas Perne, M.A., of Wilby, Northampton.

109. Thomas Westfield, D.D., of St. Bartholomew the Great, Bishop of Bristol, attended the first meeting.

110. Henry Hammond, D.D., of Penshurst, Kent, and Canon of Christ’s Church in Nicholas Prophet, or Project, of Marlborough, Wilts, aft. of Edmonton.

111. Peter Sterry, B.D., of London.

112. John Erie, D.D., of Bishopton, Wilts, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, then of Salisbury.

113. John Gibbon, or Guibon, M.A. of Waltham.

114. Henry Painter, B.D., of Exeter.

115. Thomas Micklethwaite, M.A., of Cherry. Burton, Yorkshire.

116. John Wincop, D.D., of St. Martin’s in the Fields, and Clothall, Herts.

117. William Price, B.D., St. Paul’s, Covent Garden, and of Waltham Abbey.

118. Henry Wilkinson, jun., B.D., Epping, Essex, afterwards D.D., and of Magdalen Hall, Oxford.

119. Richard Holdsworth, or Oldsworth, D.D., Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

120. William Dunning, M.A., of Cold Aston, Glouc., or Godalston, Notts.

121. Francis Woodcock, B.A., of St. Lawrence, Jewry, v. Moreton, of Newcastle, deceased.

122. John Maynard, M.A; of Mayfield, Surrey, v. H. Nye, deceased.

123. Thomas Clendon, of All Hallows, Barking, v. Nicholson, who failed to attend.

124. Daniel Cawdrey, M.A., St. Martin’s in Fields, v. Dr. Harris, of Winchester, excused attending.

125. William Rathbone, or Rathband, of Highgate, v. Morley, who failed to attend.

126. John Strickland, of New Sarrum, v. Dr. Ward, deceased, 14 Sept. 1643.

127. William Good, B.D., of Denfon, Norfolk.

128. John Bond, D.C.L., Master of the Savoy, v. Archbishop Ussher, who, however, was restored in 1647.

129. Humphrey Hardwick, of Hadham Magna, Herts.

130. John Ward, of Ipswich and of Brampton, v. Painter, deceased.

131. Edward Corbel, of Norfolk, or North Reppis, Norfolk, v. H. Hall, of Norwich.

132. Philip Delrne, or Delmy, of French Church, Canterbury, v. Rathbone, deceased.

133. Thomas Ford, M.A., of St. Faith’s, London, v. Bowles, deceased.

134. Richard Byfield, of Long Ditton, Surrey, v. Dr. Featley, deceased.

135. John Dury, or Durie, v. Dr. Downing, deceased, probably because of his well-known efforts to promote union among Protestants.

136. William Strong, preacher in Westminster Abbey, v. Peale, deceased.

137. Robert Johnston, of York, v. Carter, deceased.

138. Samuel Boulton, of St. Saviour’s, Southwark, afterwards D.D., and Master of Christ’s College, Cambridge, v. Burroughs, deceased.

Scribes or Clerks of the Assembly:

Henry Roborough, of St. Leonard’s, Fastcheap, London.

Adoniram Byfield, M.A., afterwards of Fulham,

Amanuensis or Assistant.

John Wallis, M.A., Fellow of Queen’s Coll., Cam., afterwards D.D., Savilian Professor of Geometry, Oxford.

Scottish Commissioners/Ministers:

Alexander Henderson, of Edinburgh.

Robert Baillie, of Glasgow.

Robert Douglas, of Edinburgh.

George Gillespie, of Edinburgh.

Samuel Rutherford, of St. Andrews.

St. Robert Blair, of St. Andrews.

Elders:

John, Earl of Cassilis (never sat)

John, Lord Maitland, after Earl of Lauderdale.

Sir Archibald Johnston, of Warriston.

Robert Meldrum, in absence of Johnston.

John, Earl of London.

Sir Charles Erskine.

John, Lord Balmerino, v. London.

Archibald, Marquis of Argyll.

George Winrham, of Libberton v. Argyll.

A THEOLOGICAL AND PRACTICAL HISTORY OF THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

By C. Matthew McMahon, Ph.D.

PART 1: THE HISTORY OF THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

After the recovery of the Gospel at the time of the Reformation, the Presbyterian Church was officially established in Scotland in 1561. Previously, John Knox had, through his preaching, incited a religious civil war of sorts which lasted one year called “The Riot of Perch.” The war pressed the Scottish Parliament to put an end to the Church of Rome in that country as the “National Church” in 1560. Theological convictions overflowing from the Protestant Reformation caused the leaders of that country to maintain a religious covenant in December of 1577 for the good of the kirk even weathering various civil persecutions brought upon them by Mary Queen of Scots which were coming in force. Nonetheless, in 1581, the King’s Confession became widespread as a national covenant of the Scots. This covenant would later bring a further reformation not only to Scotland, but England and Ireland as well.

The Presbyterian system and the Reformed faith continued to have a stormy course during this historical epoch of reform through both England and Scotland. King James I (James IV of Scotland) sought to set forth the government structure of episcopacy on the Church of Scotland; for him it was essential to the royal prerogative. “No bishop, no king,” was his conviction. Yet strangely enough James left the presbyteries largely undisturbed. Moreover, he sent representatives to the Synod of Dort, and although none of these could speak officially for the Church of Scotland, the latter accepted the decrees of that gathering.[1]

King James I was succeeded by his son Charles I in 1625. To the last degree he was opinionative and despotic.[2] Charles believed in the divine right of Kings, jus divinum dominicum, and repudiated any advice of his Scottish and English Parliaments. In 1629, Charles I dissolved the English Parliament and attempted to rule without them. During this time Charles desired to impose a new liturgy upon the Church of Scotland without requiring the consent of the Scottish Parliament, who, as already stated, were under a covenant for the religious uniformity of the church. This new liturgy was Episcopalian and was designed to eradicate both Presbyterianism and the Puritan movement. Charles attempted not only to make the Church of Scotland Episcopal but also to bring its services into conformity with the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England that had been previously set up by Queen Elizabeth.[3] To further his cause, in 1636, Charles bestowed full ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the Court of High Commission, the Star Chamber, and the Council of the North to Archbishop William Laud of Canterbury. This authority allowed Laud to remain tyrannical over anyone who dared to oppose his actions.

While Archbishop Laud attempted to forcibly impose certain religious reforms over the Scots, the people decided to renew their covenant together, and included a clause in the document that would place them in direct opposition to prelacy of any kind. It was Scottish abhorrence of these measures that led them to resist by vowing to uphold the National Covenant in 1638.[4] The National Covenant consisted of three portions. The first was a reproduction of that older covenant, the King’s Confession of 1581; the second enumerated the various acts of the Scottish Parliament that condemned Popery and confirmed the privileges of the Reformed Church; the third was a gracious and emphatic protest against those alien modes of worship which had provoked the present troubles. Warrsiton was the author of the second portion, and Alexander Henderson was the author of the third.[5]

The Scots would war against England if it continued to oppress them with a form of religious worship that was not in conjunction with both the Scriptures and the Reformed Faith. The Covenant called for the immediate withdrawal of the new prayer book and rejected Episcopacy in favor of Presbyterianism. Although it emphasized Scotland’s loyalty to the King, the Covenant also declared that any move towards Roman Catholicism would not be tolerated. The Covenanters called an Assembly at Glasgow in November 1638 that the Marquis of Hamilton, the King’s Commissioner, declared to be illegal. Despite Hamilton’s attempts to dissolve it, the Assembly continued to sit in defiance of the King, moving to Edinburgh in 1639. Charles began forming an army to march against Scotland. The Scots responded by appointing the veteran Alexander Leslie to organize the Army of the Covenant. The clash between the King and the Covenanters resulted in the Bishops’ Wars in 1639-1640.

Charles was nervous over this war with the Scots, and did not have enough money to raise a formidable army against them. As a result, Parliament was recalled to make negotiations with the Scots. This formation of Parliament was called “Long Parliament” due to its tenure – longer than that of the previous gathering called “Short Parliament” having been dissolved by the king. England herself as a whole was concerned at the state of affairs under Charles I. Thus, Long Parliament took advantage of its power to work revolutionary changes in the Church of England after its convocation. For months it intermittently debated various proposals that were urged on it. There was general conviction that the Catholic features introduced by Archbishop Laud must be dispelled, such as making the communion tables into altars, the use of images and candles, and communion rails.[6]

A clear call for an assembly of divines, whose task would be to advise the government on the reformation of the Church, was summoned through the speeches of the members of the Long Parliament and in sermons of preachers who addressed the members at Westminster – these cries were heard from 1641-1642. The belief that the prelates had been closely associated with political tyranny, popery and the revived heresy of Pelagius through modified Arminianism during the 1630’s had brought the “Lord Bishops” and their role in the country into disrepute—so much so that Archbishop Laud was taken into custody by Parliament and the bishops eventually lost their seats in the House of Lords. As Toon notes, “The call for reformation in the Church, however, was not an isolated issue; it accompanied a determined attempt by Parliament to achieve a reduction of the ‘tyrannical power’ of the King and his advisers and an increase in the representative power of Parliament in order to achieve a balance between the Court and Country.”[7] Parliament addressed itself first of all to what is known as the Grand Remonstrance, which was practically a long indictment of the King’s conduct ever since his ascension, to which he only replied by speaking disdainfully of their proposed ecclesiastical reforms. In the Grand Remonstrance of November 1641, addressed by Parliament to the King, the matter of religious reform was mentioned in the context of the complaints about the evil counselors employed by the King and the intention of Parliament to put matters on a just foundation. Toon says, “Concerning an assembly, the Grand Remonstrance requested: ‘We desire there may be a General Synod of the most grave, pious, learned and judicious divines of this Island: assisted with some from foreign parts professing the same religion with us, who may consider of all things necessary for the peace and good government of the Church and represent the results of their consultations to Parliament.’ Between the issue of the Grand Remonstrance and the outbreak of civil war nine months later, the country divided between Royalist and Parliamentarian.”[8] Though Charles had reassembled them for intervention with the Scots, they took the opportunity to right all wrongs including the political upheaval they saw in Charles’ despotism. Charles rejected this Remonstrance, and followed up by the attempted arrest of the five members of the House of Commons who had taken a leading part in formulating the Remonstrance, which included Pym, Nye, and Oliver Cromwell. Though he was baffled in this, it practically brought on a crisis from which he felt there could be no escape but by an appeal to arms. On the 22nd of August Charles I set up the royal standard on Nottingham Hill, and called upon all loyal subjects to come to his aid against a rebellious Parliament. The nation was plunged into Civil War, the allegiance of the people being challenged, not as in the Wars of the Roses, by rival Houses, but claimed by the rival authorities of King and Parliament. It was not a Social War, but one for sovereign right on the part of the people as well as on that of the King. Cromwell also speaking on the subject twelve years after the war broke out, said distinctly that, “Religion was not the thing at first contested for, but God brought it to that issue at last, and at last it proved to be that which was most dear to us.” And certainly, as we follow the course of events, “it becomes clear that it was not Presbyterianism that brought on the war, but the war that brought in Presbyterianism.” This system became organized in England in the seventeenth century, not as a matter of national preference, but of military necessity.[9]

In areas where Parliament was in control, it is to be assumed that Puritan preachers continued their work faithfully. There was need for a national synod to advise Parliament on what form the National Church and Religion should now take. After five successive failures a bill finally passed through both Houses in June, 1643, which called the Westminster Assembly of divines into being. Parliament took the task of calling together a committee in which could revise the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion for the times. A committee was set down for this purpose, but later it was thought that a convocation of divines should come together for an entire revamping of the religious system of government now being imposed on the entire island. It was here that the Westminster Assembly was called together. Charles never agreed to the calling of a synod of divines even though Parliament prepared and agreed to several bills for this purpose.[10] The ordinance shows that the principal concern of Parliament at this stage was the reformation of the government of the Church and the “vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the Church of England from all false calumnies and aspersions.” One hundred and twenty ministers and thirty laymen were invited to attend, but only about half the number attended with any regularity. The Assembly first met on July 1st, 1643, in Westminster Abbey. Importantly Toon notes, “It needs perhaps to be emphasized that this Assembly had no independent power; it was wholly dependent upon Parliament as to the subject matter of its discussions and for the implementation of its conclusions.”[11]

The members of the Assembly, all being Calvinists, were essentially agreed in doctrine. They were also all agreed in wanting to change the prelacy of the existing Episcopal system of church government, though some held out hope for a modified form of Episcopacy. It was also apparent before the beginning of the Assembly that some of the Puritan brotherhood, particularly those who had experienced Congregationalism while in exile in the Netherlands under the Brownists, were in favor of Independency within a national church. The Scottish delegation, naturally, favored the Presbyterian system of church government as it had been established in their homeland in the days of John Knox and of Andrew Melville. One of the first major turning-points came as a result of a deteriorating military situation in 1643 that led to the Solemn League and Covenant.

The Solemn League and Covenant was originally framed by Alexander Henderson, moderator of the Assembly, and laid before the English commissioners. At first they startled somewhat at its terms, some of them wishing for a “greater latitude of expression and explanation to the phrases in the document,” to leave room for the introduction of the Independent or Congregational system of church government. In this, too, a slight compromise was made, no specific plan for the reformation of religion in England and Ireland being stated, except that it should be “according to the Word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches,” which were, however, Presbyterian. Yet, with this mode of expressing the general principle, all were satisfied; and after receiving the approbation of the private committees, the Solemn League and Covenant was submitted to the General Assembly on the 17th of August 1643, passed unanimously, amidst the applause of some, and the bursting tears of a deep, full, and sacred joy of others; and in the afternoon, with the same cordial unanimity, passed the Convention of Estates. “This,” says Baillie, “seems to be a new period and crisis of the most great adair which these hundred years has exercised these dominions.” He was not mistaken; it was indeed the commencement of a new period in the history of the Christian Church, though that period has not yet run its full round, nor reached its crisis—a crisis which will shake and [newly] mold the world.[12]

In an anxious condition the puritans turned to their brethren in Scotland for help, and in November 1643 the Scottish Parliament agreed to send 21,000 men to their assistance, but only on the understanding that the Solemn League and Covenant should be accepted in England as it had been in Scotland, and so pledge the two nations to unite for the reformation of religion according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches. There were many in England who were willing to modify or even set aside Episcopacy, but there were many also who favored congregational independence, which would be as rigorously repressed under the Scottish system as it had been under the bishops; and there were few who were willing to introduce into England the inquisitorial jurisdiction exercised by the Church courts in Scotland. The necessity, however, was urgent; military help must be had and it could only be had on the terms offered.[13]

The Scottish commissioners entered the Assembly just as it was giving up its effort to revise the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England, its major task of the summer of 1643, and was turning to the pressing matters of worship, ordination, and church government.[14] The Commissioners arrived at Edinburgh August 9th, and were favorably received by the assembly, who proposed as a preliminary, that the two nations should enter into a perpetual covenant for themselves and their posterity, that all things might be done in God’s house according to his will; and having appointed some of their number to consult with the English commissioners about a proper form, they chose delegates for the Westminster Assembly and unanimously advised the convention of states to assists the parliament in the war.[15] The English Parliaments’ struggle against Charles I was primarily on constitutional issues, while that of the Scots was on religious grounds (i.e. opposing Charles’ attempt to force upon their Kirk the Book of Common Prayer, etc.)[16] So this first order of business for the Scots in forming a national covenant with England would set the foundation for their assembly in general. The London Parliament desperately needed the help of the Scottish armies in the War and the only way that the Scots would make them available was on the basis of a religious covenant, not a civil one.[17]

The instructions of the Scottish commissioners were to “promote the extirpation of Popery, prelacy, heresy, schism, skepticism, and idolatry, and to endeavor a union between the two kingdoms in one confession of faith, one form of church-government, and one directory of worship.”[18] Thus, they set out first to covenant together and drew up a committee for the purpose of creating this document. The committee for drawing up the Solemn League and Covenant delivered it into the Assembly August 17, where it was read and highly applauded by the ministers and lay-leaders, none opposing it except the king’s commissioners; so that it passed both the assembly and the convention in one day.[19] These Covenants had been adopted by the Church of Scotland, and bound the signers to defend Presbyterians.[20] The bond of alliance finally adopted was the complete version of the Solemn League and Covenant. Whether we approve or disapprove of its form, it was in its substance undeniably lawful and even necessary, since it was drafted for the defense of religion and liberty; and in its issue it saved the liberties of Great Britain.[21]

In particular, this Covenant was drawn together with a special purpose. When their commissioners arrived at London, they presented the covenant to the two houses, who referred it to the assembly of divines, where it met with a little opposition. Dr. Featly declared, “he durst not abjure prelacy absolutely, because he had sworn to obey his bishop in all things lawful and honest, and therefore proposed to qualify the second article thus, “I will endeavour the extirpation of Popery, and all antichristian, tyrannical, or independent prelacy.”” But this was carried against him.

When the Solemn League and Covenant had received the assent of the Scottish Convention of Estates and General Assembly, a copy of it was sent to the English Parliament and the Westminster Divines, for their consideration. Commissioners were appointed to attend that Assembly, partly elders and partly ministers. The elders were, the Earl of Cassilis, Lord Maitland, and Johnston of Warriston; the ministers were Messers Henderson, Baillie, Gillespie, Rutherford, and Douglas; but neither the Earl of Cassilis nor Mr. Robert Douglas ever attended, so that the Scottish commissioners were six in all. When the document reached Westminster, several days were spent by the English divines in considering its various propositions, and some slight verbal alterations were made, (for the sake of explanation) particularly the specific statement of what is meant by Prelacy.

There were some slight oppositions, as stated, but none so much as by Dr. Burgess. He objected to several articles, and was not without some difficulty persuaded to subscribe. It was agreed to by all except Dr. Burgess, “who continued to resist it and to refuse his assent for several days, until he incurred the serious displeasure of both Assembly and Parliament, which he at last averted by yielding.”[22] The prolocutor Mr. Gataker, and many others, declared for primitive episcopacy, or for one stated president with his presbyters to govern every church, and refused to subscribe till a parenthesis was inserted, declaring what sort of prelacy was to be abjured (viz. “church-government by archbishops, bishops, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and all other ecclesiastical officers depending upon them.”) The Scots, who had been introduced into the assembly September 15th, were for abjuring episcopacy as simply unlawful, but the English divines were generally against it. For the sake of the Scots alliance, they were prevailed with to lay aside the name and function of bishops, and attempt the establishing of a Presbyterial form, which at length they advanced into jus divinum, or a divine institution, derived expressly from Christ and his apostles.[23]

Bishop Burnet says, “our commissioners pressed chiefly for a civil league, but the Scots would have a religious one, to which the English were obliged to yield, taking care, at the same time, to leave a door open for a latitude of interpretation of Sir Henry Vane put the word “league” into the title, as thinking that might be broken sooner than a covenant; and in the first article he inserted that general phrase, of reforming “according to the word of God,” by which the English thought themselves secure from the inroads of presbytery; but the Scots relied upon the next words, “and according to the practice of the best reformed churches,” in which they were confident their discipline must be included.[24] When Mr. Coleman read the covenant before the House of Lords, in order to their subscribing it, he declared, that by prelacy all sorts of episcopacy were not intended, but only the form therein described. Thus the wise men on both sides endeavored to outwit each other in wording the articles.

The Covenant was then read over clause by clause, and explanations given where it seemed difficult to perceive the intention, until the whole document received the sanction of the Assembly. With these slight amendments the covenant passed the assembly (both houses of parliament) and by an order dated September 21st, was printed and published.[25] It was then appointed by the Parliament, and assented to by the Assembly, that the Covenant should be publicly taken by these bodies on the 25th of September. Hetherington describes this account and reception: “To complete in one view the account of this matter, the Covenant was taken by the House of Lords on the 15th of October, after sermon by Dr. Temple, and an exhortation by Mr. Coleman. On that day, accordingly, the House of Commons, with the Assembly of Divines and the Scottish commissioners, met in the Church of St. Margaret, Westminster; and the Rev. Mr. White of Dorchester, one of the assessors, commenced the solemnity with prayer. Mr. Nye then addressed the dignified and grave audience in a speech of an hour’s duration, pointing out the Scripture authority of such covenants, and the advantage of which they had been productive to the Church of God in all ages. Mr. Henderson followed in a speech considerably shorter, but of great dignity and power. Mr. Nye then read it from the pulpit, slowly and aloud, pausing at the close of every article, while the whole audience of statesmen and divines arose, and, with their right hands held up to heaven, worshipped the great name of God, and gave their sacred pledge. Then the members of the House of Commons subscribed the Covenant on one roll of parchment, and the Assembly on another; and when this was done, the solemn scene was closed by prayer and praise to that omniscient God to whom they had lifted up their hands and made their vows.”[26] So, this Covenant, drafted by Henderson and accepted by the English Commissioners, was transmitted to England, had some small modifications made, was approved by the Assembly and accepted by the Houses, and finally was directed to be subscribed throughout the kingdom, as it was also in Scotland.[27] The day when this Covenant was “subscribed,” says the Erastian Coleman, “was a day of great contentment and joy.”[28]

The orders for the dissemination of the Solemn League and Covenant appears as follows: Ordered, “That copies of the covenant be sent to all commanders-in-chief, and governors of towns, forts, garrisons, and soldiers, that it may be taken by all the soldiers under their command.”[29] The congregations also took it in and around London on the following Lord’s Day. However on October 9th, Charles I issued a proclamation from Oxford, denouncing this document as “in truth nothing else but a traitorous and seditious combination against us and the established religion of this kingdom;” charging and commanding all his loving subjects, upon their allegiance, “that they presume not to take the said seditious and traitorous Covenant.” In opposition to this, an order was issued by the Parliament, in February, 1644, commanding the Covenant to be taken throughout the kingdom of England by all persons above the age of eighteen years; which order was accompanied by an exhortation prepared by the Assembly of Divines. This was to be done, upon every day of fasting and public humiliation, publicly read in every church and congregation within the kingdom; and every letter, in a table fitted to be hung up in the public place of the church or congregation, to be read by the people.[30]

In Scotland, as soon as information was received of what had taken place in London, the Committee of Estates ordered the Covenant to be subscribed by all ranks and conditions of people, on penalty of the confiscation of property, or such other punishment as his Majesty and the Parliament might desire to inflict. This harsh command was intended to bear against that faction of the nobility who were known to have entered into a secret confederacy with the king; and its effect was, to drive some into right, and all into more desperate opposition. But this, it will be observed, was the act of the civil not the ecclesiastical, authorities in Scotland; and it proceeded mainly upon the principle, that the bond so far enforced was not only a religious covenant, but also a civil league. It was unfortunate that civil and religious matters should have been so blended, because whatever civil measures were adopted, or civil penalties were indicted, were sure to be unfairly charged against the religious element, instead of the civil, to which they truly owed their origin. But even this unpropitious circumstance was forced upon the Covenanters; partly by the fact that the proceedings of the king were equally hostile to civil and to religious liberty, and partly by their unavoidable union with the English Parliament, in which the struggle was even more directly for civil than for religious liberty. [31]

Since the Solemn League and Covenant had been adopted, the Scots did not delay to urge on the practical fulfillment of those engagements for the reformation and uniformity in religion which had been placed in the forefront of it and gave it its main value in their eyes.[32] As Mitchell rightly states, “The Covenant in the eyes of all true Scotsmen, will ever stand identified with the cause of Protestantism, the cause of civil and religious liberty, in a great crisis in British History; it will be recognized as testimony against Popery, sacerdotalism, and all profaneness, which at no small cost fathers kept up when it was abandoned elsewhere, and which we ought not to let down though we have to bear it in other forms, or to carry it out in other ways. In the eyes of many patriotic Englishmen at that crisis of their struggle for their religion and liberties, it appeared hardly less glorious.”[33]

After the reception of the Covenant, its practical application would be observed within the test of orthodoxy. The General Assembly in Edinburgh knew that there could be no hope of unity in religion until there was one form of ecclesiastical government. To think otherwise, in any age, is impossible. A parliamentary ordinance was passed on August 19th, 1645, for the setting up of Presbyterian government as the national form of religion. John Brown says, “The parish churches of London, one hundred and thirty-seven in number, were to be arranged in twelve classes, the Chapel of the Rolls, the two Sergeants’ Inns, and the four Inns of Court together making up the thirteenth. For the country at large county committees were to map out classical districts, the several classes as approved by Parliament to have power to constitute congregational eldership. These elderships corresponding to the Kirk session of the Scottish Church were to meet once a week, the classes corresponding to the presbytery once a month, the provincial synod twice a year, and the National Assembly to meet in session as summoned by Parliament and not otherwise.” [34] By the second parliamentary ordinance dated March 14th, 1646, it was commanded that a choice of elders be made throughout the kingdom of England and the dominion of Wales, in their respective churches and chapels. So, as far as legislation was concerned the new Presbyterian system was ready to become an actual reality in the national life.

The system of Church government made absolute by ordinance of Parliament “was sufficiently rigid.”[35] Its basis was, of course, parochial. Every parishioner living within a given area was required to take his place in the parochial organization and submit to the parochial authorities. Every parish congregation was to choose its representative to sit in the Provincial or National Assembly, and no ecclesiastical community except that of the parish was to be allowed to exist. This was altogether too narrow for some who had been fighting for freedom as against King and prelate (i.e. the Independents) and Oliver Cromwell obtained an Order from the House that an endeavor should be made to find some way how far “tender consciences who cannot in all things submit to the common rule which shall be established, may be borne with according to the Word.”[36] It is unfortunate that years later Cromwell by his soldiers forcibly dissolved the General Assembly of the Scottish Church which they thought he had covenanted to preserve to them.[37] English soldiers, by physical power, broke the covenant that first bound all by religious conviction. Though later, after Cromwell’s death, Presbyterianism would again be established among the island. One must pause here, to consider the nature of the covenant broken. The reader should take serious notice of Cromwell’s actions: from the execution of another covenanted brother (Christopher Love), and the imprisonment of those he believed were rising up to restore the monarchy (Thomas Watson and William Jenkins among others) after he tried and convicted Charles I for high treason against the English nation. Is it lawful, then, to break a religious covenant that singularly bound the Reformed churches in order to uphold civil war? No, it is not.

PART 2: THE THEOLOGY BEHIND THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

There is a prevalent idea that the Solemn League and Covenant was merely a religious bond, the device of an exclusive and sour Presbyterianism—a propagandist measure, promoted mainly by propagandist zealots. Nothing could be farther from the truth of history. The Solemn League and Covenant was the “matured and compendious deliverance of the people of England and Scotland on the great question of civil and religious liberty, as it stood in that age; and it put into shape the practical steps which it behoved the two nations to take, if they would retain the blessings of a free Government and a Protestant Church. This bond was framed with much care by the Scottish Parliament and the General Assembly of the Scottish Church, with the concurrence and assistance of the English commissioners who were sent down for that purpose.”[38] (It was again renewed in Scotland, with an acknowledgement of sins and engagements to duties, by all ranks, in the year 1648, and by Parliament, 1649; and taken and subscribed by King Charles II, at Spey, June 23, 1650; and at Scoon, January 1, 1651.)

The Scriptures utilized in the introduction by the Assembly in proving the necessity of the Solemn League and Covenant are Jeremiah 50:5, Proverbs 25:5, 2 Chronicles 15:15 and Galatians 3:15. Jeremiah 50:5 states, “Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten.” The Jews here were reminded by the Prophet to validate their zealousness to His worship by covenanting. In Proverbs 25:5 it says, “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.” That which is finer produces vessels unto honor, and by taking away the dross it becomes pure. The destructive influence of wickedness in the courts of the king must be removed in order to purify his court. In 2 Chronicles 15:15 the Scripture reads, “And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart.” Here, the tribe of Judah is seen as rejoicing in the lawful oath they took before God. It was a true oath in which they sore to uphold before God with all their heart. This Scripture previously explains the worship given to God during the reign of King Asa. In verse 10-14 it says, “So they gathered together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa. And they offered to the LORD at that time seven hundred bulls and seven thousand sheep from the spoil they had brought. Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; and whoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. Then they took an oath before the LORD with a loud voice, with shouting and trumpets and rams’ horns.” It is at this point that Judah rejoices because of the zealous extent to her vow to God. As a result, the end of verse 15 sates, “and He;[God] was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around.” In Galatians the apostle says, “Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed by an oath, no man disannulleth or addeth thereto.” Paul, at this point, is making an allusion to human covenants made by oath. Such oaths cannot be disannulled, nor one jot added to them. His conclusion is, therefore, how much more sure are the promises made to Abraham. However, for the purposes of the Solemn League and Covenant, the idea that men can bind themselves together in such a lawful oath, and not be separated by it was the expressed theological intention behind the covenant from its inception.

The Solemn League and Covenant begins with its purpose, “for reformation and defense of religion, the honor and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland; agreed upon by Commissioners from the Parliament and Assembly of Divines in England, with Commissioners of the Convention of Estates and General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and by both Houses of Parliament, and the Assembly of Divines in England, and taken and subscribed by them in the year 1643; and thereafter, by the said authority, taken and subscribed by all ranks in Scotland and England the same year; and ratified by act of the Parliament of Scotland in the year 1644.” Such a statement was summation of its intent. First it stood for the reformation and defense of religion. In every age the Christian is bound by his allegiance to King Jesus to defend the true religion. Secondly, it served to preserve the honor and happiness of the King. Such a statement only served the king if he were to abide heartily by the statures placed upon the kingdom by the covenant. King Charles, though, did not subscribe to this, and repudiated it before the kingdom desiring, instead, to set up a despotism ruled through the prelacy. Thirdly, it served to secure the peace and safety of the three kingdoms. If religious uniformity was secure, and the king was upon his throne in righteousness and for the cause of Christ according to true doctrine, then such a safety and peace would be unavoidable. Such sentiments are consistent with both the Confession penned by the Assembly (cf. Chapter 22 on Lawful Oaths and Vows) and the Scriptures which call for a zealous obedience before Christ in the things of God (Luke 10:27).

The Solemn League and Covenant is divided into eight sections: an introductory paragraph, six statements and explanations, and then a conclusion. In the introductory paragraph there is an address made by the various classes of people throughout the kingdoms to hold to uniform religion as stated in the Reformed church. It is stated under the phrase, “and being of one reformed religion.” Such a religion was founded by Christ, carried through Augustinian theology up to the Reformation, and then lit on fire by men like Zwingli, Calvin, Farel and Courralt. It was then carried over by the Scots, and set ablaze by the Westminster Assembly, and this Covenant. This reformed religion was being contended for with the glory of Christ before their faces, and protected for the purposes of “the preservation of ourselves and our religion from utter ruin and destruction.” For any zealous Christian the worship of the Almighty God should resemble the continual protection of his heart and soul, as such under the reforms of good king Josiah in 1 Kings 23. It was not that the divines desire to create a new form of worship and church government, but to render themselves guided by “commendable practice[s] of these kingdom in former times,” most assuredly referring back to the first great Reformation and Revival of the church under Luther and Calvin. And as the divines so stated, with such intent, “after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a Mutual and Solemn League and Covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the Most High GOD, do swear.”

The Westminster Assembly swore six particulars, enumerated in six paragraphs. First, “That we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the grace of GOD, endeavor, in our several places and callings, the preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, against our common enemies; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, according to the Word of GOD, and the example of the best reformed Churches.” This brings up the question as to what it truly means to be “reformed.” There is an appeal here to history. There are those who believe that leaning upon historical information, as argumentation, is fallacious. They believe that since history is ever evolving, or changing as men die and others take their place, to set forth an argument based on history would be to argue without knowing all the facts, and would be invalid. This kind of thought, though, is faulty at the start, and would actually argue vehemently against Sola Scriptura itself, and the regula fide of the church, taken to its logical conclusion. To define, “reformed” then, is to appeal to the Scriptural formulations of those who upheld the Reformed faith as it emerged during the Reformation. Being “reformed” meant something to the “Reformed churches” of the day. To use the term to simply refer to the doctrines of grace, and the biblical propositions which prove them, is to use the term as slang.

There is no doubt that the Reformed Tradition traces its historical roots to the time of John Calvin (1509-1564). Calvin, though born in Noyon, France, could be considered as a “Swiss” reformer due to his long stay at the city-state Geneva in Switzerland. The term “Reformed” is itself not ambiguous. Even the third and fourth generation reformers (and Puritans) used the term considering men like Calvin and Zwingli as prime examples of the Reformed Tradition of that time. Francis Turretin uses this term quite extensively in his work on the “Calling of the First Reformers.” Thus, the term was easily acquainted with Protestantism during the 16th century as its foundation and root for definition. To be Reformed is to adhere to the theological formulations of the Swiss Reformed Church in worship, the sacraments, church government, and church discipline. These formulations were later adopted by the Church of Scotland, and then finally ratified by the Westminster Assembly under the 1647 Westminster Standards. Thus, the Solemn League and Covenant strove after following the best Reformed Churches on these subjects for the vitality and sanctification of the church of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, they “endeavour[ed] the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy (that is, Church government by archbishops, bishops, their chancellors and commissioners, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and all other ecclesiastical officers depending on that hierarchy), superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godliness.” Who would, in their right mind as a Protestant Christian, not desire such things? However, such a statement not only asserts the reality of a need for sound doctrine, and to refute error, but also that the government of the church in regulating such should be orthodox. Throughout the history of the Westminster Assembly no greater object was more the focus of the divines than this task. Presbyterianism had a strong basis in the national endorsement of the Solemn League and Covenant, and triumphed in the Westminster Assembly. The Solemn League and Covenant may therefore be called the Presbyterian theory of the seventeenth century.[39]

Thirdly, the Assembly made statements concerning the second table of the law in relation to the civil magistrate. They desired “with the same sincerity, reality, and constancy, in our several vocations, endeavour, with our estates and lives, mutually to preserve the rights and privileges of the Parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms.” This was a blatant testimony to religious freedom. Without true religious freedom, there could be no Solemn League and Covenant. However, as some argue the Solemn League and Covenant was voluntary, there would be no true religious freedom without the principles found within the Solemn League and Covenant. For the church to not desire religious uniformity would lead to chaos. For it to desire uniformity without voluntary liberty to such a uniformity would be a different type of Roman Catholicism with a document as Pope. It is therefore necessary that such a movement be voluntary, however, for those who would desire such a reformation in the church, there would be a need for lawful oaths of this kind. One cannot be done without the other.

Fourthly, the divines desired to expose any sin that would “be hindering the reformation of religion.” Any factions among the three kingdoms who covenanted together should be brought to trial in order for proper repentance to take place. Without such hindrances removed out of the way, there would still be sin in the camp, and the oath would not be lawfully bound between the three kingdoms with purpose of mind (Joshua 7:1ff).

Fifthly, they desired to continue in the sense of peace and prosperity that God brought them through together by this covenant in the three kingdoms.

Sixthly, they desired to “also, according to our places and callings, in this common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant.” This would later be directly violated by the use of force by Cromwell’s army upon the kingdom, though at first he swore to the Solemn League and Covenant. Rather, the purpose of this covenant would come to nothing if there was not something of this vow reminding all who lawfully took it to use every means they could in upholding the true religion of Jesus Christ in uniformity of worship and doctrine.

In the closing paragraph, the divines set forth an article of repentance. They surely knew that many sins were pressing upon them, and hindering the true reform of religion. The very reason such a sacred assembly convocated was because of impending war and bloodshed. They begged God for forgiveness and desired Him to bless their efforts in Jesus Christ as they attempted to uphold the Reformed Faith in the three said kingdoms.

PART 3: PRACTICAL THOUGHTS FOR CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS ON THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

What thoughts from this document are applicable to Christians today? Should Christians subscribe to the Solemn League and Covenant? Some understand the position of the divines to propagate a view of the true religion in such a way as to have no other possible manner of acting with religious conviction than full subscription first to the Covenant, and not only the Westminster Standards as a confessional document. They argue that these tenants were the fundamentals of the true religion, and to depart from them was to put one’s church outside the camp of the visible church. They say that the necessity by application, if one would stay true to the original intent of the confessional standards, would be to separate from all churches that do not walk according to the traditions of the apostles which have been faithfully passed on to the church through the Presbyterian forefathers of the faith (i.e. specifically binding all churches to the Solemn League and Covenant). They continue to argue that if one were to not have fellowship with individuals who do not walk according to the tradition of the apostles (which is the Scriptural rule of 1 Corinthians 5:11 (“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person.”) how much more should one separate with those churches that do not walk according to what the Westminster Assembly designated “the true religion?” They say that corporate apostasy from the tradition of the apostles is only an aggravation of the personal apostasy that the Bible speaks about by the apostles.

Such argumentation at first glance may be convincing, but the very fact of the kind of document the Solemn League and Covenant represents does not allow the contemporary Church to be bound by the Covenant unless they voluntarily take the covenant. Nor does one need to take the Covenant in order to believe the doctrinal truths of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Certainly, a voluntary covenanting to such articles by the church at large would ratify and expand the constitution of the church, and it would cause the session, presbyteries and General Assembly to convene on matters which violate the said Covenant. But such a Covenant would only be worthily upheld if the people themselves understood, even to some extent, the reasoning behind such articles of religion. To its demise, contemporary Presbyterian denominations do not even know their confession well, much less the Solemn League and Covenant to uphold such a confession more zealously. The perpetually binding nature of public social Covenants can only be upheld in Christian knowledge and understanding. This would mean a revitalization of the noblemen, barons, knights, gentlemen, citizens, burgesses again as a nation to come together. However, in the United States alone none of these classes even exist. A new formulation should be penned instead that regards the contemporary day in the same manner the 17th century divines did for their generation and country. However, these changes in the Covenant would be minor.

The Solemn League and Covenant though it was binding in its day fell into disregard, and was almost immediately overthrown by force alone under Oliver Cromwell. Though it was taken again, history demonstrates its perpetual disregard after generational apostasy. What would need to take place is a revival among the entire nations, as it once had, in order for the purpose of the document to revitalize. This unfortunately may only happen under the authority of Christ in heaven, for men continually break that which is sacred while they attempt the will of God on earth.

The Solemn League and Covenant also cannot be used as a document as equally binding upon the Christian unless that said Christian vows himself or herself to the document. Otherwise, it fails on its own accord as a voluntary document to uphold, as well as becoming a document that it was never intended to become – something which binds the conscience as equally as the Scriptures do. As the Westminster Confession of Faith states in chapter 22:7, “No man may vow to do any thing forbidden in the word of God, or what would hinder any duty therein commanded…” To be forced to vow a solemn oath without consent is to Judaize the document itself.

It is important to note in closing that this document, as Hetherington says, “it is the wisest, sublimest, most sacred document ever penned by uninspired men.” If such an attitude was taken by every Christian, and such knowledge of every Christian rose to the occasion to see this document as a sublime manuscript for reformation, it would be well worth the contemporary church’s time to draft an updated version of this document to be voluntarily adhered to by every Reformed Church on the planet. The church would then consent uniformly to the doctrine, worship, and government of the true Church of Jesus Christ for all time, until His blessed return wherein all things will be made manifestly perfect. However, would it be out of place to say that Christians should want to uphold the document? And that a failure to do so results in some misapplied or misinformed aspect of their theological view? Yes. Why? Every true Christian should always desire, with all their might, to uphold the true religion of Jesus Christ according to the Word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches. Why would one NOT want to do that?

THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

SOLEMN LEAGUE

AND

COVENANT,

FOR

REFORMATION,

AND

Defense of Religion, The Honor

and happiness of the KING, and the Peace

and Safety of the three Kingdoms

of

SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, AND IRELAND.

Taken and Subscribed several times by King Charles II, and by all ranks in the said three kingdoms.

With

AN ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1643 AND AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT 1644, RATIFYING AND APPROVING THE SAID LEAGUE AND COVENANT.

Jer. 50:5 Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten.

Prov. 25:5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

2 Chron. 15:15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for they had sworn with all their heart.

Gal. 3:15 Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed by an oath, no man disannulleth or addeth thereto.

EDINBURGH,

Printed by Evan Taylor, Printer to the King’s

most Excellent Majestie. 1643.

Assembly at EDINBURGH, August 17, 1643. Sess. 14.

The General Assembly’s Approbation of the SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT.

THE Assembly having recommended unto a Committee appointed by them to join with the Committee of the Honourable Convention of Estates, and the Commissioners of the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, for bringing the kingdoms to a more near conjunction and union, received from the foresaid Committees the Covenant after mentioned, as the result of their consultations: and having taken the same, as a matter of so publick concernment and so deep importance doth require, unto their gravest consideration, did, with all their hearts, and with the beginnings of the feelings of that joy, which they did find in go great measure upon the renovation of the National Covenant of this kirk and kingdom, All with one voice approve ad embrace the same, as the most powerful mean, by the blessing of GOD, for settling and preserving the true Protestant religion with perfect peace in his Majesty’s dominions, and propagating the same to other nations, and for establishing his majesty’s throne to all ages and generations. And therefore, with their best affections, recommend the same to the Honourable Convention of Estates, that, being examined and approved by them, it may be sent with all diligence to the kingdom of England, that, being received and approven there the same may be, with publick humiliation, and all religious and answerable solemnity, sworn and subscribed by all true professors of the reformed religion, an all his Majesty’s good subjects in both kingdoms.

A. JOHNSTOUN.

CHARLES I. Parl. 3. Sess. 1. Act 5. ACT anent the Ratification of the calling of the Convention, Ratification of the League and Covenant, Articles of Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, and remanent Acts of the Convention of Estates, and Committee thereof.

AT EDINBURGH, July 15, 1644.

THE Estates of Parliament, presently convened by virtue of the last act of the last Parliament, holden by his Majesty, and the three Estates, in anno 1641, considering, that the Lords of his Majesty’s Privy Council, and Commissioners for conserving the articles of the treaty, having, according to their interests and trust committed to them by his Majesty and Estates of Parliament, used all means, by supplications, remonstrances, and sending of Commissioners, for securing the peace of this kingdom, and removing the unhappy distractions betwixt his Majesty and his subjects in England, in such a way as might serve most for his Majesty’s honour, and good of both kingdoms; and their humble and dutiful endeavours for so good ends having proven ineffectual, and their offer of mediation and intercession being refused by his Majesty; and thereby finding the weight and difficulty of affairs, and the charge lying on them to be greater than they could bear; did therefore, in the month of May 1643, meet together with the Commissioners for the common burdens, that, by joint advice, some resolution might be taken therein; and in respect of the danger imminent to the true Protestant religion, his Majesty’s honour, and peace of thir kingdoms, by the multitude of Papists and their adherents in arms in England and Ireland, and of many other publick and important affairs, which could not admit delay, and did require the advice of the representative body of the kingdom; appointed and caused indict a meeting of the Convention of Estates (his Majesty having formerly refused their humble desires for a Parliament) to be on the 22d of June following; which diet being frequently kept by the Noblemen, commissioners of shires and burghs, and they finding these dangers against this kirk and state still increasing, resolved, after serious deliberation and advice of the General Assembly, and joint concurrence of the Commissioners authorized by the Parliament of England, that one of the chiefest remedies for preventing of these and the like dangers, for preservation of religion, and both kingdoms, from ruin and destruction, and for procuring of peace, That both kingdoms should, for these ends, enter into Covenant; which was accordingly drawn up, and cheerfully embraced and allowed. And at last a treaty was agreed unto by both kingdoms, concerning the said Covenant, and assistance craved from this kingdom to the kingdom of England, in pursuance of the ends expressed therein:–And the Estates being still desirous to use all good means, that, without the effusion of more blood, there may be such a blessed pacification betwixt his Majesty and his subjects, as may tend to the good of religion, his Majesty’s true honour and safety, and happiness of his people, did therefore give commission to John Earl of Loudoun, Lord Chancellor, Lord Maitland, Lord Waristoun, and Mr. Robert Barclay, to repair to England, and endeavour the effectuating of these ends contained in the covenant of treaties, conform to their instructions.

And the said Estates having taken the proceedings above written to their consideration, do find and declare, That the Lords of council, and conservers of peace, did behave themselves as faithful counsellors, loyal subjects, and good patriots, in tendering their and in calling the Commissioners for the common burdens, and, by joint advice, appointing the late meeting of Convention, wherein they have approven themselves answerable to the duty of their places, and that trust committed to them; and therefore ratifies and approves their whole proceedings therein, and declares the said Convention was lawfully called, and also full and free in itself, consisting of all the members thereof, as any Convention hath been at any time bygone; and ratifies and approves the several acts made by them, or their committee, for enjoining the Covenant. And also, the said estates of Parliament (but prejudice of the premises, and of the general ratification above mentioned) ratify, approve, and confirm the foresaid mutual League and Covenant, concerning the reformation and defence of religion, the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace a safety of the three kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland; together with the acts of the Kirk an Estate authorizing the same League and Covenant; together also with the foresaid articles of treaty and the Commissioners of both the Houses of Parliament of England, concerning the said Solemn League and Covenant. And the said Estates ordain the same acts, with the League and Covenant above specified, acts authorizing the same, and the articles of treaty foresaid, to have the full force and strength of perfect laws and acts of Parliament, and to be observed by all his Majesty’s lieges, conform to the tenors thereof respective.

Of the which League and Covenant, the tenor follows:

THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT, for reformation and defence of religion, the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland; agreed upon by Commissioners from the Parliament and Assembly of Divines in England, with Commissioners of the Convention of Estates and General Assembly of the Church of Scotland; approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and by both Houses of Parliament, and the Assembly of Divines in England, and taken and subscribed by them anno 1643; and thereafter, by the said authority, taken and subscribed by all ranks in Scotland and England the same year; and ratified by act of the Parliament of Scotland anno 1644. (And again renewed in Scotland, with an acknowledgement of sins and engagements to duties, by all ranks, anno 1648, and by Parliament, 1649; and taken and subscribed by King Charles II, at Spey, June 23, 1650; and at Scoon, January 1, 1651.)

We, noblemen, barons, knights, gentlemen, citizens, burgesses, ministers of the Gospel, and commons of all sorts, in the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland, by the providence of GOD living under one king, and being of one reformed religion, having before our eyes the glory of God, and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, the honour and happiness of the king’s majesty and his posterity, and the true public liberty, safety, and peace of the kingdom, wherein every one’s private condition is included: and calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots, conspiracies, attempts, and practices of the enemies of GOD, against the true religion and professors thereof in all places, especially in these three kingdoms, ever since the reformation of religion; and how much their rage, power, and presumption, are of late, and at this time, increased and exercised, whereof the deplorable state of the Church and kingdom of Ireland, the distressed state of the Church and kingdom of England, and the dangerous state of the Church and kingdom of Scotland, are present and public testimonies: we have now at last (after other means of supplication, remonstrance, protestation, and sufferings), for the preservation of ourselves and our religion from utter ruin and destruction, according to the commendable practice of these kingdoms in former times, and the example of GOD’S people in other nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a Mutual and Solemn League and Covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the Most High GOD, do swear,

I. That we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the grace of GOD, endeavor, in our several places and callings, the preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, against our common enemies; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, according to the Word of GOD, and the example of the best reformed Churches; and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of GOD in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion, Confession of Faith, Form of Church Government, Directory for Worship and Catechising; that we, and our posterity after us, may, as brethren, live in faith and love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.

II. That we shall, in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy (that is, Church government by archbishops, bishops, their chancellors and commissioners, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and all other ecclesiastical officers depending on that hierarchy), superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine and the power of Godliness; lest we partake in other men’s sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues; and that the Lord may be one, and his mane one, in the three kingdoms.

III. We shall, with the same sincerity, reality, and constancy, in our several vocations, endeavour, with our estates and lives, mutually to preserve the rights and privileges of the Parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms; and to preserve and defend the king’s majesty’s person and authority, in the preservation and defence of the true religion and liberties of the kingdoms; that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our loyalty, and that we have no other thoughts or intentions to diminish his majesty’s just power and greatness.

IV. We shall also, with all faithfulness, endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be incendiaries, malignants, or evil instruments, be hindering the reformation of religion, dividing the king from his people, or one of the kingdoms from another, or making any faction or parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant; that they may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme judicatories of both kingdoms respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge convenient.

V. And whereas the happiness of a blessed peace between these kingdoms, denied in former times to our progenitors, is, by the good providence of GOD, granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded and settled by both Parliaments; we shall, each one of us, according to our place and interest, endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm peace and union to all posterity; and that justice may be done upon the willful opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the precedent article.

VI. We shall also, according to our places and callings, in this common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof; and shall not suffer ourselves, directly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, persuasion, or terror, to be divided or withdrawn from this blessed union and conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or to give ourselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause, which so much concerneth the glory of God, the good of the kingdom, and honour of the king; but shall, all the days of our lives, zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition, and promote the same, according to our power, against all lets and impediments whatsoever; and what we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome, we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or removed: All which we shall do as in the sight of God.

And, because these kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against GOD, and his Son JESUS CHRIST, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof; we profess and declare, before GOD and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins, and for the sins of these kingdoms; especially that we have not, as we ought, valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel; that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof; and the we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts, not to walk worthy of him in our lives; which are the causes of other sins and transgression so much abounding amongst us: and our true and unfeigned purpose, desire, and endeavour, for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in public and private, in all duties we owe to GOD and man, to amend our lives, and each one to go before another in the example of a real reformation; that the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these Churches and kingdoms in truth and peace. And this Covenant we make in the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed; most humbly beseeching the LORD to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement to other Christian Churches, groaning under, or in danger of the yoke of antichristian tyranny, to join in the same or like association and covenant, to the glory of GOD, the enlargement of the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST, and the peace and tranquility of Christian kingdoms and commonwealths.

THE 1647 WESTMINSTER CONFESSION

The

1647

Westminster Confession of Faith

with

SCRIPTURE PROOFS AND TEXTS

from the

1611 KING JAMES BIBLE

with all relevant

SUBORDINATE DOCUMENTS

including

THE LARGER AND SHORTER CATECHISMS

PRESBYTERIAN FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT

PUBLICK & PRIVATE DIRECTORIES FOR WORSHIP

THE SUM OF SAVING KNOWLEDGE

Republished lately for the Church of Jesus Christ at large,

and the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly.

Printed at Coconut Creek, Florida;

BY

PURITAN PUBLICATIONS,

and C. Matthew & Therese B. McMahon,

Printer unto JESUS CHRIST, KING of kings, and LORD of lords, for His most Excellent Glory and Majestie.

2011.

MR. THOMAS MANTON’S EPISTLE TO THE READER

CHRISTIAN READER, I CANNOT suppose thee to be such a stranger in England as to be ignorant of the general complaint concerning the decay of the power of godliness, and more especially of the great corruption of youth. Wherever thou goest, thou wilt hear men crying out of bad children and bad servants; whereas indeed the source of the mischief must be sought a little higher: it is bad parents and bad masters that make bad children and bad servants; and we cannot blame so much their untowardness, as our own negligence in their education.

The devil hath a great spite at the kingdom of Christ, and he knoweth no such compendious way to crush it in the egg, as by the perversion of youth, and supplanting family-duties. He striketh at all those duties which are public in the assemblies of the saints; but these are too well guarded by the solemn injunctions and dying charge of Jesus Christ, as that he should ever hope totally to subvert and undermine them; but at family duties he striketh with the more success, because the institution is not so solemn, and the practice not so seriously and conscientiously regarded as it should be, and the omission is not so liable to notice and public censure. Religion was first hatched in families, and there the devil seeketh to crush it; the families of the Patriarchs were all the Churches God had in the world for the time; and therefore, (I suppose,) when Cain went out from Adam’s family, he is said to go out from the face of the Lord, Gen. 4:16. Now, the devil knoweth that this is a blow at the root, and a ready way to prevent the succession of Churches: if he can subvert families, other societies and communities will not long flourish and subsist with any power and vigor; for there is the stock from whence they are supplied both for the present and future.

For the present: A family is the seminary of Church and State; and if children be not well principled there, all miscarrieth: a fault in the first concoction is not mended in the second; if youth be bred ill in the family, they prove ill in Church and Commonwealth; there is the first making or marring, and the presage of their future lives to be thence taken, Prov. 20:11. By family discipline, officers are trained up for the Church, 1 Tim. 3:4, One that ruleth well his own house, etc.; and there are men bred up in subjection and obedience. It is noted, Acts 21:5, that the disciples brought Paul on his way with their wives and children; their children probably are mentioned, to intimate, that their parents would, by their own example and affectionate farewell to Paul, breed them up in a way of reverence and respect to the pastors of the Church.

For the future: It is comfortable, certainly, to see a thriving nursery of young plants, and to have hopes that God shall have a people to serve him when we are dead and gone: the people of God comforted themselves in that, Psa. 102:28, The Children of thy servants shall continue, etc.

Upon all these considerations, how careful should ministers and parents be to train up young ones whilst they are yet pliable, and, like wax, capable of any form and impression, in the knowledge and fear of God; and betimes to instill the principles of our most holy faith, as they are drawn into a short sum in Catechisms, and so altogether laid in the view of conscience! Surely these seeds of truth planted in the field of memory, if they work nothing else, will at least be a great check and bridle to them, and, as the casting in of cold water doth stay the boiling of the pot, somewhat allay the fervors of youthful lusts and passions.

I had, upon entreaty, resolved to recommend to thee with the greatest earnestness the work of catechizing, and, as a meet help, the usefulness of this book, as thus printed with the Scriptures at large: but meeting with a private letter of a very learned and godly divine, wherein that work is excellently done to my hand, I shall make bold to transcribe a part of it, and offer it to public view.

The author having bewailed the great distractions, corruptions, and divisions that are in the Church, he thus represents the cause and cure: Among others, a principal cause of these mischiefs is the great and common neglect of the governors of families, in the discharge of that duty which they owe to God for the souls that are under their charge, especially in teaching them the doctrine of Christianity. Families are societies that must be sanctified to God as well as Churches; and the governors of them have as truly a charge of the souls that are therein, as pastors have of the Churches. But, alas, how little is this considered or regarded! But while negligent ministers are (deservedly) cast out of their places, the negligent masters of families take themselves to be almost blameless. They offer their children to God in baptism, and there they promise to teach them the doctrine of the gospel, and bring them up in the nurture of the Lord; but they easily promise, and easily break it; and educate their children for the world and the flesh, although they have renounced these, and dedicated them to God. This covenant-breaking with God, and betraying the souls of their children to the devil, must lie heavy on them here or hereafter. They beget children, and keep families, merely for the world and the flesh: but little consider what a charge is committed to them, and what it is to bring up a child for God, and govern a family as a sanctified society.

O how sweetly and successfully would the work of God go on, if we would but all join together in our several places to promote it! Men need not then run without sending to be preachers; but they might find that part of the work that belongeth to them to be enough for them, and to be the best that they can be employed in. Especially women should be careful of this duty; because as they are most about their children, and have early and frequent opportunities to instruct them, so this is the principal service they can do to God in this world, being restrained from more publick work. And doubtless many an excellent magistrate hath been sent into the Commonwealth, and many an excellent pastor into the Church, and many a precious saint to heaven, through the happy preparations of a holy education, perhaps by a woman that thought herself useless and unserviceable to the Church. Would parents but begin betimes, and labour to affect the hearts of their children with the great matters of everlasting life, and to acquaint them with the substance of the doctrine of Christ, and, when they find in them the knowledge and love of Christ, would bring them then to the pastors of the Church to be tried, confirmed, and admitted to the further privileges of the Church, what happy, well-ordered Churches might we have! Then one pastor need not be put to do the work of two or three hundred or thousand governors of families, even to teach their children those principles which they should have taught them long before; nor should we be put to preach to so many miserable ignorant souls, that be not prepared by education to understand us; nor should we have need to shut out so many from holy communion upon the account of ignorance, that yet have not the grace to feel it and lament it, nor the wit and patience to wait in a learning state, till they are ready to be fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. But now they come to us with aged self-conceitedness, being past children, and yet worse than children still; having the ignorance of children, but being overgrown the teachableness of children; and think themselves wise, yea, wise enough to quarrel with the wisest of their teachers, because they have lived long enough to have been wise, and the evidence of their knowledge is their aged ignorance; and they are readier to flee in our faces for Church privileges, than to learn of us, and obey our instructions, till they are prepared for them, that they may do them good; like snappish curs, that will snap us by the fingers for their meat, and snatch it out of our hands; and not like children, that stay till we give it them. Parents have so used them to be unruly, that ministers have to deal but with too few but the unruly. And it is for want of this laying the foundation well at first, that professors themselves are so ignorant as most are, and that so many, especially of the younger sort, do swallow down almost any error that is offered them, and follow any sect of dividers that will entice them, so it be but done with earnestness and plausibility. For, alas! though by the grace of God their hearts may be changed in an hour, (whenever they understand but the essentials of the faith,) yet their understandings must have time and diligence to furnish them with such knowledge as must stablish them, and fortify them against deceits. Upon these, and many the like considerations, we should entreat all Christian families to take more pains in this necessary work, and to get better acquainted with the substance of Christianity. And, to that end, (taking along some moving treatises to awake the heart,) I know not what work should be fitter for their use, than that compiled by the Assembly at Westminster; a Synod of as godly, judicious divines, (notwithstanding all the bitter words which they have received from discontented and self-conceited men,) I verily think, as ever England saw. Though they had the unhappiness to be employed in calamitous times, when the noise of wars did stop men’s ears, and the licentiousness of wars did set every wanton tongue and pen at liberty to reproach them, and the prosecution and event of those wars did exasperate partial discontented men to dishonour themselves by seeking to dishonour them; I dare say, if in the days of old, when councils were in power and account, they had had but such a council of bishops, as this of presbyters was, the fame of it for learning and holiness, and all ministerial abilities, would, with very great honour, have been transmitted to posterity. I do therefore desire, that all masters of families would first study well this work themselves, and then teach it their children and servants, according to their several capacities. And, if they once understand these grounds of religion, they will be able to read other books more understandingly, and hear sermons more profitably, and confer more judiciously, and hold fast the doctrine of Christ more firmly, than ever you are like to do by any other course. First, let them read and learn the Shorter Catechism, and next the Larger, and lastly, read the Confession of Faith.

Thus far he, whose name I shall conceal, (though the excellency of the matter, and present style, will easily discover him,) because I have published it without his privity and consent, though, I hope, not against his liking and approbation. I shall add no more, but that I am, Thy servant, in the Lord’s work,

Thy servant, in the Lord’s work,

THOMAS MANTON

TO THE CHRISTIAN READER: ESPECIALLY HEADS OF FAMILIES.

AS WE CANNOT BUT WITH GRIEF of soul lament those multitudes of errors, blasphemies, and all kinds of profaneness, which have in this last age, like a mighty deluge, overflown this nation; so, among several other sins which have helped to open the flood-gates of all these impieties, we cannot but esteem the disuse of family instruction one of the greatest. The two great pillars upon which the kingdom of Satan is erected, and by which it is upheld, are ignorance and error; the first step of our manumission from this spiritual thraldom consists in having our eyes opened, and being “turned from darkness to light,” Acts 26:18. How much the serious endeavours of godly parents and masters might contribute to an early seasoning the tender years of such as are under their inspection, is abundantly evident, not only from their special influence upon them, in respect of their authority over them, interest in them, continual presence with them, and frequent opportunities of being helpful to them; but also from the sad effects which, by woeful experience, we find to be the fruit of the omission of this duty. It were easy to set before you a cloud of witnesses, the language of whose practice hath been not only an eminent commendation of this duty, but also a serious exhortation to it. As Abel, though dead, yet speaks by his example to us for imitation of his faith, &c., Heb. 11:4; so do the examples of Abraham, of Joshua, of the parents of Solomon, of the grandmother and mother of Timothy, the mother of Augustine, whose care was as well to nurse up the souls as the bodies of their little ones; and as their pains herein was great, so was their success no way unanswerable. We should scarce imagine it any better than an impertinency, in this noon-day of the gospel, either to inform or persuade in a duty so expressly commanded, so frequently urged, so highly encouraged, and so eminently owned by the Lord in all ages with his blessing, but that our sad experience tells us, this duty is not more needful, than it is of late neglected. For the restoring of this duty to its due observance, give us leave to suggest this double advice. The first concerns heads of families in respect of themselves; That as the Lord hath set them in place above the rest of their family, they would labour in all wisdom and spiritual understanding to be above them also. It is an uncomely sight to behold men in years babes in knowledge; and how unmeet are they to instruct others, who need themselves “to be taught which be the first principles of the oracles of God,” Heb. 5:12. Knowledge is an accomplishment so desirable, that the devils themselves knew not a more taking bait by which to tempt our first parents, than by the fruit of the tree of knowledge; So shall you be as gods, knowing good and evil. When Solomon had that favour shewed him of the Lord, that he was made his own chuser what to ask, he knew no greater mercy to beg than wisdom, 1 Kings 3:5, 9. The understanding is the guide and pilot of the whole man, that faculty which sits at the stern of the soul: but as the most expert guide may mistake in the dark, so may the understanding, when it wants the light of knowledge: Without knowledge the mind cannot be good, Prov. 19:2; nor the life good, nor the eternal condition safe, Eph. 4:18. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” Hos. 4:6. It is ordinary in scripture to set profaneness, and all kind of miscarriages, upon the score of ignorance. Diseases in the body have many times their rise from distempers in the head, and exorbitancies in practice from errors in judgment: and indeed in every sin there is something both ignorance and error at the bottom: for did sinners truly know what they do in sinning, we might say of every sin what the Apostle speaks concerning that great sin, Had they known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; did they truly know that every sin is a provoking the Lord to jealousy, a proclaiming war against Heaven, a crucifying the Lord Jesus afresh, a treasuring up wrath unto themselves against the day of wrath; and that, if ever they be pardoned, it must be at no lower a rate than the price of his blood; it were scarce possible but sin, instead of alluring, should affright, and instead of tempting, scare. It is one of the arch devices and principal methods of Satan to deceive men into sin: thus he prevailed against our first parents, not as a lion, but as a serpent, acting his enmity under a pretence of friendship, and tempting them to evil under an appearance of good; and thus hath he all along carried on his designs of darkness, by transforming himself into an angel of light, making poor deceived men in love with their miseries, and hug their own destruction. A most sovereign antidote against all kind of errors, is to be grounded and settled in the faith: persons unfixed in the true religion, are very receptive of a false; and they who are nothing in spiritual knowledge, are easily made any thing. Clouds without water are driven to and fro with every wind, and ships without ballast liable to the violence of every tempest. But yet the knowledge we especially commend, is riot a brain-knowledge, a mere speculation; this may be in the worst of men, nay, in the worst of creatures, the devils themselves, and that in such an eminency, as the best of saints cannot attain to in this life of imperfection; but an inward, a savoury, an heart knowledge, such as was in that martyr, who, though she could not dispute for Christ, could die for him. This is that spiritual sense and feeling of divine truths the Apostle speaks of, Heb. 5:14, “Having your senses exercised,” &c. But, alas, we may say of most men’s religion what learned Rivet (Rivet. Crit. Sacr. 3) speaks concerning the errors of the fathers, “They were not so much their own errors, as the errors of the times wherein they lived!’ Thus do most men take up their religion upon no better an account than Turks and Papists take up theirs, because it is the religion of the times and places wherein they live; and what they take tip thus slightly, they lay down as easily. Whereas an inward taste and relish of the things of God, is an excellent preservative to keep us settled in the most unsettled times. Corrupt and unsavoury principles have great advantage upon us, above those that are spiritual and sound; the former being suitable to corrupt nature, the latter contrary; the former springing up of themselves, the latter brought forth not without a painful industry. The ground needs no other midwifery in bringing forth weeds than only the neglect of the husbandman’s hand to pluck them up; the air needs no other cause of darkness than the absence of the sun; nor water of coldness than its distance from the fire; because these are the genuine products of nature. Were it so with the soul, (as some of the philosophers have vainly imagined,) to come into the world as an abrasa tabula, a mere blank or piece of white paper, on which neither anything is written, nor any blots, it would then be equally receptive of good and evil, and no more averse to the one than to the other: but how much worse its condition indeed is, were scripture silent, every man’s experience does evidently manifest. For who is there that knows anything of his own heart, and knows not thus much, that the suggestions of Satan have so easy and free admittance into our hearts, that our utmost watchfulness is too little to guard us from them? whereas the motions of God’s Spirit are so unacceptable to us, that our utmost diligence is too little to get our hearts open to entertain them. Let therefore the excellency, necessity, difficulty of true wisdom stir up endeavours in you somewhat proportionable to such an accomplishment; “Above all getting, get understanding,” Prov. 4:7; and “search for wisdom as for hidden treasures,” Prov. 2:4. It much concerns you in respect of yourselves. Our second advice concerns heads of families, in respect of their families. Whatever hath been said already, though it concerns every private Christian that hath a soul to look after; yet, upon a double account, it concerns parents and masters, as having themselves and others to look after: some there are, who, because of their ignorance, cannot; others, because of their sluggishness, will not mind this duty. To the former we propound the method of Joshua, who first began with himself, and then is careful of his family. To the latter we shall only hint, what a dreadful meeting those parents and masters must have at that great day, with their children and servants, when all that were under their inspection shall not only accuse them, but charge their eternal miscarrying upon their score. Never did any age of the Church enjoy such choice helps as this of ours. Every age of the gospel hath had its Creeds, Confessions, Catechisms, and such breviaries and models of divinity as have been singularly useful. Such forms of sound words (however in these days decried) have been in use in the Church ever since God himself wrote the Decalogue, as a summary of things to be done; and Christ taught us that prayer of his, as a directory what to ask. Concerning the usefulness of such compendiary systems, so much hath been said already by a learned divine (Dr. Tuckney in his Sermon on 2 Tim. 1:13.) of this age, as is sufficient to satisfy all who are not resolved to remain unsatisfied. Concerning the particular excellency of these ensuing treatises, we judge it unneedful to mention those eminent testimonies which have been given them from persons of known worth, in respect of their judgment, learning, and integrity, both at home and abroad, because themselves spake so much their own praise; gold stands not in need of varnish, nor diamonds of painting: give us leave only to tell you, that we cannot but account it an eminent mercy to enjoy such helps as these are. It is ordinary in these days for men to speak evil of things they know not; but if any are possessed with mean thoughts of these treatises, we shall only give the same counsel to them that Philip gives Nathanael, Come and see, John 1:46. It is no small advantage the reader now bath, by the addition of scriptures at large, whereby with little pains he may more profit, because with every truth lie may behold its scripture foundation. And, indeed, considering what a Babel of opinions, what a strange confusion of tongues, there is this day among them who profess they speak the language of Canaan, there is no intelligent person but will conclude that advice of the prophet especially suited to such an age as this, Isa. 8:20, “To the law, and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” If the reverend and learned composers of these ensuing treatises were willing to take the pains of annexing scripture proofs to every truth, that the faith of people might not be built upon the dictates of men, but the authority of God, so some considerable pains bath now been further taken in transcribing those scriptures; partly to prevent that grand inconvenience, (which all former impressions, except the Latin, have abounded with, to the great perplexing and disheartening of the reader,) the misquotation of scripture, the meanest reader being able, by having the words at large, to rectify whatever mistake may be in the printer in citing the particular place; partly, to prevent the trouble of turning to every proof, which could not but be very great; partly, to help the memories of such who are willing to take the pains of turning to every proof, but are unable to retain what they read; and partly, that this may serve as a Bible commonplace, the several passages of scripture, which are scattered up and down in the word, being in this book reduced to their proper head, and thereby giving light each to other. The advantages, you see, in this design, are many and great; the way to spiritual knowledge is hereby made more easy, and the ignorance of this age more inexcusable. If, therefore, there be any spark in you of love to God, be not content that any of yours should be ignorant of him whom you so much admire, or any haters of him whom you so much love. If there be any compassion to the souls of them who are under your care, if any regard of your being found faithful in the day of Christ, if any respect to future generations, labour to sow these seeds of knowledge, which may grow up in after-times. That you may be faithful herein, is the earnest prayer of,

Henry Wilkinson.

John Fuller.

Edward Perkins.

Richard Kentish, D.D., A.M.P.

James Nalton.

Ralph Venning.

Alexander Pringle.

Roger Drake.

Thomas Goodwin.

Jeremiah Burwell.

William Wickins.

William Taylor.

Matthew Pool.

Joseph Church.

Thomas Watson.

Samuel Annesley.

William Bates.

Has. Bridges.

John Jackson.

Thomas Gouge.

John Loder.

Samuel Smith.

John Seabrooke.

Charles Offspring.

Francis Raworth.

Samuel Rowles.

John Peachie.

Arthur Jackson.

William Cooper.

John Glascock.

James Jollife.

John Cross.

William Jenkin.

Leo Cooke.

Obadiah Lee.

Samuel Clerk.

Thomas Manton.

John Sheffield.

Samuel Slater.

Thomas Jacomb.

Matthew Haviland.

William Whitaker.

George Griffiths.

William Blackmore.

The Humble

ADVICE

Of the

ASSEMBLY

OF

DIVINES,

Now by the Authority of Parliament

sitting at WESTMINSTER,

Concerning

A Confession of Faith

With the

QUOTATIONS and TEXTS of

SCRIPTURE annexed.

Presented by them lately to both Houses of Parliament.

Printed at London;

AND

Reprinted at EDINBURGH by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. 1647.

CHAPTER 1: OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE.

1. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable;[a] yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto salvation;[b] therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his Church;[c] and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing;[d] which maketh the holy Scripture to be most necessary;[e] those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.[f]

a. Psa. 19:1-3, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” Romans 1:19-20, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:32, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 2:1, 14-15, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things…14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)”

b. 1 Cor. 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Cor. 2:13-14, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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.”

c. Heb. 1:1, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets…”

d. Prov. 22:19-21, “That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” Isa. 8:19-20, “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? 20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Matt. 4:4, 7, 10, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. …7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God…10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Luke 1:3-4, “It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” Rom. 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

e. 2 Tim. 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Pet. 1:19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”

f. Heb. 1:1-2, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

2. Under the name of holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:

OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis.

Exodus.

Leviticus.

Numbers.

Deuteronomy.

Joshua.

Judges.

Ruth.

1 Samuel.

2 Samuel.

1 Kings.

2 Kings.

1 Chronicles.

2 Chronicles.

Ezra.

Nehemiah.

Esther.

Job.

Psalms.

Proverbs.

Ecclesiastes.

The Song of Songs.

Isaiah.

Jeremiah.

Lamentations.

Ezekiel.

Daniel.

Hosea.

Joel.

Amos.

Obadiah.

Jonah.

Micah.

Nahum.

Habakkuk.

Zephaniah.

Haggai.

Zechariah.

Malachi.

OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

The Acts of the Apostles.

Paul’s Epistles to the Romans.

Corinthians 1.

Corinthians 2.

Galatians.

Ephesians.

Philippians.

Colossians.

Thessalonians 1.

Thessalonians 2.

To Timothy 1.

To Timothy 2.

To Titus.

To Philemon.

The Epistle to the Hebrews.

The Epistle of James.

The First and Second Epistles of Peter.

The First, Second, and Third Epistles of John.

The Epistle of Jude.

The Revelation.

All which are given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.[a]

a. Luke 16:29, 31, “Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them…31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Eph. 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” 2 Tim. 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Rev. 22:18-19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the Canon of the Scripture; and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.[a]

a. Luke 24:27, 44, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself…44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” Rom. 3:2, “Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” 2 Pet. 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

4. The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the Author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.[a]

a. 1 Thes. 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 2 Tim. 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Pet. 1:19, 21, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts…21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 1 John 5:9, “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.”

5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture;[a] and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.[b]

a. 1 Tim. 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

b. Isa. 59:21, “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” John 16:13-14, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” 1 Cor. 2:10-12, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 John 2:20, 27, “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things…27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

6. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.[a] Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word;[b] and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.[c]

a. Gal. 1:8-9, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” 2 Thes. 2:2, “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” 2 Tim. 3:15-17, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

b. John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” 1 Cor. 2:9-12, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

c. 1 Cor. 11:13-14, “Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” 1 Cor. 14:26, 40, “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying…40 Let all things be done decently and in order.”

7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all;[a] yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.[b]

a. 2 Pet. 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

b. Psa. 119:105, 130, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path...130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical;[a] so as in all controversies of religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them.[b] But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them,[c] therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come,[d] that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner,[e] and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.[f]

a. Matt. 5:18, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

b. Isa. 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” John 5:39, 46, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me…46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.” Acts 15:15, “And to this agree the words of the prophets…”

c. John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

d. 1 Cor. 14:6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 27-28, “Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?...9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air…11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church…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…27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”

e. Col. 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

f. Rom. 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.[a]

a. Acts 15:15, “And to this agree the words of the prophets…” 2 Pet. 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

10. The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.[a]

a. Matt. 22:29, 31, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God…31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God.” Eph. 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” …with Acts 28:25, “And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers.”

CHAPTER 2: OF GOD, AND OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

1. There is but one only[a] living and true God,[b] who is infinite in being and perfection,[c] a most pure spirit,[d] invisible,[e] without body, parts,[f] or passions,[g] immutable,[h] immense,[i] eternal,[k] incomprehensible,[l] almighty,[m] most wise,[n] most holy,[o] most free,[p] most absolute,[q] working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will,[r] for his own glory;[s] most loving,[t] gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin;[u] the rewarder of them that diligently seek him;[w] and withal most just and terrible in his judgments;[x] hating all sin,[y] and who will by no means clear the guilty.[z]

a. Deut. 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” 1 Cor. 8:4, 6, “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one…6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

b. Jer. 10:10, “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” 1 Thes. 1:9, “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

c. Job 11:7-9, “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.” Job 26:14, “Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?”

d. John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

e. 1 Tim. 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

f. Deut. 4:15-16, “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female.” John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” …with Luke 24:39, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

g. Acts 14:11, 15, “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men…15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.”

h. Mal. 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

i. 1 Kings 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” Jer. 23:23-24, “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.”

k. Psa. 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” 1 Tim. 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

l. Psa. 145:3, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”

m. Gen. 17:1, “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Rev. 4:8, “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

n. Rom. 16:27, “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”

o. Isa. 6:3, “And And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Rev. 4:8, “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

p. Psa. 115:3, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”

q. Exod. 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

r. Eph. 1:11, “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.”

s. Prov. 16:4, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” Rom. 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

t. 1 John 4:8, 16, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love…16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

u. Exod. 34:6-7, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

w. Heb. 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

x. Neh. 9:32-33, “Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. 33 Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly.”

y. Psa. 5:5-6, “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.”

z. Exod. 34:7, “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Nahum 1:2-3, “God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

2. God hath all life,[a] glory,[b] goodness,[c] blessedness,[d] in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made,[e] nor deriving any glory from them,[f] but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them: he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things;[g] and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth.[h] In his sight all things are open and manifest;[i] his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature;[k] so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain.[l] He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands.[m] To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, he is pleased to require of them.[n]

a. John 5:26, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”

b. Acts 7:2, “And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.”

c. Psa. 119:68, “Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.”

d. Rom. 9:5, “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” 1 Tim. 6:15, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.”

e. Acts 17:24-25, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.”

f. Job 22:2-3, “Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?”

g. Rom. 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

h. Dan. 4:25, 35, “That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will…35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” 1 Tim. 6:15, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Rev. 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

i. Heb. 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

k. Psa. 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Rom. 11:33-34, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?”

l. Ezek. 11:5, “And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.” Acts 15:18, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

m. Psa. 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Rom. 7:12, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”

n. Rev. 5:12-14, “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost,[a] The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;[b] the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.[c]

a. Matt. 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 2 Cor. 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

b. John 1:14, 18, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth…18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

c. John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” Gal. 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

CHAPTER 3: OF GOD’S ETERNAL DECREE.

1. God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass;[a] yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin,[b] nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.[c]

a. Rom. 9:15, 18, “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion…18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Eph. 1:11, “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.” Heb. 6:17, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.”

b. James 1:13, 17, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man…17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 1 John 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

c. Prov. 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” Matt. 17:12, “But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.” John 19:11, “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” Acts 2:23, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Acts 4:27-28, “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.”

2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions,[a] yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.[b]

a. 1 Sam. 23:11-12, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. 12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.” Matt. 11:21, 23, “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes…23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.” Acts 15:18, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

b. Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, 18, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)…13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated…16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy…18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.”

3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels[a] are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.[b]

a. Matt. 25:41, “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.” 1 Tim. 5:21, “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”

b. Prov. 16:4, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” Rom. 9:22-23, “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory?” Eph. 1:5-6, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

4. These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.[a]

a. John 13:18, “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.” 2 Tim. 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

5. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory,[a] out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto;[b] and all to the praise of his glorious grace.[c]

a. Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Eph. 1:4, 9, 11, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love…9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself…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.” 1 Thes. 5:9, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 1:9, “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.”

b. Rom. 9:11, 13, 16, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)…13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated…16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Eph. 1:4, 9, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love…9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.”

c. Eph. 1:6, 12, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved…12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto.[a] Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,[b] are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified,[c] and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.[d] Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.[e]

a. Eph. 1:4-5, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Eph. 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” 2 Thes. 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 1 Pet. 1:2, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

b. 1 Thes. 5:9-10, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

c. Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Eph. 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” 2 Thes. 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

d. 1 Pet. 1:5, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

e. John 6:64-65, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” John 8:47, “He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 10:26, “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.” John 17:9, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” Rom. 8:28-39, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

7. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.[a]

a. Matt. 11:25-26, “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 wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Rom. 9:17-18, 21-22, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth…21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction?” 2 Tim. 2:19-20, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” 1 Pet. 2:8, “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” Jude 1:4, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care,[a] that men attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election.[b] So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God;[c] and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.[d]

a. Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Rom. 9:20, “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”

b. 2 Pet. 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

c. Rom. 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Eph. 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

d. Luke 10:20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Rom. 8:33, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.” Romans 11:5-6, 20, “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work…20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear.” 2 Pet. 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

CHAPTER 4: OF CREATION.

1. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,[a] for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness,[b] in the beginning, to create or make of nothing the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.[c]

a. Gen. 1:2, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” John 1:2-3, “The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Heb. 1:2, “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

b. Psa. 33:5-6, “He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. 6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” Psalm 104:24, “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” Jer. 10:12, “He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.” Rom. 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

c. Gen. 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (…and throughout Genesis 1) Acts 17:24, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” Col. 1:16, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” Heb. 11:3, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

2. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female,[a] with reasonable and immortal souls,[b] endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image,[c] having the law of God written in their hearts,[d] and power to fulfil it;[e] and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change.[f] Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil;[g] which while they kept they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.[h]

a. Gen. 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

b. Gen. 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” with Eccl. 12:7, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” and Matt. 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” and Luke 23:43, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

c. Gen. 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Eph. 4:24-25, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” Col. 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

d. Rom. 2:14-15, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another).”

e. Eccl. 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.”

f. Gen. 3:6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Eccl. 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.”

g. Gen. 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 3:8-11, 23, “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?...23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.”

h. Gen. 1:26, 28, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth…28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

CHAPTER 5: OF PROVIDENCE.

1. God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold,[a] direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things,[b] from the greatest even to the least,[c] by his most wise and holy providence,[d] according to his infallible foreknowledge[e] and the free and immutable counsel of his own will,[f] to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.[g]

a. Heb. 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

b. Psa. 135:6, “Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” Dan. 4:32, 34, “And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will…34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.” Acts 17:25-26, 28, “Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation…28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Job 38-41 (and throughout).

c. Matt. 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

d. Psa. 104:24, “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” Psa. 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Prov. 15:3, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

e. Psa. 94:8-11, “Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? 10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? 11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity..” Acts 15:18, “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

f. Psa. 33:10-11, “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Eph. 1:11, “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.”

g. Gen. 45:7, “And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” Psa. 145:7, “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.” Isa. 63:14, “As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.” Rom. 9:17, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” Eph. 3:10, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.”

2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly,[a] yet by the same providence he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.[b]

a. Acts 2:23, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.”

b. Gen. 8:22, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Exod. 21:13, “And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.” with Deut. 19:5, “As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live.” 1 Kings 22:28, 34, “And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you…34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.” Isa. 10:6-7, “I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.” Jer. 31:35, “Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name.”

3. God, in his ordinary providence, maketh use of means,[a] yet is free to work without,[b] above,[c] and against them,[d] at his pleasure.

a. Isa. 55:10-11, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Hosea 2:21-22, “And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; 22 And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.” Acts 27:31, 44, “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved…44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”

b. Job 34:10, “Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.” Hosea 1:7, “But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.” Matt. 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

c. Rom. 4:19-21, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

d. 2 Kings 6:6, “And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.” Dan. 3:27, “And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.”

4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in his providence that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men,[a] and that not by a bare permission,[b] but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding,[c] and otherwise ordering and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends;[d] yet so as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God; who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.[e]

a. 2 Sam. 16:10, “And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?” 2 Sam. 24:1, “And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.” with 1 Chron. 21:1, “And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.” 1 Kings 22:22-23, “And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” 1 Chron. 10:4, 13-14, “Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it…13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; 14 And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” Acts 2:23, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Acts 4:27-28, “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” Rom. 11:32-34, “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?”

b. Acts 14:16, “Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.”

c. 2 Kings 19:28, “Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.” Psa. 76:10, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.”

d. Gen. 50:20, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Isa. 10:6-7, 12, “I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few…12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.”

e. Psa. 50:21, “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” James 1:13-14, 17, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed…17 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they be humbled;[a] and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support unto himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.[b]

a. 2 Sam. 24:1, “And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.” 2 Chron. 32:25-26, 31, “But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah…31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.”

b. Psa. 73 throughout; Psa. 77:1-10, 12, “To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High…12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” Mark 14:66-72, “And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” with John 21:15-17, “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” 2 Cor. 12:7-9, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

6. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sins, doth blind and harden,[a] from them he not only withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understandings and wrought upon in their hearts,[b] but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had,[c] and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;[d] and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan;[e] whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softening of others.[f]

a. Rom. 1:24, 26, 28, “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves…26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature…28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” Rom. 11:7-8, “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.”

b. Deut. 29:4, “Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.”

c. Matt. 13:12, “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” Matt. 25:29, “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”

d. Deut. 2:30, “But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.” 2 Kings 8:12-13, “And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. 13 And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.”

e. Psa. 81:11-12, “But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.” 2 Thes. 2:10-12, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

f. Exod. 7:3, “And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.” with Exodus 8:15, 32, “But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said…32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.” Isa. 6:9-10, “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” with Acts 28:26-27, “Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Isa. 8:14, “And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” 2 Cor. 2:15-16, “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” 1 Pet. 2:7-8, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

7. As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures, so, after a most special manner, it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.[a]

a. Isa. 43:3-5, 14, “For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west…14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Amos 9:8-9, “Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD. 9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.” Rom. 8:28, “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.” 1 Tim. 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

CHAPTER 6: OF THE FALL OF MAN, OF SIN, AND OF THE PUNISHMENT THEREOF.

1. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit.[a] This their sin God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.[b]

a. Gen. 3:13, “And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” 2 Cor. 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

b. Rom. 11:32, “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.”

2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God,[a] and so became dead in sin,[b] and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.[c]

a. Gen. 3:6-8, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” Eccl. 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Rom. 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

b. Gen. 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Eph. 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

c. Gen. 6:5, “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.” Jer. 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Rom. 3:10-19, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Titus 1:15, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”

3. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed,[a] and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.[b]

a. Gen. 1:27-28, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” and Gen. 2:16-17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” and Acts 17:26, “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” with Rom. 5:12, 15-19, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous..” and 1 Cor. 15:21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:45, 49, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit…49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

b. Gen. 5:3, “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth.” Job 14:4, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” Job 15:14, “What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?” Psa. 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

4. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good,[a] and wholly inclined to all evil,[b] do proceed all actual transgressions.[c]

a. Rom. 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Rom. 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Col. 1:21, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.”

b. Gen. 6:5, “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. 8:21, “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. 3:10-12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

c. Matt. 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Eph. 2:2-3, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

5. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated;[a] and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself and all the motions thereof are truly and properly sin.[b]

a. Prov. 20:9, “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Eccl. 7:20, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Rom. 7:14, 17-18, 23, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin…17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not…23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” James 3:2, “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.” 1 John 1:8, 10, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

b. Rom. 7:5, 7-8, 25, “For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death…7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.” Gal. 5:17, “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.”

6. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto,[a] doth, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner,[b] whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God[c] and curse of the law,[d] and so made subject to death,[e] with all miseries spiritual,[f] temporal,[g] and eternal.[h]

a. 1 John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

b. Rom. 2:15, “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another).” Rom. 3:9, 19, “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…19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

c. Eph. 2:3, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

d. Gal. 3:10, “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.”

e. Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

f. Eph. 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

g. Lam. 3:39, “Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?” Rom. 8:20, “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.”

h. Matt. 25:41, “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.” 2 Thes. 1:9, “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

CHAPTER 7: OF GOD’S COVENANT WITH MAN.

1. The distance between God and the creature is so great that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of him as their blessedness and reward but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.[a]

a. 1 Sam. 2:25, “If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.” Job 9:32-33, “For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” Job 22:2-3, “Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?” Job 35:7-8, “If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? 8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.” Psa. 100:2-3, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psa. 113:5-6, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, 6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” Isa. 40:13-17, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. 16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. 17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.” Luke 17:10, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Acts 17:24-25, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.”

2. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works,[a] wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity,[b] upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.[c]

a. Gal. 3:12, “And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”

b. Rom. 5:12-20, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Rom. 10:5, “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”

c. Gen. 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gal. 3:10, “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.”

3. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second,[a] commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein he freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him that they may be saved,[b] and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.[c]

a. Gen. 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Isa. 42:6, “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” Rom. 3:20-21, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” Rom. 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Gal. 3:21, “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

b. Mark 16:15-16, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Rom. 10:6, 9, “But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above)...9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Gal. 3:11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

c. Ezek. 36:26-27, “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. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” John 6:44-45, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

4. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in the Scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed.[a]

a. Luke 22:20, “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” 1 Cor. 11:25, “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” Heb. 7:22, “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” Heb. 9:15-17, “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.”

5. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law and in the time of the gospel:[a] under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come,[b] which were for that time sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,[c] by whom they had full remission of sins and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament.[d]

a. 2 Cor. 3:6-9, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”

b. Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” Col. 2:11-12, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” 1 Cor. 5:7, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” Hebrews 8-10 throughout.

c. John 8:56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” 1 Cor. 10:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” Heb. 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

d. Gal. 3:7-9, 14, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham...14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

6. Under the gospel, when Christ the substance[a] was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper;[b] which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity and less outward glory, yet in them it is held forth in more fulness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy,[c] to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles;[d] and is called the New Testament.[e] There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations.[f]

a. Col. 2:17, “Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

b. Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.” 1 Cor. 11:23-25, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

c. Jer. 31:33-34, “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Heb. 12:22-28, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

d. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Eph. 2:15-19, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”

e. Luke 22:20, “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

f. Psa. 32:1, “A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” with Rom. 4:3, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Acts 15:11, “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Rom. 3:21-23, 30, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” Rom. 4:6, 16-17, 23-24, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works…16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were…23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Gal. 3:14, 16,“ That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith…16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Heb. 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

CHAPTER 8: OF CHRIST THE MEDIATOR.

1. It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only-begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man,[a] the Prophet,[b] Priest,[c] and King;[d] the Head and Saviour of his Church,[e] the Heir of all things,[f] and Judge of the world;[g] unto whom he did, from all eternity, give a people to be his seed,[h] and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.[i]

a. Isa. 42:1, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 1 Tim. 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Pet. 1:19-20, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

b. Acts 3:22, “For Moses truly said 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 say unto you.”

c. Heb. 5:5-6, “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

d. Psa. 2:6, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” Luke 1:33, “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

e. Eph. 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”

f. Heb. 1:2, “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

g. Acts 17:31, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

h. Psa. 22:30, “A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.” Isa. 53:10, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” John 17:6, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.”

i. Isa. 55:4-5, “Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.” 1 Cor. 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Tim. 2:6, “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

2. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance, and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon him man’s nature,[a] with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin:[b] being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance.[c] So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion.[d] Which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.[e]

a. John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Phil. 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” 1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

b. Heb. 2:14, 16-17, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil...16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Heb. 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

c. Luke 1:27, 31, 35, “To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary…31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS…35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

d. Luke 1:35, “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Rom. 9:5, “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Col. 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” 1 Tim. 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Pet. 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”

e. Rom. 1:3-4, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead…” 1 Tim. 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

3. The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure;[a] having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,[b] in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell;[c] to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth,[d] he might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a mediator and surety.[e] Which office he took not unto himself, but was thereunto called by his Father,[f] who put all power and judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same.[g]

a. Psa. 45:7, “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” John 3:34, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”

b. Col. 2:3, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

c. Col. 1:19, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.”

d. John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Heb. 7:26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.”

e. Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Heb. 7:22, “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” Heb. 12:24, “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

f. Heb. 5:4-5, “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”

g. Matt. 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” John 5:22, 27, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son…27 And And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake,[a] which, that he might discharge, he was made under the law,[b] and did perfectly fulfill it;[c] endured most grievous torments immediately in his soul,[d] and most painful sufferings in his body;[e] was crucified, and died;[f] was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption.[g] On the third day he arose from the dead,[h] with the same body in which he suffered;[i] with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father,[k] making intercession;[l] and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.[m]

a. Psa. 40:7-8, “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” with Heb. 10:5-10, “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” John 10:18, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” Phil. 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

b. Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

c. Matt. 3:15, “And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” Matt. 5:17, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

d. Matt. 26:37-38, “And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” Matt. 27:46, “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Luke 22:44, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

e. Matthew 26-27 throughout.

f. Phil. 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

g. Acts 2:23-24, 27, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it…27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Acts 13:37, “But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.” Rom. 6:9, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”

h. 1 Cor. 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

i. John 20:25, 27, “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe…27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.”

k. Mark 16:19, “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

l. Rom. 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Heb. 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

m. Matt. 13:40-42, “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 10:42, “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.” Rom. 14:9-10, “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” 2 Pet. 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment…” Jude 1:6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

5. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father,[a] and purchased not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him.[b]

a. Rom. 3:25-26, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Rom. 5:19, “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Eph. 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Heb. 9:14, 16, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God...16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.” Heb. 10:14, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

b. Dan. 9:24, 26, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy…26 ssiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” John 17:2, “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” Eph. 1:11, 14, “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…14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Col. 1:19-20, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 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.” Heb. 9:12, 15, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us…15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

6. Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, 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 serpent’s head, and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, being yesterday and today the same, and forever.[a]

a. Gen. 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gal. 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Heb. 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Rev. 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures; by each nature doing that which is proper to itself;[a] 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.[b]

a. Heb. 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” 1 Pet. 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”

b. John 3:13, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” 1 John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

8. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same;[a] making intercession for them,[b] and revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation;[c] effectually persuading them by his Spirit to believe and obey; and governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit;[d] overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner and ways as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation.[e]

a. John 6:37, 39, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out…39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” John 10:15-16, “And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”

b. Rom. 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

c. John 15:13, 15, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends…15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 17:6, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.” Eph. 1:7-9, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.”

d. John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Rom. 8:9, 14, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his…14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Rom. 15:18-19, “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:13, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.” Heb. 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

e. Psa. 110:1, “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Mal. 4:2-3, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.” 1 Cor. 15:25-26, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” Col. 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

CHAPTER 9: OF FREE WILL.

1. God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to good or evil.[a]

a. Deut. 30:19, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Matt. 17:12, “But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.” James 1:14, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

2. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which is good and well-pleasing to God,[a] but yet mutably, so that he might fall from it.[b]

a. Gen. 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Eccl. 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.”

b. Gen. 2:16-17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 3:6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

3. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation;[a] so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good,[b] and dead in sin,[c] is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.[d]

a. John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Rom. 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

b. Rom. 3:10, 12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one…12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

c. Eph. 2:1, 5, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins…5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” Col. 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.”

d. John 6:44, 65, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day…65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” 1 Cor. 2:14, “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.” Eph. 2:2-5, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” Titus 3:3-5, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

4. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin,[a] and by his grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good;[b] 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 evil.[c]

a. John 8:34, 36, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin…36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Col. 1:13, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

b. Rom. 6:18, 22, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness…22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Phil. 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

c. Rom. 7:15, 18-19, 21, 23, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I…18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do…21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me…23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Gal. 5:17, “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.”

5. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone, in the state of glory only.[a]

a. Eph. 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Heb. 12:23, “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Jude 1:24, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”

CHAPTER 10: OF EFFECTUAL CALLING.

1. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call,[a] by his Word and Spirit,[b] out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;[c] enlightening their minds, spiritually and savingly, to understand the things of God;[d] taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh;[e] renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good,[f] and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ;[g] yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.[h]

a. Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Rom. 11:7, “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” Eph. 1:10-11, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 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.”

b. 2 Cor. 3:3, 6, “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart…6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Thes. 2:13-14, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

c. Rom. 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Eph. 2:1-5, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).” 2 Tim. 1:9-10, “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, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

d. Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and 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.” 1 Cor. 2:10, 12, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God…12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” Eph. 1:17-18, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

e. Ezek. 36:26, “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.”

f. Deut. 30:6, “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” Ezek. 11:19, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.” Ezek. 36:27, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Phil. 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

g. John 6:44-45, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Eph. 1:19, “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.”

h. Psa. 110:3, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” Song 1:4, “Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.” John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Rom. 6:16-18, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

2. This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man;[a] who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit,[b] he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.[c]

a. Rom. 9:11, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth).” Eph. 2:4-5, 8-9, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) …8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 2 Tim. 1:9, “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.” Titus 3:4-5, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

b. Rom. 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” 1 Cor. 2:14, “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.” Eph. 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”

c. Ezek. 36:27, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

3. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit,[a] who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth.[b] So also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.[c]

a. Luke 18:15-16, “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” and John 3:3, 5, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” and Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” and Rom. 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” and 1 John 5:12, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” Compare all these together.

b. John 3:8, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

c. Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” 1 John 5:12, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

4. Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word,[a] and may have some common operations of the Spirit,[b] yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved:[c] much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and the law of that religion they do profess;[d] and to assert and maintain that they may is very pernicious, and to be detested.[e]

a. Matt. 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

b. Matt. 7:22, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Matt. 13:20-21, “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Heb. 6:4-5, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.”

c. John 6:64-66, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

d. John 4:22, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Eph. 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”

e. 1 Cor. 16:22, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” Gal. 1:6-8, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” 2 John 1:9-11, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

CHAPTER 11: OF JUSTIFICATION.

1. Those whom God effectually calleth he also freely justifieth;[a] not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous: not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them,[b] they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.[c]

a. Rom. 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

b. Jer. 23:6, “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Rom. 3:22, 24-25, 27-28, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference…24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God…27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith…28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Rom. 4:5-8, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Rom. 5:17-19, “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” 1 Cor. 1:30-31, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:19, 21, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation…21 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.” Eph. 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Titus 3:5, 7, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost…7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

c. Acts 10:44, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” Acts 13:38-39, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Gal. 2:16, “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.” Eph. 2:7-8, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Phil. 3:9, “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.”

2. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification;[a] yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.[b]

a. John 1:12, “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.” Rom. 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Rom. 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b. Gal. 5:6, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” James 2:17, 22, 26, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone…22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?…26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to his Father’s justice in their behalf.[a] Yet inasmuch as he was given by the Father for them,[b] and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead,[c] and both freely, not for anything in them, their justification is only of free grace;[d] that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.[e]

a. Isa. 53:4-6, 10-12, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 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…10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Dan. 9:24, 26, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy…26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” Rom. 5:8-10, 19, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life…19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” 1 Tim. 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Heb. 10:10, 14, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

b. Rom. 8:32, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

c. Matt. 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 2 Cor. 5:21, “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.” Eph. 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

d. Rom. 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

e. Rom. 3:26, “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Eph. 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

4. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect,[a] and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification:[b] nevertheless, they are not justified until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.[c]

a. Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Gal. 3:8, “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” 1 Pet. 1:2, 19-20, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied…19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

b. Rom. 4:25, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” 1 Tim. 2:6, “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

c. Gal. 2:16, “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.” Col. 1:21-22, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” Titus 3:4-7, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

5. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified;[a] and although they can never fall from the state of justification,[b] yet they may by their sins fall under God’s fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.[c]

a. Matt. 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” 1 John 1:7, 9, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin…9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

b. Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Heb. 10:14, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

c. Psa. 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Psa. 51:7-12, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psa. 89:31-33, “If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.” Matt. 26:75, “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” Luke 1:20, “And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” 1 Cor. 11:30, 32, “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep…32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

6. The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.[a]

a. Rom. 4:22-24, “And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Gal. 3:9, 13-14, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham…13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Heb. 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

CHAPTER 12: OF ADOPTION.

1. All those that are justified God vouchsafeth, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption;[a] by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God;[b] have his name put upon them;[c] receive the Spirit of adoption;[d] have access to the throne of grace with boldness;[e] are enabled to cry, Abba, Father;[f] are pitied,[g] protected,[h] provided for,[i] and chastened by him as by a father;[k] yet never cast off,[l] but sealed to the day of redemption,[m] and inherit the promises,[n] as heirs of everlasting salvation.[o]

a. Gal. 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Eph. 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

b. John 1:12, “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.” Rom. 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

c. Jer. 14:9, “Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.” 2 Cor. 6:18, “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Rev. 3:12, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

d. Rom. 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

e. Rom. 5:2, “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Eph. 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

f. Gal. 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

g. Psa. 103:13, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”

h. Prov. 14:26, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”

i. Matt. 6:30, 32, “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?...32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” 1 Pet. 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

k. Heb. 12:6, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

l. Lam. 3:31, “For the Lord will not cast off for ever.”

m. Eph. 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

n. Heb. 6:12, “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

o. Heb. 1:14, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” 1 Pet. 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”

CHAPTER 13: OF SANCTIFICATION.

1. They who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection,[a] by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them;[b] the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,[c] and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified,[d] and they more and more quickened and strengthened, in all saving graces,[e] to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.[f]

a. Acts 20:32, “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. 6:5-6, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” 1 Cor. 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Phil. 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

b. John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Eph. 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” 2 Thes. 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

c. Rom. 6:6, 14, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin…14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

d. Rom. 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Gal. 5:24, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

e. Eph. 3:16-19, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Col. 1:11, “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

f. 2 Cor. 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Heb. 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

2. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man,[a] yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part,[b] whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.[c]

a. 1 Thes. 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b. Rom. 7:18, 23, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not…23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Phil. 3:12, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” 1 John 1:10, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

c. Gal. 5:17, “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.” 1 Pet. 2:11, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.”

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail,[a] yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome;[b] and so the saints grow in grace,[c] perfecting holiness in the fear of God.[d]

a. Rom. 7:23, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

b. Rom. 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Eph. 4:15-16, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” 1 John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

c. 2 Cor. 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Pet. 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

d. 2 Cor. 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

CHAPTER 14: OF SAVING FAITH.

1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,[a] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[b] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word;[c] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.[d]

a. Heb. 10:39, “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

b. Eph. 1:17-19, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.” Eph. 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” 2 Cor. 4:13, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.”

c. Rom. 10:14, 17, “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?...17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

d. Luke 17:5, “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” Acts 20:32, “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. 1:16-17, “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. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” 1 Pet. 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

2. By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;[a] and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands,[b] trembling at the threatenings,[c] and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come.[d] But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.[e]

a. John 4:42, “And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” Acts 24:14, “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” 1 Thes. 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 John 5:10, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

b. Rom. 16:26, “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.”

c. Isa. 66:2, “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

d. 1 Tim. 4:8, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Heb. 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

e. John 1:12, “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.” Acts 15:11, “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Gal. 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

3. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;[a] may be often and many ways assailed and weakened, but gets the victory;[b] growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ,[c] who is both the author and finisher of our faith.[d]

a. Matt. 6:30, “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Matt. 8:10, “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Rom. 4:19-20, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” Heb. 5:13-14, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

b. Luke 22:31-32, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Eph. 6:16, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” 1 John 5:4-5, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

c. Col. 2:2, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.” Heb. 6:11-12, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Heb. 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

d. Heb. 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

CHAPTER 15: OF REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE.

1. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace,[a] the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.[b]

a. Zech. 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” Acts 11:18, “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

b. Luke 24:47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins as to turn from them all unto God,[a] purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments.[b]

a. Psa. 51:4, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Psa. 119:128, “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Isa. 30:22, “Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.” Jer. 31:18-19, “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. 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. 18:30-31, “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 36:31, “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.” Joel 2:12-13, “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Amos 5:15, “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.” 2 Cor. 7:11, “For behold this selfsame 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 vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

b. 2 Kings 23:25, “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” Psa. 119:6, 59, 106, “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments…59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies…106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.” Luke 1:6, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”

3. Although repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,[a] which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ;[b] yet is it of such necessity to all sinners that none may expect pardon without it.[c]

a. Ezek. 16:61-63, “Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. 62 And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: 63 That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.” Ezek. 36:31-32, “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.”

b. Hosea 14:2, 4, “Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips…4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” Rom. 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

c. Luke 13:3, 5, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish…5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Acts 17:30-31, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

4. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation,[a] so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.[b]

a. Matt. 12:36, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Rom. 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

b. Isa. 1:16, 18, “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil…18 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.” Isa. 55:7, “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 pardon.” Rom. 8:1, “here is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins particularly.[a]

a. Psa. 19:13, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Luke 19:8, “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” 1 Tim. 1:13, 15, “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief…15 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.”

6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof,[a] upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy;[b] so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended,[c] who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.[d]

a. Psa. 32:5-6, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.” Psa. 51:4-5, 7, 9, 14, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me…7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow…9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities…14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.”

b. Prov. 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

c. Psa. 51 throughout; Josh 7:19, “And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.” Luke 17:3-4, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

d. 2 Cor. 2:8, “Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.”

CHAPTER 16: OF GOOD WORKS.

1. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy Word,[a] and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention.[b]

a. Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Rom. 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Heb. 13:21, “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

b. 1 Sam. 15:21-23, “But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” Isa. 29:13, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.” Matt. 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” John 16:2, “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” Rom. 10:2, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” 1 Pet. 1:18, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.”

2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith;[a] and by them believers manifest their thankfulness,[b] strengthen their assurance,[c] edify their brethren,[d] adorn the profession of the gospel,[e] stop the mouths of the adversaries,[f] and glorify God,[g] whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto,[h] that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.[i]

a. James 2:18, 22, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works…22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”

b. Psa. 116:12-13, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.” 1 Pet. 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

c. 2 Pet. 1:5-10, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 1 John 2:3, 5, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments…5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

d. Matt. 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 2 Cor. 9:2, “For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.”

e. 1 Tim. 6:1, “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:5, 9-12, “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed…9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

f. 1 Pet. 2:15, “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

g. John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” Phil. 1:11, “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” 1 Pet. 2:12, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

h. Eph. 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

i. Rom. 6:22, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

3. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ.[a] And that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure;[b] yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.[c]

a. Ezek. 36:26-27, “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. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” John 15:4-6, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

b. Phil. 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil. 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 2 Cor. 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.”

c. Isa. 64:7, “And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.” Acts 26:6-7, “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.” Phil. 2:12, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” 2 Tim. 1:6, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” Heb. 6:11-12, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” 2 Pet. 1:3, 5, 10-11, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue…5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge…10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:20-21, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

4. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.[a]

a. Neh. 13:22, “And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.” Job 9:2-3, “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? 3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.” Luke 17:10, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Gal. 5:17, “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.”

5. We cannot, by our best works, merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins;[a] but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants;[b] and because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit;[c] and as they are wrought by us, they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.[d]

a. Job 22:2-3, “Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?” Job 35:7-8, “If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? 8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.” Psa. 16:2, “O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee.” Rom. 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 4:2, 4, 6, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God…4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt…6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” Rom. 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Titus 3:5-7, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

b. Luke 17:10, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

c. Gal. 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

d. Psa. 130:3, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psa. 143:2, “And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.” Isa. 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Rom. 7:15, 18, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I…18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Gal. 5:17, “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.”

6. Yet notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him,[a] not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in God’s sight;[b] but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.[c]

a. Gen. 4:4, “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” with Heb. 11:4, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Exod. 28:38, “And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.” Eph. 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” 1 Pet. 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

b. Job 9:20, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” Psa. 143:2, “And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.”

c. Matt. 25:21, 23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord…23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” 2 Cor. 8:12, “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” Heb. 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Heb. 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

7. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others;[a] yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith,[b] nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word,[c] nor to a right end, the glory of God;[d] they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God.[e] And yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.[f]

a. 1 Kings 21:27, 29, “And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly…29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.” 2 Kings 10:30-31, “And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. 31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.” Phil. 1:15-16, 18, “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds…18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”

b. Gen. 4:3-5, “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” with Heb. 11:4, 6, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh…6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

c. Isa. 1:12, “When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?” 1 Cor. 13:3, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

d. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16, “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”

e. Amos 5:21-22, “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.” Hosea 1:4, “And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.” Hag. 2:14, “Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.” Rom. 9:16, “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Titus 1:15, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

f. Job 21:14-15, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” Psa. 14:4, “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.” Psa. 36:3, “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.” Matt. 23:23, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Matt. 25:41-45, “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: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”

CHAPTER 17: OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.

1. They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.[a]

a. John 10:28-29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” Phil. 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:5, 9, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time…9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 2 Pet. 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

2. This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father;[a] upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ;[b] the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them;[c] and the nature of the covenant of grace:[d] from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.[e]

a. Jer. 31:3, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” 2 Tim. 2:18-19, “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

b. Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” John 17:11, 24, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are…24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” Heb. 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 9:12-15, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Heb. 10:10, 14, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Heb. 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Rom. 8:33-39, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

c. John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” 1 John 2:27, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

d. Jer. 32:40, “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.”

e. John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” 2 Thes. 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

3. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins;[a] and for a time continue therein:[b] whereby they incur God’s displeasure,[c] and grieve his Holy Spirit;[d] come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts;[e] have their hearts hardened,[f] and their consciences wounded;[g] hurt and scandalize others,[h] and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.[i]

a. Matt. 26:70, 72, 74, “But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest…72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man…74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.”

b. Psa. 51, the title, with v. 14, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba…14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.”

c. 2 Sam. 11:27, “And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.” Isa. 64:5, 7, 9, “Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved…7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities…9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.”

d. Eph. 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

e. Psa. 51:8, 10, 12, “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice…10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me…12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Song 5:2-4, 6, “I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. 3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? 4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him…6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” Rev. 2:4, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”

f. Isa. 63:17, “O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.” Mark 6:52, “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.” Mark 16:14, “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

g. Psa. 32:3-4, “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.” Psa. 51:8, “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”

h. 2 Sam. 12:14, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”

i. Psa. 89:31-32, “If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.” 1 Cor. 11:32, “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

CHAPTER 18: OF THE ASSURANCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION.

1. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of salvation,[a] which hope of theirs shall perish:[b] yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace,[c] and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.[d]

a. Deut. 29:19, “And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst.” Job 8:13-14, “So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: 14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.” Micah 3:11, “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.” John 8:41, “Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.”

b. Matt. 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

c. 1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” 1 John 3:14, 18-19, 21, 24, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death…18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him…21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God…24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

d. Rom. 5:2, 5, “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God…5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope;[a] but an infallible assurance of faith, founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation,[b] the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made,[c] the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God:[d] which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.[e]

a. Heb. 6:11, 19, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end…19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.”

b. Heb. 6:17-18, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”

c. 2 Cor. 1:12, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” 2 Pet. 1:4-5, 10-11, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge…10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

d. Rom. 8:15-16, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

e. Eph. 1:13-14, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Eph. 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” 2 Cor. 1:21-22, “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it:[a] yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of ordinary means, attain thereunto.[b] And therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure;[c] that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience,[d] the proper fruits of this assurance: so far is it from inclining men to looseness.[e]

a. Psa. 88 throughout; Psa. 77:1-12, “To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” Isa. 50:10, “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Mark 9:24, “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

b. 1 Cor. 2:12, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” Eph. 3:17-19, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Heb. 6:11-12, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” 1 John 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

c. 2 Pet. 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

d. Rom. 5:1-2, 5, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God…5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Rom. 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Eph. 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” Psa. 4:6-7, “There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. 7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.” Psa. 119:32, “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.”

e. Psa. 130:4, “But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” Rom. 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Rom. 8:1, 12, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit…12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.” 2 Cor. 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Titus 2:11-12, 14, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” 1 John 1:6-7, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 3:2-3, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it; by falling into some special sin, which woundeth the conscience, and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation; by God’s withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light:[a] yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty, out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived,[b] and by the which, in the meantime, they are supported from utter despair.[c]

a. Psa. 31:22, “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.” Psa. 51:8, 12, 14, “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice…12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit…14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.” Psa. 77:1-10, “To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.” Psa. 88 throughout; Song 5:2-3, 6, “I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?...6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” Isa. 50:10, “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Matt. 26:69-72, “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.” Eph. 4:30-31, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

b. Job 13:15, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Psa. 51:8, 12, “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice…12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psa. 73:15, “If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.” Isa. 50:10, “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

c. Psa. 22:1, “To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” Psa. 88 throughout; Isa. 54:7-10, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” Jer. 32:40, “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” Micah 7:7-9, “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. 9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.”

CHAPTER 19: OF THE LAW OF GOD.

1. God gave to Adam a law, as a covenant of works, by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it; and endued him with power and ability to keep it.[a]

a. Gen. 1:26-27, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” with Gen. 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Eccl. 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Rom. 2:14-15, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.” Rom. 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Rom. 10:5, “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” Gal. 3:10, 12, “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…12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”

2. This law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness; and, as such, was delivered by God upon mount Sinai in ten commandments, and written in two tables;[a] the first four commandments containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man.[b]

a. Exod. 34:1, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.” Deut. 5:32, “Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” Deut. 10:4, “And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.” Rom. 13:8-9, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 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.” James 1:25, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 2:8, 10-12, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well…10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”

b. Matt. 22:37-40, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

3. Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a Church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits;[a] and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties.[b] All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated under the New Testament.[c]

a. Gal. 4:1-3, “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.” Col. 2:17, “Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Heb. 9 throughout; Heb. 10:1, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

b. 1 Cor. 5:7, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” 2 Cor. 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” Jude 1:23, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

c. Dan. 9:27, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Eph. 2:15-16, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” Col. 2:14, 16-17, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross…16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

4. To them also, as a body politic, he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the State of that people, not obliging any other, now, further than the general equity thereof may require.[a]

a. Gen. 49:10, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” with 1 Pet. 2:13-14, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” Exod. 21 throughout; Exod. 22:1-29, “If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. 5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution. 6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. 7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. 8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods. 9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour. 10 If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it: 11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good. 12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof. 13 If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn. 14 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good. 15 But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire. 16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. 18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. 19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. 20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. 21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. 25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. 26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: 27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. 28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. 29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.” Matt. 5:17, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” with Matt. 5:38-39, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” 1 Cor. 9:8-10, “Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.”

5. The moral law doth forever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof;[a] and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator who gave it.[b] Neither doth Christ in the gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen, this obligation.[c]

a. Rom. 13:8-10, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 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. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Eph. 6:2, “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise).” 1 John 2:3-4, 7-8, “e keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him…7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”

b. James 2:10-11, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”

c. Matt. 5:17-19, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Rom. 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” James 2:8, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.”

6. Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned;[a] yet is it of great use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly;[b] discovering also the sinful pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives;[c] so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin;[d] together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience.[e] It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin;[f] and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law.[g] The promises of it, in like manner, show them God’s approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof;[h] although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works:[i] so as a man’s doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law, and not under grace.[j]

a. Acts 13:39, “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Rom. 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom. 8:1, “here is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Gal. 2:16, “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.” Gal. 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Gal. 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

b. Psa. 119:4-6, “Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.” Rom. 7:12, 22, 25, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good…22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man…25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” 1 Cor. 7:19, “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.” Gal. 5:14, 16, 18-23, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself…16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

c. Rom. 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 7:7, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

d. Rom. 7:9, 14, 24, “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died…14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin…24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” James 1:23-25, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

e. Rom. 7:24-25, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Rom. 8:3-4, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Gal. 3:24, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

f. Psa. 119:101, 104, 128, “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word…104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way…128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” James 2:11, “For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”

g. Ezra 9:13-14, “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; 14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?” Psa. 89:30-34, “If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; 31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. 34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my liPsa.”

h. Lev. 26:1, 10, “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God…10 And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.” Lev. 26:14, “But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments…” with 2 Cor. 6:16, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Psa. 19:11, “Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psa. 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” with Matt. 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Eph. 6:2-3, “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”

i. Luke 17:10, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Gal. 2:16, “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.”

j. Rom. 6:12, 14, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof…14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Heb. 12:28-29, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.” 1 Pet. 3:8-12, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” with Psa. 34:12-16, “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.”

7. Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it:[a] the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to be done.[b]

a. Gal. 3:21, “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

b. Ezek. 36:27, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Heb. 8:10, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” with Jer. 31:33, “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

CHAPTER 20: OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY, AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE.

1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law;[a] and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin,[b] from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation;[c] as also in their free access to God,[d] and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind.[e] All which were common also to believers under the law;[f] but under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected;[g] and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace,[h] and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.[i]

a. Gal. 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” 1 Thes. 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

b. Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and 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.” Rom. 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Gal. 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” Col. 1:13, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

c. Psa. 119:71, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Rom. 8:1, 28, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit…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.” 1 Cor. 15:54-57, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

d. Rom. 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

e. Rom. 8:14-15, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

f. Gal. 3:9, 14, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham…14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

g. Acts 15:10-11, “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Gal. 4:1-3, 6-7, “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world…6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Gal. 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

h. Heb. 4:14, 16, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession…16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 10:19-22, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

i. John 7:38-39, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” 2 Cor. 3:13, 17-18, “And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished…17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2. God alone is Lord of the conscience,[a] and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship.[b] So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience;[c] and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.[d]

a. Rom. 14:4, “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” James 4:12, “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”

b. Matt. 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matt. 23:8-10, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.” Acts 4:19, “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” Acts 5:29, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” 1 Cor. 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 2 Cor. 1:24, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”

c. Gal. 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Gal. 2:4-5, “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” Gal. 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Col. 2:20-23, “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

d. Isa. 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Jer. 8:9, “The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?” Hosea 5:11, “Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.” John 4:22, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Rom. 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 14:23, “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Rev. 13:12, 16-17, “And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed…16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

3. They who, upon pretense of Christian liberty, do practice any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.[a]

a. Luke 1:74-75, “That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” John 8:34, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” Gal. 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” 1 Pet. 2:16, “…As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” 2 Pet. 2:19, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”

4. And because the power which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretense of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God.[a] And for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation; or to the power of godliness; or such erroneous opinions or practices as, either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the Church; they may lawfully be called to account,[b] and proceeded against by the censures of the Church, and by the power of the Civil Magistrate.[c]

a. Matt. 12:25, “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” Rom. 13:1-8, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Heb. 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” 1 Pet. 2:13-14, 16, “And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children…16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.”

b. Rom. 1:32, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” with 1 Cor. 5:1, 5, 11, 13, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife…5 o deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus…11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat…13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 2 John 1:10-11, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” and 2 Thes. 3:14, “nd if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” and 1 Tim. 6:3-5, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” and Titus 1:10-11, 13, “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake…13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” and Titus 3:10, “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.” with Matt. 18:15-17, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” 1 Tim. 1:19-20, “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Rev. 2:2, 14-15, 20, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars…14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate…20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” Rev. 3:9, “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”

c. Deut. 13:6-12, “If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: 9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. 10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you. 12 If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there…” 2 Kings 23:5-6, 9, 20-21, “And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. 6 And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people…9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren…20 And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem. 21 And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.” 2 Chron. 15:12-13, “And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.” 2 Chron. 34:33, “And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.” Neh. 13:15, 17, 21-22, 25, 30, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals…17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?...21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy…25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves…30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business.” Isa. 49:23, “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.” Dan. 3:29, “Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.” Zech. 13:2-3, “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. 3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.” Rom. 13:3-4, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” with 2 John 1:10-11, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 1 Tim. 2:2, “…For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” Rev. 17:12, 16-17, “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast…16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

CHAPTER 21: OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP AND THE SABBATH DAY.

1. The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doeth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.[a] But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited to his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.[b]

a. Josh 24:14, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” Psa. 18:3, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Psa. 31:23, “O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.” Psa. 62:8, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psa. 119:68, “Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.” Jer. 10:7, “Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.” Mark 12:33, “And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Acts 17:24, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” Rom. 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Rom. 10:12, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”

b. Exod. 20:4-6, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Deut. 4:15-20, “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, 18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. 20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.” Deut. 12:32, “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” Matt. 4:9-10, “And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matt. 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Acts 17:25, “Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Col. 2:23, “Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

2. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone:[a] not to angels, saints, or any other creature:[b] and since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone.[c]

a. Matt. 4:10, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” with John 5:23, “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” and 2 Cor. 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

b. Rom. 1:25, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Col. 2:18, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” Rev. 19:10, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

c. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Eph. 2:18, “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Col. 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” 1 Tim. 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

3. Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship,[a] is by God required of all men;[b] and that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,[c] by the help of his Spirit,[d] according to his will,[e] with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance;[f] and, if vocal, in a known tongue.[g]

a. Phil. 4:6, “e careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

b. Psa. 65:2, “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.”

c. John 14:13-14, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” 1 Pet. 2:5, “e also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

d. Rom. 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

e. 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

f. Gen. 18:27, “And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.” Psa. 47:7, “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” Eccl. 5:1-2, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” Matt. 6:12, 14-15, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Eph. 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Col. 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Heb. 12:28, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” James 1:6-7, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

g. 1 Cor. 14:14, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”

4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful,[a] and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter;[b] but not for the dead,[c] nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.[d]

a. 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

b. Ruth 4:12, “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.” 2 Sam. 7:29, “Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.” John 17:20, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” 1 Tim. 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

c. 2 Sam. 12:21-23, “Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” with Luke 16:25-26, “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Rev. 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

d. 1 John 5:16, “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.”

5. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear;[a] the sound preaching;[b] and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God with understanding, faith, and reverence;[c] singing of psalms with grace in the heart;[d] as, also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ; are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God:[e] besides religious oaths,[f] vows,[g] solemn fastings,[h] and thanksgivings upon several occasions;[i] which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner.[k]

a. Acts 15:21, “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” Rev. 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

b. 2 Tim. 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

c. Isa. 66:2, “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Matt. 13:19, “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” Acts 10:33, “Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” Heb. 4:2, “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.” James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

d. Eph. 5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Col. 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” James 5:13, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”

e. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” 1 Cor. 11:23-29, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

f. Deut. 6:13, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.” with Neh. 10:29, “They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes.”

g. Isa. 19:21, “And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.” with Eccl. 5:4-5, “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.”

h. Esth. 4:16, “…Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” Joel 2:12, “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” Matt. 9:15, “And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” 1 Cor. 7:5, “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”

i. Esth. 9:22, “As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” Psa. 107 throughout.

k. Heb. 12:28, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

6. Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now, under the gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed:[a] but God is to be worshipped everywhere[b] in spirit and truth;[c] as in private families[d] daily,[e] and in secret each one by himself,[f] so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly or willfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God, by his Word or providence, calleth thereunto.[g]

a. John 4:21, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.”

b. Mal. 1:11, “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.” 1 Tim. 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

c. John 4:23-24, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

d. Deut. 6:6-7, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” 2 Sam. 6:18, 20, “And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts…20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!” Job 1:5, “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” Jer. 10:25, “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.” Acts 10:2, “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” 1 Pet. 3:7, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

e. Matt. 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

f. Matt. 6:6, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Eph. 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

g. Isa. 56:6-7, “Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.” Prov. 1:20-21, 24, “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words…24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.” Prov. 8:34, “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 13:42, “And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.” Heb. 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

7. As it is of the law of nature that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in his Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him:[a] which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week,[b] which in Scripture is called the Lord’s day,[c] and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath.[d]

a. Exod. 20:8, 10-11, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy…10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Isa. 56:2, 4, 6-7, “Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil…4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant…6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.”

b. Gen. 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” 1 Cor. 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

c. Rev. 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”

d. Exod. 20:8, 10, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy…10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.” with Matt. 5:17-18, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

8. This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts, about their worldly employments and recreations;[a] but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.[b]

a. Exod. 20:8, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exod. 16:23, 25-26, 29-30, “And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning…25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none…29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.” Exod. 31:15-17, “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” Isa. 58:13, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.” Neh. 13:15-22, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.”

b. Isa. 58:13, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.” Matt. 12:1-13, “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.”

CHAPTER 22: OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS.

1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship,[a] wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth or promiseth; and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he sweareth.[b]

a. Deut. 10:20, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.”

b. Exod. 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Lev. 19:12, “And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.” 2 Chron. 6:22-23, “If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; 23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.” 2 Cor. 1:23, “Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.”

2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence;[a] therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred.[b] Yet as, in matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the New Testament, as well as under the Old,[c] so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters ought to be taken.[d]

a. Deut. 6:13, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.”

b. Exod. 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Jer. 5:7, “How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.” Matt. 5:34, 37, “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne…37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” James 5:12, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”

c. Isa. 65:16, “That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.” 2 Cor. 1:23, “Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.” Heb. 6:16, “For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.”

d. 1 Kings 8:31, “If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house.” Ezra 10:5, “Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.” Neh. 13:25, “And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.”

3. Whosoever taketh an oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully persuaded is the truth.[a] Neither may any man bind himself by oath to anything but what is good and just, and what he believeth so to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform.[b] Yet it is a sin to refuse an oath touching anything that is good and just, being imposed by lawful authority.[c]

a. Exod. 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Jer. 4:2, “And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.”

b. Gen. 24:2-3, 5-9, “And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell…5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? 6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. 7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. 8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.”

c. Exod. 22:7-11, “If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. 8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods. 9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour. 10 If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it: 11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.” Num. 5:19, 21, “And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse…21 Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell.” Neh. 5:12, “Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.”

4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.[a] It cannot oblige to sin; but in anything not sinful, being taken, it binds to performance, although to a man’s own hurt:[b] nor is it to be violated, although made to heretics or infidels.[c]

a. Psa. 24:4, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Jer. 4:2, “And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.”

b. 1 Sam. 25:22, 32-34, “So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall…32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. 34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.” Psa. 15:4, “In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.”

c. Ezek. 17:16, 18-19, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die…18 Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape. 19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.” Josh 9:18-19, “And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. 19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.” with 2 Sam. 21:1, “Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.”

5. A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath, and ought to be made with the like religious care, and to be performed with the like faithfulness.[a]

a. Isa. 19:21, “And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.” Psa. 61:8, “And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.” Psa. 66:13-14, “I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, 14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Eccl. 5:4-6, “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?”

6. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone:[a] and that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or for the obtaining of what we want; whereby we more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties, or to other things, so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto.[b]

a. Psa. 76:11, “Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.” Jer. 44:25-26, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. 26 Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.”

b. Gen. 28:20-22, “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Deut. 23:21, 23, “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee…23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.” 1 Sam. 1:11, “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.” Psa. 50:14, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.” Psa. 66:13-14, “I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, 14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Psa. 132:2-5, “How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; 3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, 5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.”

7. No man may vow to do anything forbidden in the Word of God, or what would hinder any duty therein commanded, or which is not in his own power, and for the performance whereof he hath no promise or ability from God.[a] In which respect, Popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.[b]

a. Num. 30:5, 8, 12-13, “But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her…8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her…12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her. 13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.” Mark 6:26, “And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.” Acts 23:12, 14, “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul…14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.”

b. Matt. 19:11-12, “But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.” 1 Cor. 7:2, 9, 23, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband…9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn…23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” 1 Pet. 4:2, “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”

CHAPTER 23: OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE.

1. God, the Supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good, and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers.[a]

a. Rom. 13:1-4, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” 1 Pet. 2:13-14, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”

2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called thereunto;[a] in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth,[b] so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasion.[c]

a. Prov. 8:15-16, “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” Rom. 13:1-2, 4, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation…4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

b. 2 Sam. 23:3, “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” Psa. 2:10-12, “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psa. 82:3-4, “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” 1 Tim. 2:2, “For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Pet. 2:13, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme.”

c. Matt. 8:9-10, “For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Luke 3:14, “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” Acts 10:1-2, “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” Rom. 13:4, “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Rev. 17:14, 16, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful…16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.”

3. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven:[a] yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the Church, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire; that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed; all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed; and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed.[b] For the better effecting whereof, he hath power to call synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God.[c]

a. 2 Chron. 26:18, “And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.”

b. Isa. 49:23, “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.”

c. 2 Chron. 19:8, “Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.”

4. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,[a] to honor their persons,[b] to pay them tribute and other dues,[c] to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience’ sake.[d] Infidelity or difference in religion doth not make void the magistrate’s just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to him:[e] from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted;[f] much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and least of all to deprive them of their dominions or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretense whatsoever.[g]

a. 1 Tim. 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

b. 1 Pet. 2:17, “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

c. Rom. 13:6-7, “For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

d. Rom. 13:5, “Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.” Titus 1:3, “But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.”

e. 1 Pet. 2:13-14, 16, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well…16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”

f. 1 Kings 2:35, “And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar.” Acts 25:9-11, “But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.” Rom. 13:1, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” 2 Pet. 2:1, 10-11, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction…10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.” Jude 1:8-11, “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”

g. 2 Thes. 2:4, “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Rev. 13:15-17, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

CHAPTER 24: OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.

1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.[a]

a. Gen. 2:24, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Prov. 2:17, “Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.” Matt. 19:5-6, “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife;[a] for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the Church with an holy seed;[b] and for preventing of uncleanness.[c]

a. Gen. 2:18, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”

b. Mal. 2:15, “And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.”

c. 1 Cor. 7:2, 9, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband…9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”

3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgment to give their consent.[a] Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord.[b] And therefore, such as profess the true reformed religion should not marry with infidels, Papists, or other idolaters: neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresies.[c]

a. Gen. 24:57-58, “And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. 58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” 1 Cor. 7:36-38, “But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.” Heb. 13:4, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” 1 Tim. 4:3, “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

b. 1 Cor. 7:39, “The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.”

c. Gen. 34:14, “And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.” Exod. 34:16, “And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.” Deut. 7:3-4, “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. 4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” 1 Kings 11:4, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” Neh. 13:25-27, “And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?” Mal. 2:11-12, “Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. 12 The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.” 2 Cor. 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity forbidden in the Word;[a] nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by any law of man, or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.[b] The man may not marry any of his wife’s kindred nearer in blood than he may of his own, nor the woman of her husband’s kindred nearer in blood than of her own.[c]

a. Lev. 18 throughout; Amos 2:7, “That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name.” 1 Cor. 5:1, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.”

b. Lev. 18:24-28, “Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: 25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. 26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: 27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) 28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.” Mark 6:18, “For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.”

c. Lev. 20:19-21, “And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity. 20 And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. 21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.”

5. Adultery or fornication, committed after a contract, being detected before marriage, giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract.[a] In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce,[b] and after the divorce to marry another, as if the offending party were dead.[c]

a. Matt. 1:18-20, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

b. Matt. 5:31-32, “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”

c. Matt. 19:9, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Rom. 7:2-3, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.”

6. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments, unduly to put asunder those whom God hath joined together in marriage; yet nothing but adultery, or such wilful desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church or civil magistrate, is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage;[a] wherein a public and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed; and the persons concerned in it, not left to their own wills and discretion in their own case.[b]

a. Matt. 19:6, 8-9, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder…8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” 1 Cor. 7:15, “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.”

b. Deut. 24:1-4, “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”

CHAPTER 25: OF THE CHURCH.

1. The catholic or universal Church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.[a]

a. Eph. 1:10, 22-23, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him…22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Eph. 5:23, 27, 32, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body…27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish…32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Col. 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

2. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation as before under the law) consists of all those, throughout the world, that profess the true religion,[a] and of their children;[b] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[c] the house and family of God,[d] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[e]

a. Psa. 2:8, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Rom. 15:9-12, “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.” 1 Cor. 1:2, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” 1 Cor. 12:12-13, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Rev. 7:9, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.”

b. Gen. 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gen. 17:7, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Ezek. 16:20-21, “Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, 21 That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?” Acts 2:39, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Rom. 11:16, “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” 1 Cor. 7:14, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”

c. Isa. 9:7, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Matt. 13:47, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind.”

d. Eph. 2:19, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Eph. 3:15, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”

e. Acts 2:47, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

3. Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth by his own presence and Spirit, according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto.[a]

a. Isa. 59:21, “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.” 1 Cor. 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” Eph. 4:11-13, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

4. This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible.[a] And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.[b]

a. Rom. 11:3-4, “Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.” Rev. 12:6, 14, “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days…14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”

b. 1 Cor. 5:6-7, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” Rev. 2-3 throughout.

5. The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error;[a] and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan.[b] Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth to worship God according to his will.[c]

a. Matt. 13:24-30, 47, “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn…47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind.” 1 Cor. 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” Rev. 2-3 throughout.

b. Rom. 11:18-22, “Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Rev. 18:2, “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”

c. Psa. 72:17, “His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.” Psa. 102:28, “The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.” Matt. 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.”

6. There is no other Head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ:[a] nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God.[b]

a. Eph. 1:22, “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” Col. 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

b. Matt. 23:8-10, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.” 2 Thes. 2:3-4, 8-9, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God…8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” Rev. 13:6, “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

CHAPTER 26: OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

1. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:[a] and being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces,[b] and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.[c]

a. John 1:16, “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” Rom. 6:5-6, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Eph. 2:5-6, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 3:16-19, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Phil. 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” 2 Tim. 2:12, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 1 John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

b. 1 Cor. 3:21-23, “Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.” 1 Cor. 12:7-8, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit.” Eph. 4:15-16, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Col. 2:19, “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”

c. Rom. 1:11-12, 14, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me…14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” Gal. 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” 1 Thes. 5:11, 14, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do…14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” 1 John 3:16-18, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

2. Saints, by profession, are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification;[a] as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.[b]

a. Isa. 2:3, “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Acts 2:42, 46, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…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.” 1 Cor. 11:20, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.” Heb. 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

b. Acts 2:44-45, “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 11:29-30, “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” 2 Cor. 8-9 throughout; 1 John 3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

3. This communion which the saints have with Christ, doth not make them in any wise partakers of the substance of his Godhead, or to be equal with Christ in any respect: either of which to affirm is impious and blasphemous.[a] Nor doth their communion one with another, as saints, take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man hath in his goods and possessions.[b]

a. Psa. 45:7, “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” with Heb. 1:8-9, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Isa. 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” 1 Cor. 8:6, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” Col. 1:18-19, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” 1 Tim. 6:15-16, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

b. Exod. 20:15, “Thou shalt not steal.” Acts 5:4, “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”

CHAPTER 27: OF THE SACRAMENTS.

1. Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace,[a] immediately instituted by God,[b] to represent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him:[c] as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church and the rest of the world;[d] and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word.[e]

a. Gen. 17:7, 10, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.” Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.”

b. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 1 Cor. 11:23, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.”

c. 1 Cor. 10:16, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” 1 Cor. 11:25-26, “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” Gal. 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

d. Gen. 34:14, “And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.” Exod. 12:48, “And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.” Rom. 15:8, “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.”

e. Rom. 6:3-4, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” 1 Cor. 10:16, 21, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?...21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.”

2. There is in every sacrament a spiritual relation or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified; whence it comes to pass that the names and the effects of the one are attributed to the other.[a]

a. Gen. 17:10, “This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.” Matt. 26:27-28, “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

3. The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments, rightly used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it,[a] but upon the work of the Spirit,[b] and the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy receivers.[c]

a. Rom. 2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” 1 Pet. 3:21, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

b. Matt. 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” 1 Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

c. Matt. 26:27-28, “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

4. There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord: neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained.[a]

a. Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.” 1 Cor. 4:1, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Cor. 11:20, 23, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper…23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.” Heb. 5:4, “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”

5. The sacraments of the Old Testament, in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the New.[a]

a. 1 Cor. 10:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

CHAPTER 28: OF BAPTISM.

1. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,[a] not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church,[b] but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,[c] of his ingrafting into Christ,[d] of regeneration,[e] of remission of sins,[f] and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life:[g] which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in his Church until the end of the world.[h]

a. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

b. 1 Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

c. Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” with Col. 2:11-12, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

d. Rom. 6:5, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” Gal. 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

e. Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

f. Mark 1:4, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

g. Rom. 6:3-4, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

h. Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.”

2. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel lawfully called thereunto.[a]

a. Matt. 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.” John 1:33, “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.”

3. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.[a]

a. Mark 7:4, “And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.” Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 16:33, “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” Heb. 9:10, 19-22, “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation…19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

4. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ,[a] but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized.[b]

a. Mark 16:15-16, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Acts 8:37-38, “art, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”

b. Gen. 17:7, 9, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.” with Gal. 3:9, 14, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham…14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” and Col. 2:11-12, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” and Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” and Rom. 4:11-12, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Mark 10:13-16, “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” Luke 18:15, “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.” 1 Cor. 7:14, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”

5. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance,[a] yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it,[b] or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.[c]

a. Luke 7:30, “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” with Exod. 4:24-26, “And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.”

b. Acts 10:2, 4, 22, 31, 45, 47, “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway…4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God…22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee…31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God…45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost…47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.”

c. Acts 8:13, 23, “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done…23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”

6. The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered;[a] yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in his appointed time.[b]

a. John 3:5, 8, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God…8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

b. Acts 2:38, 41, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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…41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Gal. 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Eph. 5:25-26, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

7. The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered to any person.[a]

a. Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

CHAPTER 29: OF THE LORD’S SUPPER.

1. Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord’s Supper, to be observed in his Church, unto the end of the world; for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death, the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.[a]

a. 1 Cor. 10:16-17, 21, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread…21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.” 1 Cor. 11:23-26, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” 1 Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

2. In this sacrament Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sins of the quick or dead,[a] but only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the cross, once for all, and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same;[b] so that the Popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is most abominably injurious to Christ’s one only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all the sins of the elect.[c]

a. Heb. 9:22, 25-26, 28, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission…25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 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 sin by the sacrifice of himself…28 So 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.”

b. Matt. 26:26-27, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.” 1 Cor. 11:24-26, “nd when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

c. Heb. 7:23-24, 27, “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood…27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” Heb. 10:11-12, 14, 18, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God…14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified…18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”

3. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare his word of institution to the people, to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants;[a] but to none who are not then present in the congregation.[b]

a. Matt. 26:26-28, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” and Mark 14:22-24, “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” and Luke 22:19-20, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” with 1 Cor. 11:23-27, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

b. Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” 1 Cor. 11:20, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.”

4. Private masses, or receiving this sacrament by a priest, or any other, alone;[a] as likewise the denial of the cup to the people;[b] worshipping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and the reserving them for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this sacrament, and to the institution of Christ.[c]

a. 1 Cor. 10:6, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”

b. Mark 14:23, “And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.” 1 Cor. 11:25-29, “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

c. Matt. 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

5. The outward elements in this sacrament, duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, yet sacramentally only, they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ;[a] albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly, and only, bread and wine, as they were before.[b]

a. Matt. 26:26-28, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

b. Matt. 26:29, “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” 1 Cor. 11:26-28, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

6. That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine, into the substance of Christ’s body and blood (commonly called transubstantiation) by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant, not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense and reason; overthroweth the nature of the sacrament; and hath been, and is the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries.[a]

a. Luke 24:6, 39, “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee…39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” Acts 3:21, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” with 1 Cor. 11:24-26, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament,[a] do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are, to their outward senses.[b]

a. 1 Cor. 11:28, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

b. 1 Cor. 10:16, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

8. Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this sacrament, yet they receive not the thing signified thereby; but by their unworthy coming thereunto are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with him, so are they unworthy of the Lord’s table, and cannot, without great sin against Christ, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries,[a] or be admitted thereunto.[b]

a. 1 Cor. 11:27-29, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.” 2 Cor. 6:14-16, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

b. Matt. 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” 1 Cor. 5:6-7, 13, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us…13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 2 Thes. 3:6, 14-15, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us…14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

CHAPTER 30: OF CHURCH CENSURES.

1. The Lord Jesus, as king and head of his Church, hath therein appointed a government in the hand of Church officers, distinct from the civil magistrate.[a]

a. Isa. 9:6-7, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Matt. 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: 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 20:17, 28, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church…28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” 1 Cor. 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Thes. 5:12, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.” 1 Tim. 5:17, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” Heb. 13:7, 17, 24, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation…17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you…24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.”

2. To these officers the keys of the kingdom of heaven are committed, by virtue whereof they have power respectively to retain and remit sins, to shut that kingdom against the impenitent, both by the Word and censures; and to open it unto penitent sinners, by the ministry of the gospel, and by absolution from censures, as occasion shall require.[a]

a. Matt. 16:19, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 18:17-18, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” John 20:21-23, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” 2 Cor. 2:6-8, “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.”

3. Church censures are necessary for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren; for deterring of others from the like offenses; for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump; for vindicating the honor of Christ, and the holy profession of the gospel; and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church, if they should suffer his covenant, and the seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders.[a]

a. Matt. 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” 1 Cor. 5 throughout; 1 Cor. 11:27-34, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.” with Jude 1:23, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” 1 Tim. 1:20, “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” 1 Tim. 5:20, “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”

4. For the better attaining of these ends, the officers of the Church are to proceed by admonition, suspension from the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for a season, and by excommunication from the Church, according to the nature of the crime and demerit of the person.[a]

a. Matt. 18:17, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” 1 Cor. 5:4-5, 13, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus…13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Thes. 5:12, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.” 2 Thes. 3:6, 14-15, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us…14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” Titus 3:10, “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.”

CHAPTER 31: OF SYNODS AND COUNCILS.

1. For the better government and further edification of the Church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called synods or councils.[a]

a. Acts 15:2, 4, 6, “When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question…4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them…6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.”

2. As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers and other fit persons to consult and advise with about matters of religion;[a] so, if magistrates be open enemies to the Church, the ministers of Christ, of themselves, by virtue of their office, or they, with other fit persons, upon delegation from their churches, may meet together in such assemblies.[b]

a. Isa. 49:23, “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.” 2 Chron. 19:8-11, “Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. 11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.” 2 Chron. 29-30 throughout; Prov. 11:14, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Matt. 2:4-5, “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet.” 1 Tim. 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

b. Acts 15:2, 4, 22-23, 25, “When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question…4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them…22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia…25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.”

3. It belongeth to synods and councils, ministerially, to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his Church; to receive complaints in cases of maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which decrees and determinations, if consonant to the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his Word.[a]

a. Matt. 18:17-20, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Acts 15:15, 19, 24, 27-31, “And to this agree the words of the prophets…19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God…24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment…27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.” Acts 16:4, “And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.”

4. All synods or councils since the apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred; therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice, but to be used as a help in both.[a]

a. Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” 1 Cor. 2:5, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 2 Cor. 1:24, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” Eph. 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

5. Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate.[a]

a. Luke 12:13-14, “And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?” John 18:36, “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

CHAPTER 32: OF THE STATE OF MEN AFTER DEATH, AND OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

1. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption;[a] but their souls (which neither die nor sleep), having an immortal subsistence,[b] immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies:[c] and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day.[d] Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.

a. Gen. 3:19, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Acts 13:36, “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption.”

b. Eccl. 12:7, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Luke 23:43, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

c. Phil. 1:23, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” with Acts 3:21, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” and Eph. 4:10, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” 2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens…6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord…8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Heb. 12:23, “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.”

d. Luke 16:23-24, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Acts 1:25, “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 1 Pet. 3:19, “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” Jude 1:6-7, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

2. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed;[a] and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.[b]

a. 1 Cor. 15:51-52, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Thes. 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

b. Job 19:26-27, “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” 1 Cor. 15:42-44, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.[a]

a. John 5:28-29, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Acts 24:15, “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” 1 Cor. 15:42, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.” Phil. 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

CHAPTER 33: OF THE LAST JUDGMENT.

1. God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ,[a] to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.[b] In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,[c] but likewise all persons, that have lived upon earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.[d]

a. Acts 17:31, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

b. John 5:22, 27, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son…27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”

c. 1 Cor. 6:3, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” 2 Pet. 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” Jude 1:6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

d. Eccl. 12:14, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Matt. 12:36-37, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Rom. 2:16, “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Rom. 14:10, 12, “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” 2 Cor. 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

2. The end of God’s appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect;[a] and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient.[b] For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord:[c] but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.[d]

a. Matt. 25:21, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Rom. 9:23, “And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory?”

b. Rom. 2:5-6, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds.” Rom. 9:22, “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction?” 2 Thes. 1:7-8, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

c. Matt. 25:31-34, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Acts 3:19, “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.” 2 Thes. 1:7, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.”

d. Matt. 25:41, 46, “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…46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” 2 Thes. 1:9, “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity:[a] so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.[b]

a. Luke 21:27-28, “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Rom. 8:23-25, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” 2 Cor. 5:10-11, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” 2 Thes. 1:5-7, “Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.” 2 Pet. 3:11, 14, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness…14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

b. Matt. 24:36, 42-44, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only…42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Mark 13:35-37, “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Luke 12:35-36, “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.” Rev. 22:20, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

THE LARGER CATECHISM

The Humble

ADVICE

Of the

ASSEMBLY

OF

DIVINES,

Now by the Authority of Parliament

sitting at WESTMINSTER,

Concerning

A Larger Catechism

With the

PROOFS of SCRIPTURE annexed.

Presented by them lately to both Houses of Parliament.

Printed at London,

October 1647;

AND

Reprinted at EDINBURGH by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. Dec., 1647.

Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?

Answer: Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God,[a] and fully to enjoy him forever.[b]

a. Rom. 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” 1 Cor. 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

b. Psa. 73:24-28, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”

Question 2: How doth it appear that there is a God?

Answer: The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God;[a] but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.[b]

a. Rom. 1:19-20, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Psa. 19:1-3, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” Acts 17:28, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”

b. 1 Cor. 2:9-10, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 2 Tim. 3:15-17, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Isa. 59:21, “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”

Question 3: What is the word of God?

Answer: The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God,[a] the only rule of faith and obedience.[b]

a. 2 Tim. 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Pet. 1:19-21, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

b. Eph. 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” Rev. 22:18-19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Isa. 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Luke 16:29, “Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them…31  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” Gal. 1:8-9, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” 2 Tim. 3:15-16, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Question 4: How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God?

Answer: The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty[a] and purity;[b] by the consent of all the parts,[c] and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God;[d] by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation:[e] but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God.[f]

a. Hosea 8:12, “I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.” 1 Cor. 2:6-7, 13, “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory…13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” Psa. 119:18, 129, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law…129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.”

b. Psa. 12:6, “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Psa. 119:140, “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”

c. Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 26:22, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

d. Rom. 3:19, 27, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God…27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”

e. Acts 23:28, “And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council.” Heb. 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” James 1:18, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Psa. 19:7-9, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Rom. 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Acts 20:32, “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.”

f. John 16:13-14, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 1 John 2:20, 27, “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things…27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

Question 5: What do the scriptures principally teach?

Answer: The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.[a]

a. 2 Tim. 1:13, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”

Question 6: What do the scriptures make known of God?

Answer: The scriptures make known what God is,[a] the persons in the Godhead,[b] his decrees,[c] and the execution of his decrees.[d]

a. Heb. 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

b. 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.”

c. Acts 15:14-15, 18, “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written…18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

d. Acts 4:27-28, “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.”

Question 7: What is God?

Answer: God is a Spirit,[a] in and of himself infinite in being,[b] glory,[c] blessedness,[d] and perfection;[e] all-sufficient,[f] eternal,[g] unchangeable,[h] incomprehensible,[i] everywhere present,[j] almighty,[k] knowing all things,[l] most wise,[m] most holy,[n] most just,[o] most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.[p]

a. John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

b. Exod. 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Job 11:7-9, “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.”

c. Acts 7:2, “And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.”

d. 1 Tim. 6:15, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.”

e. Matt. 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

f. Gen. 17:1, “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

g. Psa. 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

h. Mal. 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

i. 1 Kings 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”

j. Psa. 139:1-13, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.”

k. Rev. 4:8, “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

l. Heb. 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Psa. 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”

m. Rom. 16:27, “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”

n. Isa. 6:3, “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Rev. 15:4, “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

o. Deut. 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

p. Exod. 34:6, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”

Question 8: Are there more Gods than one?

Answer: There is but one only, the living and true God.[a]

a. Deut. 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” 1 Cor. 8:4, 6, “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one…6 whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” Jer. 10:10, “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.”

Question 9: How many persons are there in the Godhead?

Answer: There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties.[a]

a. 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” Matt. 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 2 Cor. 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.”

Question 10: What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?

Answer: It is proper to the Father to beget the Son,[a] and to the Son to be begotten of the Father,[b] and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity.[c]

a. Heb. 1:5-6, 8, “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him…8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

b. John 1:14, 18, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth…18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

c. John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” Gal. 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

Question 11: How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?

Answer: The scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names,[a] attributes,[b] works,[c] and worship,[d] as are proper to God only.

a. Isa. 6:3, 5, 8, “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory…5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts…8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” John 12:41, “These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.” Acts 5:3-4, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Acts 28:25, “And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers.” 1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

b. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” Isa. 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” 1 Cor. 2:10-11, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”

c. Col. 1:16, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” Gen. 1:2, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

d. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 2 Cor. 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Question 12: What are the decrees of God?

Answer: God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will,[a] whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time,[b] especially concerning angels and men.

a. Eph. 1:11, “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.” Rom. 9:14-15, 18, “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion…18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Rom. 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

b. Eph. 1:4, 11, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love…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.” Rom. 9:22-23, “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.” Psa. 33:11, “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”

Question 13: What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?

Answer: God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory;[a] and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof:[b] and also, according to his sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favor as he pleases), hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice.[c]

a. 1 Tim. 5:21, “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”

b. Eph. 1:4-6, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” 2 Thes. 2:13-14, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

c. Rom. 9:17-18, 21-22, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth…21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.” Matt. 11:25-26, “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 wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” 2 Tim. 2:20, “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” Jude 1:4, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 2:8, “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

Question 14: How doth God execute his decrees?

Answer: God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will.[a]

a. Eph. 1:11, “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.”

Question 15: What is the work of creation?

Answer: The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of his power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for himself, within the space of six days, and all very good.[a]

a. Gen. ch. 1; Heb. 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Prov. 16:4, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”

Question 16: How did God create angels?

Answer: God created all the angels[a] spirits,[b] immortal,[c] holy,[d] excelling in knowledge,[e] mighty in power,[f] to execute his commandments, and to praise his name,[g] yet subject to change.[h]

a. Col. 1:16, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.”

b. Psa. 104:4, “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire.”

c. Matt. 22:30, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”

d. Matt. 25:31, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.”

e. 2 Sam. 14:17, “Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.” Matt. 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

f. 2 Thes. 1:7, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.”

g. Psa. 103:20-21, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.”

h. 2 Pet. 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”

Question 17: How did God create man?

Answer: After God had made all other creatures, he created man male and female;[a] formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground,[b] and the woman of the rib of the man,[c] endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls;[d] made them after his own image,[e] in knowledge,[f] righteousness, and holiness;[g] having the law of God written in their hearts,[h] and power to fulfil it,[i] and dominion over the creatures;[j] yet subject to fall.[k]

a. Gen. 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

b. Gen. 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

c. Gen. 2:22, “And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”

d. Gen. 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Job 35:11, “Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?” Eccl. 12:7, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Matt. 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Luke 23:43, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

e. Gen. 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

f. Col. 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

g. Eph. 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

h. Rom. 2:14-15, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.”

i. Eccl. 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.”

j. Gen. 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

k. Gen. 3:6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Eccl. 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.”

Question 18: What are God’s works of providence?

Answer: God’s works of providence are his most holy,[a] wise,[b] and powerful preserving[c] and governing[d] all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions,[e] to his own glory.[f]

a. Psa. 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”

b. Psa. 104:24, “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” Isa. 28:29, “This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.”

c. Heb. 1:8, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

d. Psa. 103:19, “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”

e. Matt. 10:29-31, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Gen. 45:7, “And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”

f. Rom. 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Isa. 43:14, “Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the shiPsa.”

Question 19: What is God’s providence towards the angels?

Answer: God by his providence permitted some of the angels, wilfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation,[a] limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to his own glory;[b] and established the rest in holiness and happiness;[c] employing them all,[d] at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power, mercy, and justice.[e]

a. Jude 1:6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” 2 Pet. 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;” Heb. 2:16, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

b. Job 1:12, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” Matt. 8:31, “So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.”

c. 1 Tim. 5:21, “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” Mark 8:38, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Heb. 12:22, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.”

d. Psa. 104:4, “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire.”

e. 2 Kings 19:35, “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.” Heb. 1:14, “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.”

Question 20: What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created?

Answer: The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth;[a] putting the creatures under his dominion,[b] and ordaining marriage for his help;[c] affording him communion with himself;[d] instituting the sabbath;[e] entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience,[f] of which the tree of life was a pledge;[g] and forbidding to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death.[h]

a. Gen. 2:8, 15-16, “And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed…15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:”

b. Gen. 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

c. Gen. 2:18, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”

d. Gen. 1:26-29, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Gen. 3:8, “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”

e. Gen. 2:3, “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

f. Gal. 3:12, “And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” Rom. 10:5, “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”

g. Gen. 2:9, “And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

h. Gen. 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Question 21: Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created him?

Answer: Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God in eating the forbidden fruit; and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created.[a]

a. Gen. 3:6-8, 13, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden…13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Eccl. 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” 2 Cor. 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Question 22: Did all mankind fall in that first transgression?

Answer: The covenant being made with Adam as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation,[a] sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression.[b]

a. Acts 17:26, “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.”

b. Gen. 2:16-17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Rom. 5:12-20, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” 1 Cor. 15:21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Question 23: Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

Answer: The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.[a]

a. Rom. 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

Question 24: What is sin?

Answer: Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature.[a]

a. 1 John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Gal. 3:10, 12, “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…12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”

Question 25: Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

Answer: The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin,[a] the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually;[b] which is commonly called Original Sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions.[c]

a. Rom. 5:12, 19, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

b. Rom. 3:10-19, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Rom. 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 8:7-8, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Eph. 2:1-3, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Gen. 6:5, “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.”

c. James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Matt. 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

Question 26: How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?

Answer: Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin.[a]

a. Psa. 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Job 14:4, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” Job 15:14, “What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?” John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Question 27: What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?

Answer: The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God,[a] his displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath,[b] bond slaves to Satan,[c] and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come.[d]

a. Gen. 3:8, 10, 24, “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden…10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself…24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”

b. Eph. 2:2-3, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

c. 2 Tim. 2:26, “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

d. Gen. 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Lam. 3:39, “Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?” Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Matt. 25:41, 46, “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…46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”, Jude 1:7, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Question 28: What are the punishments of sin in this world?

Answer: The punishments of sin in this world are either inward, as blindness of mind,[a] a reprobate sense,[b] strong delusions,[c] hardness of heart,[d] horror of conscience,[e] and vile affections;[f] or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sakes,[g] and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments;[h] together with death itself.[i]

a. Eph. 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

b. Rom. 1:28, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”

c. 2 Thes. 2:11, “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”

d. Rom. 2:5, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.”

e. Isa. 33:14, “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” Gen. 4:13, “And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.” Matt. 27:4, “Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.”

f. Rom. 1:26, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.”

g. Gen. 3:17, “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.”

h. Deut. 28:15-18, “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: 16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. 17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.”

i. Rom. 6:21, 23, “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death…23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Question 29: What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?

Answer: The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell fire forever.[a]

a. 2 Thes. 1:9, “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” Mark 9:43-44, 46, 48, “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched…46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched…48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Luke 16:24, “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

Question 30: Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

Answer: God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery,[a] into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the Covenant of Works;[b] but of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the Covenant of Grace.[c]

a. 1 Thes. 5:9, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b. Gal. 3:10, 12, “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…12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”

c. Titus 3:4-7, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Gal. 3:21, “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” Rom. 3:20-22, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.”

Question 31: With whom was the covenant of grace made?

Answer: The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed.[a]

a. Gal. 3:16, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Rom. 5:15-21, “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Isa. 53:10-11, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”

Question 32: How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant?

Answer: The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator,[a] and life and salvation by him;[b] and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him, promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit[c] to all his elect, to work in them that faith,[d] with all other saving graces;[e] and to enable them unto all holy obedience,[e] as the evidence of the truth of their faith[f] and thankfulness to God,[g] and as the way which he hath appointed them to salvation.[h]

a. Gen. 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Isa. 42:6, “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” John 6:27, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

b. 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

c. John 1:12, “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.” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

d. Prov. 1:23, “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”

e. 2 Cor. 4:13, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.”

f. Gal. 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

g. Ezek. 36:27, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

h. James 2:18, 22, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works…22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”

i. 2 Cor. 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

j. Eph. 2:18, “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

Question 33: Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner?

Answer: The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New.[a]

a. 2 Cor. 3:6-9, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”

Question 34: How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?

Answer: The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises,[a] prophecies,[b] sacrifices,[c] circumcision,[d] the passover,[e] and other types and ordinances, which did all foresignify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,[f] by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.[g]

a. Rom. 15:8, “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.”

b. Acts 3:20, 24, “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you…24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.”

c. Heb. 10:1, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

d. Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.”

e. 1 Cor. 5:7, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”

f. Heb. ch. 8-10; Heb. 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

g. Gal. 3:7-9, 14, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham…14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Question 35: How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?

Answer: Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word,[a] and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism[b] and the Lord’s Supper;[c] in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.[d]

a. Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

b. Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

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.”

c. 1 Cor. 11:23-25, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

d. 2 Cor. 3:6-9, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.” Heb. 8:6, 10-11, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises…10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Question 36: Who is the Mediator of the covenant of grace?

Answer: The only Mediator of the covenant of grace is the Lord Jesus Christ,[a] who, being the eternal Son of God, of one substance and equal with the Father,[b] in the fulness of time became man,[c] and so was and continues to be God and man, in two entire distinct natures, and one person, forever.[d]

a. 1 Tim. 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

b. John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” Phil. 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”

c. Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

d. Luke 1:35, “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Rom. 9:5, “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Col. 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Heb. 7:24-25, “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Question 37: How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Answer: Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul,[a] being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her,[b] yet without sin.[c]

a. John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Matt. 26:38, “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”

b. Luke 1:27, 31, 35, 42, “To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary…31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS…35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God…42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

c. Heb. 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 7:26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.”

Question 38: Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God?

Answer: It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death;[a] give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession;[b] and to satisfy God’s justice,[c] procure his favor,[d] purchase a peculiar people,[e] give his Spirit to them,[f] conquer all their enemies,[g] and bring them to everlasting salvation.[h]

a. Acts. 2:24-25, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.” Rom. 1:4, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Rom. 4:25, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Heb. 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

b. Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Heb. 7:25-28, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.” Heb. 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

c. Rom. 3:24-26, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

d. Eph. 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Matt. 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

e. Titus 2:13-14, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

f. Gal. 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

g. Luke 1:68-69, 71, 74, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David…71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us…74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear.”

h. Heb. 5:8-9, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Heb. 9:11-15, “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

Question 39: Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be man?

Answer: It was requisite that the Mediator should be man, that he might advance our nature,[a] perform obedience to the law,[b] suffer and make intercession for us in our nature,[c] have a fellow feeling of our infirmities;[d] that we might receive the adoption of sons,[e] and have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace.[f]

a. Heb. 2:16, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”

b. Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

c. Heb. 2:14, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Heb. 7:24-25, “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

d. Heb. 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

e. Gal. 4:5, “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

f. Heb. 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Question 40: Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one person ?

Answer: It was requisite that the Mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and relied on by us,[a] as the works of the whole person.[b]

a. Matt. 1:21, 23, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins…23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matt. 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Heb. 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

b. 1 Pet. 2:6, “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

Question 41: Why was our Mediator called Jesus?

Answer: Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins.[a]

a. Matt. 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Question 42: Why was our Mediator called Christ?

Answer: Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure;[a] and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability,[b] to execute the offices of prophet,[c] priest,[d] and king of his church,[e] in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation.

a. John 3:34, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” Psa. 45:7, “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

b. John 6:27, “”Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.; Matt. 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: 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.”

c. Acts 3:21-22, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said 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 say unto you.” Luke 4:18, 21, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…21  And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

d. Heb. 4:14-15, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 5:5-7, “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.”

e. Psa. 2:6, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” Matt. 21:5, “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” Isa. 9:6-7, “O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. 7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.” Phil. 2:8-11, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Question 43: How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the church,[a] in all ages, by his Spirit and word,[b] in divers ways of administration,[c] the whole will of God,[d] in all things concerning their edification and salvation.[e]

a. John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

b. 1 Pet. 1:10-12, “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

c. Heb. 1:1-2, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

d. John 15:15, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

e. Acts 20:32, “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.” Eph. 4:11-13, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

Question 44: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God,[a] to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people;[b] and in making continual intercession for them.[c]

a. Heb. 9:14, 28, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?...28 So 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.”

b. Heb. 2:17, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

c. Heb. 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Question 45: How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself,[a] and giving them officers,[b] laws,[c] and censures, by which he visibly governs them;[d] in bestowing saving grace upon his elect,[e] rewarding their obedience,[f] and correcting them for their sins,[g] preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings,[h] restraining and overcoming all their enemies,[i] and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory,[j] and their good;[k] and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.[l]

a. Acts 15;14-16, “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.” Isa. 4:4-5, “When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. 5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.” Gen. 49:10, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Psa. 110:3, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.”

b. Eph. 4:11-12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” 1 Cor. 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

c. Isa. 33:22, “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.”

d. Matt. 18:17-18, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 1 Cor. 5:4-5, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

e. Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

f. Rev. 2:10, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 22:12, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

g. Rev. 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

h. Isa. 63:9, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”

i. 1 Cor. 15:25, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” Psa. 110:1-2, “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.”

j. Rom. 14:10-11, “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

k. Rom. 8:28, “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.”

l. 2 Thes. 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” Psa. 2:8-9, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

Question 46: What was the estate of Christ’s humiliation?

Answer: The estate of Christ’s humiliation was that low condition, wherein he for our sakes, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection.[a]

a. Phil. 2:6-8, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Luke 1:31, “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” 2 Cor. 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Acts 2:24, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”

Question 47: How did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth?

Answer: Christ humbled himself in his conception and birth, in that, being from all eternity the Son of God, in the bosom of the Father, he was pleased in the fulness of time to become the son of man, made of a woman of low estate, and to be born of her; with divers circumstances of more than ordinary abasement.[a]

a. John 1:14, 18, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth…18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Luke 2:7, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Question 48: How did Christ humble himself in his life?

Answer: Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjecting himself to the law,[a] which he perfectly fulfilled;[b] and by conflicting with the indignities of the world,[c] temptations of Satan,[d] and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly accompanying that his low condition.[e]

a. Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

b. Matt. 5:17, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Rom. 5:19, “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

c. Psa. 22:6, “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” Heb. 12:2-3, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

d. Matt. 4:1-12, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee.” Luke 4:13, “And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.”

e. Heb. 2:17-18, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” Heb. 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Isa. 52:13-14, “Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. 14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.”

Question 49: How did Christ humble himself in his death?

Answer: Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judas,[a] forsaken by his disciples,[b] scorned and rejected by the world,[c] condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his persecutors;[d] having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God’s wrath,[e] he laid down his life an offering for sin,[f] enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross.[g]

a. Matt. 27:4, “Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.”

b. Matt. 26:56, “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.”

c. Isa. 53:2-3, “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

d. Matt. 27:26-50, “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. 32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there; 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.” John 19:34, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”

e. Luke 22:44, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Matt. 27:46, “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

f. Isa. 53:10, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.”

g. Phil. 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Heb. 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Gal. 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”

Question 50: Wherein consisted Christ’s humiliation after his death?

Answer: Christ’s humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried,[a] and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day;[b] which hath been otherwise expressed in these words, he descended into hell.

a. 1 Cor. 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

b. Psa. 16:10, “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Acts 2:24-27, 31, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption…31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” Rom. 6:9, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” Matt. 12:40, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Question 51: What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation?

Answer: The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection,[a] ascension,[b] sitting at the right hand of the Father,[c] and his coming again to judge the world.[d]

a. 1 Cor. 15:4, “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

b. Mark 16:19, “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

c. Eph. 1:20, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.”

d. Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 17:31, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

Question 52: How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?

Answer: Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held),[a] and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof[b] (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life), really united to his soul,[c] he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power;[d] whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God,[e] to have satisfied divine justice,[f] to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it,[g] and to be Lord of quick and dead:[h] all which he did as a public person,[i] the head of his church,[j] for their justification,[k] quickening in grace,[l] support against enemies,[m] and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.[n]

a. Acts 2:24, 27, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it…27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

b. Luke 24:39, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

c. Rom. 6:9, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” Rev. 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

d. John 10:18, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

e. Rom. 1:4, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

f. Rom. 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

g. Heb. 2:14, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”

h. Rom. 14:9, “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”

i. 1 Cor. 15:21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

j. Eph. 1:20, 22-23, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places…22 ngs to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Col. 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

k. Rom. 4:25, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

l. Eph. 2:1, 5-6, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins…5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Col. 2:12, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

m. 1 Cor. 15:25-27, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.”

n. 1 Cor. 15:20, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”

Question 53: How was Christ exalted in his ascension?

Answer: Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God,[a] and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations,[b] forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head,[c] triumphing over enemies,[d] visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men,[e] to raise up our affections thither,[f] and to prepare a place for us,[g] where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world.[h]

a. Acts 1:2-3, “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

b. Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.”

c. Heb. 6:20, “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

d. Eph. 4:8, “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

e. Acts 1:9-11, “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Eph. 4:10, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” Psa. 68:18, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”

f. Col. 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

g. John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

h. Acts 3:21, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

Question 54: How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?

Answer: Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father,[a] with all fulness of joy,[b] glory,[c] and power over all things in heaven and earth;[d] and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces,[e] and maketh intercession for them.[f]

a. Phil. 2:9, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”

b. Acts 2:28, “Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.” Psa. 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

c. John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

d. Eph. 1:22, “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” 1 Pet. 3:22, “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

e. Eph. 4:10-12, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Psa. 110:1, “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

f. Rom. 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Question 55: How doth Christ make intercession?

Answer: Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven,[a] in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth,[b] declaring his will to have it applied to all believers;[c] answering all accusations against them,[d] and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings,[e] access with boldness to the throne of grace,[f] and acceptance of their persons[g] and services.[h]

a. Heb. 9:12, 24, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us…24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

b. Heb. 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

c. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 17:9, 20, 24, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine…20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word…24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

d. Rom. 8:33-34, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

e. Rom. 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” 1 John 2:1-2, “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.”

f. Heb. 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

g. Eph. 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

h. 1 Pet. 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

Question 56: How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?

Answer: Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men,[a] shall come again at the last day in great power,[b] and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels,[c] with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God,[d] to judge the world in righteousness.[e]

a. Acts 3:14-15, “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”

b. Matt. 14:30, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

c. Luke 9:26, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.” Matt. 25:31, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.”

d. 1 Thes. 4:16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”

e. Acts 17:31, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

Question 57: What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation?

Answer: Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption,[a] with all other benefits of the covenant of grace.[b]

a. Heb. 9:12, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

b. 2 Cor. 1:20, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

Question 58: How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?

Answer: We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured,[a] by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.[b]

a. John 1:11-12, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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.”

b. Titus 3:5-6, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”

Question 59: Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?

Answer: Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it;[a] who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel.[b]

a. Eph. 1:13-14, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” John 6:37, 39, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out…39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” John 10:15-16, “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

b. Eph. 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” 2 Cor. 4:13, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.”

Question 60: Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?

Answer: They who, having never heard the gospel,[a] know not Jesus Christ,[b] and believe not in him, cannot be saved,[c] be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature,[d] or the laws of that religion which they profess;[e] neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone,[f] who is the Savior only of his body the church.[g]

a. Rom. 10:14, “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?”

b. 2 Thes. 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” John 1:10-12, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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.”

c. John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

d. 1 Cor. 1:20-24, “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

e. John 4:22, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” Rom. 9:31-32, “But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone.” Phil. 3:4-9, “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 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.”

f. Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

g. Eph. 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”

Question 61: Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?

Answer: All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible.[a]

a. John 12:38-40, “That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” Rom. 9:6, “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” Rom. 11:7, “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” Matt. 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Question 62: What is the visible church?

Answer: The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion,[a] and of their children.[b]

a. 1 Cor. 1:2, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.” 1 Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Rom. 15:9-12, “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.” Rev. 7:9, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Psa. 2:8, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Psa. 22:27-31, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. 28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.” Psa. 45:17, “I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.” Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.” Isa. 59:21, “As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”

b. 1 Cor. 7:14, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.” Acts 2:39, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Rom. 11:16, “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” Gen. 17:7, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”

Question 63: What are the special privileges of the visible church?

Answer: The visible church hath the privilege of being under God’s special care and government;[a] of being protected and preserved in all ages, not withstanding the opposition of all enemies;[b] and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation,[c] and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved,[d] and excluding none that will come unto him.[e]

a. Isa. 4:5-6, “And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. 6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.” 1 Tim. 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

b. Psa. 115:1-2, 9, “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. 2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?...9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.” Isa. 31:4-5, “For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. 5 As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.” Zech. 12:2-4, 8-9, “Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. 3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, 4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein…8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. 9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.”

c. Acts 2:39, 42, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call…42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

d. Psa. 147:19-20, “He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.” Rom. 9:4, “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.” Eph. 4:11-12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Mark 16:15-16, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

e. John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Question 64: What is the invisible church?

Answer: The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.[a]

a. Eph. 1:20, 22-23, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places…22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 11:52, “And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.”

Question 65: What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?

Answer: The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory.[a]

a. John 17:21, 24, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me…24 m; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” Eph. 2:5-6, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

Question 66: What is that union which the elect have with Christ?

Answer: The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s grace,[a] whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband;[b] which is done in their effectual calling.[c]

a. Eph. 1:22, “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.” Eph. 2:6-8, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

b. 1 Cor. 6:17, “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Eph. 5:23, 30, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body…30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”

c. 1 Pet. 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Cor. 1:9, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Question 67: What is effectual calling?

Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace,[a] whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto[b]) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit;[c] savingly enlightening their minds,[d] renewing and powerfully determining their wills,[e] so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein.[f]

a. John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” Eph. 1:18-20, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” 2 Tim. 1:8-9, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 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.”

b. Titus. 3:4-5, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Eph. 2:4-5, 7-9, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)…7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Rom. 9:11, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.)”

c. 2 Cor. 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 1 Cor. 6:1-2, “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” 2 Thes. 2:13-14, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

d. Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and 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.” 1 Cor. 2:10, 12, “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ…12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord…”

e. Ezek. 11:19, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.” Ezek. 36:26-27, “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. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

f. Eph. 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)” Phil. 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Deut. 30:6, “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.”

Question 68: Are the elect only effectually called?

Answer: All the elect, and they only, are effectually called;[a] although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the ministry of the word,[b] and have some common operations of the Spirit;[c] who, for their wilful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ.[d]

a. Acts 13:48, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”

b. Matt. 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

c. Matt. 7:22, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Matt. 13:20-21, “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Heb. 6:4-6, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

d. John 6:64-65, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” John 12:38-40, “That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” Acts 18:25-27, “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace.” Psa. 81:11-12, “But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.”

Question 69: What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?

Answer: The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification,[a] adoption,[b] sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him.[c]

a. Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

b. Eph. 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

c. 1 Cor. 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

Question 70: What is justification?

Answer: Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners,[a] in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight;[b] not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them,[c] but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them,[d] and received by faith alone.[e]

a. Rom. 3:22, 24-25, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference…24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Rom. 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

b. 2 Cor. 5:19, 21, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation…21 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.” Rom. 3:22-25, 27-28, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

c. Titus 3:5, 7, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost…7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Eph. 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

d. Rom. 4:6-8, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Rom. 5:17-19, “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

e. Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Gal. 2:16, “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.” Phil. 3:9, “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.”

Question 71: How is justification an act of God’s free grace?

Answer: Although Christ, by his obedience and death, did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in the behalf of them that are justified;[a] yet inasmuch as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety, which he might have demanded of them, and did provide this surety, his own only Son,[b] imputing his righteousness to them,[c] and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith,[d] which also is his gift,[e] their justification is to them of free grace.[f]

a. Rom. 5:8-10, 19, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life…19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

b. 2 Tim. 2:5-6, “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.” Heb. 7:22, “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” Heb. 10:10, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Matt. 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Dan. 9:24, 26, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy…26  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” Isa. 53:4-6, 10-12, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 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…10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Rom. 8:32, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” 1 Pet. 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

c. 2 Cor. 5:21, “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.”

d. Rom. 3:24-25, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

e. Eph. 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

f. Eph. 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

Question 72: What is justifying faith?

Answer: Justifying faith is a saving grace,[a] wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit[b] and word of God,[c] whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition,[d] not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel,[e] but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin,[f] and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.[g]

a. Heb. 10:39, “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

b. 2 Cor. 4:13, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.” Eph. 1:17-19, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.”

c. Rom. 10:14, 17, “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?..17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

d. Acts 2:37, “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?” Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 16:30, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” John 16:8-9, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me.” Rom. 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Eph. 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

e. Eph. 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”

f. John 1:12, “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.” Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

g. Phil. 3:9, “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.” Acts 15:11, “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

Question 73: How doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God?

Answer: Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other graces which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it,[c] nor as if the grace of faith, or any act thereof, were imputed to him for his justification;[b] but only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applies Christ and his righteousness.[c]

a. Gal. 3:11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” Rom. 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

b. Rom. 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom. 10:10, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

c. John 1:12, “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.” Phil. 3:9, “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. 2:16, “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.”

Question 74: What is adoption?

Answer: Adoption is an act of the free grace of God,[a] in and for his only Son Jesus Christ,[b] whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children,[c] have his name put upon them,[d] the Spirit of his Son given to them,[e] are under his fatherly care and dispensations,[f] admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow heirs with Christ in glory.[g]

a. 1 John 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

b. Eph. 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Gal. 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

c. John 1:12, “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.”

d. 2 Cor. 4:18, “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.” Rev. 3:12, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

e. Gal. 4:6, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”

f. Psa. 103:13, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” Prov. 14:26, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” Matt. 6:32, “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

g. Heb. 6:12, “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Rom. 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Question 75: What is sanctification?

Answer: Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit[a] applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them,[b] renewed in their whole man after the image of God;[c] having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts,[d] and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened,[e] as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.[f]

a. Eph. 1:4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” 1 Cor. 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 2 Thes. 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

b. Rom. 6:4-6, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

c. Eph. 4:23-24, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

d. Acts 11:18, “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

e. Jude 1:20, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” Heb. 6:11-12, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Eph. 3:16-19, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Col. 1:10-11, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”

f. Rom. 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Rom 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Gal. 5:24, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Question 76: What is repentance unto life?

Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace,[a] wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit[b] and word of God,[c] whereby, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger,[d] but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins,[e] and upon the apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ to such as are penitent,[f] he so grieves for[g] and hates his sins,[h] as that he turns from them all to God,[i] purposing and endeavoring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience.[j]

a. 2 Tim. 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

b. Zech. 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

c. Acts 11:18, 20-21, “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life…20  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”

d. Ezek. 18:28, 30, 32, “Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die…30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin…32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Luke 15:17-18, “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” Hosea 2:6-7, “Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. 7 And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.”

e. Ezek. 36:31, “Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.” Isa. 30:22, “Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.”

f. Joel 2:12-13, “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”

g. Jer. 31:18-19, “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. 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.”

h. 2 Cor. 7:11, “For behold this selfsame 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 vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

i. Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and 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.” Ezek. 14:6, “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” 1 Kings 8:47-48, “Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; 48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name.”

j. Psa. 119:6, 59, 128, “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments…59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies…128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Luke 1:6, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” 2 Kings 23:25, “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.”

Question 77: Wherein do justification and sanctification differ?

Answer: Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification,[a] yet they differ, in that God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ;[b] in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof;[c] in the former, sin is pardoned;[d] in the other, it is subdued:[e] 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;[f] the other is neither equal in all,[g] nor in this life perfect in any,[h] but growing up to perfection.[i]

a. 1 Cor. 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Cor. 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

b. Rom. 4:6, 8, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works…8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

c. Ezek. 36:27, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

d. Rom. 3:24-25, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

e. Rom. 6:6, 14, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin…14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

f. Rom. 8:33-34, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

g. 1 John 2:12-14, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” Heb. 5:12-14, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

h. 1 John 1:8, 10, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

i. 2 Cor. 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Phil. 3:12-14, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Question 78: Whence ariseth the imperfection of sanctification in believers?

Answer: 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,[a] are hindered in all their spiritual services,[b] and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God.[c]

a. Rom. 7:18, 23, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not…23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Mark 14:66-72, “And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” Gal. 2:11-12, “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.”

b. Heb. 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

c. Isa. 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Exod. 28:38, “And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.”

Question 79: May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace ?

Answer: True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God,[a] and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance,[b] their inseparable union with Christ,[c] his continual intercession for them,[d] and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them,[e] can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace,[f] but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.[g]

a. Jer. 31:3, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

b. 2 Tim. 2:19-21, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Sam. 23:5, “Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.”

c. 1 Cor. 1:8-9, “Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

d. Heb. 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

e. 1 John 2:27, “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.” 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

f. Jer. 32:40, “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

g. 1 Pet. 1:5, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Question 80: Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation?

Answer: Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him,[a] may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God’s promises, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made,[b] and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God,[c] be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation.[d]

a. 1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”

b. 1 Cor. 2:12, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 John 3:14, 18-19, 21, 24, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death…18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him...21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God…24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” 1 John 4:13, 16, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit…16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” Heb. 6:11-12, “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

c. Rom. 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

d. 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Question 81: Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of grace, and that they shall be saved?

Answer: Assurance of grace and salvation not being of the essence of faith,[a] true believers may wait long before they obtain it;[b] and, after the enjoyment thereof, may have it weakened and intermitted, through manifold distempers, sins, temptations, and desertions;[c] yet are they never left without such a presence and support of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair.[d]

a. Eph. 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”

b. Isa. 50:10, “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” Psa. ch. 88.

c. Psa. 22:1, “To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” Psa. 31:22, “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.” Psa. 51:8, 12, “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice…12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psa. 77:1-12, “To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” Song of Sol. 5:2-3, 6, “I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. 3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?...6  I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.”

d. 1 John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” Job 13:15, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Psa. 73:15, 23, “If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children…23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.” Isa. 54:7-10, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.”

Question 82: What is the communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?

Answer: The communion in glory which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is in this life,[a] immediately after death,[b] and at last perfected at the resurrection and day of judgment.[c]

a. 2 Cor. 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

b. Luke 23:43, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

c. 1 Thes. 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Question 83: What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy in this life?

Answer: The members of the invisible church have communicated to them in this life the firstfruits of glory with Christ, as they are members of him their head, and so in him are interested in that glory which he is fully possessed of;[a] and, as an earnest thereof, enjoy the sense of God’s love,[b] peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory;[c] as, on the contrary, sense of God’s revenging wrath, horror of conscience, and a fearful expectation of judgment, are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death.[d]

a. Eph. 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”

b. Rom. 5:5, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” 2 Cor. 1:22, “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

c. Rom. 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Rom. 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

d. Gen. 4:13, “And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.” Matt. 27:4, “Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” Heb. 10:27, “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Rom. 2:9, “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile.” Mark 9:44, “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

Question 84: Shall all men die?

Answer: Death being threatened as the wages of sin,[a] it is appointed unto all men once to die;[b] for that all have sinned.[c]

a. Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

b. Heb. 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

c. Rom. 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

Question 85: Death, being the wages of sin, why are not the righteous delivered from death, seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ?

Answer: The righteous shall be delivered from death itself at the last day, and even in death are delivered from the sting and curse of it;[a] so that, although they die, yet it is out of God’s love,[b] to free them perfectly from sin and misery,[c] and to make them capable of further communion with Christ in glory, which they then enter upon.[d]

a. 1 Cor. 15:26, 55-57, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death…55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Heb. 2:15, “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

b. Isa. 57:1-2, “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” 2 Kings 22:20, “Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.”

c. Rev. 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Eph. 5:27, “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

d. Luke 23:43, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Phil. 1:23, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

Question 86: What is the communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death ?

Answer: 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 holiness,[a] and received into the highest heavens,[b] where they behold the face of God in light and glory,[c] waiting for the full redemption of their bodies,[d] which even in death continue united to Christ,[e] and rest in their graves as in their beds,[f] till at the last day they be again united to their souls.[g] Whereas the souls of the wicked are at their death cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, and their bodies kept in their graves, as in their prisons, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day.[h]

a. Heb. 12:23, “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.”

b. 2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens…6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord…8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Phil. 1:23, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” Acts 3:21, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Eph. 4:10, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.”

c. 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 Cor. 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

d. Rom. 8:23, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Psa. 16:9, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.”

e. 1 Thes. 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

f. Isa. 57:2, “He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.”

g. Job 19:26-27, “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

h. Luke 16:23-24, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Acts 1:25, “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” Jude 1:6-7, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Question 87: What are we to believe concerning the resurrection?

Answer: We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust:[a] when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the selfsame bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ.[b] The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body;[c] and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonor by him, as an offended judge.[d]

a. Acts 24:15, “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”

b. 1 Cor. 15:51-53, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Thes. 4:15-17, “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” John 5:28-29, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

c. 1 Cor. 15:21-23, 42-44, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming…42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” Phil. 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

d. John 5:27-29, “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Matt. 25:33, “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

Question 88: What shall immediately follow after the resurrection?

Answer: Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the general and final judgment of angels and men;[a] the day and hour whereof no man knows, that all may watch and pray, and be ever ready for the coming of the Lord.[b]

a. 2 Pet. 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” Jude 1:6-7, 14-15, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire…14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Matt. 25:46, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

b. Matt. 24:36, 42, 44, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only…42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Luke 21:35-36, “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Question 89: What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment?

Answer: At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ’s left hand,[a] and, upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences,[b] shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them;[c] and thereupon shall be cast out from the favorable presence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels, into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil and his angels forever.[d]

a. Matt. 25:33, “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

b. Rom. 2:15-16, “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

c. Matt. 25:41-43, “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: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.”

d. Luke 16:26, “And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” 2 Thes. 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

Question 90: What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment?

Answer: At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds,[a] shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted,[b] shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men,[c] and shall be received into heaven,[d] where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery;[e] filled with inconceivable joys,[f] made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels,[g] but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity.[h] And this is the perfect and full communion, which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.

a. 1 Thes. 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

b. Matt. 10:32, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 25:33, “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

c. 1 Cor. 6:2-3, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”

d. Matt. 25:34, 46, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

e. Eph. 5:27, “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Rev. 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

f. Psa. 16:11, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

g. Heb. 12:22-23, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.”

h. 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 Cor. 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Thes. 4:17-18, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Question 91: What is the duty which God requireth of man?

Answer: The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will.[a]

a. Rom. 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” 1 Sam. 15:22, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Question 92: What did God at first reveal unto man as the rule of his obedience?

Answer: The rule of obedience revealed to Adam in the estate of innocence, and to all mankind in him, besides a special command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, was the moral law.[a]

a. Gen. 1:26-27, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Gen. 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Rom. 2:14-15, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.” Rom. 10:5, “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”

Question 93: What is the moral law?

Answer: The moral law is the declaration of the will of God to mankind, directing and binding everyone to personal, perfect, and perpetual conformity and obedience thereunto, in the frame and disposition of the whole man, soul and body,[a] and in performance of all those duties of holiness and righteousness which he oweth to God and man:[b] promising life upon the fulfilling, and threatening death upon the breach of it.[c]

a. Deut. 5:1-3, 31, 33, “And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. 2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day…31 But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it…33 Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.” Luke 10:26-27, “He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Gal. 3:10, “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.” 1 Thes. 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b. Luke 1:75, “In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” Acts 14:16, “Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.”

c. Rom. 10:5, “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” Gal. 3:10, 12, “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…12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”

Question 94: Is there any use of the moral law to man since the fall?

Answer: Although no man, since the fall, can attain to righteousness and life by the moral law;[a] yet there is great use thereof, as well common to all men, as peculiar either to the unregenerate, or the regenerate.[b]

a. Rom. 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Gal. 2:16, “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.”

b. 1 Tim. 1:8, “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.”

Question 95: Of what use is the moral law to all men?

Answer: The moral law is of use to all men, to inform them of the holy nature and will of God,[a] and of their duty, binding them to walk accordingly;[b] to convince them of their disability to keep it, and of the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and lives;[c] to humble them in the sense of their sin and misery,[d] and thereby help them to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ,[e] and of the perfection of his obedience.[f]

a. Lev. 11:44-45, “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” Lev. 20:7-8, “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. 8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.” Rom. 7:12, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”

b. Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” James 2:10-11, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”

c. Psa. 19:11-12, “Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.” Rom. 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 7:7, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

d. Rom. 3:9, 23, “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…23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

e. Gal. 3:21-22, “Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

f. Rom. 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

Question 96: What particular use is there of the moral law to unregenerate men?

Answer: The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come,[a] and to drive them to Christ;[b] or, upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin, to leave them inexcusable,[c] and under the curse thereof.[d]

a. 1 Tim. 1:9-10, “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”

b. Gal. 3:24, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

c. Rom. 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Rom. 2:15, “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.”

d. Gal. 3:10, “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.”

Question 97: What special use is there of the moral law to the regenerate?

Answer: Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works,[a] so as thereby they are neither justified[b] nor condemned;[c] yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to show them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good;[d] and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness,[e] and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience.[f]

a. Rom. 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom. 7:4, 6, “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God…6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” Gal. 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

b. Rom. 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

c. Gal. 5:23, “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Rom. 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

d. Rom. 7:24-25, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Rom. 8:3-4, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Gal. 3:13-14, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

e. Luke 1:68-69, 74-75, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David…74  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” Col. 1:12-14, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

f. Rom. 7:22, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” Rom. 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Question 98: Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?

Answer: The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments, which were delivered by the voice of God upon mount Sinai, and written by him in two tables of stone;[a] and are recorded in the twentieth chapter of Exodus. The four first commandments containing our duty to God, and the other six our duty to man.[b]

a. Deut. 10:4, “And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.” Exod. 34:1-4, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. 2 And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. 3 And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. 4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.”

b. Matt. 22:37-38, 40, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment…40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Question 99: What rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the ten commandments?

Answer: For the right understanding of the ten commandments, these rules are to be observed:

a. That the law is perfect, and bindeth everyone to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof, and unto entire obedience forever; so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty, and to forbid the least degree of every sin.[a]

b. That it is spiritual, and so reaches the understanding, will, affections, and all other powers of the soul; as well as words, works, and gestures.[b]

c. That one and the same thing, in divers respects, is required or forbidden in several commandments.[c]

d. That as, where a duty is commanded, the contrary sin is forbidden;[d] and, where a sin is forbidden, the contrary duty is commanded:[e] so, where a promise is annexed, the contrary threatening is included;[f] and, where a threatening is annexed, the contrary promise is included.[g]

e. That what God forbids, is at no time to be done;[h] What he commands, is always our duty;[i] and yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times.[j]

f. That under one sin or duty, all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded; together with all the causes, means, occasions, and appearances thereof, and provocations thereunto.[k]

g. That what is forbidden or commanded to ourselves, we are bound, according to our places, to endeavor that it may be avoided or performed by others, according to the duty of their places.[l]

h. That in what is commanded to others, we are bound, according to our places and callings, to be helpful to them;[m] and to take heed of partaking with others in what is forbidden them.[n]

a. Psa. 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Matt. 5:21-22, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

b. Rom. 7:14, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” Deut. 6:5, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28, 33-34, 37-39, 43-44, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire…27  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart…33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne…37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also…Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 22:37-39, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

c. Col. 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Amos 8:5, “Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?” Prov. 1:19, “So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” 1 Tim. 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

d. Isa. 58:13, “3 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.” Deut. 6:13, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.” Matt. 4:9-10, “And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matt. 15:4-6, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”

e. Matt. 5:21-25, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”

f. Exod. 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Prov. 30:17, “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.”

g. Jer. 18:7-8, “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” Exod. 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Psa. 15:1, 4-5, “A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?...4  In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” Psa. 24:4-5, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

h. Job. 13:7, “Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?” Job 36:21, “Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.” Rom. 3:8, “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.” Heb. 11:25, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”

i. Deut. 4:8-9, “And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons.”

j. Matt. 12:7, “But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.”

k. Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire...27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matt. 15:4-6, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Heb. 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” 1 Thes. 5:22-23, “Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Gal. 5:26, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Col. 3:21, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”

l. Exod. 20:10, “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.” Lev. 19:17, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” Gen. 18:19, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Josh. 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Deut. 6:6-7, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

m. 2 Cor. 1:24, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”

n. 1 Tim. 5:22, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.”

Question 100: What special things are we to consider in the ten commandments?

Answer: We are to consider, in the ten commandments, the preface, the substance of the commandments themselves, and several reasons annexed to some of them, the more to enforce them.

Question 101: What is the preface to the ten commandments?

Answer: The preface to the ten commandments is contained in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.[a] Wherein God manifesteth his sovereignty, as being JEHOVAH, the eternal, immutable, and almighty God;[b] having his being in and of himself,[c] and giving being to all his words[d] and works:[e] and that he is a God in covenant, as with Israel of old, so with all his people;[f] who, as he brought them out of their bondage in Egypt, so he delivers us from our spiritual thraldom;[g] and that therefore we are bound to take him for our God alone, and to keep all his commandments.[h]

a. Exod. 20:2, “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

b. Isa. 44:6, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

c. Exod. 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

d. Exod. 6:3, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”

e. Acts 17:24, 28, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands…28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”

f. Gen. 17:7, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Rom. 3:29, “Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.”

g. Luke 1:74-75, “That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”

h. 1 Pet. 1:15-18, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.” Lev. 18:30, “Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.” Lev. 19:37, “Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.”

Question 102: What is the sum of the four commandments which contain our duty to God?

Answer: The sum of the four commandments containing our duty to God is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength, and with all our mind.[a]

a. Luke 10:27, “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”

Question 103: Which is the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment is, Thou shall have no other gods before me.[a]

a. Exod. 20:3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

Question 104: What are the duties required in the first commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the first commandment are, the knowing and acknowledging of God to be the only true God, and our God;[a] and to worship and glorify him accordingly,[b] by thinking,[c] meditating,[d] remembering,[e] highly esteeming,[f] honoring,[g] adoring,[h] choosing,[i] loving,[j] desiring,[k] fearing of him;[l] believing him;[m] trusting,[n] hoping,[o] delighting,[p] rejoicing in him;[q] being zealous for him;[r] calling upon him, giving all praise and thanks,[s] and yielding all obedience and submission to him with the whole man;[t] being careful in all things to please him,[u] and sorrowful when in anything he is offended;[v] and walking humbly with him.[w]

a. 1 Chr. 28:9, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” Deut. 26:17, “Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:” Isa. 43:10, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” Jer. 14:22, “Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.”

b. Psa. 29:2, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psa. 95:6-7, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice.” Matt. 4:10, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

c. Mal. 3:16, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

d. Psa. 63:6, “When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.”

e. Eccl. 12:1, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.”

f. Psa. 71:19, “Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!”

g. Mal. 1:6, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”

h. Isa. 45:23, “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”

i. Josh. 24:15, 22, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD…22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.”

j. Deut. 6:5, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

k. Psa. 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”

l. Isa. 8:13, “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

m. Exod. 14:31, “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

n. Isa. 26:4, “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”

o. Psa. 130:7, “Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.”

p. Psa. 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

q. Psa. 32:11, “Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”

r. Rom. 12:11, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” Num. 25:11, “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.”

s. Phil. 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

t. Jer. 7:28, “But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.” James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

u. 1 John 3:22, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

v. Jer. 31:18, “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.” Psa. 119:136, “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.”

w. Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Question 105: What are the sins forbidden in the first commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the first commandment are, atheism, in denying or not having a God;[a] Idolatry, in having or worshiping more gods than one, or any with or instead of the true God;[b] the not having and avouching him for God, and our God;[c] the omission or neglect of anything due to him, required in this commandment;[d] ignorance,[e] forgetfulness,[f] misapprehensions,[g] false opinions,[h] unworthy and wicked thoughts of him;[i] bold and curious searching into his secrets;[j] all profaneness,[k] hatred of God;[l] self-love,[m] self-seeking,[n] and all other inordinate and immoderate setting of our mind, will, or affections upon other things, and taking them off from him in whole or in part;[o] vain credulity,[p] unbelief,[q] heresy,[r] misbelief,[s] distrust,[t] despair,[u] incorrigibleness,[v] and insensibleness under judgments,[w] hardness of heart,[x] pride,[y] presumption,[z] carnal security,[a1] tempting of God;[b1] using unlawful means,[c1] and trusting in lawful means;[d1] carnal delights and joys;[e1] corrupt, blind, and indiscreet zeal;[f1] lukewarmness,[g1] and deadness in the things of God;[h1] estranging ourselves, and apostatizing from God;[i1] praying, or giving any religious worship, to saints, angels, or any other creatures;[j1] all compacts and consulting with the devil,[k1] and hearkening to his suggestions;[l1] making men the lords of our faith and conscience;[m1] slighting and despising God and his commands;[n1] resisting and grieving of his Spirit,[o1] discontent and impatience at his dispensations, charging him foolishly for the evils he inflicts on us;[p1] and ascribing the praise of any good we either are, have, or can do, to fortune,[q1] idols,[r1] ourselves,[s1] or any other creature.[t1]

a. Psa. 14:1, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Eph. 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”

b. Jer. 2:27-28, “Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. 28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.” 1 Thes. 1:9, “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

c. Psa. 81:11, “But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.”

d. Isa. 43:22-24, “2 But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. 23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. 24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.”

e. Jer. 4:22, “For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Hosea 4:1, 6, “Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land…6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

f. Jer. 2:32, “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.”

g. Acts 17:23, 29, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you…29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.”

h. Isa. 40:18, “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?”

i. Psa. 50:21, “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.”

j. Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

k. Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Heb. 12:16, “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.”

l. Rom. 1:30, “Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents…”

m. 2 Tim. 3:2, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…”

n. Phil. 2:21, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.”

o. 1 John 2:15-16, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 Sam. 2:29, “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?” Col. 3:2, 5, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth…5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

p. 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

q. Heb. 3:12, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

r. Gal. 5:20, “Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies…” Titus 3:10, “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.”

s. Acts 26:9, “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”

t. Psa. 78:22, “Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation.”

u. Gen. 4:13, “And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.”

v. Jer. 5:3, “O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.”

w. Isa. 42:25, “Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.”

x. Rom. 2:5, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.”

y. Jer. 13:15, “Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.”

z. Psa. 19:13, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”

a1. Zeph. 1:12, “And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.”

b1. Matt. 4:7, “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

c1. Rom. 3:8, “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.”

d1. Jer. 17:5, “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”

e1. 2 Tim. 3:4, “Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

f1. Gal. 4:17, “They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.” John 16:2, “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” Rom. 10:2, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Luke 9:54-55, “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.”

g1. Rev. 3:16, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

h1. Rev. 3:1, “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”

i1. Ezek. 14:5, “That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.” Isa. 1:4-5, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.”

j1. Rom. 1:25, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Rom. 10:13-14, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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?” Hosea 4:12, “My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.” Acts 10:25-26, “But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.” Rev. 19:10, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Matt. 4:10, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Col. 2:18, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”

k1. Lev. 20:6, “And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.” 1 Sam. 28:7, 11, “Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor…11  Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.” 1 Chr. 10:13-14, “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; 14 And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”

l1. Acts 5:3, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”

m1. 2 Cor. 1:24, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” Matt. 23:9, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”

n1. Deut. 32:15, “But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.” 2 Sam. 12:9, “Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.” Prov. 13:13, “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”

o1. Acts 7:51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Eph. 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

p1. Psa. 73:2-3, 13-15, 22, “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children…22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.” Job 1:22, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

q1. 1 Sam. 6:7-9, “Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them: 8 And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go. 9 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.”

r1. Dan. 5:23, “But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.”

s1. Deut. 8:17, “And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.” Dan. 4:30, “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?”

t1. Hab. 1:16, “Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.”

Question 106: What are we specially taught by these words before me in the first commandment?

Answer: These words before me, or before my face, in the first commandment, teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh special notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God: that so it may be an argument to dissuade from it, and to aggravate it as a most impudent provocation:[a] as also to persuade us to do as in his sight,: Whatever we do in his service.[b]

a. Ezek. 8:5-18, “Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. 6 He said furthermore 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. 7 And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall. 8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. 9 And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. 10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about. 11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. 12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. 13 He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. 14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. 15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. 16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. 17 Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.” Psa. 44:20-21, “If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”

b. 1 Chr. 28:9, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”

Question 107: Which is the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.[a]

a. Exod. 20:4-6, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

Question 108: What are the duties required in the second commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the second commandment are, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath instituted in his word;[a] particularly prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Christ;[b] the reading, preaching, and hearing of the word;[c] the administration and receiving of the sacraments;[d] church government and discipline;[e] the ministry and maintenance thereof;[f] religious fasting;[g] swearing by the name of God,[h] and vowing unto him:[i] as also the disapproving, detesting, opposing, all false worship;[j] and, according to each one’s place and calling, removing it, and all monuments of idolatry.[k]

a. Deut. 32:46-47, “And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. 47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.” Matt. 28:20, “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 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” 1 Tim. 6:13-14, “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

b. Phil. 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Eph. 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

c. Deut. 17:18-19, “And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.” Acts 15:21, “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” 2 Tim. 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” James 1:21-22, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

d. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 1 Cor. 11:23-30, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”

e. Matt. 16:19, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 18:15-17, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” 1 Cor. ch. 5; 1 Cor. 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

f. Eph. 4:11-12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” 1 Tim. 5:17-18, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Cor. 9:1-15, “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.”

g. Joel 2:12-13, “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” 1 Cor. 7:5, “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”

h. Deut. 6:13, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.”

i. Isa. 19:21, “And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.” Psa. 76:11, “Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.”

j. Acts 17:16-17, “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.” Psa. 16:4, “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my liPsa.”

k. Deut. 7:5, “But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.” Isa. 30:22, “Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.”

Question 109: What are the sins forbidden in the second commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising,[a] counseling,[b] commanding,[c] using,[d] and anywise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself;[e] tolerating a false religion;[f] the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever;[g] all worshiping of it,[h] or God in it or by it;[i] the making of any representation of feigned deities,[j] and all worship of them, or service belonging to them;[k] all superstitious devices,[l] corrupting the worship of God,[m] adding to it, or taking from it,[n] whether invented and taken up of ourselves,[o] or received by tradition from others,[p] though under the title of antiquity,[q] custom,[r] devotion,[s] good intent, or any other pretense whatsoever;[t] simony;[u] sacrilege;[v] all neglect,[w] contempt,[x] hindering,[y] and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed.[z]

a. Num. 15:39, “And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring.”

b. Deut. 13:6-8, “If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:”

c. Hosea 5:11, “Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.” Micah 6:16, “For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.”

d. 1 Kings 11:33, “Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.” 1 Kings 12:33, “So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.”

e. Deut. 12:30-32, “Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”

f. Deut. 13:6-12, “And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks.” Zech. 13:2-3, “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. 3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.” Rev. 2:2, 14-15, 20, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars…14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate…20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” Rev. 17:12, 16-17, “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast…16 ore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

g. Deut. 4:15-19, “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, 18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.” Acts 17:29, “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.” Rom. 1:21-23, 25, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things…25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

h. Dan. 3:18, “But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Gal. 4:8, “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.”

i. Exod. 32:5, “And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.”

j. Exod. 32:8, “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”

k. 1 Kings 18:26, 28, “And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made…28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.” Isa. 65:11, “But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.”

l. Acts 17:22, “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.” Col. 2:21-23, “(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

m. Mal. 1:7-8, 14, “Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts…14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.”

n. Deut. 4:2, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”

o. Psa. 106:39, “Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.”

p. Matt. 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

q. 1 Pet. 1:18, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.”

r. Jer. 44:17, “But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.”

s. Isa. 65:3-5, “A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; 4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.” Gal. 1:13-14, “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”

t. 1 Sam. 13:11-12, “And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.” 1 Sam. 15:21, “But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.”

u. Acts 8:18, “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.”

v. Rom. 2:22, “Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?” Mal. 3:8, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”

w. Exod. 4:24-26, “And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.”

x. Matt. 22:5, “But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.” Mal. 1:7, 13, “Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible…13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.”

y. Matt. 23:13, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”

z. Acts 13:44-45, “And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” 1 Thes. 2:15-16, “Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

Question 110: What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment, the more to enforce it?

Answer: The reasons annexed to the second commandment, the more to enforce it, contained in these words, For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments;[a] are, besides God’s sovereignty over us, and propriety in us,[b] his fervent zeal for his own worship,[c] and his revengeful indignation against all false worship, as being a spiritual whoredom;[d] accounting the breakers of this commandment such as hate him, and threatening to punish them unto divers generations;[e] and esteeming the observers of it such as love him and keep his commandments, and promising mercy to them unto many generations.[f]

a. Exod. 20:5-6, “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

b. Psa. 45:11, “So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.” Rev. 20:3-4, “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

c. Exod. 34:13-14, “But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: 14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

d. 1 Cor. 10:20-22, “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” Jer. 7:18-20, “The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. 19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? 20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.” Ezek. 16:26-27, “Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger. 27 Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way.” Deut. 32:16-20, “They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. 17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. 18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. 19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.”

e. Hosea 2:2-4, “Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts; 3 Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst. 4 And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.”

f. Deut. 5:29, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”

Question 111: Which is the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.[a]

a. Exod. 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

Question 112: What is required in the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes,[a] ordinances,[b] the word,[c] sacraments,[d] prayer,[e] oaths,[f] vows,[g] lots,[h] his works,[i] and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought,[j] meditation,[k] word,[l] and writing;[m] by an holy profession,[n] and Answerable conversation,[o] to the glory of God,[p] and the good of ourselves,[q] and others.[r]

a. Matt. 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Deut. 28:58, “If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD.” Psa. 29:2, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psa. 68:4, “Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.” Rev. 15:3-4, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

b. Mal. 1:14, “But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.” Eccl. 5:1, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.”

c. Psa. 138:2, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

d. 1 Cor. 11:24-25, 28-29, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me…28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

e. 1 Tim. 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

f. Jer. 4:2, “And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.”

g. Eccl. 5:2, 4-6, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few…4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?”

h. Acts 1:24, 26, “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen…26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

i. Job 36:24, “Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.”

j. Mal. 3:16, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

k. Psa. 8:1, 3-4, 9, “To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens…3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?...9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

l. Col. 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Psa. 105:2, 5, “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works…5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.”

m. Psa. 102:18, “This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.”

n. 1 Pet. 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Micah 4:5, “For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”

o. Phil. 1:27, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

p. 1 Cor. 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

q. Jer. 32:39, “And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them.”

r. 1 Pet. 2:12, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Question 113: What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?

The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God's name as is required;[a] and the abuse of it in an ignorant,[b] vain,[c] irreverent, profane,[d] superstitious[e] or wicked mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes,[f] ordinances,[g] or works,[h] by blasphemy,[i] perjury;[j] all sinful cursings,[k] oaths,[l] vows,[m] and lots;[n] violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful[o] and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful;[p] murmuring and quarrelling at,[q] curious prying into,[r] and misapplying of God's decrees[s] and providences;[t] misinterpreting,[u] misapplying,[v] or any way perverting the Word, or any part of it;[w] to profane jests,[x] curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines;[y] abusing it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms,[z] or sinful lusts and practices;[a1] the maligning,[b1] scorning,[c1] reviling,[d1] or any wise opposing of God's truth, grace, and ways[e1]; making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends;[f1] being ashamed of it,[g1] or a shame to it, by unconformable,[h1] unwise,[i1] unfruitful,[j1] and offensive walking,[k1] or backsliding from it.[l1]

a. Mal. 2:2, “If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.”

b. Acts 17:23, “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”

c. Prov. 30:9, “Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

d. Mal. 1:6-7, 12, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible…12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.” Mal. 3:14, “Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?”

e. 1 Sam. 4:3-5, “And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.” Jer. 7:4, 9-10, 14, 31, “Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these…9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?...14 Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh…31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.” Col. 2:20-22, “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?”

f. 2 Kings 18:30, 35, “Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria…35 Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?” Exod. 5:2, “And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” Psa. 139:20, “For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.”

g. Psa. 50:16-17, “But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.”

h. Isa. 5:12, “And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.”

i. 2 Kings 19:22, “Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.” Lev. 24:11, “And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)”

j. Zech. 5:4, “I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.” Zech. 8:17, “And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.”

k. 1 Sam. 17:43, “And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.” 2 Sam. 16:5, “And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.”

l. Jer. 5:7, “How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.” Jer. 23:10, “For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.”

m. Deut. 23:18, “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” Acts 23:12, 14, “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul…14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.”

n. Esth. 3:7, “In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.” Esth. 9:24, “Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them.” Psa. 22:18, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

o. Psa. 24:4, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”, Ezek. 17:16, 18-19, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die…18  Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape. 19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.”

p. Mark 6:26, “And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.” 1 Sam. 25:22, 32-34, “So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall…32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: 33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. 34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.”

q. Rom. 9:14, 19-20, “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid…19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?”

r. Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

s. Rom. 3:5, 7, “But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)…7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?” Rom. 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

t. Eccl. 8:11, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Eccl. 9:3, “der the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” Psa. ch. 39.

u. Matt. 5:21-48, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven  is perfect.”

v. Ezek. 13:22, “Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.”

w. 2 Pet. 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” Matt. 22:24-31, “Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God.”

x. Isa. 22:18, “He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house.” Jer. 23:34, 36, 38, “And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house…36  And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God…38 But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD.”

y. 1 Tim. 1:4, 6-7, “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do…6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” 1 Tim. 6:4-5, 20, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself…20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.” 2 Tim. 2:14, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” Titus. 3:9, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

z. Deut. 18:10-14, “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.” Acts 19:13, “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”

a1. 2 Tim. 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Rom. 13:13-14, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” 1 Kings 21:9-10, “And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: 10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.” Jude 1:4, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b1. Acts 13:45, “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” 1 John 3:12, “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.”

c1. Psa. 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” 2 Pet. 3:3, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts.”

d1. 1 Pet. 4:4, “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.”

e1. Acts 4:18, “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Acts 13:45-46, 50, “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles…50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.” Acts 19:9, “But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.” 1 Thes 2:16, “Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” Heb. 10:29, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

f1. 2 Tim. 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Matt. 6:1-2, 5, 16, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matt. 23:14, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.”

g1. Mark 8:38, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

h1. Psa. 73:14-15, “For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.”

i1. 1 Cor. 6:5-6, “I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.” Eph. 5:15-17, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

j1. Isa. 5:4, “What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?” 2 Pet. 1:8-9, “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

k1. Rom. 2:23-24, “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”

l1. Gal. 3:1, 3, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?...3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Heb. 6:6, “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

Question 114: What reasons are annexed to the third commandment?

Answer: The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, The Lord thy God, and, For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain,[a] are, because he is the Lord and our God, therefore his name is not to be profaned, or any way abused by us;[b] especially because he will be so far from acquitting and sparing the transgressors of this commandment, as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment,[c] albeit many such escape the censures and punishments of men.[d]

a. Exod. 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

b. Lev. 19:12, “And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.”

c. Ezek. 36:21-23, “But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. 22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” Deut. 28:58-59, “If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; 59 Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.” Zech. 5:2-4, “And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. 3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. 4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.”

d. 1 Sam. 2:12, 17, 22, 24, “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD…17 at before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD…22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation…Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.” 1 Sam. 3:18, “And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.”

Question 115: Which is the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.[a]

a. Exod. 20:8-11, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

Question 116: What is required in the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment requires of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven; which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, and the first day of the week ever since, and so to continue to the end of the world; which is the Christian sabbath,[a] and in the New Testament called The Lord’s day.[b]

a. Deut. 5:12, 14, 18, “Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee…14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou…18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.” Gen. 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” 1 Cor. 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Matt. 5:17-18, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Isa. 56:2, 4, 6-7, “Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil…4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant…6  Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.”

b. Rev. 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”

Question 117: How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified?

Answer: The sabbath or Lord’s day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day,[a] not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful;[b] and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy)[c] in the public and private exercises of God’s worship:[d] and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day.[e]

a. Exod. 20:8, 10, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy…10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.”

b. Exod. 16:25-28, “And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. 27 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. 28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?” Neh. 13:15-22, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.” Jer. 17:21-22, “Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.”

c. Matt. 12:1-13, “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.”

d. Isa. 58:13-14, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isa. 66:23, “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.” Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” 1 Cor. 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Psa. ch. 92; Lev. 23:3, “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”

e. Exod. 16:22, 25-26, 29, “And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses…25  And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none…29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” Exod. 20:8, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Luke 23:54, 56, “And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on…56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” Neh. 13:19, “And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.”

Question 118: Why is the charge of keeping the sabbath more specially directed to governors of families, and other superiors?

Answer: The charge of keeping the sabbath is more specially directed to governors of families, and other superiors, because they are bound not only to keep it themselves, but to see that it be observed by all those that are under their charge; and because they are prone ofttimes to hinder them by employments of their own.[a]

a. Exod. 20:10, “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.” Exod. 23:12, “Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.” Josh. 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Neh. 13:15, 17, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals…17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?” Jer. 17:20-22, “And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: 21 Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.”

Question 119: What are the sins forbidden in the fourth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the fourth commandment are, all omissions of the duties required,[a] all careless, negligent, and unprofitable performing of them, and being weary of them;[b] all profaning the day by idleness, and doing that which is in itself sinful;[c] and by all needless works, words, and thoughts, about our worldly employments and recreations.[d]

a. Ezek. 22:26, “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.”

b. Acts 15:7, 9, “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe…9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Ezek. 33:30-32, “Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. 31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.” Amos 8:5, “Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?” Mal. 1:13, “Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.”

c. Ezek. 23:38, “Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.”

d. Jer. 17:24, 27, “And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein…27  But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.” Isa. 58:13, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.”

Question 120: What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment, the more to enforce it?

Answer: The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment, the more to enforce it, are taken from the equity of it, God allowing us six days of seven for our own affairs, and reserving but one for himself, in these words, Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:[a] from God’s challenging a special propriety in that day, The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:[b] from the example of God, who in six days made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: and from that blessing which God put upon that day, not only in sanctifying it to be a day for his service, but in ordaining it to be a means of blessing to us in our sanctifying it; Wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.[c]

a. Exod. 20:9, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work.”

b. Exod. 20:10, “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.”

c. Exod. 20:11, “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

Question 121: Why is the word Remember set in the beginning of the fourth commandment?

Answer: The word Remember is set in the beginning of the fourth commandment,[a] partly, because of the great benefit of remembering it, we being thereby helped in our preparation to keep it,[b] and, in keeping it, better to keep all the rest of the commandments,[c] and to continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of creation and redemption, which contain a short abridgment of religion;[d] and partly, because we are very ready to forget it,[e] for that there is less light of nature for it,[f] and yet it restraineth our natural liberty in things at other times lawful;[g] that it cometh but once in seven days, and many worldly businesses come between, and too often take off our minds from thinking of it, either to prepare for it, or to sanctify it;[h] and that Satan with his instruments much labor to blot out the glory, and even the memory of it, to bring in all irreligion and impiety.[i]

a. Exod. 20:8, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

b. Exod. 16:23, “And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.” Luke 23:54, 56, “And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on…56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” Mark 15:42, “And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath.” Neh. 13:19, “And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.”

c. Psa. 92:13-14, “Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.” Ezek. 20:12, 19-20, “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them…19 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.”

d. Gen. 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Psa. 118:22, 24, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner…24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Acts 4:10, 11, “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole…11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” Rev. 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”

e. Ezek. 22:26, “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.”

f. Neh. 9:14, “And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant.”

g. Exod. 34:21, “Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.”

h. Deut. 5:14-15, “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.” Amos 8:5, “Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?”

i. Lam. 1:7, “Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.” Jer. 17:21-23, “Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. 23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.” Neh. 13:15-23, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. 23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:”

Question 122: What is the sum of the six commandments which contain our duty to man?

Answer: The sum of the six commandments which contain our duty to man is, to love our neighbor as ourselves,[a] and to do to others what we would have them to do to us.[b]

a. Matt. 22:39, “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

b. Matt. 7:12, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Question 123: Which is the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.[a]

a. Exod. 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

Question 124: Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

Answer: By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents,[a] but all superiors in age[b] and gifts;[c] and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family,[d] church,[e] or commonwealth.[f]

a. Prov. 23:22-25, “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. 25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.” Eph. 6:1-2, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise.)”

b. 1 Tim. 5:1-2, “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.”

c. Gen. 4:20-22, “And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. 21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. 22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.” Gen. 45:8, “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

d. 2 Kings 5:13, “And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?”

e. 2 Kings 2:12, “And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.” 2 Kings 13:14, “Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” Gal. 4:19, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”

f. Isa. 49:23, “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.”

Question 125: Why are superiors styled Father and Mother?

Answer: Superiors are styled Father and Mother, both to teach them in all duties toward their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations;[a] and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.[b]

a. Eph. 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 12:14, “Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” 1 Thes. 2:7-8, 11, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us…11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children.” Num. 11:11-12, “And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?”

b. 1 Cor. 4:14-16, “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” 2 Kings 5:13, “And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?”

Question 126: What is the general scope of the fifth commandment?

Answer: The general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors, or equals.[a]

a. Eph. 5:21, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” 1 Pet. 2:17, “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” Rom. 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

Question 127: What is the honor that inferiors owe to their superiors.?

Answer: The honor which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart,[a] word,[b] and behavior;[c] prayer and thanksgiving for them;[d] imitation of their virtues and graces;[e] willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels;[f] due submission to their corrections;[g] fidelity to,[h] defense[i] and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places;[j] bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honor to them and to their government.[k]

a. Mal. 1:6, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?” Lev. 19:3, “Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.”

b. Prov. 31:28, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” 1 Pet. 3:6, “Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”

c. Lev. 19:32, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” 1 Kings 2:19, “Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.”

d. 1 Tim. 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

e. Heb. 13:7, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” Phil. 3:17, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”

f. Eph. 6:1-2, 5-7, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)… Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” 1 Pet. 2:13-14, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” Rom. 13:1-5, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.” Heb. 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Prov. 4:3-4, “For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.” Prov. 23:22, “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” Exod. 18:19, 24, “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God…24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.”

g. Heb. 12:9, “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” 1 Pet. 2:18-20, “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”

h. Titus 2:9-10, “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”

i. 1 Sam. 26:15-16, “But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: 16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.” 2 Sam. 18:3, “But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.” Esth. 6:2, “And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.”

j. Matt. 22:21, “They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” Rom. 13:6-7, “For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” 1 Tim. 5:17-18, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” Gal. 6:6, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Gen. 45:11, “And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.” Gen. 47:12, “And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families.”

k. Psa. 127:3-5, “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Prov. 31:23, “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”

Question 128: What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?

Answer: The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them;[a] envying at,[b] contempt of,[c] and rebellion[d] against, their persons[e] and places,[f] in their lawful counsels,[g] commands, and corrections;[h] cursing, mocking,[i] and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonor to them and their government.[j]

a. Matt. 15:4-6, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.”

b. Num. 11:28-29, “And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!”

c. 1 Sam. 8:7, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” Isa. 3:5, “And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.”

d. 2 Sam. 15:1-12, “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.”

e. Exod. 21:15, “And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.”

f. 1 Sam. 10:27, “But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.”

g. 1 Sam. 2:25, “If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.”

h. Deut. 21:18-21, “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them.”

i. Prov. 30:11, 17, “There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother…17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.”

j. Prov. 19:26, “He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.”

Question 129: What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?

Answer: It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love,[a] pray for,[b] and bless their inferiors;[c] to instruct,[d] counsel, and admonish them;[e] countenancing,[f] commending,[g] and rewarding such as do well;[h] and discountenancing,[i] reproving, and chastising such as do ill;[j] protecting,[k] and providing for them all things necessary for soul[l] and body:[m] and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God,[n] honor to themselves,[o] and so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them.[p]

a. Col. 3:19, “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” Titus 2:4, “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.”

b. 1 Sam. 12:23, “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.” Job 1:5, “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”

c. 1 Kings 8:55-56, “And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, 56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.” Heb. 7:7, “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.” Gen. 49:28, “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.”

d. Deut. 6:6-7, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

e. Eph. 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

f. 1 Pet. 3:7, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

g. 1 Pet. 2:14, “Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” Rom. 13:3, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.”

h. Esth. 6:3, “And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.”

i. Rom. 13:3-4, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

j. Prov. 29:15, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” 1 Pet. 2:14, “Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”

k. Job 29:12-17, “Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. 17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.” Isa. 1:10, 17, “Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah…17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”

l. Eph. 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

m. 1 Tim. 5:8, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

n. 1 Tim. 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Titus 2:3-5, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

o. 1 Kings 3:28, “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.”

p. Titus 2:15, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

Question 130: What are the sins of superiors?

Answer: The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them,[a] an inordinate seeking of themselves,[b] their own glory,[c] ease, profit, or pleasure;[d] commanding things unlawful,[e] or not in the power of inferiors to perform;[f] counseling,[g] encouraging,[h] or favoring them in that which is evil;[i] dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good;[j] correcting them unduly;[k] careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger;[l] provoking them to wrath;[m] or any way dishonoring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behavior.[n]

a. Ezek. 34:2-4, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. 4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.”

b. Phil. 2:21, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.”

c. John 5:44, “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” John 7:18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

d. Isa. 56:10-11, “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.” Deut. 17:17, “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”

e. Dan. 3:4-6, “Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: 6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” Acts 4:17-18, “But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”

f. Exod. 5:10-18, “And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. 11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. 12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. 13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. 14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore? 15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? 16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. 17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. 18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.” Matt. 23:2, 4, “Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat…4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

g. Matt. 14:8, “And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.” Mark 6:24, “And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.”

h. 2 Sam. 13:28, “Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.”

i. 1 Sam. 3:13, “For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.”

j. John 7:46-49, “The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. 47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? 49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.” Col. 3:21, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Exod. 5:17, “But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.”

k. 1 Pet. 2:18-20, “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” Heb. 12:10, “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” Deut. 25:3, “Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.”

l. Gen. 38:11, 26, “Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house…26 And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.” Acts 18:17, “Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.”

m. Eph. 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

n. Gen. 9:21, “And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.” 1 Kings 1:6, “And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.” 1 Kings 12:13-16, “And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.” 1 Sam. 2:29-31, “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.”

Question 131: What are the duties of equals?

Answer: The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other,[a] in giving honor to go one before another;[b] and to rejoice in each other’s gifts and advancement, as their own.[c]

a. 1 Pet. 2:17, “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

b. Rom. 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

c. Rom. 12:15-16, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Phil. 2:3-4, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Question 132: What are the sins of equals?

Answer: The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required,[a] the undervaluing of the worth,[b] envying the gifts,[c] grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another;[d] and usurping preeminence one over another.[e]

a. Rom. 13:8, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

b. 2 Tim. 3:3, “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.”

c. Acts 7:9, “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him.” Gal. 5:26, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

d. Num. 12:2, “And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.” Est. 6:12-13, “And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.”

e. 3 John 1:9, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.” Luke 22:24, “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”

Question 133: What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment, the more to enforce it?

Answer: The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, in these words, That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,[a] is an express promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good, to all such as keep this commandment.[b]

a. Exod. 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

b. Deut. 5:16, “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” 1 Kings 8:25, “Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.” Eph. 6:2-3, “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”

Question 134: Which is the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.[a]

a. Exod. 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill.”

Question 135: What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves[a] and others[b] by resisting all thoughts and purposes,[c] subduing all passions,[d] and avoiding all occasions,[e] temptations,[f] and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any;[g] by just defense thereof against violence,[h] patient bearing of the hand of God,[i] quietness of mind,[j] cheerfulness of spirit;[k] a sober use of meat,[l] drink,[m] physic,[n] sleep,[o] labor,[p] and recreations;[q] by charitable thoughts,[r] love,[s] compassion,[t] meekness, gentleness, kindness;[u] peaceable,[v] mild and courteous speeches and behavior;[w] forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil;[x] comforting and succoring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent.[y]

a. Eph. 5:28-29, “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.”

b. 1 Kings 18:4, “For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.”

c. Jer. 26:15-16, “But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears. 16 Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.” Acts 23:12, 16-17, 21, 27, “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul....16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him....21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee...27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.”

d. Eph. 4:26-27, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.”

e. 2 Sam. 2:22, “And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?” Deut. 22:8, “When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.”

f. Matt. 4:6-7, “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Prov. 1:10-11, 15-16, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause…15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: 16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.”

g. 1 Sam. 24:2, “Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.” 1 Sam. 26:9-11, “And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless? 10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.” Gen. 37:21-22, “And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. 22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.”

h. Psa. 82:4, “Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.” Prov. 24:11-12, “If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” 1 Sam. 14:45, “And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.”

i. James 5:7-11, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” Heb. 12:9, “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”

j. 1 Thes. 4:11, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” 1 Pet. 3:3-4, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Psa. 37:8-11, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

k. Prov. 17:22, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

l. Prov. 25:16, 27, “Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it…27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”

m. 1 Tim. 5:23, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.”

n. Isa. 38:21, “For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.”

o. Psa. 127:2, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”

p. Eccl. 5:12, “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” 2 Thes. 3:10, 12, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat… Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” Prov. 16:26, “He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.”

q. Eccl. 3:4, 11, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

r. 1 Sam. 19:4-5, “And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: 5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?” 1 Sam. 22:13-14, “And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?”

s. Rom. 13:10, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

t. Luke 10:33-34, “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”

u. Col. 3:12-13, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

v. James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

w. 1 Pet. 3:8-11, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” Prov. 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Judg. 8:1-3, “And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. 2 And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? 3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.”

x. Matt. 5:24, “Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Eph. 4:2, 32, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love…32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Rom. 12:17, 20-21, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men….20 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

y. 1 Thes. 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” Job 31:19-20, “If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep.” Matt. 25:35-36, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Prov. 31:8-9, “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

Question 136: What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves,[a] or of others,[b] except in case of public justice,[c] lawful war,[d] or necessary defense;[e] the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life;[f] sinful anger,[g] hatred,[h] envy,[i] desire of revenge;[j] all excessive passions,[k] distracting cares;[l] immoderate use of meat, drink,[m] labor,[n] and recreations;[o] provoking words,[p] oppression,[q] quarreling,[r] striking, wounding,[s] and: Whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.[t]

a. Acts 16:28, “But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.”

b. Gen. 9:6, “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”

c. Num. 35:31, 33, “Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death…33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.”

d. Jer. 48:10, “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.” Deut. ch. 20.

e. Exod. 22:2-3, “If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.”

f. Matt. 25:42-43, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.” James 2:15-16, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Eccl. 6:1-2, “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: 2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.”

g. Matt. 5:22, “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

h. 1 John 3:15, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Lev. 19:17, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.”

i. Prov. 14:30, “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”

j. Rom. 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

k. Eph. 4:31, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

l. Matt. 6:31, 34, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?...34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

m. Luke 21:34, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Rom. 13:13, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”

n. Eccl. 2:22-23, “For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.” Eccl. 12:12, “And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.”

o. Isa. 5:12, “And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.”

p. Prov. 12:18, “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” Prov. 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

q. Ezek. 18:18, “As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.” Exod. 1:14, “And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.”

r. Gal. 5:15, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Prov. 23:29, “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?”

s. Num. 35:16-18, 21, “And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.”

t. Exod. 21:18-36, “And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed: 19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed. 20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. 21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money. 22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. 26 And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. 27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake. 28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. 29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. 30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him. 31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him. 32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. 33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein; 34 The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his. 35 And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide. 36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.”

Question 137: Which is the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.[a]

a. Exod. 20:14, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

Question 138: What are the duties required in the seventh commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the seventh commandment are, chastity in body, mind, affections,[a] words,[b] and behavior;[c] and the preservation of it in ourselves and others;[d] watchfulness over the eyes and all the senses;[e] temperance,[f] keeping of chaste company,[g] modesty in apparel;[h] marriage by those that have not the gift of continency,[i] conjugal love,[j] and cohabitation;[k] diligent labor in our callings;[l] shunning all occasions of uncleanness, and resisting temptations thereunto.[m]

a. 1 Thes. 4:4, “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;” Job 31:1, “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” 1 Cor. 7:34, “There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”

b. Col. 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

c. 1 Pet. 2:3, “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

d. 1 Cor. 7:2, 35-36, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband…35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.”

e. Job 31:1, “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?”

f. Acts 24:24, “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.”

g. Prov. 2:16-20, “To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.”

h. 1 Tim. 2:9, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.”

i. 1 Cor. 7:2, 9, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband…9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”

j. Prov. 5:19-20, “Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?”

k. 1 Pet. 3:7, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

l. Prov. 31:11, 27-28, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil…27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

m. Prov. 5:8, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house.” Gen. 39:8-10, “But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.”

Question 139: What are the sins forbidden in the seventh commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required,[a] are, adultery, fornication,[b] rape, incest,[c] sodomy, and all unnatural lusts;[d] all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections;[e] all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto;[f] wanton looks,[g] impudent or light behavior, immodest apparel;[h] prohibiting of lawful,[i] and dispensing with unlawful marriages;[j] allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them;[k] entangling vows of single life,[l] undue delay of marriage;[m] having more wives or husbands than one at the same time;[n] unjust divorce,[o] or desertion;[p] idleness, gluttony, drunkenness,[q] unchaste company;[r] lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays;[s] and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others.[t]

a. Prov. 5:7, “Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.”

b. Heb. 13:4, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Gal. 5:19, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness…”

c. 2 Sam. 13:14, “Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.” 1 Cor. 5:1, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.”

d. Rom. 1:24, 26-27, “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves…26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” Lev. 20:15-16, “And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. 16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”

e. Matt. 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matt. 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Col. 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

f. Eph. 5:3-4, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Prov. 7:5, 21-22, “That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words…21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;”

g. Isa. 3:16, “Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet.” 2 Pet. 2:14, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children.”

h. Prov. 7:10, 13, “And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart…13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him.”

i. 1 Tim. 4:3, “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

j. Lev. 18:1-21, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God. 3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. 4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. 5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. 6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. 7 The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness. 9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. 10 The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness. 11 The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 12 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman. 13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman. 14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. 15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 16 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness. 17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness. 18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time. 19 Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness. 20 Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her. 21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.” Mark 6:18, “For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.” Mal. 2:11-12, “Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. 12 The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.”

k. 1 Kings 15:12, “And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.” 2 Kings 23:7, “And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.” Deut. 23:17-18, “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. 18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” Lev. 19:29, “Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.” Jer. 5:7, “How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.” Prov. 7:24-27, “Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.”

l. Matt. 19:10-11, “His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.”

m. 1 Cor. 7:7-9, “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.” Gen. 38:26, “And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.”

n. Mal. 2:14-15, “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.” Matt. 19:5, “And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?”

o. Mal. 2:16, “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” Matt. 5:32, “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.”

p. 1 Cor. 7:12-13, “But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.”

q. Ezek. 16:49, “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Prov. 23:30-33, “They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.”

r. Gen. 39:10, “And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.” Prov. 5:8, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house.”

s. Eph. 5:4, “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Ezek. 23:14-16, “And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion, 15 Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity: 16 And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.” Isa. 3:16, “Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet.” Isa. 23:15-17, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. 16 Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. 17 And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.” Mark 6:22, “And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.” Rom. 13:13, “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” 1 Pet. 4:3, “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.”

t. 2 Kings 9:30, “And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.” Jer. 4:30, “And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.” Ezek. 23:40, “And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments.”

Question 140: Which is the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.[a]

a. Exod. 20:15, “Thou shalt not steal.”

Question 141: What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man;[a] rendering to everyone his due;[b] restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof;[c] giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others;[d] moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods;[e] a provident care and study to get,[f] keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition;[g] a lawful calling,[h] and diligence in it;[i] frugality;[j] avoiding unnecessary lawsuits[k] and suretyship, or other like engagements;[l] and an endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.[m]

a. Psa. 15:2, 4, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart…4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” Zech. 7:4, 10, “Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying…10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Zech. 8:16-17, “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.”

b. Rom. 13:7, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

c. Lev. 6:2-5, “If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; 3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, 5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.” Luke 19:8, “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

d. Luke 6:30, 38, “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again…38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” 1 John 3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Gal. 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

e. 1 Tim. 6:6-9, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Gal. 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

f. 1 Tim. 5:8, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

g. Prov. 27:23-27, “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.” Eccl. 2:24, “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” Eccl. 3:12-13, “I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” 1 Tim. 6:17-18, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” Isa. 38:1, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.” Matt. 11:8, “But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.”

h. 1 Cor. 7:20, “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.” Gen. 2:15, “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Gen. 3:19, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

i. Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Prov. 10:4, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

j. John 6:12, “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” Prov. 21:20, “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”

k. 1 Cor. 6:1-9, “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.”

l. Prov. 6:1-6, “My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:” Prov. 11:15, “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.”

m. Lev. 25:35, “And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.” Deut. 22:1-4, “Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. 2 And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. 3 In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. 4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.” Exod. 23:4-5, “If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. 5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.” Gen. 47:14, 20, “And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house…20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's.” Phil. 2:4, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”, Matt. 22:39, “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Question 142: What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required,[a] are, theft,[b] robbery,[c] man-stealing,[d] and receiving anything that is stolen;[e] fraudulent dealing,[f] false weights and measures,[g] removing land marks,[h] injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man,[i] or in matters of trust;[j] oppression,[k] extortion,[l] usury,[m] bribery,[n] vexatious lawsuits,[o] unjust enclosures and depopulations;[p] engrossing commodities to enhance the price;[q] unlawful callings,[r] and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbor what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves;[s] covetousness;[t] inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods;[u] distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them;[v] envying at the prosperity of others;[w] as likewise idleness,[x] prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate,[y] and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.[z]

a. James 2:15-16, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” 1 John 3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

b. Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Psa. 42:10, “As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?”

c. Psa. 62:10, “Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”

d. 1 Tim. 1:10, “For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”

e. Prov. 29:24, “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.” Psa. 50:18, “When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.”

f. 1 Thes. 4:6, “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.”

g. Prov. 11:1, “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” Prov. 20:10, “Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.”

h. Deut. 19:14, “Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.” Prov. 23:10, “Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless.”

i. Amos 8:5, “Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?” Psa. 37:21, “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”

j. Luke 16:10-12, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?”

k. Ezek. 22:29, “The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.” Lev. 25:17, “Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the LORD your God.”

l. Matt. 23:25, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.” Ezek. 22:12, “In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.”

m. Psa. 15:5, “He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”

n. Job 15:34, “For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.”

o. 1 Cor. 6:6-8, “But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.” Prov. 3:29-30, “Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.”

p. Isa. 5:8, “Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!” Micah 2:2, “And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.”

q. Prov. 11:26, “He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.”

r. Acts 19:19, 24-25, “Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver… For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.”

s. Job. 20:19, “Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not.” James 5:4, “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” Prov. 21:6, “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.”

t. Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

u. 1 Tim. 6:5, “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” Col. 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Prov. 23:5, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” Psa. 42:10, “As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?”

v. Matt. 6:25, 31, 34, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?...31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?...34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Eccl. 5:12, “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”

w. Psa. 37:1, 7, “A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity…7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psa. 73:3, “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

x. 2 Thes. 3:11, “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” Prov. 18:9, “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.”

y. Prov. 21:17, “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” Prov. 23:20-21, “Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” Prov. 28:19, “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.”

z. Eccl. 4:8, “There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.” Eccl.6:2, “A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.” 1 Tim. 5:8, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

Question 143: Which is the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.[a]

a. Exod. 20:16, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”

Question 144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man,[a] and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own;[l] appearing and standing for the truth;[c] and from the heart,[d] sincerely,[e] freely,[f] clearly,[g] and fully,[h] speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice,[i] and in all other things whatsoever;[j] a charitable esteem of our neighbors;[k] loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name;[l] sorrowing for,[m] and covering of their infirmities;[n] freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces,[o] defending their innocency;[p] a ready receiving of a good report,[q] and unwillingness to admit of an evil report,[r] concerning them; discouraging talebearers,[s] flatterers,[t] and slanderers;[u] love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth;[v] keeping of lawful promises;[w] studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.[x]

a. Zech. 8:16, “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.”

b. 3 John 1:12, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

c. Prov. 31:8-9, “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.”

d. Psa. 15:2, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”

e. 2 Chr. 19:9, “And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.”

f. 1 Sam. 19:4-5, “And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: 5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?”

g. Josh. 7:19, “And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.”

h. 2 Sam. 14:18-20, “Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. 19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: 20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.”

i. Lev. 19:15, “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.” Prov. 14:5, 25, “A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies…25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.”

j. 2 Cor. 1:17-18, “When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? 18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.” Eph. 4:25, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”

k. Heb. 6:9, “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” 1 Cor. 13:7, “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

l. Rom. 1:8, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” 2 John 1:4, “I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.” 3 John 1:3-4, “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

m. 2 Cor. 2:4, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” 2 Cor. 12:21, “And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.”

n. Prov. 17:9, “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” 1 Pet. 4:8, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”

o. 1 Cor. 1:4-5, 7, “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge…7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 1:4-5, “Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”

p. 1 Sam. 22:14, “Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?”

q. 1 Cor. 13:6-7, “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

r. Psa. 15:3, “He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.”

s. Prov. 25:23, “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.”

t. Prov. 26:24-25, “It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”

u. Psa. 101:5, “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”

v. Prov. 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” John 8:49, “Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.”

w. Psa. 15:4, “In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.”

x. Phil. 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Question 145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own,[a] especially in public judicature;[b] giving false evidence,[c] suborning false witnesses,[d] wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth;[e] passing unjust sentence,[f] calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked;[g] forgery,[h] concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause,[i] and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves,[j] or complaint to others;[k] speaking the truth unseasonably,[l] or maliciously to a wrong end,[m] or perverting it to a wrong meaning,[n] or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice;[o] speaking untruth,[p] lying,[q] slandering,[r] backbiting,[s] detracting,[t] tale bearing,[u] whispering,[v] scoffing,[w] reviling,[x] rash,[y] harsh,[z] and partial censuring;[a1] misconstructing intentions, words, and actions;[b1] flattering,[c1] vainglorious boasting,[d1] thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others;[e1] denying the gifts and graces of God;[f1] aggravating smaller faults;[g1] hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession;[h1] unnecessary discovering of infirmities;[i1] raising false rumors,[j1] receiving and countenancing evil reports,[k1] and stopping our ears against just defense;[l1] evil suspicion;[m1] envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any,[n1] endeavoring or desiring to impair it,[o1] rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy;[p1] scornful contempt,[q1] fond admiration;[r1] breach of lawful promises;[s1] neglecting such things as are of good report,[t1] and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering: What we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.[u1]

a. 1 Sam. 17:28, “And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.” 2 Sam. 1:9-10, 15-16, “He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord…15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. 16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.” 2 Sam. 16:3, “And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.”

b. Lev. 19:15, “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.” Hab. 1:4, “Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.”

c. Prov. 6:16, 19, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him…19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Prov. 19:5, “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.”

d. Acts 6:13, “And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.”

e. Jer. 9:3, 5, “And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD…5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.” Acts 24:2, 5, “And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence…5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” Psa. 3:1-4, “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.” Psa. 12:3-4, “The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?”

f. Prov. 17:15, “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” 1 Kings 21:9-14, “And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: 10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. 11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. 12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. 13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.”

g. Isa. 5:23, “Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”

h. Psa. 119:69, “The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.” Luke 16:5-7, “So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.” Luke 19:8, “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”

i. Lev. 5:1, “And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.” Acts 5:3, 8-9, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?...8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.” 2 Tim. 4:6, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

j. 1 Kings 1:6, “And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.” Lev. 19:17, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.”

k. Isa. 59:4, “None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.”

l. Prov. 29:11, “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”

m. 1 Sam. 22:9-10, “Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10 And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” Psa. 52:1, “To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.”

n. Psa. 56:5, “Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.” John 2:19, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Matt. 26:60-61, “But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.”

o. Gen. 3:5, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Gen. 26:7, 9, “And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon…9 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.”

p. Isa. 59:13, “In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.”

q. Lev. 19:11, “Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.” Col. 3:9, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;”

r. Psa. 50:20, “Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.”

s. Psa. 15:3, “He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.”

t. James 4:11, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” Jer. 38:4, “Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.”

u. Lev. 19:16, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.”

v. Rom. 1:29-30, “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.”

w. Gen. 21:9, “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.” Gal. 4:29, “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.”

x. 1 Cor. 6:10, “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

y. Matt. 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

z. Acts 28:4, “And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.”

a1. Gen. 38:24, “And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.” Rom. 2:1, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

b1. Neh. 6:6-8, “Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words. 7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. 8 Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.” Rom. 3:8, “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.” Psa. 69:10, “When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.” 1 Sam. 1:13-15, “Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.” 2 Sam. 10:3, “And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?”

c1. Psa. 12:2-3, “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.”

d1. 2 Tim. 3:2, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…”

e1. Luke 18:9, 11, “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others…11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” Rom. 12:16, “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” 1 Cor. 4:6, “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” Acts 12:22, “And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” Exod. 4:10-14, “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. 14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.”

f1. Job 4:6, “Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?” Job 27:5-6, “God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.”

g1. Matt. 7:3-5, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”

h1. Prov. 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 30:20, “Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.” Gen. 3:12-13, “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Gen. 4:9, “And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?” Jer. 2:35, “Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.” 2 Kings 5:25, “But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.”

i1. Gen. 9:22, “And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.” Prov. 25:9-10, “Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.”

j1. Exod. 23:1, “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”

k1. Prov. 29:12, “If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.”

l1. Acts 7:56-57, “And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.” Job 31:13-14, “If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; 14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?”

m1. 1 Cor. 13:5, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” 1 Tim. 6:4, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.”

n1. Num. 11:29, “And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” Matt. 21:15, “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased.”

o1. Ezra 4:12-13, “Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. 13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.”

p1. Jer. 48:27, “For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.”

q1. Psa. 35:15-16, 21, “But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth…21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.” Matt. 27:28-29, “And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!”

r1. Jude 1:16, “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.” Acts 12:22, “And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.”

s1. Rom. 1:31, “Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.” 2 Tim. 3:3, “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.”

t1. 1 Sam. 2:24, “Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.”

u1. 2 Sam. 13:12-13, “And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. 13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.” Prov. 5:8-9, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: 9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel.” Prov. 6:33, “A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.”

Question 146: Which is the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.[a]

a. Exod. 20:17, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.”

Question 147: What are the duties required in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the tenth commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition,[a] and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.[b]

a. Heb. 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” 1 Tim. 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

b. Job 31:29, “If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him.” Psa. 122:7-9, “Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.” 1 Tim. 1:5, “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” Est. 10:3, “For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” 1 Cor. 13:4-7, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Question 148: What are the sins forbidden in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, discontentment with our own estate;[a] envying[b] and grieving at the good of our neighbor,[c] together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.[d]

a. 1 Kings 21:4, “And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.” Est. 5:13, “Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” 1 Cor. 10:10, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”

b. Gal. 5:26, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” James 3:14, 16, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth…16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

c. Psa. 112:9-10, “He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. 10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.” Neh. 2:10, “When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.”

d. Rom. 7:7-8, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.” Rom. 13:9, “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.” Col. 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Deut. 5:21, “Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.”

Question 149: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

Answer: No man is able, either of himself,[a] or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God;[b] but doth daily break them in thought,[c] word, and deed.[d]

a. James 3:2, “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.” John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Rom. 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”

b. Eccl. 7:20, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” 1 John 1:8, 10, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” Gal. 5:17, “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.” Rom. 7:18-19, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”

c. Gen. 6:5, “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. 8:21, “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.”

d. Rom. 3:9-19, “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; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” James 3:2-13, “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. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

Question 150: Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?

Answer: All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.[a]

a. John 19:11, “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15, “He said furthermore 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…13 He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do…15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.” 1 John 5:16, “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.” Psa. 78:17, 32, 56, “And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness…32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works…56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:”

Question 151: What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?

Answer: Sins receive their aggravations,

a. From the persons offending:[a] if they be of riper age,[b] greater experience or grace,[c] eminent for profession,[d] gifts,[e] place,[f] office,[g] guides to others,[h] and whose example is likely to be followed by others.[i]

b. From the parties offended:[j] if immediately against God,[k] his attributes,[l] and worship;[m] against Christ, and his grace;[n] the Holy Spirit,[o] his witness,[p] and workings;[q] against superiors, men of eminency,[r] and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto;[s] against any of the saints,[t] particularly weak brethren,[u] the souls of them, or any other,[v] and the common good of all or many.[w]

c. From the nature and quality of the offense:[x] if it be against the express letter of the law,[y] break many commandments, contain in it many sins:[z] if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions,[a1] scandalize others,[b1] and admit of no reparation:[c1] if against means,[d1] mercies,[e1] judgments,[f1] light of nature,[g1] conviction of conscience,[h1] public or private admonition,[i1] censures of the church,[j1] civil punishments;[k1] and our prayers, purposes, promises,[l1] vows,[m1] covenants,[n1] and engagements to God or men:[o1] if done deliberately,[p1] wilfully,[q1] presumptuously,[r1] impudently,[s1] boastingly,[t1] maliciously,[u1] frequently, [v1] obstinately,[w1] with delight,[x1] continuance,[y1] or relapsing after repentance.[z1]

d. From circumstances of time[a2] and place:[b2] if on the Lord’s day,[c2] or other times of divine worship;[d2] or immediately before[e2] or after these,[f2] or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages:[g2] if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.[h2]

a. Jer. 2:8, “The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.”

b. Job 32:7, 9, “I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom…9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.” Eccl. 4:13, “Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.”

c. 1 Kings 11:4, 9, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father…9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice.”

d. 2 Sam. 12:14, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.” 1 Cor. 5:1, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.”

e. James 4:17, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.” Luke 12:47-48, “And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

f. Jer. 5:4-5, “Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God. 5 I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.”

g. 2 Sam. 12:7-9, “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.” Ezek. 8:11-12, “And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. 12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.”

h. Rom. 2:17-24, “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”

i. Gal. 2:11-14, “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”

j. Matt. 21:38-39, “But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.”

k. 1 Sam. 2:25, “If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.” Acts 5:4, “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Psa. 51:4, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”

l. Rom. 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

m. Mal. 1:8, 14, “And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts…14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.”

n. Heb. 2:2-3, “For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” Heb. 12:25, “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.”

o. Heb. 10:29, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Matt. 12:31-32, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

p. Eph. 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

q. Heb. 6:4-6, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

r. Jude 1:8, “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.” Num. 12:8-9, “With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.” Isa. 3:5, “And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.”

s. Prov. 30:17, “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.” 2 Cor. 12:15, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” Psa. 55:12-15, “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.”

t. Zeph. 2:8, 10-11, “I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border…10 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts. 11 The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.” Matt. 18:6, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” 1 Cor. 6:8, “Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.” Rev. 17:6, “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”

u. 1 Cor. 8:11-12, “And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” Rom. 14:13, 15, 21, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way…15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died…21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

v. Ezek. 13:19, “And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?” 1 Cor. 8:12, “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” Rev. 18:12-13, “The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.” Matt. 23:15, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”

w. 1 Thes. 2:15-16, “Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” Josh. 22:20, “Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.”

x. Prov. 6:30-35, “Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.”

y. Ezra 9:10-12, “And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, 11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. 12 Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.” 1 Kings 11:9-10, “And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.”

z. Col. 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” 1 Tim. 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Prov. 5:8-12, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: 9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: 10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; 11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.” Prov. 6:32-33, “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.” Josh. 7:21, “When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”

a1. James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Matt. 5:22, “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Micah 2:1, “Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.”

b1. Matt. 18:7, “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Rom. 2:23-24, “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”

c1. Deut. 22:22, 28-29, “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel…28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.” Prov. 6:32-35, “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.”

d1. Matt. 11:21-24, “And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” John 15:22, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.”

e1. Isa. 1:3, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.” Deut. 32:6, “Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?”

f1. Amos 4:8-11, “So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 9 I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 10 I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. 11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” Jer. 5:8, “They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.”

g1. Rom. 1:26-27, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

h1. Rom. 1:32, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Dan. 5:22, “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this.” Titus 3:10-11, “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”

i1. Prov. 29:1, “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

j1. Titus 3:10, “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.” Matt. 18:17, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

k1. Prov. 23:35, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Prov. 27:22, “Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.”

l1. Psa. 78:34-37, “When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. 35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.” Jer. 2:20, “For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.” Jer. 13:5-6, 20-21, “So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me. 6 And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there…20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock? 21 What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?”

m1. Eccl. 5:4-6, “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” Prov. 20:25, “It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.”

n1. Lev. 26:25, “And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.”

o1. Prov. 2:17, “Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.” Ezek. 17:18-19, “Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape. 19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.”

p1. Psa. 36:4, “He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”

q1. Jer. 6:16, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

r1. Num. 15:30, “But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.” Exod. 21:14, “But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.”

s1. Jer. 3:3, “Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.” Prov. 7:13, “So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him…”

t1. Psa. 52:1, “To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.”

u1. 3 John 1:10, “Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”

v1. Num. 14:22, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice.”

w1. Zech. 7:11-12, “But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. 12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.”

x1. Prov. 2:14, “…who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked.”

y1. Isa. 57:17, “For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.”

z1. Jer. 34:8-11, “This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them; 9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother. 10 Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go. 11 But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.” 2 Pet. 2:20-22, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

a2. 2 Kings 5:26, “And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?”

b2. Jer. 7:10, “And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?” Isa. 26:10, “Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.”

c2. Ezek. 23:37-39, “That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.”

d2. Isa. 58:3-5, “Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. 4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?” Num. 25:6-7, “And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand.”

e2. 1 Cor. 11:20-21, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.”

f2. Jer. 7:8-10, 14-15, “Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. 9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?...14 Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim.” John 13:27, 30, “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly…30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.”

g2. Ezra 9:13-14, “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; 14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?”

h2. 2 Sam. 16:22, “So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.” 1 Sam. 2:22-24, “Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD'S people to transgress.”

Question 152: What doth every sin deserve at the hands of God?

Answer: Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty,[a] goodness,[b] and holiness of God,[c] and against his righteous law,[d] deserveth his wrath and curse,[e] both in this life,[f] and that which is to come;[g] and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.[h]

a. James 2:10-11, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”

b. Exod. 20:1-2, “And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

c. Hab. 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?” Lev. 10:3, “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” Lev. 11:44-45, “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

d. 1 John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Rom. 7:12, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”

e. Eph. 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Gal. 3:10, “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.”

f. Lam. 3:39, “Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?” Deut. 28:15-68, “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: 16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. 17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 19 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. 21 The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. 22 The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. 23 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. 24 The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. 25 The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. 27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. 28 The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: 29 And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. 30 Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof. 31 Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them. 32 Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand. 33 The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway: 34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. 35 The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head. 36 The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. 37 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee. 38 Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. 39 Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. 40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit. 41 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. 42 All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume. 43 The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. 44 He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. 45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: 46 And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.

47 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. 49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; 50 A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: 51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. 52 And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. 53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: 54 So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave: 55 So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates. 56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, 57 And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates. 58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; 59 Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. 60 Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. 61 Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. 62 And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God. 63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. 64 And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. 65 And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: 66 And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: 67 In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. 68 And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.”

g. Matt. 25:41, “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.”

h. Heb. 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” 1 Pet. 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Question 153: What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the law?

Answer: That we may escape the wrath and curse of God due to us by reason of the transgression of the law, he requireth of us repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,[a] and the diligent use of the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation.[b]

a. Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Matt. 3:7-8, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Luke 13:3, 5, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish…5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” John 3:16, 18, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life…18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

b. Prov. 2:1-5, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” Prov. 8:33-36, “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”

Question 154: What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation?

Answer: The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation.[a]

a. Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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 2:42, 46-47, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…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, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Question 155: How is the word made effectual to salvation?

Answer: The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening,[a] convincing, and humbling sinners;[b] of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ;[c] of conforming them to his image,[d] and subduing them to his will;[e] of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions;[f] of building them up in grace,[g] and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.[h]

a. Neh. 8:8, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and 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.” Psa. 19:8, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

b. 1 Cor. 14:24-25, “ieveth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 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.” 2 Chr. 34:18-19, 26-28, “Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. 19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes… And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; 27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. 28 Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.”

c. Acts 2:37, 41, “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?...41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 8:27-39, “And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

d. 2 Cor. 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

e. 2 Cor. 10:4-6, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” Rom. 6:17, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”

f. Matt. 4:4, 7, 10, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God…7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God…10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Eph. 6:16-17, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Psa. 19:11, “Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” 1 Cor. 10:11, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

g. Acts 20:32, “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.” 2 Tim. 3:15-17, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

h. Rom. 1:16, “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.” Rom. 10:13-17, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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? 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! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 16:25, “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.” 1 Thes. 3:2, 10-11, 13, “And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith…10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you…13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

Question 156: Is the word of God to be read by all?

Answer: Although all are not to be permitted to read the word publicly to the congregation,[a] yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves,[b] and with their families:[c] to which end, the holy scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages.[d]

a. Deut. 31:9, 11-13, “And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel…11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: 13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. “ Neh. 8:2-3, “And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.” Neh. 9:3-5, “And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God. 4 Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God. 5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.”

b. Deut. 17:19, “And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.” Rev. 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Isa. 34:16, “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.”

c. Deut. 6:6-9, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Gen. 18:17, 19, “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do…19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Psa. 78:5-7, “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:”

d. 1 Cor. 14:6, 9, 11-12, 15-16, 24, 27-28, “Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?...9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air…11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church…15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?...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…27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”

Question 157: How is the word of God to be read?

Answer: The holy scriptures are to be read with an high and reverent esteem of them;[a] with a firm persuasion that they are the very word of God,[b] and that he only can enable us to understand them;[c] with desire to know, believe, and obey the will of God revealed in them;[d] with diligence,[e] and attention to the matter and scope of them;[f] with meditation,[g] application,[h] self-denial,[i] and prayer.[j]

a. Psa. 19:10, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Neh. 8:3-10, “And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Exod. 24:7, “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.” 2 Chr. 34:27, “Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.” Isa. 66:2, “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

b. 2 Pet. 1:19-21, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

c. Luke 24:45, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” 2 Cor. 3:13-16, “And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.”

d. Deut. 17:10, 20, “And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee…20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.”

e. Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

f. Acts 8:30, 34, “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?...34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?” Luke 10:26-28, “He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”

g. Psa. 1:2, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psa. 119:97, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”

h. 2 Chr. 24:21, “And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.”

i. Prov. 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Deut. 33:3, “Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.”

j. Prov. 2:1-6, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Psa. 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Neh. 7:6, 8, “These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city…8 The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.”

Question 158: By whom is the word of God to be preached?

Answer: The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted,[a] and also duly approved and called to that office.[b]

a. 1 Tim. 3:2, 6, “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach…6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” Eph. 4:8-11, “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Mal. 2:7, “For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” 2 Cor. 3:6, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

b. Jer. 14:15, “Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.” Rom. 10:15, “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!” Heb. 5:4, “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” 1 Cor. 12:28-29, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?” 1 Tim. 3:10, “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” 1 Tim. 4:14, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” 1 Tim. 5:22, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.”

Question 159: How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?

Answer: They that are called to labor in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine,[a] diligently,[b] in season and out of season;[c] plainly,[d] not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power;[e] faithfully,[f] making known the whole counsel of God;[g] wisely,[h] applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers;[i] zealously,[j] with fervent love to God[k] and the souls of his people;[l] sincerely,[m] aiming at his glory,[n] and their conversion,[o] edification,[p] and salvation.[q]

a. Titus 2:1, 8, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine…8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

b. Acts 18:25, “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.”

c. 2 Tim. 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

d. 1 Cor. 14:19, “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”

e. 1 Cor. 2:4, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

f. Jer. 23:28, “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.” 1 Cor. 4:1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

g. Acts 20:27, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

h. Col. 1:28, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

i. 1 Cor. 3:2, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” Heb. 5:12-14, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Luke 12:42, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?”

j. Acts 18:25, “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.”

k. 2 Cor. 5:13-14, “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:” Phil. 1:15-17, “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”

l. Col. 4:12, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” 2 Cor. 12:15, “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.”

m. 2 Cor. 2:17, “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:2, “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”

n. 1 Thes. 2:4-6, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.” John 7:18, “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.”

o. 1 Cor. 9:19-22, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

p. 2 Cor. 12:19, “Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.” Eph. 4:12, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

q. 1 Tim. 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” Acts 26:16-18, “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and 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.”

Question 160: What is required of those that hear the word preached?

Answer: It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence,[a] preparation,[b] and prayer;[c] examine what they hear by the scriptures;[d] receive the truth with faith,[e] love,[f] meekness,[g] and readiness of mind,[h] as the word of God;[i] meditate,[j] and confer of it;[k] hide it in their hearts,[l] and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.[m]

a. Prov. 8:34, “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.”

b. 1 Pet. 2:1-2, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” Luke 8:18

c. Psa. 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Eph. 6:18-19, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.”

d. Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

e. Heb. 4:2, “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.”

f. 2 Thes. 2:10, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

g. James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

h. Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

i. 1 Thes 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

j. Luke 9:44, “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” Heb. 2:1, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”

k. Luke 24:14, “And they talked together of all these things which had happened.” Deut. 6:6-7, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

l. Prov. 2:1, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee.” Psa. 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

m. Luke 8:15, “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 1:25, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

Question 161: How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

Answer: The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted.[a]

a. 1 Pet. 3:21, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Acts 8:13, 23, “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done…For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” 1 Cor. 3:6-7, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

Question 162: What is a sacrament?

Answer: A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church,[a] to signify, seal, and exhibit[b] unto those that are within the covenant of grace,[c] the benefits of his mediation;[d] to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces;[e] to oblige them to obedience;[f] to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another;[g] and to distinguish them from those that are without.[h]

a. Gen. 17:7, 10, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.” Exod. ch. 12; Matt. 26:26-28, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

b. Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” 1 Cor. 11:24-25, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

c. Rom. 15:8, “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Exod. 12:48, “And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.”

d. Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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.” 1 Cor. 10:16, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

e. Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” Gal. 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

f. Rom. 6:3-4, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” 1 Cor. 10:21, “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.”

g. Eph. 4:2-5, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” 1 Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

h. Eph. 2:11-12, “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Gen. 34:14, “And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us.”

Question 163: What are the parts of a sacrament?

Answer: The parts of a sacrament are two; the one an outward and sensible sign, used according to Christ’s own appointment; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified.[a]

a. Matt. 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” 1 Pet. 3:21, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Rom. 2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Question 164: How many sacraments hath Christ instituted in his church under the New Testament?

Answer: Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his church only two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.[a]

a. Matt. 26:26-28, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 1 Cor. 11:20, 23, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper…23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.”

Question 165: What is Baptism?

Answer: Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,[a] to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself,[b] of remission of sins by his blood,[c] and regeneration by his Spirit;[d] of adoption,[e] and resurrection unto everlasting life;[f] and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church,[g] and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.[h]

a. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

b. Gal. 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

c. Mark 1:4, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Rev. 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”

d. Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Eph. 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

e. Gal. 3:26-27, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

f. 1 Cor. 15:29, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” Rom. 6:5, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”

g. 1 Cor. 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

h. Rom. 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Question 166: Unto whom is Baptism to be administered?

Answer: Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him,[a] but infants descending from parents, either both, or but one of them, professing faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are in that respect within the covenant, and to be baptized.[b]

a. Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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.” Acts 8:36-37, “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

b. Gen. 17:7, 9, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.” Gal. 3:9, 14, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham…14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Col. 2:11-12, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Rom. 4:11-12, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” Rom. 11:16, “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” 1 Cor. 7:14, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.” Matt 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Luke 18:15-16, “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

Question 167: How is our Baptism to be improved by us?

Answer: The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others;[a] by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein;[b] by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements;[c] by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament;[d] by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace;[e] and by endeavoring to live by faith,[f] to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness,[g] as those that have therein given up their names to Christ;[h] and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.[i]

a. Col. 2:11-12, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Rom. 6:4, 6, 11, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life…6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin…11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

b. Rom. 6:3-5, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:”

c. 1 Cor. 1:11-13, “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” Rom. 6:2-3, “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”

d. Rom. 4:11-12, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” 1 Pet. 3:21, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

e. Rom. 6:3-5, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:”

f. Gal. 3:26-27, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

g. Rom. 6:22, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

h. Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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. 1 Cor. 12:13, 25-27, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit…25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

Question 168: What is the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of the New Testament,[a] wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is showed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace;[b] have their union and communion with him confirmed;[c] testify and renew their thankfulness,[d] and engagement to God,[e] and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, as members of the same mystical body.[f]

a. Luke 22:20, “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

b. Matt. 26:26-28, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” 1 Cor. 11:13-26, “Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

c. 1 Cor. 10:16, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

d. 1 Cor. 11:24, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

e. 1 Cor. 10:14-16, 21, “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?...21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.”

f. 1 Cor. 10:17, “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

Question 169: How hath Christ appointed bread and wine to be given and received in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: Christ hath appointed the ministers of his word, in the administration of this sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, to set apart the bread and wine from common use, by the word of institution, thanksgiving, and prayer; to take and break the bread, and to give both the bread and the wine to the communicants: who are, by the same appointment, to take and eat the bread, and to drink the wine, in thankful remembrance that the body of Christ was broken and given, and his blood shed, for them.[a]

a. 1 Cor. 11:23-24, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.” Matt. 26:26-28, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Mark 14:22-24, “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” Luke 22:19-20, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

Question 170: How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord’s Supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein?

Answer: As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper,[a] and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses;[b] so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really,[c] while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death.[d]

a. Acts 3:21, “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

b. Matt. 26:26, 28, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body…28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

c. 1 Cor. 11:24-29, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

d. 1 Cor. 10:16, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

Question 171: How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?

Answer: They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves[a] of their being in Christ,[b] of their sins and wants;[c] of the truth and measure of their knowledge,[d] faith,[e] repentance;[f] love to God and the brethren,[g] charity to all men,[h] forgiving those that have done them wrong;[i] of their desires after Christ,[j] and of their new obedience;[k] and by renewing the exercise of these graces,[l] by serious meditation,[m] and fervent prayer.[n]

a. 1 Cor. 11:28, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

b. 2 Cor. 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

c. 1 Cor. 5:7, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” Exod. 12:15, “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.”

d. 1 Cor. 11:29, “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

e. 1 Cor. 13:5, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” Matt. 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

f. Zech. 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” 1 Cor. 11:31, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

g. 1 Cor. 10:16-17, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” Acts 2:46-47, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

h. 1 Cor. 5:8, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Cor. 11:18, 20, “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it…20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.”

i. Matt. 5:23-24, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

j. Isa. 55:1, “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.” John 7:37, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

k. 1 Cor. 5:7-8, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

l. 1 Cor. 11:25-26, 28, “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come…28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” Heb. 10:21-22, 24, “And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water…24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Psa. 26:6, “I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:”

m. 1 Cor. 11:24-25, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

n. 2 Chr. 30:18-19, “For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one 19 That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” Matt. 26:26, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.”

Question 172: May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof;[a] and in God’s account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it,[b] and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ,[c] and to depart from iniquity:[d] in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians)[e] he is to bewail his unbelief,[f] and labor to have his doubts resolved;[g] and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord’s Supper, that he may be further strengthened.[h]

a. Isa. 1:10, “Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.” 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Psa. 77:1-12, “To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” Psa. ch 88; Jonah 2:4, 7, “Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple…7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.”

b. Isa. 54:7-10, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” Matt. 5:3-4, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Psa. 31:22, “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.” Psa. 73:13, 22-23, “Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency…22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.”

c. Phil. 3:8-9, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 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.” Psa. 10:17, “LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.” Psa. 42:1-2, 5, 11, “To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?...5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance…11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

d. 2 Tim. 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” Isa. 1:10, “Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.” Psa. 66:18-20, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.”

e. Isa. 40:11, 29, 31, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young…29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength…31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Matt. 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 12:20, “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.” Matt. 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

f. Mark 9:24, “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

g. Acts 2:37, “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?” Acts 16:30, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

h. Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” 1 Cor. 11:28, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

Question 173: May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s Supper, be kept from it?

Answer: Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s Supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in his church,[a] until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation.[b]

a. 1 Cor. ch. 5; 1 Cor. 11:27-31, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Matt. 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Jude 1:23, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” 1 Tim. 5:22, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.”

b. 2 Cor. 2:7, “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”

Question 174: What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in the time of the administration of it?

Answer: It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance,[a] diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions,[b] heedfully discern the Lord’s body,[c] and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings,[d] and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces;[e] in judging themselves,[f] and sorrowing for sin;[g] in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ,[h] feeding on him by faith,[i] receiving of his fulness,[j] trusting in his merits,[k] rejoicing in his love,[l] giving thanks for his grace;[m] in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints.[n]

a. Lev. 10:3, “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” Heb. 12:18, “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest.” Psa. 5:7, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.” 1 Cor. 11:17, 26-27, “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse…26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

b. Exod. 24:8, “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.” Matt. 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

c. 1 Cor. 11:29, “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

d. Luke 22:19, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

e. 1 Cor. 10:3-5, 11, 14, “And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness…11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come…14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Cor. 11:26, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

f. 1 Cor. 11:31, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

g. Zech. 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

h. Rev. 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

i. John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

j. John 1:16, “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

k. Phil. 1:16, “The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds.”

l. Psa. 63:4-5, “Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful liPsa.” 2 Chr. 30:21, “And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.”

m. Psa. 22:26, “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.”

n. Jer. 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Psa. 1:5, “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”

o. Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Question 175: What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein, and with what success;[a] if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it,[b] beg the continuance of it,[c] watch against relapses,[d] fulfil their vows,[e] and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinance:[f] but if they find no present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and carriage at, the sacrament;[g] in both which, if they can approve themselves to God and their own consciences, they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time:[h] but, if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled,[i] and to attend upon it afterwards with more care and diligence.[j]

a. Psa. 28:7, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psa. 85:8, “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.” 1 Cor. 11:17, 30-31, “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse…30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

b. 2 Chr. 30:21-26, “And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. 22 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers. 23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. 25 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.” Acts 2:42, 46, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…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.”

c. Psa. 36:10, “O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.” Song of Sol. 3:4, “It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.” 1 Chr. 29:18, “O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.”

d. 1 Cor. 10:3-5, 12, “And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness…Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

e. Psa. 50:14, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.”

f. 1 Cor. 11:25-26, “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” Acts 2:42, 46, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers…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.”

g. Song of Sol. 5:1-6, “I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. 2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. 3 I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? 4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. 5 I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. 6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” Eccl. 5:1-6, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?”

h. Psa. 42:5, 8, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance…8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” Psa. 43:3-5, “O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. 4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psa. 123:1-2, “A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.”

i. 2 Chr. 30:18-19, “For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one 19 That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” Isa. 1:16, 18, “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil…18 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.”

j. 2 Cor. 7:11, “Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.” 1 Chr. 15:12-14, “And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.”

Question 176: Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper agree?

Answer: The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper agree, in that the author of both is God;[a] the spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits;[b] both are seals of the same covenant,[c] are to be dispensed by ministers of the gospel, and by none other;[d] and to be continued in the church of Christ until his second coming.[e]

a. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 1 Cor. 11:23, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.”

b. Rom. 6:3-4, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” 1 Cor. 10:16, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

c. Rom. 4:11, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” Col. 2:12, “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” Matt. 26:27-28, “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

d. John 1:33, “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 1 Cor. 4:1, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Cor. 11:23, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.” Heb. 5:4, “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”

e. Matt. 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.” 1 Cor. 11:26, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

Question 177: Wherein do the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ?

Answer: The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ, in that baptism is to be administered but once, with water, to be a sign and seal of our regeneration and ingrafting into Christ,[a] and that even to infants;[b] whereas the Lord’s Supper is to be administered often, in the elements of bread and wine, to represent and exhibit Christ as spiritual nourishment to the soul,[c] and to confirm our continuance and growth in him,[d] and that only to such as are of years and ability to examine themselves.[e]

a. Matt. 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Gal. 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

b. Gen. 17:7, 9, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.” Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” 1 Cor. 7:14, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”

c. 1 Cor. 11:23-26, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

d. 1 Cor. 10:16, “For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.”

e. 1 Cor. 11:28-29, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

Question 178: What is prayer?

Answer: Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,[a] in the name of Christ,[b] by the help of his Spirit;[c] with confession of our sins,[d] and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.[e]

a. Psa. 62:8, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

b. John 16:23, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”

c. Rom. 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

d. Psa. 32:5-6, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.” Dan. 9:4, “And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments.”

e. Phil. 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Question 179: Are we to pray unto God only?

Answer: God only being able to search the hearts,[a] hear the requests,[b] pardon the sins,[c] and fulfil the desires of all;[d] and only to be believed in,[e] and worshiped with religious worship;[f] prayer, which is a special part thereof,[g] is to be made by all to him alone,[h] and to none other.[i]

a. 1 Kings 8:39, “Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men.)” Acts 1:24, “And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.” Rom. 8:27, “at is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

b. Psa. 65:2, “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.”

c. Micah 7:18, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”

d. Psa. 145:18-19, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”

e. Rom. 10:14, “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?”

f. Matt. 4:10, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

g. 1 Cor. 1:2, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

h. Psa. 50:15, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

i. Rom. 10:14, “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?”

Question 180: What is it to pray in the name of Christ?

Answer: To pray in the name of Christ is, in obedience to his command, and in confidence on his promises, to ask mercy for his sake;[a] not by bare mentioning of his name,[b] but by drawing our encouragement to pray, and our boldness, strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from Christ and his mediation.[c]

a. John 14:13-14, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 16:24, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” Dan. 9:17, “Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.”

b. Matt. 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

c. Heb. 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” 1 John 5:13-15, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Question 181: Why are we to pray in the name of Christ?

Answer: The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being so great, as that we can have no access into his presence without a mediator;[a] and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work but Christ alone,[b] we are to pray in no other name but his only.[c]

a. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Isa. 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Eph. 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

b. John 6:27, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” Heb. 7:25-27, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” 1 Tim. 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

c. Col. 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Heb. 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

Question 182: How doth the Spirit help us to pray?

Answer: We not knowing: What to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helps our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom, and: What, and: How prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all persons, nor at all times, in the same measure) those apprehensions, affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that duty.[a]

a. Rom. 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Psa. 10:17, “LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.” Zech. 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

Question 183: For whom are we to pray?

Answer: We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth;[a] for magistrates,[b] and ministers;[c] for ourselves,[d] our brethren,[e] yea, our enemies;[f] and for all sorts of men living,[g] or that shall live hereafter;[h] but not for the dead,[i] nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.[j]

a. Eph. 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Psa. 28:9, “Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.”

b. 1 Tim. 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

c. Col. 4:3, “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.”

d. Gen. 32:11, “Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.”

e. James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

f. Matt. 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

g. 1 Tim. 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

h. John 17:20, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” 2 Sam. 7:29, “Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.”

i. 2 Sam. 12:21-23, “Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

j. 1 John 5:16, “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.”

Question 184: For what things are we to pray?

Answer: We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God,[a] the welfare of the church,[b] our own[c] or others good;[d] but not for anything that is unlawful.[e]

a. Matt. 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

b. Psa. 51:18, “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.” Psa. 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”

c. Matt. 7:11, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

d. Psa. 125:4, “Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.”

e. 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

Question 185: How are we to pray.?

Answer: We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God,[a] and deep sense of our own unworthiness,[b] necessities,[c] and sins;[d] with penitent,[e] thankful,[f] and enlarged hearts;[g] with understanding,[h] faith,[i] sincerity,[j] fervency,[k] love,[l] and perseverance,[m] waiting upon him,[n] with humble submission to his will.[o]

a. Eccl. 5:1, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.”

b. Gen. 18:27, “And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.” Gen. 32:10, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.”

c. Luke 15:17-19, “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”

d. Luke 18:13-14, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

e. Psa. 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

f. Phil. 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

g. 1 Sam. 1:15, “And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.” 1 Sam. 2:1, “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.”

h. 1 Cor. 14:15, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”

i. Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” James 1:6, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

j. Psa. 17:1, “A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned liPsa.” Psa. 145:18, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

k. James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

l. 1 Tim. 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

m. Eph. 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

n. Micah 7:7, “Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.”

o. Matt. 26:39, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

Question 186: What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?

Answer: The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer;[a] but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Savior Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer.[b]

a. 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

b. Matt. 6:2-13, “"Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Luke 11:2-4, “"And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”

Question 187: How is the Lord’s Prayer to be used?

Answer: The Lord’s Prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern, according to which we are to make other prayers; but may also be used as a prayer, so that it be done with understanding, faith, reverence, and other graces necessary to the right performance of the duty of prayer.[a]

a. Matt. 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Luke 11:2, “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”

Question 188: Of how many parts doth the Lord’s Prayer consist?

Answer: The Lord’s Prayer consists of three parts; a preface, petitions, and a conclusion.

Question 189: What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

Answer: The preface of the Lord’s Prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven,)[a] teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein;[b] with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions,[c] heavenly affections,[d] and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension:[e] as also, to pray with and for others.[f]

a. Matt. 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

b. Luke 11:13, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Rom. 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

c. Isa. 64:9, “Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.”

d. Psa. 123:1, “A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.” Lam. 3:41, “Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”

e. Isa. 63:15-16, “Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? 16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.” Neh. 1:4-6, “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 5 And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: 6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.”

f. Acts 12:5, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

Question 190: What do we pray for in the first petition?

Answer: In the first petition (which is, Hallowed be thy name,)[a] acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honor God aright,[b] pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem him,[c] his titles,[d] attributes,[e] ordinances, word,[f] works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by;[g] and to glorify him in thought, word,[h] and deed:[i] that he would prevent and remove atheism,[j] ignorance,[k] idolatry,[l] profaneness,[m] and: whatsoever is dishonorable to him;[n] and, by his overruling providence, direct and dispose of all things to his own glory.[o]

a. Matt. 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

b. 2 Cor. 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.” Psa. 51:15, “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.”

c. Psa. 67:2-3, “That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.”

d. Psa. 83:18, “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”

e. Psa. 86:10-13, 15, “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell…15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

f. 2 Thes. 3:1, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.” Psa. 138:1-3, “A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” Psa. 147:19-20, “He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.” 2 Cor. 2:14-15, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.”

g. Psa. ch. 8; Psa. ch. 145.

h. Psa. 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psa. 103:1, “A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

i. Phil. 1:9, 11, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment…11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

j. Psa. 67:1-4, “To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. 2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.”

k. Eph. 1:17-18, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

l. Psa. 97:7, “Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.”

m. Psa. 74:18, 22-23, “Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name…22 Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. 23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.”

n. 2 Kings 19:15-16, “And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.”

o. 2 Chr. 20:6, 10-12, “6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?...10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; 11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” Psa. ch. 83; Psa. 140:4, 8, “Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings…8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.”

Question 191: What do we pray for in the second petition?

Answer: In the second petition (which is, Thy kingdom come,)[a] acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan,[b] we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed,[c] the gospel propagated throughout the world,[d] the Jews called,[e] the fulness of the Gentiles brought in;[f] the church furnished with all gospel officers and ordinances,[g] purged from corruption,[h] countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate:[i] that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted:[j] that Christ would rule in our hearts here,[k] and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him forever:[l] and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends.[m]

a. Matt. 6:10, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

b. Eph. 2:2-3, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

c. Psa. 68:1, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David.> Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.” Rev. 12:10-11, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

d. 2 Thes. 3:1, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.”

e. Rom. 10:1, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”

f. John 17:9, 20, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine…20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” Rom. 11:25-26, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Psa. ch. 67

g. Matt. 9:38, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” 2 Thes. 3:1, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.”

h. Mal. 1:11, “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zeph. 3:9, “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.”

i. 1 Tim. 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

j. Acts 4:29-30, “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.” Eph. 6:18-20, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Rom. 15:29-30, 32, “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me…32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.” 2 Thes. 1:11, “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.” 2 Thes. 2:16-17, “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

k. Eph. 3:14-20, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

l. Rev. 22:20, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

m. Isa. 64:1-2, “Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, 2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!” Rev. 4:8-11, “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Question 192: What do we pray for in the third petition?

Answer: In the third petition (which is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,)[a] acknowledging, that by nature we and all men are not only utterly unable and unwilling to know and do the will of God,[b] but prone to rebel against his word,[c] to repine and murmur against his providence,[d] and wholly inclined to do the will of the flesh, and of the devil:[e] we pray, that God would by his Spirit take away from ourselves and others all blindness,[f] weakness,[g] indisposedness,[h] and perverseness of heart;[i] and by his grace make us able and willing to know, do, and submit to his will in all things,[j] with the like humility,[k] cheerfulness,[l] faithfulness,[m] diligence,[n] zeal,[o] sincerity,[p] and constancy,[q] as the angels do in heaven.[r]

a. Matt. 6:10, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

b. Rom. 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Job 21:14, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” 1 Cor. 2:14, “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.”

c. Rom. 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

d. Exod. 17:7, “And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?” Num. 14:2, “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!”

e. Eph. 2:2, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”

f. Eph. 1:17-18, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

g. Eph. 3:16, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.”

h. Matt. 26:40-41, “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

i. Jer. 31:18-19, “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.”

j. Psa. 119:1, 8, 35-36, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD…8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly…35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” Acts 21:14, “And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.”

k. Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

l. Psa. 100:2, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Job 1:21, “And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” 2 Sam. 15:25-26, “And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation.”

m. Isa. 38:3, “And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.”

n. Psa. 119:4-5, “Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”

o. Rom. 12:11, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”

p. Psa. 119:80, “Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.”

q. Psa. 119:112, “I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.”

r. Isa. 6:2-3, “Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Psa. 103:20-21, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.” Matt. 18:10, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

Question 193: What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

Answer: In the fourth petition (which is, Give us this day our daily bread,)[a] acknowledging, that in Adam, and by our own sin, we have forfeited our right to all the outward blessings of this life, and deserve to be wholly deprived of them by God, and to have them cursed to us in the use of them;[b] and that neither they of themselves are able to sustain us,[c] nor we to merit,[d] or by our own industry to procure them;[e] but prone to desire,[f] get,[g] and use them unlawfully:[h] we pray for ourselves and others, that both they and we, waiting upon the providence of God from day to day in the use of lawful means, may, of his free gift, and as to his fatherly wisdom shall seem best, enjoy a competent portion of them;[i] and have the same continued and blessed unto us in our holy and comfortable use of them,[j] and contentment in them;[k] and be kept from all things that are contrary to our temporal support and comfort.[l]

a. Matt. 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

b. Gen. 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 3:17, “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.” Rom. 8:20-22, “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” Jer. 5:25, “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” Deut. 28:15-68, “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: 16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. 17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. 18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. 19 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. 20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. 21 The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it. 22 The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. 23 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. 24 The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. 25 The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. 27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. 28 The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: 29 And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. 30 Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof. 31 Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them. 32 Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand. 33 The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway: 34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. 35 The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head. 36 The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. 37 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee. 38 Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it. 39 Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. 40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit. 41 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. 42 All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume. 43 The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. 44 He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. 45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: 46 And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. 47 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. 49 The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; 50 A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: 51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. 52 And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. 53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: 54 So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave: 55 So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates. 56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, 57 And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates. 58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; 59 Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. 60 Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. 61 Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. 62 And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God. 63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. 64 And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. 65 And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: 66 And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: 67 In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. 68 And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.”

c. Deut. 8:3, “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”

d. Gen. 32:10, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.”

e. Deut. 8:17-18, “And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

f. Jer. 6:13, “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.” Mark 7:21-22, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:”

g. Hosea 12:7, “He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.”

h. James 4:3, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

i. Gen. 28:20, “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on.” Gen. 43:12-14, “And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: 13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: 14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” 2 Thes. 3:11-12, “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” Phil. 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

j. 1 Tim. 4:3-5, “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

k. 1 Tim. 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

l. Prov. 30:8-9, “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

Question 194: What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

Answer: In the fifth petition (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,)[a] acknowledging, that we and all others are guilty both of original and actual sin, and thereby become debtors to the justice of God; and that neither we, nor any other creature, can make the least satisfaction for that debt:[b] we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, acquit us both from the guilt and punishment of sin,[c] accept us in his Beloved;[d] continue his favor and grace to us,[e] pardon our daily failings,[f] and fill us with peace and joy, in giving us daily more and more assurance of forgiveness;[g] which we are the rather emboldened to ask, and encouraged to expect, when we have this testimony in ourselves, that we from the heart forgive others their offenses.[h]

a. Matt. 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

b. Rom. 3:9-22, “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; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” Matt. 18:24-25, “And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.” Psa. 130:3-4, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”

c. Rom. 3:24-26, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Heb. 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

d. Eph. 1:6-7, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

e. 2 Pet. 1:2, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”

f. Hosea 14:2, “Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our liPsa.” Jer. 14:7, “O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.”

g. Rom. 15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Psa. 51:7-10, 12, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me…12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

h. Luke 11:4, “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Matt. 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt. 18:35, “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

Question 195: What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

Answer: In the sixth petition (which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,)[a] 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, and for a time led captive by temptations;[b] that Satan,[c] the world,[d] and the flesh, are ready powerfully to draw us aside, and ensnare us;[e] and that we, even after the pardon of our sins, by reason of our corruption,[f] weakness, and want of watchfulness,[g] are not only subject to be tempted, and forward to expose ourselves unto temptations,[h] but also of ourselves unable and unwilling to resist them, to recover out of them, and to improve them;[i] and worthy to be left under the power of them:[j] we pray, that God would so overrule the world and all in it,[k] subdue the flesh,[l] and restrain Satan,[m] order all things,[n] bestow and bless all means of grace,[o] and quicken us to watchfulness in the use of them, that we and all his people may by his providence be kept from being tempted to sin;[p] or, if tempted, that by his Spirit we may be powerfully supported and enabled to stand in the hour of temptation;[q] or when fallen, raised again and recovered out of it,[r] and have a sanctified use and improvement thereof:[s] that our sanctification and salvation may be perfected,[t] Satan trodden under our feet,[u] and we fully freed from sin, temptation, and all evil, forever.[v]

a. Matt. 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

b. 2 Chr. 32:31, “Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.”

c. 1 Chr. 21:1, “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.”

d. Luke 21:34, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Mark 4:19, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”

e. James 1:14, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

f. Gal. 5:17, “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.”

g. Matt. 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

h. Matt. 26:69-72, “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.” Gal. 2:11-14, “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” 2 Chr. 18:3, “And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.” 2 Chr. 19:2, “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.”

i. Rom. 7:23-24, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” 1 Chr. 21:1-4, “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. 3 And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? 4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.” 2 Chr. 16:7-10, “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. 10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.”

j. Psa. 81:11-12, “But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.”

k. John 17:15, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

l. Psa. 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psa. 119:133, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”

m. 2 Cor. 12:7-8, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.”

n. 1 Cor. 10:12-13, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

o. Heb. 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

p. Matt. 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Psa. 19:13, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”

q. Eph. 3:14-17, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” 1 Thes. 3:13, “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” Jude 1:24, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”

r. Psa. 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

s. 1 Pet. 5:8-10, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

t. 2 Cor. 13:7, 9, “Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates…9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.”

u. Rom. 16:20, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Zech. 3:2, “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Luke 22:31-32, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

v. John 17:15, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” 1 Thes. 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Question 196: What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

Answer: The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer (which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.),[a] teaches us to enforce our petitions with arguments,[b] which are to be taken, not from any worthiness in ourselves, or in any other creature, but from God;[c] and with our prayers to join praises,[d] ascribing to God alone eternal sovereignty, omnipotency, and glorious excellency;[e] in regard whereof, as he is able and willing to help us,[f] so we by faith are emboldened to plead with him that he would,[g] and quietly to rely upon him, that he will fulfil our requests.[h] And, to testify this our desire and assurance, we say, Amen.[i]

a. Matt. 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

b. Rom. 15:30, “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.”

c. Dan. 9:4, 7-9, 16-19, “And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments…7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him…16  O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.”

d. Phil. 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

e. 1 Chr. 29:10-13, “Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.”

f. Eph. 3:20-21, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Luke 11:13, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

g. 2 Chr. 20:6, 11, “And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?...11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.”

h. 2 Chr. 14:11, “And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.”

i. 1 Cor. 14:16, “Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?” Rev. 22:20-21, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

THE SHORTER CATECHISM

The Humble

ADVICE

of the

ASSEMBLY

OF

DIVINES,

Now by the Authority of Parliament

sitting at WESTMINSTER,

Concerning

A Shorter Catechism

With the

PROOFS of SCRIPTURE annexed.

Presented by them lately to both Houses of Parliament.

Printed at London,

November, 1647;

AND

Reprinted at EDINBURGH by Evan Tyler, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. Dec., 1647.

Question 1. What is the chief end of man?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[a] and to enjoy him forever.[b]

a. Psa. 86:9, “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.” Isa. 60:21,

“Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” Rom. 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” 1 Cor. 6:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” 1 Cor. 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Rev. 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

b. Psa. 16:5-11, “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psa. 144:15, “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” Isa. 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” Luke 2:10, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Phil. 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Rev. 21:3-4, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Question 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?

Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,[a] is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.[b]

a. Matt. 19:4-5, “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” with Gen. 2:24, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Luke 24:27, 44, “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself…44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” 1 Cor. 2:13, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Cor. 14:37, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” 2 Pet. 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet. 3:2, 15-16, “That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour…15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

b. Deut. 4:2, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Psa. 19:7-11, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Isa. 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” John 15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 20:30-31, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” 2 Tim. 3:15-17, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 1 John 1:4, “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”

Question 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

Answer: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God,[a] and what duty God requires of man.[b]

a. Gen. 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 20:31, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Rom. 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 2 Tim. 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

b. Deut. 10:12-13, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” Josh. 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Psa. 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Mic. 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” 2 Tim. 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Question 4. What is God?

Answer: God is a Spirit,[a] infinite,[b] eternal,[c] and unchangeable[d] in his being,[e] wisdom,[f] power,[g] holiness,[h] justice,[i] goodness,[j] and truth.[k]

a. Deut. 4:15-19, “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, 18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.” Luke 24:39, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Acts 17:29, “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.”

b. 1 Kings 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” Psa. 139:7-10, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” Psa. 145:3, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Psa. 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Jer. 23:24, “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” Rom. 11:33-36, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

c. Deut. 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” Psa. 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psa. 102:12, 24-27, “But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations…24  I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.” Rev. 1:4, 8, “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne…8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

d. Psa. 33:11, “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Mal. 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Heb. 1:12, “And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.” Heb. 6:17-18, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” Heb. 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

e. Exo. 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Psa. 115:2-3, “Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? 3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” 1 Tim. 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Tim. 6:15-16, “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

f. Psa. 104:24, “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” Rom. 11:33-34, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” Heb. 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” 1 John 3:20, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.”

g. Gen. 17:1, “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Psa. 62:11, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.” Jer. 32:17, “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” Matt. 19:26, “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Rev. 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

h. Heb. 1:13, “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?” 1 Pet. 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” 1 John 3:3, 5, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure…5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” Rev. 15:4, “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

i. Gen. 18:25, “That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Exo. 34:6-7, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Deut. 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Psa. 96:13, “Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” Rom. 3:5, 26, “But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)…26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

j. Psa. 103:5, “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psa. 107:8, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Matt. 19:17, “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Rom. 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

k. Exo. 34:6, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Deut. 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Psa. 86:15, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psa. 117:2, “For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.” Heb. 6:18, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”

Question 5. Are there more gods than one?

Answer: There is but one only,[a] the living and true God.[b]

a. Deut. 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” Isa. 44:6, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” Isa. 45:21-22, “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” 1 Cor. 8:4-6, “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

b. Jer. 10:10, “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” 1 Thess. 1:9, “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” 1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

Question 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?

Answer: There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;[a] and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.[b]

a. Matt. 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 2 Cor. 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 1 Pet. 1:2, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

b. Psa. 45:6, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.” John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Acts 5:3-4, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Rom. 9:5, “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Col. 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Jude 1:24-25, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

Question 7. What are the decrees of God?

Answer: The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.[a]

a. Psa. 33:11, “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Isa. 14:24, “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” Acts 2:23, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Eph. 1:11-12, “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: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

Question 8. How doth God execute his decrees?

Answer: God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.[a]

a. Psa. 148:8, “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:” Isa. 40:26, “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” Dan. 4:35, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Acts 4:24-28, “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” Rev. 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Question 9. What is the work of creation?

Answer: The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power,[a] in the space of six days, and all very good.[b]

a. Gen. 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Psa. 33:6, 9, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth…9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Heb. 11:3, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

b. Gen. 1:31, “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

Question 10. How did God create man?

Answer: God created man male and female, after his own image,[a] in knowledge,[b] righteousness, and holiness[c], with dominion over the creatures.[d]

a. Gen. 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

b. Col. 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

c. Eph. 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

d. Gen. 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” see Psa. 8.

Question 11. What are God’s works of providence?

Answer: God’s works of providence are, his most holy,[a] wise,[b] and powerful[c] preserving[d] and governing[e] all his creatures, and all their actions.[f]

a. Psa. 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”

b. Psa. 104:24, “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”

c. Heb. 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

d. Neh. 9:6, “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”

e. Eph. 1:19-22, “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.”

f. Psa. 36:6, “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.” Prov. 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” Matt. 10:30, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Question 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?

Answer: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.[a]

a. Gen. 2:16-17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Question 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

Answer: 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]

a. Gen. 3:6-8, 13, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden…13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” 2 Cor. 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Question 14. What is sin?

Answer: Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.[a]

a. Lev. 5:17, “And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.” James 4:17, “And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.” 1 John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Question 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

Answer: The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.[a]

a. Gen. 3:6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Question 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?

Answer: The covenant being made with Adam,[a] not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.[b]

a. Gen. 2:16-17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

b. Rom. 5:12-21, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Question 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

Answer: The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.[a]

a. Gen. 3:16-19, 23, “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return…23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” Rom. 3:16, “Destruction and misery are in their ways.” Rom. 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Eph. 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

Question 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

Answer: The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin,[a] the want of original righteousness,[b] and the corruption of his whole nature,[c] which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.[d]

a. Rom. 5:12, 19, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

b. Rom. 3:10, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Col. 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Eph. 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

c. Psa. 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Rom. 3:18, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Rom. 8:7-8, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Eph. 2:3, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”

d. Gen. 6:5, “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.” Psa. 53:1-3, “To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. 2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Matt. 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Rom. 3:10-18, 23, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes…23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Gal. 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” James 1:14-15, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Question 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

Answer: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God,[a] are under his wrath[b] and curse,[c] and so made liable to all miseries in this life,[d] to death[e] itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.[f]

a. Gen. 3:8, 24, “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden…24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” John 8:34, 42, 44, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin…42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me…44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Eph. 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Eph. 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

b. John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Rom. 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Eph. 2:3, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Eph. 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

c. Gal. 3:10, “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.” Rev. 22:3, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”

d. Gen. 3:16-19, “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Job 5:7, “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Eccl. 2:22-23, “For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.” Rom. 8:18-23, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

e. Ezek. 18:4, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Rom. 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

f. Matt. 25:41, 46, “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…46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” 2 Thes. 1:9, “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” Rev. 14:9-11, “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

Question 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

Answer: God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life,[a] did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.[b]

a. Acts 13:48, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Eph. 1:4-5, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” 2 Thes. 2:13-14, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b. Gen. 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Gen. 17:7, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Exo. 19:5-6, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Jer. 31:31-34, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Matt. 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” 1 Cor. 11:25, “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” Heb. 9:15, “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

Question 21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

Answer: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ,[a] who, being the eternal Son of God[b], became man[c] and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.[d]

a. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” 1 Tim. 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

b. Psa. 2:7, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” Matt. 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

c. Isa. 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Matt. 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

d. Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Heb. 7:24-25, “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Question 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Answer: Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul,[a] being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her[b] yet without sin.[c]

a. Phil. 2:7, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Heb. 2:14, 17, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil…17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

b. Luke 1:27, 31, 35, “To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary...31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS…35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

c. 2 Cor. 5:21, “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.” Heb. 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 7:26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” 1 John 3:5, “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”

Question 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

Answer: Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet,[a] of a priest,[b] and of a king,[c] both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

a. Deut. 18:18, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Acts 2:33, “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” Acts 3:22-23, “For Moses truly said 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 say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” Heb. 1:1-2, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

b. Heb. 4:14-15, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 5:5-6, “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

c. Isa. 9:6-7, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Luke 1:32-33, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” John 18:37, “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” 1 Cor. 15:25, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”

Question 24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word[a] and Spirit,[b] the will of God for our salvation.[c]

a. Luke 4:18-19, 21, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord…21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Acts 1:1-2, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.” Heb. 2:3, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”

b. John 15:26-27, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” 1 Pet. 1:11, “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”

c. John 4:41-42, “And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” John 20:30-31, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

Question 25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice,[a] and reconcile us to God;[b] and in making continual intercession for us.[c]

a. Isa. 53:1-12, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 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. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Acts 8:32-35, “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Heb. 9:26-28, “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Heb. 10:12, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”

b. Rom. 5:10-11, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” 2 Cor. 5:18, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” Col. 1:21-22, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.”

c. Rom. 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Heb. 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

Question 26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us,[a] and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.[b]

a. Psa. 110:3, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” Matt. 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: 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.” John 17:2, “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” Col. 1:13, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

b. Psa. 2:6-9, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” Psa. 110:1-2, “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.” Matt. 12:28, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” 1 Cor. 15:24-26, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” Col. 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Question 27. Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?

Answer: Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition,[a] made under the law,[b] undergoing the miseries of this life,[c] the wrath of God,[d] and the cursed death of the cross;[e] in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.[f]

a. Luke 2:7, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” 2 Cor. 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

b. Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

c. Isa. 53:3, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Luke 9:58, “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” John 4:6, “Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.” John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” Heb. 2:18, “Jesus wept.”

d. Psa. 22:1, “To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” (Compare Matt. 27:46, “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”); Isa. 53:10, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” 1 John 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

e. Gal. 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Phil. 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

f. Matt. 12:40, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” 1 Cor. 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Question 28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

Answer: Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day,[a] in ascending up into heaven,[b] in sitting at the right hand[c] of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.[d]

a. 1 Cor. 15:4, “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

b. Psa. 68:18, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.” Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Eph. 4:8, “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

c. Psa. 110:1, “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Acts 2:33-34, “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand.” Heb. 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

d. Matt. 16:27, “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Acts 17:31, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

Question 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.[a]

a. Titus 3:4-7, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Question 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us,[a] and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.[b]

a. Rom. 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 1 Cor. 2:12-16, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Eph. 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Phil. 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”

b. John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” 1 Cor. 1:9, “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Eph. 3:17, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.”

Question 31. What is effectual calling?

Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ,[a] and renewing our wills,[b] he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ,[c] freely offered to us in the gospel.[d]

a. Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and 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.” 1 Cor. 2:10, 12, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God…12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 2 Cor. 4:6, “For God, who 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.” Eph. 1:17-18, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”

b. Deut. 30:6, “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” Ezek. 36:26-27, “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. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” John 3:5, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

c. John 6:44-45, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Acts 16:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”

d. Isa. 45:22, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Matt. 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Rev. 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Question 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?

Answer: They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.[a]

a. Rom. 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” 1 Cor. 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Cor. 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Eph. 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

Question 33. What is justification?

Answer: Justification is an act of God’s free grace,[a] wherein he pardoneth all our sins,[b] and accepteth us as righteous in his sight,[c] only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us,[d] and received by faith alone.[e]

a. Rom. 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

b. Rom. 4:6-8, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” 2 Cor. 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

c. 2 Cor. 5:21, “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.”

d. Rom. 4:6, 11, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works…11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” Rom. 5:19, “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

e. Gal. 2:16, “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.” Phil. 3:9, “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.”

Question 34. What is adoption?

Answer: Adoption is an act of God’s free grace,[a] whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.[b]

a. 1 John 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

b. John 1:12, “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.” Rom. 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Question 35. What is sanctification?

Answer: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace,[a] whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God,[b] and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.[c]

a. Ezek. 36:27, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Phil. 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” 2 Thes. 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

b. 2 Cor. 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Eph. 4:23-24, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” 1 Thess. 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

c. Ezek. 36:25-27, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 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. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Rom. 6:4, 6, 12-14, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life…6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin…12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” 2 Cor. 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 1 Pet. 2:24, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Question 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

Answer: The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love,[a] peace of conscience,[b] joy in the Holy Ghost,[c] increase of grace,[d] and perseverance therein to the end.[e]

a. Rom. 5:5, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

b. Rom. 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

c. Rom. 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

d. 2 Pet. 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

e. Phil. 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:5, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Question 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?

Answer: The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness,[a] and do immediately pass into glory;[b] and their bodies, being still united to Christ,[c] do rest in their graves till the resurrection.[d]

a. Heb. 12:23, “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.”

b. Luke 23:43, “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” 2 Cor. 5:6, 8, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord…8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Phil. 1:23, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”

c. 1 Thes. 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

d. Dan. 12:2, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” John 5:28-29, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Acts 24:15, “And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”

Question 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

Answer: At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory,[a] shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment,[b] and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God[c] to all eternity.[d]

a. 1 Cor. 15:42-43, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.”

b. Matt. 25:33-34, 46, “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

c. Rom. 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

d. Psa. 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” 1 Thes. 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Question 39. What is the duty which God requireth of man?

Answer: The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will.[a]

a. Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Mic. 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” 1 John 5:2-3, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

Question 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?

Answer: The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.[a]

a. Rom. 2:14-15, “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.” Rom. 10:5, “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.”

Question 41. Wherein is the moral law summarily comprehended?

Answer: The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.[a]

a. Deut. 4:13, “And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Matt. 19:17-19, “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Question 42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?

Answer: The sum of the ten commandments is, To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves.[a]

a. Matt. 22:37-40, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Question 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?

Answer: The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.[a]

a. Exo. 20:2, “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Deut. 5:6, “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”

Question 44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?

Answer: The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us, That because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.[a]

a. Luke 1:74-75, “That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” 1 Pet. 1:14-19, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Question 45. Which is the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.[a]

a. Exo. 20:3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Deut. 5:7, “Thou shalt have none other gods before me.”

Question 46. What is required in the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.[a]

a. 1 Chron. 28:9, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” Isa. 45:20-25, “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. 21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. 25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” Matt. 4:10, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Question 47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment forbiddeth the denying,[a] or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God,[b] and our God;[c] and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.[d]

a. Psa. 14:1, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

b. Rom. 1:20-21, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

c. Psa. 81:10-11, “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.”

d. Ezek. 8:16-18, “And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. 17 Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.” Rom. 1:25, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

Question 48. What are we specially taught by these words, “before me,” in the first commandment?

Answer: These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.[a]

a. Deut. 30:17-18, “But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.” Psa. 44:20-21, “If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Ezek. 8:12, “Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.”

Question 49. Which is the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thy self to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.[a]

a. Exo. 20:4-6, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Deut. 5:8-10, “Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: 9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, 10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”

Question 50. What is required in the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word.[a]

a. Deut. 12:32, “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” Matt. 28:20, “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.”

Question 51. What is forbidden in the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images,[a] or any other way not appointed in his Word.[b]

a. Deut. 4:15-19, “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, 18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.” Rom. 1:22-23, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”

b. Lev. 10:1-2, “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” Jer. 19:4-5, “Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; 5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind.” Col. 2:18-23, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

Question 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?

Answer: The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us,[a] his propriety in us,[b] and the zeal he hath to his own worship.[c]

a. Psa. 95:2-3, 6-7, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods…6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice.” Psa. 96:9-10, “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.”

b. Exo. 19:5, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.” Psa. 45:11, “So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.” Isa. 54:5, “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.”

c. Exo. 34:14, “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” 1 Cor. 10:22, “Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?”

Question 53. Which is the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.[a]

a. Exo. 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Deut. 5:11, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

Question 54. What is required in the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God’s names, titles,[a] attributes,[b] ordinances,[c] word,[d] and works.[e]

a. Deut. 10:20, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.” Psa. 29:2, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Matt. 6:9, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

b. 1 Chron. 29:10-13, “Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.” Rev. 15:3-4, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

c. Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” 1 Cor. 11:27-28, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

d. Psa. 138:2, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Rev. 22:18-19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

e. Psa. 107:21-22, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” Rev. 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Question 55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh himself known.[a]

a. Lev. 19:12, “And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.” Matt. 5:33-37, “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” James 5:12, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”

Question 56. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

Answer: The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.[a]

a. Deut. 28:58-59, “If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; 59 Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.” 1 Sam. 3:13, “For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” 1 Sam. 4:11, “And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.”

Question 57. Which is the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.[a]

a. Exo. 20:8-11, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Deut. 5:12-15, “Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. 13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: 14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.”

Question 58. What is required in the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself.[a]

a. Exo. 31:13, 16-17, “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you…16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.”

Question 59. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly sabbath?

Answer: From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly sabbath;[a] and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath.[b]

a. Gen. 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Exo. 20:11, “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

b. Mark 2:27-28, “And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” 1 Cor. 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Rev. 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”

Question 60. How is the sabbath to be sanctified?

Answer: The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days;[a] and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship,[b] except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.[c]

a. Exo. 20:10, “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.” Neh. 13:15-22, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.” Isa. 58:13-14, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”

b. Exo. 20:8, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Lev. 23:3, “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.” Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”

c. Matt. 12:1-13, “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.”

Question 61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations.[a]

a. Neh. 13:15-22, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.” Isa. 58:13-14, “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Amos 8:4-6, “Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, 5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? 6 That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?”

Question 62. What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?

Answer: The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own employments,[a] his challenging a special propriety in the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the sabbath day.[b]

a. Exo. 20:9, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work.” Exo. 31:15, “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.” Lev. 23:3, “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”

b. Gen. 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Exo. 20:11, “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exo. 31:17, “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.”

Question 63. Which is the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.[a]

a. Exo. 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Deut. 5:16, “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

Question 64. What is required in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.[a]

a. Rom. 13:1, 7, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God…7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” Eph. 5:21-22, 24, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord…24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” Eph. 6:1, 4-5, 9, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right…4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ…9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” 1 Pet. 2:17, “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

Question 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations.[a]

a. Matt. 15:4-6, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Rom. 13:8, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

Question 66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?

Answer: The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment.[a]

a. Exo. 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Deut. 5:16, “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Eph. 6:2-3, “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”

Question 67. Which is the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.[a]

a. Exo. 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill.” Deut. 5:17, “Thou shalt not kill.”

Question 68. What is required in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.[a]

a. Eph. 5:28-29, “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.”

Question 69. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour, unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.[a]

a. Gen. 9:6, “Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Matt. 5:22, “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” 1 John 3:15, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

Question 70. Which is the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.[a]

a. Exo. 20:14, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Deut. 5:18, “Neither shalt thou commit adultery.”

Question 71. What is required in the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbour’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.[a]

a. 1 Cor. 7:2-3, 5, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband…5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” 1 Thes. 4:3-5, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.”

Question 72. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.[a]

a. Matt. 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Eph. 5:3-4, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”

Question 73. Which is the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.[a]

a. Exo. 20:15, “Thou shalt not steal.” Deut. 5:19, “Neither shalt thou steal.”

Question 74. What is required in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.[a]

a. Lev. 25:35, “And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.” Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Phil. 2:4, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Question 75. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbour’s, wealth or outward estate.[a]

a. Prov. 28:19, “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.” Eph. 4:28, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” 2 Thes. 3:10, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 1 Tim. 5:8, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

Question 76. Which is the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.[a]

a. Exo. 20:16, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Deut. 5:20, “Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.”

Question 77. What is required in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour’s good name,[a] especially in witness bearing.[b]

a. Zech. 8:16, “These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.” Acts 25:10, “Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.” 3 John 12, “Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.”

b. Prov. 14:5, 25, “A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies…25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.”

Question 78. What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own, or our neighbour’s, good name.[a]

a. Lev. 19:16, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.” Psa. 15:3, “He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” Prov. 6:16-19, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Luke 3:14, “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”

Question 79. Which is the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s.[a]

a. Exo. 20:17, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.” Deut. 5:21, “Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.”

Question 80. What is required in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition,[a] with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.[b]

a. Psa. 34:1, “A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Phil. 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” 1 Tim. 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” Heb. 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

b. Luke 15:6, 9, 11-32, “And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost…9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost…11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Rom. 12:15; Phil. 2:4

Question 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate,[a] envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.[b]

a. 1 Cor. 10:10, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” James 3:14-16, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

b. Gal. 5:26, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Col. 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

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

Answer: 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.[a]

a. Gen. 8:21, “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. 3:9, 23, “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…23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

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

Answer: Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.[a]

a. Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15, “He said furthermore 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…13 He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do…15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.” Matt. 11:20-24, “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” John 19:11, “Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

Question 84. What doth every sin deserve?

Answer: Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.[a]

a. Matt. 25:41, “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.” Gal. 3:10, “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.” Eph. 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

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

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

a. Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b: Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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.” 1 Cor. 11:24-25, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” Col. 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Question 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace,[a] whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.[b]

a. Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” cf. Rom. 4:16, “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all.”

b. John 20:30-31, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” Gal. 2:15-16, “We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 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.” Phil. 3:3-11, “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 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: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

Question 87. What is repentance unto life?

Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace,[a] whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ,[b] doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God,[c] with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.[d]

a. Acts 11:18, “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” 2 Tim. 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

b. Psa. 51:1-4, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Joel 2:13, “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Luke 15:7, 10, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance…10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Acts 2:37, “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?”

c. Jer. 31:18-19, “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. 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.” Luke 1:16-17, “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 1 Thess. 1:9, “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

d. 2 Chron. 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Psa. 119:57-64, “Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. 58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. 59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. 61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. 64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.” Matt. 3:8, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” 2 Cor. 7:10, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

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

Answer: 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.[a]

a. Matt. 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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: 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 2:41-42, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Question 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?

Answer: 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.[a]

a. Neh. 8:8-9, “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.” Acts 20:32, “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. 10:14-17, “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? 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! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 2 Tim. 3:15-17, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

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

Answer: That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer;[a] receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.[b]

a. Deut. 6:6-7, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Psa. 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” 1 Pet. 2:1-2, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

b. Psa. 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” 2 Thes. 2:10, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Heb. 4:2, “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.” James 1:22-25, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Question 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

Answer: The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.[a]

a. 1 Cor. 3:7, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” cf. 1 Cor. 1:12-17, “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”

Question 92. What is a sacrament?

Answer: A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ;[a] wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.[b]

a. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Matt. 26:26-28, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Mark 14:22-25, “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:19-20, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” 1 Cor.1:22-26, “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”

b. Gal. 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:16-17, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

Question 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?

Answer: The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism,[a] and the Lord’s Supper.[b]

a. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

b. 1 Cor. 11:23-26, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

Question 94. What is Baptism?

Answer: Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,[a] doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.[b]

a. Matt. 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

b. Acts 2:38-42, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 22:16, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Rom. 6:3-4, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Gal. 3:26-27, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” 1 Pet. 3:21, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Question 95. To whom is Baptism to be administered?

Answer: Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him;[a] but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.[b]

a. Acts. 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 8:12, 36, 38, “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women…36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?...38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Acts 18:8, “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”

b. Gen. 17:7, 9-11, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.” Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and 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. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 16:32-33, “And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” Col. 2:11-12, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Question 96. What is the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is showed forth;[a] and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.[b]

a. Luke 22:19-20, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” 1 Cor. 11:23-26, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

b. 1 Cor. 10:16-17, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

Question 97. What is required for the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.[a]

a. 1 Cor. 11:27-32, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

Question 98. What is prayer?

Answer: Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,[a] for things agreeable to his will,[b] in the name of Christ,[c] with confession of our sins,[d] and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.[e]

a. Psa. 10:17, “LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.” Psa. 62:8, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Matt. 7:7-8, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

b. 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

c. John 16:23-24, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

d. Psa. 32:5-6, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.” Dan. 9:4-19, “And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14 Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

e. Psa. 103:1-5, “A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psa. 136:1-26, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. 10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: 11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: 20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: 21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Phil. 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Question 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

Answer: The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer;[a] but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer.[b]

a. 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

b. Matt. 6:9-13, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Question 100. What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

Answer: The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, Our Father which art in heaven, teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence[a] and confidence,[b] as children to a father,[c] able and ready to help us;[d] and that we should pray with and for others.[e]

a. Psa. 95:6, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

b. Eph. 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

c. Matt. 7:9-11, “Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” cf. Luke 11:11-13, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Rom. 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

d. Eph. 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

e. Eph. 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” 1 Tim. 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

Question 101. What do we pray for in the first petition?

Answer: In the first petition, which is, Hallowed be thy name, we pray, that God would enable us, and others, to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known;[a] and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.[b]

a. Psa. 67:1-3, “To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. 2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.” Psa. 99:3, “Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.” Psa. 100:3-4, “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

b. Rom. 11:33-36, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Rev. 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Question 102. What do we pray for in the second petition?

Answer: In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come, we pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed;[a] and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced,[b] ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it;[c] and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.[d]

a. Matt. 12:25-28, “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” Rom. 16:20, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” 1 John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

b. Psa. 72:8-11, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. 11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.” Matt. 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” 1 Cor. 15:24-25, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”

c. Psa. 119:5, “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!” Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” 2 Thes. 3:1-5, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

d. Rev. 22:20, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Question 103. What do we pray for in the third petition?

Answer: In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven, we pray, that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things,[a] as the angels do in heaven.[b]

a. Psa. 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psa. 119:1-8, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.” 1 Thess. 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Heb. 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

b. Psa. 103:20-21, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.” Heb. 1:14, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

Question 104. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

Answer: In the fourth petition, which is, Give us this day our daily bread, we pray that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.[a]

a. Prov. 30:8-9, “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” Matt. 6:31-34, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Phil. 4:11, 19, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content…19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

Question 105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

Answer: In the fifth petition, which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins;[a] which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.[b]

a. Psa. 51:1-2, 7, 9, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin…Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow…9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.” Dan. 9:17-19, “Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

b. Matt. 18:21-35, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Eph. 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Col. 3:13, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Question 106. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

Answer: In the sixth petition, which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin,[a] or support and deliver us when we are tempted.[b]

a. Psa. 19:13, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Matt. 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” John 17:15, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

b. Luke 22:31-32, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” 1 Cor. 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 2 Cor. 12:7-9, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Heb. 2:18, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

Question 107. What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

Answer: The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen., teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only,[a] and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him;[b] and, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.[c]

a. Dan. 9:4, 7-9, 16-19, “And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments…7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him…16  O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” Luke 18:1, 7-8, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint…7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

b. 1 Chron. 29:10-13, “Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.” 1 Tim. 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Rev. 5:11-13, “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

c. 1 Cor. 14:16, “Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?” Rev. 22:20, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

THE DIRECTORY FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP

The

DIRECTORY

FOR THE

PUBLICK WORSHIP OF GOD

Agreed upon by the

ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES,

at

WESTMINSTER,

With the Assistance of

COMMISSIONERS

With the

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

AS

A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland.

With

An Act of the General Assembly, and Act of Parliament, both in Anno. 1645, Approving and Establishing the said DIRECTORY

1 Cor. 14:48, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Verse 26., “Let all things be done to Edifying.”

Printed at London,

1652

CHARLES I. Parl. 3. Sess.

An ACT of the PARLIAMENT of the KINGDOM of SCOTLAND, approving and establishing the DIRECTORY for Publick Worship.

AT EDINBURGH, February 6, 1645.

THE Estates of Parliament now convened, in the second session of this first triennial Parliament, by virtue of the last act of the last Parliament holden by his Majesty and the Three Estates, in anno 1641; after the publick reading and serious consideration of the act underwritten of the General Assembly, approving the following Directory for the publick worship of God in the three kingdoms, lately united by the Solemn league and Covenant, together with the ordinance of the Parliament of England establishing the said Directory, and the Directory itself; do heartily and cheerfully agree to the said Directory, according to the act of the General Assembly approving the same. Which act, together with the Directory itself; the Estates of Parliament do, without a contrary voice, ratify and approve in all the Heads and Articles thereof; and do interpone and add the authority of Parliament to the said act of the General Assembly. And do ordain the same to have the strength and force of a law and act of parliament, and execution to pass thereupon, for observing the said Directory, according to the said act of the General Assembly to all points.

ALEXO. GIBSON, Cler. Registri.

ASSEMBLY AT EDINBURGH,

February 3, 1645, Sess. 10.

ACT of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the KIRK of SCOTLAND, for the establishing and putting in Execution of the DIRECTORY for the Publick Worship of God.

WHEREAS an happy unity, and uniformity in religion amongst the kirks of Christ, in these three kingdoms, united under one Sovereign, having been long and earnestly wished for by the godly a well-affected amongst us, was propounded as a main article of the large treaty, without which band and bulwark, no safe, well-grounded, and lasting peace could be expected; and afterward, with greater strength and maturity, revived in the Solemn League and Covenant of the three kingdoms; whereby they stand straitly obliged to endeavour the nearest uniformity in one form of Church government, Directory of Worship, Confession of Faith, and Form of Catechising; which hath also before, and since our entering into that Covenant, been the matter of many supplications and remonstrances, and sending Commissioners to the Kings Majesty; of declarations to the Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, and of letters to the Reverend Assembly of Divines, and others of the ministry of the kirk of England; being also the end of our sending Commissioners, as was desired, from this kirk, with commission to treat of uniformity in the four particulars afore-mentioned, with such committees as should be appointed by both Houses of Parliament of England, and by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster; and beside all this, it being, in point of conscience, the chief motive and end of our adventuring upon manifold and great hazards, for quenching the devouring flame of the present unnatural and bloody war in England, thought o the weakening of this kingdom within itself, and the advantage of the enemy which have invaded it; accounting nothing too dear to us, so that this our joy be fulfilled. And now this great work being so far advanced, that a Directory for the Publick Worship of God in all the three kingdoms being agreed upon by the Honourable Houses of the parliament of England, after consultation with the Divines of both kingdoms there assembled, and sent to us for our approbation, that, being also agreed upon by this kirk and kingdom of Scotland, it may be in the name of both kingdoms presented to the King, for his royal consent and ratification; the General Assembly, having most seriously considered, revised, and examined the Directory afore-mentioned, after several publick readings of it, after much deliberation, both publickly and in private committees, after full liberty given to all to object against it, and earnest invitations of all who have any scruples about it, to make known the same, that they might be satisfied; doth unanimously, and without a contrary voice, agree to an approve the following Directory, in all the heads thereof, together with the Preface set before it; and doth require, discern, and ordain, That, according to the plain tenor and meaning thereof, and the intent of the Preface, it be carefully and uniformly observed and practised by all the ministers and others within this kingdom whom it doth concern; which practice shall be begun, upon intimation given to the several presbyteries from the printing of this Directory, that a printed copy of it be provided and kept of or the use of every kirk in this kingdom; also that each presbytery have a printed copy thereof for their use, and take special notice of the observation or neglect thereof in every General Assembly, as there shall be cause. Provided always, That the clause in the Directory, of the administration of the Lord’s Supper, which metioneth the communicants sitting about the table, or at it, be not interpreted as if, in the judgment of this kirk, it were indifferent, and free for any of the communicants not to come to, and receive at the table; or as if we did approve the distributing of the elements by the minister to each communicant, and not by the communicants among themselves. It is also provided, That this shall be no prejudice to the order and practise of this kirk, in such particulars as are appointed by the books of discipline, and acts of General Assemblies, and are not otherwise ordered and appointed in the Directory.

Finally, The Assembly doth, with much joy and thankfulness, acknowledge the rich blessing and invaluable mercy of God, in bringing the so much wished for uniformity in religion to such a happy period, that these kingdoms, once at so great uniformity than any other reformed kirks; which is unto us the return of our prayers sorrows and sufferings; a taking away, in great measure, the reproach of the people of God, to the stopping of the mouths of malignant and disaffected persons; and an not of evil, to give us an expected end; in the expectation an confidence whereof we do rejoice; beseeching the Lord to preserve these kingdoms from heresies, schisms, offences, profaneness, and whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of godliness; and to continue with us, and the generations following, these his pure and purged ordinances, together with an increase of the power and life thereof, to the glory of his great name, the enlargement of the kingdom of his Son, the corroboration of peace and love between the kingdoms, the unity and comfort of all his people, and our edifying one another in love.

The Contents of the Directory

The Preface

Of the Assembling of the Congregation.

Of Publick Reading of the Holy Scriptures.

Of Publick Prayer before the Sermon.

Of Preaching of the Word.

Of Prayer after Sermon.

Of the Sacrament of Baptism.

Of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

Of the Sanctification of the Lord’s Day.

Of the Solemnization of Marriage.

Of the Visitation of the Sick.

Of the Burial of the Dead.

Of Publick Solemn Fasting.

Of the Observation of Days of Publick Thanksgiving.

Of Singing of Psalms.

An Appendix touching Days and Places of Publick Worship.

THE PREFACE

IN the beginning of the blessed Reformation, our wise and pious ancestors took care to set forth an order for redress of many things, which they then, by the word, discovered to be vain erroneous, superstitious, and idolatrous, in the publick worship of God. This occasioned many godly and learned men to rejoice much in the Book of Common Prayer, at that time set forth; because the mass, and the rest of the Latin service being removed, the publick worship was celebrated in our own tongue: many of the common people also receive benefit by hearing the scriptures read in their own language, which formerly were unto them as a book that is sealed.

Howbeit, long and sad experience hath made it manifest, that the Liturgy used in the Church of England, (notwithstanding all the pains and religious intentions of the Compilers of it,) hath proved an offence, not only to many of the godly at home, but also to the reformed Churches abroad. For, not to speak of urging the reading of all the prayers, which very greatly increased the burden of it, the many unprofitable and burdensome ceremonies contained in it have occasioned much mischief, as well by disquieting the consciences of many godly ministers and people, who could not yield unto them, as by depriving them of the ordinances of God, which they might not enjoy without conforming or subscribing to those ceremonies. Sundry good Christians have been, by means thereof, kept from the Lord’s table; and divers able and faithful ministers debarred from the exercise of their ministry, (to the endangering of many thousand souls, in a time of such scarcity of faithful pastors,) and spoiled of their livelihood, to the undoing of them and their families. Prelates, and their faction, have laboured to raise the estimation of it to such a height, as if there were no other worship, or way of worship of God, amongst us, but only the Service-book; to the great hinderance of the preaching of the word, and (in some places, especially of late) to the justling of it out as unnecessary, or at best, as far inferior to the reading of common prayer; which was made no better than an idol by many ignorant and superstitious people, who, pleasing themselves in their presence at that service, and their lip-labour in bearing a part in it, have thereby hardened themselves in their ignorance and carelessness of saving knowledge and true piety.

In the meantime, Papists boasted that the book was a compliance with them in a great part of their service; and so were not a little confirmed in their superstition and idolatry, expecting rather our return to them, than endeavouring the reformation of themselves: in which expectation they were of late very much encouraged, when, upon the pretended warrantableness of imposing of the former ceremonies, new ones were daily obtruded upon the Church.

And hereunto, (which was not foreseen, but since have come to pass,) that the Liturgy hath been a great means, as on the one hand to make and increase an idle and unedifying ministry, which contented itself with set forms made to their hands by others, without putting forth themselves to exercise the gift of prayer, with which our Lord Jesus Christ pleaseth to furnish all his servants whom he calls to that office: so, on the other side, it hath been (and ever would be, if continued) a matter of endless strife and contention in the Church, and a snare both to many godly and faithful ministers, who have been persecuted and silenced upon that occasion, and to others of hopeful parts, many of which have been, and more still would be, diverted from all thoughts of the ministry to other studies; especially in these latter times, wherein God vouchsafeth to his people more and better means for the discovery of error and superstition, and for attaining of knowledge in the mysteries of godliness, and gifts in preaching and prayer.

Upon these, and many the like weighty considerations in reference to the whole book in general, and because of divers particulars contained in it; not from any love to novelty, or intention to disparage our first reformers, (of whom we are persuaded, that, were they now alive, they would join with us in this work, and whom we acknowledge as excellent instruments, raised by God, to begin the purging and building of his house, and desire they may be had of us and posterity in everlasting remembrance, with thankfulness and honour,) but that we may in some measure answer the gracious providence of God, which at this time calleth upon us for further reformation, and may satisfy our own consciences, and answer the expectation of other reformed churches, and the desires of many of the godly among ourselves, and withal give some publick testimony of our endeavours for uniformity in divine worship, which we have promised in our Solemn League and Covenant; we have, after earnest and frequent calling upon the name of God, and after much consultation, not with flesh and blood, but with his holy word, resolved to lay aside the former Liturgy, with the many rites and ceremonies formerly used in the worship of God; and have agreed upon this following Directory for all the parts of publick worship, at ordinary and extraordinary times. Wherein our care hath been to hold forth such things as are of divine institution in every ordinance; and other things we have endeavoured to set forth according to the rules of Christian prudence, agreeable to the general rules of the word of God; our meaning therein being only, that the general heads, the sense and scope of the prayers, and other parts of publick worship, being known to all, there may be a consent of all the churches in those things that contain the substance of the service and worship of God; and the ministers may be hereby directed, in their administrations, to keep like soundness in doctrine and prayer, and may, if need be, have some help and furniture, and yet so as they become not hereby slothful and negligent in stirring up the gifts of Christ in them; but that each one, by meditation, by taking heed to himself, and the flock of God committed to him, and by wise observing the ways of Divine Providence, may be careful to furnish his heart and tongue with further or other materials of prayer and exhortation, as shall be needful upon all occasions.

Of the Assembling of the Congregation,

and their Behaviour in the Publick Worship of God.

WHEN the congregation is to meet for publick worship, the people (having before prepared their hearts thereunto) ought all to come and join therein; not absenting themselves from the publick ordinance through negligence, or upon pretence of private meetings.

Let all enter the assembly, not irreverently, but in a grave and seemly manner, taking their seats or places without adoration, or bowing themselves towards one place or other.

The congregation being assembled, the minister, after solemn calling on them to the worshipping of the great name of God, is to begin with prayer.

“In all reverence and humility acknowledging the incomprehensible greatness and majesty of the Lord, (in whose presence they do then in a special manner appear,) and their own vileness and unworthiness to approach so near him, with their utter inability of themselves to so great a work; and humbly beseeching him for pardon, assistance, and acceptance, in the whole service then to be performed; and for a blessing on that particular portion of his word then to be read: And all in the name and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The publick worship being begun, the people are wholly to attend upon it, forbearing to read any thing, except what the minister is then reading or citing; and abstaining much more from all private whisperings, conferences, salutations, or doing reverence to any person present, or coming in; as also from all gazing, sleeping, and other indecent behaviour, which may disturb the minister or people, or hinder themselves or others in the service of God.

If any, through necessity, be hindered from being present at the beginning, they ought not, when they come into the congregation, to betake themselves to their private devotions, but reverently to compose themselves to join with the assembly in that ordinance of God which is then in hand.

Of Publick Reading of the Holy Scriptures.

READING of the word in the congregation, being part of the publick worship of God, (wherein we acknowledge our dependence upon him, and subjection to him,) and one mean sanctified by him for the edifying of his people, is to be performed by the pastors and teachers.

Howbeit, such as intend the ministry, may occasionally both read the word, and exercise their gift in preaching in the congregation, if allowed by the presbytery thereunto.

All the canonical books of the Old and New Testament (but none of those which are commonly called Apocrypha) shall be publickly read in the vulgar tongue, out of the best allowed translation, distinctly, that all may hear and understand.

How large a portion shall be read at once, is left to the wisdom of the minister; but it is convenient, that ordinarily one chapter of each Testament be read at every meeting; and sometimes more, where the chapters be short, or the coherence of matter requireth it.

It is requisite that all the canonical books be read over in order, that the people may be better acquainted with the whole body of the scriptures; and ordinarily, where the reading in either Testament endeth on one Lord’s day, it is to begin the next.

We commend also the more frequent reading of such scriptures as he that readeth shall think best for edification of his hearers, as the book of Psalms, and such like.

When the minister who readeth shall judge it necessary to expound any part of what is read, let it not be done until the whole chapter or psalm be ended; and regard is always to be had unto the time, that neither preaching, nor other ordinances be straitened, or rendered tedious. Which rule is to be observed in all other publick performances.

Beside publick reading of the holy scriptures, every person that can read, is to be exhorted to read the scriptures privately, (and all others that cannot read, if not disabled by age, or otherwise, are likewise to be exhorted to learn to read,) and to have a Bible.

Of Publick Prayer before the Sermon.

AFTER reading of the word, (and singing of the psalm,) the minister who is to preach, is to endeavour to get his own and his hearers hearts to be rightly affected with their sins, that they may all mourn in sense thereof before the Lord, and hunger and thirst after the grace of God in Jesus Christ, by proceeding to a more full confession of sin, with shame and holy confusion of face, and to call upon the Lord to this effect:

“To acknowledge our great sinfulness, First, by reason of original sin, which (beside the guilt that makes us liable to everlasting damnation) is the seed of all other sins, hath depraved and poisoned all the faculties and powers of soul and body, doth defile our best actions, and (were it not restrained, or our hearts renewed by grace) would break forth into innumerable transgressions, and greatest rebellions against the Lord that ever were committed by the vilest of the sons of men; and next, by reason of actual sins, our own sins, the sins of magistrates, of ministers, and of the whole nation, unto which we are many ways accessory: which sins of ours receive many fearful aggravations, we having broken all the commandments of the holy, just, and good law of God, doing that which is forbidden, and leaving undone what is enjoined; and that not only out of ignorance and infirmity, but also more presumptuously, against the light of our minds, checks of our consciences, and motions of his own Holy Spirit to the contrary, so that we have no cloak for our sins; yea, not only despising the riches of God’s goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, but standing out against many invitations and offers of grace in the gospel; not endeavouring, as we ought, to receive Christ into our hearts by faith, or to walk worthy of him in our lives.

To bewail our blindness of mind, hardness of heart, unbelief, impenitency, security, lukewarmness, barrenness; or not endeavouring after mortification and newness of life, nor after the exercise of godliness in the power thereof; and that the best of us have not so stedfastly walked with God, kept our garments so unspotted, nor been so zealous of his glory, and the good of others, as we ought: and to mourn over such other sins as the congregation is particularly guilty of, notwithstanding the manifold and great mercies of our God, the love of Christ, the light of the gospel, and reformation of religion, our own purposes, promises, vows, solemn covenant, and other special obligations, to the contrary.

To acknowledge and confess, that, as we are convinced of our guilt, so, out of a deep sense thereof, we judge ourselves unworthy of the smallest benefits, most worthy of God’s fiercest wrath, and of all the curses of the law, and heaviest judgments inflicted upon the most rebellious sinners; and that he might most justly take his kingdom and gospel from us, plague us with all sorts of spiritual and temporal judgments in this life, and after cast us into utter darkness, in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth for evermore.

Notwithstanding all which, to draw near to the throne of grace, encouraging ourselves with hope of a gracious answer of our prayers, in the riches and all-sufficiency of that only one oblation, the satisfaction and intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ, at the right hand of his Father and our Father; and in confidence of the exceeding great and precious promises of mercy and grace in the new covenant, through the same Mediator thereof, to deprecate the heavy wrath and curse of God, which we are not able to avoid, or bear; and humbly and earnestly to supplicate for mercy, in the free and full remission of all our sins, and that only for the bitter sufferings and precious merits of that our only Saviour Jesus Christ.

That the Lord would vouchsafe to shed abroad his love in our hearts by the Holy Ghost; seal unto us, by the same Spirit of adoption, the full assurance of our pardon and reconciliation; comfort all that mourn in Zion, speak peace to the wounded and troubled spirit, and bind up the broken-hearted: and as for secure and presumptuous sinners, that he would open their eyes, convince their consciences, and turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they also may receive forgiveness of sin, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus.

With remission of sins through the blood of Christ, to pray for sanctification by his Spirit; the mortification of sin dwelling in and many times tyrannizing over us; the quickening of our dead spirits with the life of God in Christ; grace to fit and enable us for all duties of conversation and callings towards God and men; strength against temptations; the sanctified use of blessings and crosses; and perseverance in faith and obedience unto the end.

To pray for the propagation of the gospel and kingdom of Christ to all nations; for the conversion of the Jews, the fulness of the Gentiles, the fall of Antichrist, and the hastening of the second coming of our Lord; for the deliverance of the distressed churches abroad from the tyranny of the antichristian faction, and from the cruel oppressions and blasphemies of the Turk; for the blessing of God upon the reformed churches, especially upon the churches and kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland, now more strictly and religiously united in the Solemn National League and Covenant; and for our plantations in the remote parts of the world: more particularly for that church and kingdom whereof we are members, that therein God would establish peace and truth, the purity of all his ordinances, and the power of godliness; prevent and remove heresy, schism, profaneness, superstition, security, and unfruitfulness under the means of grace; heal all our rents and divisions, and preserve us from breach of our Solemn Covenant.

To pray for all in authority, especially for the King’s Majesty; that God would make him rich in blessings, both in his person and government; establish his throne in religion and righteousness, save him from evil counsel, and make him a blessed and glorious instrument for the conservation and propagation of the gospel, for the encouragement and protection of them that do well, the terror of all that do evil, and the great good of the whole church, and of all his kingdoms; for the conversion of the Queen, the religious education of the Prince, and the rest of the royal seed; for the comforting of the afflicted

Queen of Bohemia, sister to our Sovereign; and for the restitution and establishment of the illustrious Prince Charles, Elector Palatine of the Rhine, to all his dominions and dignities; for a blessing upon the High Court of Parliament, (when sitting in any of these kingdoms respectively,) the nobility, the subordinate judges and magistrates, the gentry, and all the commonality; for all pastors and teachers, that God would fill them with his Spirit, make them exemplarily holy, sober, just, peaceable, and gracious in their lives; sound, faithful, and powerful in their ministry; and follow all their labours with abundance of success and blessing; and give unto all his people pastors according to his own heart; for the universities, and all schools and religious seminaries of church and commonwealth, that they may flourish more and more in learning and piety; for the particular city or congregation, that God would pour out a blessing upon the ministry of the word, sacraments, and discipline, upon the civil government, and all the several families and persons therein; for mercy to the afflicted under any inward or outward distress; for seasonable weather, and fruitful seasons, as the time may require; for averting the judgments that we either feel or fear, or are liable unto as famine, pestilence, the sword, and such like.

And, with confidence of his mercy to his whole church, and the acceptance of our persons, through the merits and mediation of our High Priest, the Lord Jesus, to profess that it is the desire of our souls to have fellowship with God in the reverend and conscionable use of his holy ordinances; and, to that purpose, to pray earnestly for his grace and effectual assistance to the sanctification of his holy sabbath, the Lord’s day, in all the duties thereof, publick and private, both to ourselves, and to all other congregations of his people, according to the riches and excellency of the gospel, this day celebrated and enjoyed.

And because we have been unprofitable hearers in times past, and now cannot of ourselves receive, as we should, the deep things of God, the mysteries of Jesus Christ, which require a spiritual discerning; to pray, that the Lord, who teacheth to profit, would graciously please to pour out the Spirit of grace, together with the outward means thereof, causing us to attain such a measure of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, and, in him, of the things which belong to our peace, that we may account all things but as dross in comparison of him; and that we, tasting the first-fruits of the glory that is to be revealed, may long for a more full and perfect communion with him, that where he is, we may be also, and enjoy the fulness of those joys and pleasures which are at his right hand for evermore.

More particularly, that God would in a special manner furnish his servant (now called to dispense the bread of life unto his household) with wisdom, fidelity, zeal, and utterance, that he may divide the word of God aright, to every one his portion, in evidence and demonstration of the Spirit and power; and that the Lord would circumcise the ears and hearts of the hearers, to hear, love, and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save their souls; make them as good ground to receive in the good seed of the word, and strengthen them against the temptations of Satan, the cares of the world, the hardness of their own hearts, and whatsoever else may hinder their profitable and saving hearing; that so Christ may be so formed in them, and live in them, that all their thoughts may be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and their hearts established in every good word and work for ever.”

We judge this to be a convenient order, in the ordinary public prayer; yet so, as the minister may defer (as in prudence he shall think meet) some part of these petitions till after his sermon, or offer up to God some of the thanksgivings hereafter appointed, in his prayer before his sermon.

Of the Preaching of the Word.

PREACHING of the word, being the power of God unto salvation, and one of the greatest and most excellent works belonging to the ministry of the gospel, should be so performed, that the workman need not be ashamed, but may save himself, and those that hear him.

It is presupposed, (according to the rules for ordination,) that the minister of Christ is in some good measure gifted for so weighty a service, by his skill in the original languages, and in such arts and sciences as are handmaids unto divinity; by his knowledge in the whole body of theology, but most of all in the holy scriptures, having his senses and heart exercised in them above the common sort of believers; and by the illumination of God’s Spirit, and other gifts of edification, which (together with reading and studying of the word) he ought still to seek by prayer, and an humble heart, resolving to admit and receive any truth not yet attained, whenever God shall make it known unto him. All which he is to make use of, and improve, in his private preparations, before he deliver in public what he hath provided.

Ordinarily, the subject of his sermon is to be some text of scripture, holding forth some principle or head of religion, or suitable to some special occasion emergent; or he may go on in some chapter, psalm, or book of the holy scripture, as he shall see fit.

Let the introduction to his text be brief and perspicuous, drawn from the text itself, or context, or some parallel place, or general sentence of scripture.

If the text be long, (as in histories or parables it sometimes must be,) let him give a brief sum of it; if short, a paraphrase thereof, if need be: in both, looking diligently to the scope of the text, and pointing at the chief heads and grounds of doctrine which he is to raise from it.

In analysing and dividing his text, he is to regard more the order of matter than of words; and neither to burden the memory of the hearers in the beginning with too many members of division, nor to trouble their minds with obscure terms of art.

In raising doctrines from the text, his care ought to be, First, That the matter be the truth of God. Secondly, That it be a truth contained in or grounded on that text, that the hearers may discern how God teacheth it from thence. Thirdly, That he chiefly insist upon those doctrines which are principally intended; and make most for the edification of the hearers.

The doctrine is to be expressed in plain terms; or, if any thing in it need explication, it is to be opened, and the consequence also from the text cleared. The parallel places of scripture, confirming the doctrine, are rather to be plain and pertinent, than many, and (it need be) somewhat insisted upon, and applied to the purpose in hand.

The arguments or reasons are to be solid, and, as much as may be, convincing. The illustrations, of what kind soever, ought to be full of light, and such as may convey the truth into the hearer’s heart with spiritual delight.

If any doubt obvious from scripture, reason, or prejudice of the hearers, seem to arise, it is very requisite to remove it, by reconciling the seeming differences, answering the reasons, and discovering and taking away the causes of prejudice and mistake. Otherwise it is not fit to detain the hearers with propounding or answering vain or wicked cavils, which, as they are endless, so the propounding and answering of them doth more hinder than promote edification.

He is not to rest in general doctrine, although never so much cleared and confirmed, but to bring it home to special use, by application to his hearers: which albeit it prove a work of great difficulty to himself, requiring much prudence, zeal, and meditation, and to the natural and corrupt man will be very unpleasant; yet he is to endeavour to perform it in such a manner, that his auditors may feel the word of God to be quick and powerful, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and that, if any unbeliever or ignorant person be present, he may have the secrets of his heart made manifest, and give glory to God.

In the use of instruction or information in the knowledge of some truth, which is a consequence from his doctrine, he may (when convenient) confirm it by a few firm arguments from the text in hand, and other places of scripture, or from the nature of that common-place in divinity, whereof that truth is a branch.

In confutation of false doctrines, he is neither to raise an old heresy from the grave, nor to mention a blasphemous opinion unnecessarily: but, if the people be in danger of an error, he is to confute it soundly, and endeavour to satisfy their judgments and consciences against all objections.

In exhorting to duties, he is, as he seeth cause, to teach also the means that help to the performance of them.

In dehortation, reprehension, and publick admonition, (which require special wisdom,) let him, as there shall be cause, not only discover the nature and greatness of the sin, with the misery attending it, but also shew the danger his hearers are in to be overtaken and surprised by it, together with the remedies and best way to avoid it.

In applying comfort, whether general against all temptations, or particular against some special troubles or terrors, he is carefully to answer such objections as a troubled heart and afflicted spirit may suggest to the contrary. It is also sometimes requisite to give some notes of trial, (which is very profitable, especially when performed by able and experienced ministers, with circumspection and prudence, and the signs clearly grounded on the holy scripture,) whereby the hearers may be able to examine themselves whether they have attained those graces, and performed those duties, to which he exhorteth, or be guilty of the sin reprehended, and in danger of the judgments threatened, or are such to whom the consolations propounded do belong; that accordingly they may be quickened and excited to duty, humbled for their wants and sins, affected with their danger, and strengthened with comfort, as their condition, upon examination, shall require.

And, as he needeth not always to prosecute every doctrine which lies in his text, so is he wisely to make choice of such uses, as, by his residence and conversing with his flock, he findeth most needful and seasonable; and, amongst these, such as may most draw their souls to Christ, the fountain of light, holiness, and comfort.

This method is not prescribed as necessary for every man, or upon every text; but only recommended, as being found by experience to be very much blessed of God, and very helpful for the people’s understandings and memories.

But the servant of Christ, whatever his method be, is to perform his whole ministry:

1. Painfully, not doing the work of the Lord negligently.

2. Plainly, that the meanest may understand; delivering the truth not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect; abstaining also from an unprofitable use of unknown tongues, strange phrases, and cadences of sounds and words; sparingly citing sentences of ecclesiastical or other human writers, ancient or modern, be they never so elegant.

3. Faithfully, looking at the honour of Christ, the conversion, edification, and salvation of the people, not at his own gain or glory; keeping nothing back which may promote those holy ends, giving to every one his own portion, and bearing indifferent respect unto all, without neglecting the meanest, or sparing the greatest, in their sins.

4. Wisely, framing all his doctrines, exhortations, and especially his reproofs, in such a manner as may be most likely to prevail; shewing all due respect to each man’s person and place, and not mixing his own passion or bitterness.

5. Gravely, as becometh the word of God; shunning all such gesture, voice, and expressions, as may occasion the corruptions of men to despise him and his ministry.

6. With loving affection, that the people may see all coming from his godly zeal, and hearty desire to do them good. And,

7. As taught of God, and persuaded in his own heart, that all that he teacheth is the truth of Christ; and walking before his flock, as an example to them in it; earnestly, both in private and publick, recommending his labours to the blessing of God, and watchfully looking to himself, and the flock whereof the Lord hath made him overseer: So shall the doctrine of truth be preserved uncorrupt, many souls converted and built up, and himself receive manifold comforts of his labours even in this life, and afterward the crown of glory laid up for him in the world to come.

Where there are more ministers in a congregation than one, and they of different gifts, each may more especially apply himself to doctrine or exhortation, according to the gift wherein he most excelleth, and as they shall agree between themselves.

Of Prayer after Sermon.

THE sermon being ended, the minister is “To give thanks for the great love of God, in sending his Son Jesus Christ unto us; for the communication of his Holy Spirit; for the light and liberty of the glorious gospel, and the rich and heavenly blessings revealed therein; as, namely, election, vocation, adoption, justification, sanctification, and hope of glory; for the admirable goodness of God in freeing the land from antichristian darkness and tyranny, and for all other national deliverances; for the reformation of religion; for the covenant; and for many temporal blessings…

…To pray for the continuance of the gospel, and all ordinances thereof, in their purity, power, and liberty: to turn the chief and most useful heads of the sermon into some few petitions; and to pray that it may abide in the heart, and bring forth fruit.

…To pray for preparation for death and judgment, and a watching for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: to entreat of God the forgiveness of the iniquities of our holy things, and the acceptation of our spiritual sacrifice, through the merit and mediation of our great High Priest and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.”

And because the prayer which Christ taught his disciples is not only a pattern of prayer, but itself a most comprehensive prayer, we recommend it also to be used in the prayers of the church. And whereas, at the administration of the sacraments, the holding publick fasts and days of thanksgiving, and other special occasions, which may afford matter of special petitions and thanksgivings, it is requisite to express somewhat in our publick prayers, (as at this time it is our duty to pray for a blessing upon the Assembly of Divines, the armies by sea and land, for the defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdom,) every minister is herein to apply himself in his prayer, before or after sermon, to those occasions: but, for the manner, he is left to his liberty, as God shall direct and enable him in piety and wisdom to discharge his duty.

The prayer ended, let a psalm be sung, if with conveniency it may be done. After which (unless some other ordinance of Christ, that concerneth the congregation at that time, be to follow) let the minister dismiss the congregation with a solemn blessing.

Of the Administration of the Sacraments:

And FIRST, OF BAPTISM.

BAPTISM, as it is not unnecessarily to be delayed, so it is not to be administered in any case by any private person, but by a minister of Christ, called to be the steward of the mysteries of God.

Nor is it to be administered in private places, or privately, but in the place of publick worship, and in the face of the congregation, where the people may most conveniently see and hear; and not in the places where fonts, in the time of Popery, were unfitly and superstitiously placed.

The child to be baptized after notice given to the minister the day before, is to be presented by the father, or (in case of his necessary absence) by some Christian friend in his place, professing his earnest desire that the child may be baptized.

Before baptism, the minister is to use some words of instruction, touching the institution, nature, use, and ends of this sacrament, shewing,

“That it is instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ: That it is a seal of the covenant of grace, of our ingrafting into Christ, and of our union with him, of remission of sins, regeneration, adoption, and life eternal: That the water, in baptism, representeth and signifieth both the blood of Christ, which taketh away all guilt of sin, original and actual; and the sanctifying virtue of the Spirit of Christ against the dominion of sin, and the corruption of our sinful nature: That baptizing, or sprinkling and washing with water, signifieth the cleansing from sin by the blood and for the merit of Christ, together with the mortification of sin, and rising from sin to newness of life, by virtue of the death and resurrection of Christ: That the promise is made to believers and their seed; and that the seed and posterity of the faithful, born within the church, have, by their birth, interest in the covenant, and right to the seal of it, and to the outward privileges of the church, under the gospel, no less than the children of Abraham in the time of the Old Testament; the covenant of grace, for substance, being the same; and the grace of God, and the consolation of believers, more plentiful than before: That the Son of God admitted little children into his presence, embracing and blessing them, saying, For of such is the kingdom of God: That children, by baptism, are solemnly received into the bosom of the visible church, distinguished from the world, and them that are without, and united with believers; and that all who are baptized in the name of Christ, do renounce, and by their baptism are bound to fight against the devil, the world, and the flesh: That they are Christians, and federally holy before baptism, and therefore are they baptized: That the inward grace and virtue of baptism is not tied to that very moment of time wherein it is administered; and that the fruit and power thereof reacheth to the whole course of our life; and that outward baptism is not so necessary, that, through the want thereof, the infant is in danger of damnation, or the parents guilty, if they do not contemn or neglect the ordinance of Christ, when and where it may be had.”

In these or the like instructions, the minister is to use his own liberty and godly wisdom, as the ignorance or errors in the doctrine of baptism, and the edification of the people, shall require.

He is also to admonish all that are present,

“To look back to their baptism; to repent of their sins against their covenant with God; to stir up their faith; to improve and make right use of their baptism, and of the covenant sealed thereby betwixt God and their souls.”

He is to exhort the parent,

“To consider the great mercy of God to him and his child; to bring up the child in the knowledge of the grounds of the Christian religion, and in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and to let him know the danger of God’s wrath to himself and child, if he be negligent: requiring his solemn promise for the performance of his duty.”

This being done, prayer is also to be joined with the word of institution, for sanctifying the water to this spiritual use; and the minister is to pray to this or the like effect:

“That the Lord, who hath not left us as strangers without the covenant of promise, but called us to the privileges of his ordinances, would graciously vouchsafe to sanctify and bless his own ordinance of baptism at this time: That he would join the inward baptism of his Spirit with the outward baptism of water; make this baptism to the infant a seal of adoption, remission of sin, regeneration, and eternal life, and all other promises of the covenant of grace: That the child may be planted into the likeness of the death and resurrection of Christ; and that, the body of sin being destroyed in him, he may serve God in newness of life all his days.”

Then the minister is to demand the name of the child; which being told him, he is to say, (calling the child by his name,)

I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

As he pronounceth these words, he is to baptize the child with water: which, for the manner of doing of it, is not only lawful but sufficient, and most expedient to be, by pouring or sprinkling of the water on the face of the child, without adding any other ceremony.

This done, he is to give thanks and pray, to this or the like purpose:

“Acknowledging with all thankfulness, that the Lord is true and faithful in keeping covenant and mercy: That he is good and gracious, not only in that he numbereth us among his saints, but is pleased also to bestow upon our children this singular token and badge of his love in Christ: That, in his truth and special providence, he daily bringeth some into the bosom of his church, to be partakers of his inestimable benefits, purchased by the blood of his dear Son, for the continuance and increase of his church.”

And praying,

“That the Lord would still continue, and daily confirm more and more this his unspeakable favour: That he would receive the infant now baptized, and solemnly entered into the household of faith, into his fatherly tuition and defence, and remember him with the favour that he sheweth to his people; that, if he shall be taken out of this life in his infancy, the Lord, who is rich in mercy, would be pleased to receive him up into glory; and if he live, and attain the years of discretion, that the Lord would so teach him by his word and Spirit, and make his baptism effectual to him, and so uphold him by his divine power and grace, that by faith he may prevail against the devil, the world, and the flesh, till in the end he obtain a full and final victory, and so be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE COMMUNION, OR SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER.

THE communion, or supper of the Lord, is frequently to be celebrated; but how often, may be considered and determined by the ministers, and other church-governors of each congregation, as they shall find most convenient for the comfort and edification of the people committed to their charge. And, when it shall be administered, we judge it convenient to be done after the morning sermon.

The ignorant and the scandalous are not fit to receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

Where this sacrament cannot with convenience be frequently administered, it is requisite that publick warning be given the sabbath-day before the administration thereof: and that either then, or on some day of that week, something concerning that ordinance, and the due preparation thereunto, and participation thereof, be taught; that, by the diligent use of all means sanctified of God to that end, both in publick and private, all may come better prepared to that heavenly feast.

When the day is come for administration, the minister, having ended his sermon and prayer, shall make a short exhortation:

“Expressing the inestimable benefit we have by this sacrament, together with the ends and use thereof: setting forth the great necessity of having our comforts and strength renewed thereby in this our pilgrimage and warfare: how necessary it is that we come unto it with knowledge, faith, repentance, love, and with hungering and thirsting souls after Christ and his benefits: how great the danger to eat and drink unworthily. Next, he is, in the name of Christ, on the one part, to warn all such as are ignorant, scandalous, profane, or that live in any sin or offence against their knowledge or conscience, that they presume not to come to that holy table; shewing them, that he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself: and, on the other part, he is in an especial manner to invite and encourage all that labour under the sense of the burden of their sins, and fear of wrath, and desire to reach out unto a greater progress in grace than yet they can attain unto, to come to the Lord’s table; assuring them, in the same name, of ease, refreshing, and strength to their weak and wearied souls.”

After this exhortation, warning, and invitation, the table being before decently covered, and so conveniently placed, that the communicants may orderly sit about it, or at it, the minister is to begin the action with sanctifying and blessing the elements of bread and wine set before him, (the bread in comely and convenient vessels, so prepared, that, being broken by him, and given, it may be distributed amongst the communicants; the wine also in large cups,) having first, in a few words, shewed that those elements, otherwise common, are now set apart and sanctified to this holy use, by the word of institution and prayer.

Let the words of institution be read out of the Evangelists, or out of the first Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, Chap. 11:23. I have received of the Lord, &c. to the 27th Verse, which the minister may, when he seeth requisite, explain and apply.

Let the prayer, thanksgiving, or blessing of the bread and wine, be to this effect:

“With humble and hearty acknowledgment of the greatness of our misery, from which neither man nor angel was able to deliver us, and of our great unworthiness of the least of all God’s mercies; to give thanks to God for all his benefits, and especially for that great benefit of our redemption, the love of God the Father, the sufferings and merits of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, by which we are delivered; and for all means of grace, the word and sacraments; and for this sacrament in particular, by which Christ, and all his benefits, are applied and sealed up unto us, which, notwithstanding the denial of them unto others, are in great mercy continued unto us, after so much and long abuse of them all.

To profess that there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ, by whom alone we receive liberty and life, have access to the throne of grace, are admitted to eat and drink at his own table, and are sealed up by his Spirit to an assurance of happiness and everlasting life.

Earnestly to pray to God, the Father of all mercies, and God of all consolation, to vouchsafe his gracious presence, and the effectual working of his Spirit in us; and so to sanctify these elements both of bread and wine, and to bless his own ordinance, that we may receive by faith the body and blood of Jesus Christ, crucified for us, and so to feed upon him, that he may be one with us, and we one with him; that he may live in us, and we in him, and to him who hath loved us, and given himself for us.”

All which he is to endeavour to perform with suitable affections, answerable to such an holy action, and to stir up the like in the people.

The elements being now sanctified by the word and prayer, the minister, being at the table, is to take the bread in his hand, and say, in these expressions, (or other the like, used by Christ or his apostle upon this occasion:)

“According to the holy institution, command, and example of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, I take this bread, and, having given thanks, break it, and give it unto you; (there the minister, who is also himself to communicate, is to break the bread, and give it to the communicants;) “Take ye, eat ye; this is the body of Christ which is broken for you: do this in remembrance of him.”

In like manner the minister is to take the cup, and say, in these expressions, (or other the like, used by Christ or the apostle upon the same occasion:)

“According to the institution, command, and example of our Lord Jesus Christ, I take this cup, and give it unto you; (here he giveth it to the communicants;) This cup is the new testament in the blood of Christ, which is shed for the remission of the sins of many: drink ye all of it.”

After all have communicated, the minister may, in a few words, put them in mind,

“Of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, held forth in this sacrament; and exhort them to walk worthy of it.”

The minister is to give solemn thanks to God,

“For his rich mercy, and invaluable goodness, vouchsafed to them in that sacrament; and to entreat for pardon for the defects of the whole service, and for the gracious assistance of his good Spirit, whereby they may be enabled to walk in the strength of that grace, as becometh those who have received so great pledges of salvation.”

The collection for the poor is so to be ordered, that no part of the publick worship be thereby hindered.

Of the Sanctification of the Lord’s Day

THE Lord’s Day ought to be so remembered before-hand, as that all worldly business of our ordinary callings may be so ordered, and so timely and seasonably laid aside, as they may not be impediments to the due sanctifying of the day when it comes.

The whole day is to be celebrated as holy to the Lord, both in publick and private, as being the Christian sabbath. To which end, it is requisite, that there be a holy cessation or resting all that day from all unnecessary labours; and an abstaining, not only from all sports and pastimes, but also from all worldly words and thoughts.

That the diet on that day be so ordered, as that neither servants be unnecessarily detained from the publick worship of God, nor any other person hindered from the sanctifying that day. That there be private preparations of every person and family, by prayer for themselves, and for God’s assistance of the minister, and for a blessing upon his ministry; and by such other holy exercises, as may further dispose them to a more comfortable communion with God in his public ordinances.

That all the people meet so timely for publick worship, that the whole congregation may be present at the beginning, and with one heart solemnly join together in all parts of the publick worship, and not depart till after the blessing.

That what time is vacant, between or after the solemn meetings of the congregation in publick, be spent in reading, meditation, repetition of sermons; especially by calling their families to an account of what they have heard, and catechising of them, holy conferences, prayer for a blessing upon the publick ordinances, singing of psalms, visiting the sick, relieving the poor, and such like duties of piety, charity, and mercy, accounting the sabbath a delight.

The Solemnization of Marriage.

ALTHOUGH marriage be no sacrament, nor peculiar to the church of God, but common to mankind, and of publick interest in every commonwealth; yet, because such as marry are to marry in the Lord, and have special need of instruction, direction, and exhortation, from the word of God, at their entering into such a new condition, and of the blessing of God upon them therein, we judge it expedient that marriage be solemnized by a lawful minister of the word, that he may accordingly counsel them, and pray for a blessing upon them.

Marriage is to be betwixt one man and one woman only; and they such as are not within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity prohibited by the word of God; and the parties are to be of years of discretion, fit to make their own choice, or, upon good grounds, to give their mutual consent.

Before the solemnizing of marriage between any persons, the purpose of marriage shall be published by the minister three several sabbath-days, in the congregation, at the place or places of their most usual and constant abode, respectively. And of this publication the minister who is to join them in marriage shall have sufficient testimony, before he proceed to solemnize the marriage.

Before that publication of such their purpose, (if the parties be under age,) the consent of the parents, or others under whose power they are, (in case the parents be dead,) is to be made known to the church officers of that congregation, to be recorded.

The like is to be observed in the proceedings of all others, although of age, whose parents are living, for their first marriage.

And, in after marriages of either of those parties, they shall be exhorted not to contract marriage without first acquainting their parents with it, (if with conveniency it may be done,) endeavouring to obtain their consent.

Parents ought not to force their children to marry without their free consent, nor deny their own consent without just cause.

After the purpose or contract of marriage hath been thus published, the marriage is not to be long deferred. Therefore the minister, having had convenient warning, and nothing being objected to hinder it, is publickly to solemnize it in the place appointed by authority for publick worship, before a competent number of credible witnesses, at some convenient hour of the day, at any time of the year, except on a day of publick humiliation. And we advise that it be not on the Lord’s Day.

And because all relations are sanctified by the word and prayer, the minister is to pray for a blessing upon them, to this effect:

“Acknowledging our sins, whereby we have made ourselves less than the least of all the mercies of God, and provoked him to embitter all our comforts; earnestly, in the name of Christ, to entreat the Lord (whose presence and favour is the happiness of every condition, and sweetens every relation) to be their portion, and to own and accept them in Christ, who are now to be joined in the honourable estate of marriage, the covenant of their God: and that, as he hath brought them together by his providence, he would sanctify them by his Spirit, giving them a new frame of heart fit for their new estate; enriching them with all graces whereby they may perform the duties, enjoy the comforts, undergo the cares, and resist the temptations which accompany that condition, as becometh Christians.”

The prayer being ended, it is convenient that the minister do briefly declare unto them, out of the scripture,

“The institution, use, and ends of marriage, with the conjugal duties, which, in all faithfulness, they are to perform each to other; exhorting them to study the holy word of God, that they may learn to live by faith, and to be content in the midst of all marriage cares and troubles, sanctifying God’s name, in a thankful, sober, and holy use of all conjugal comforts; praying much with and for one another; watching over and provoking each other to love and good works; and to live together as the heirs of the grace of life.”

After solemn charging of the persons to be married, before the great God, who searcheth all hearts, and to whom they must give a strict account at the last day, that if either of them know any cause, by precontract or otherwise, why they may not lawfully proceed to marriage, that they now discover it; the minister (if no impediment be acknowledged) shall cause first the man to take the woman by the right hand, saying these words:

I N. do take thee N. to be my married wife, and do, in the presence of God, and before this congregation, promise and covenant to be a loving and faithful husband unto thee, until God shall separate us by death.

Then the woman shall take the man by the right hand, and say these words:

I N. do take thee N. to be my married husband, and I do, in the presence of God, and before this congregation, promise and covenant to be a loving, faithful, and obedient wife unto thee, until God shall separate us by death.

Then, without any further ceremony, the minister shall, in the face of the congregation, pronounce them to be husband and wife, according to God’s ordinance; and so conclude the action with prayer to this effect:

“That the Lord would be pleased to accompany his own ordinance with his blessing, beseeching him to enrich the persons now married, as with other pledges of his love, so particularly with the comforts and fruits of marriage, to the praise of his abundant mercy, in and through Christ Jesus.”

A register is to be carefully kept, wherein the names of the parties so married, with the time of their marriage, are forthwith to be fairly recorded in a book provided for that purpose, for the perusal of all whom it may concern.

Concerning Visitation of the Sick.

IT is the duty of the minister not only to teach the people committed to his charge in publick, but privately; and particularly to admonish, exhort, reprove, and comfort them, upon all seasonable occasions, so far as his time, strength, and personal safety will permit.

He is to admonish them, in time of health, to prepare for death; and, for that purpose, they are often to confer with their minister about the estate of their souls; and, in times of sickness, to desire his advice and help, timely and seasonably, before their strength and understanding fail them.

Times of sickness and affliction are special opportunities put into his hand by God to minister a word in season to weary souls: because then the consciences of men are or should be more awakened to bethink themselves of their spiritual estate for eternity; and Satan also takes advantage then to load them more with sore and heavy temptations: therefore the minister, being sent for, and repairing to the sick, is to apply himself, with all tenderness and love, to administer some spiritual good to his soul, to this effect.

He may, from the consideration of the present sickness, instruct him out of scripture, that diseases come not by chance, or by distempers of body only, but by the wise and orderly guidance of the good hand of God to every particular person smitten by them. And that, whether it be laid upon him out of displeasure for sin, for his correction and amendment, or for trial and exercise of his graces, or for other special and excellent ends, all his sufferings shall turn to his profit, and work together for his good, if he sincerely labour to make a sanctified use of God’s visitation, neither despising his chastening, nor waxing weary of his correction.

If he suspect him of ignorance, he shall examine him in the principles of religion, especially touching repentance and faith; and, as he seeth cause, instruct him in the nature, use, excellency, and necessity of those graces; as also touching the covenant of grace; and Christ the Son of God, the Mediator of it; and concerning remission of sins by faith in him.

He shall exhort the sick person to examine himself, to search and try his former ways, and his estate towards God.

And if the sick person shall declare any scruple, doubt, or temptation that are upon him, instructions and resolutions shall be given to satisfy and settle him.

If it appear that he hath not a due sense of his sins, endeavours ought to be used to convince him of his sins, of the guilt and desert of them; of the filth and pollution which the soul contracts by them; and of the curse of the law, and wrath of God, due to them; that he may be truly affected with and humbled for them: and withal make known the danger of deferring repentance, and of neglecting salvation at any time offered; to awaken his conscience, and rouse him up out of a stupid and secure condition, to apprehend the justice and wrath of God, before whom none can stand, but he that, lost in himself, layeth hold upon Christ by faith.

If he hath endeavoured to walk in the ways of holiness, and to serve God in uprightness, although not without many failings and infirmities; or, if his spirit be broken with the sense of sin, or cast down through want of the sense of God’s favour; then it will be fit to raise him up, by setting before him the freeness and fulness of God’s grace, the sufficiency of righteousness in Christ, the gracious offers in the gospel, that all who repent, and believe with all their heart in God’s mercy through Christ, renouncing their own righteousness, shall have life and salvation in him. It may be also useful to shew him, that death hath in it no spiritual evil to be feared by those that are in Christ, because sin, the sting of death, is taken away by Christ, who hath delivered all that are his from the of the fear of death, triumphed over the grave, given us victory, is himself entered into glory to prepare a place for his people: so that neither life nor death shall be able to separate them from God’s love in Christ, in whom such are sure, though now they must be laid in the dust, to obtain a joyful and glorious resurrection to eternal life.

Advice also may be given, as to beware of an ill-grounded persuasion on mercy, or on the goodness of his condition for heaven, so to disclaim all merit in himself, and to cast himself wholly upon God for mercy, in the sole merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, who hath engaged himself never to cast off them who in truth and sincerity come unto him. Care also must be taken, that the sick person be not cast down into despair, by such a severe representation of the wrath of God due to him for his sins, as is not mollified by a sensible propounding of Christ and his merit for a door of hope to every penitent believer.

When the sick person is best composed, may be least disturbed, and other necessary offices about him least hindered, the minister, if desired, shall pray with him, and for him, to this effect:

“Confessing and bewailing of sin original and actual; the miserable condition of all by nature, as being children of wrath, and under the curse; acknowledging that all diseases, sicknesses, death, and hell itself, are the proper issues and effects thereof; imploring God’s mercy for the sick person, through the blood of Christ; beseeching that God would open his eyes, discover unto him his sins, cause him to see himself lost in himself, make known to him the cause why God smiteth him, reveal Jesus Christ to his soul for righteousness and life, give unto him his Holy Spirit, to create and strengthen faith to lay hold upon Christ, to work in him comfortable evidences of his love, to arm him against temptations, to take off his heart from the world, to sanctify his present visitation, to furnish him with patience and strength to bear it, and to give him perseverance in faith to the end.

That, if God shall please to add to his days, he would vouchsafe to bless and sanctify all means of his recovery; to remove the disease, renew his strength, and enable him to walk worthy of God, by a faithful remembrance, and diligent observing of such vows and promises of holiness and obedience, as men are apt to make in times of sickness, that he may glorify God in the remaining part of his life.

And, if God have determined to finish his days by the present visitation, he may find such evidence of the pardon of all his sins, of his interest in Christ, and eternal life by Christ, as may cause his inward man to be renewed, while his outward man decayeth; that he may behold death without fear, cast himself wholly upon Christ without doubting, desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, and so receive the end of his faith, the salvation of his soul, through the only merits and intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ, our alone Saviour and all-sufficient Redeemer.”

The minister shall admonish him also (as there shall be cause) to set his house in order, thereby to prevent inconveniences; to take care for payment of his debts, and to make restitution or satisfaction where he hath done any wrong; to be reconciled to those with whom he hath been at variance, and fully to forgive all men their trespasses against him, as he expects forgiveness at the hand of God.

Lastly, The minister may improve the present occasion to exhort those about the sick person to consider their own mortality, to return to the Lord, and make peace with him; in health to prepare for sickness, death, and judgment; and all the days of their appointed time so to wait until their change come, that when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, they may appear with him in glory.

Concerning Burial of the Dead.

WHEN any person departeth this life, let the dead body, upon the day of burial, be decently attended from the house to the place appointed for publick burial, and there immediately interred, without any ceremony.

And because the custom of kneeling down, and praying by or towards the dead corpse, and other such usages, in the place where it lies before it be carried to burial, are superstitious; and for that praying, reading, and singing, both in going to and at the grave, have been grossly abused, are no way beneficial to the dead, and have proved many ways hurtful to the living; therefore let all such things be laid aside.

Howbeit, we judge it very convenient, that the Christian friends, which accompany the dead body to the place appointed for publick burial, do apply themselves to meditations and conferences suitable to the occasion and that the minister, as upon other occasions, so at this time, if he be present, may put them in remembrance of their duty.

That this shall not extend to deny any civil respects or deferences at the burial, suitable to the rank and condition of the party deceased, while he was living.

Concerning Publick Solemn Fasting.

WHEN some great and notable judgments are either inflicted upon a people, or apparently imminent, or by some extraordinary provocations notoriously deserved; as also when some special blessing is to be sought and obtained, publick solemn fasting (which is to continue the whole day) is a duty that God expecteth from that nation or people.

A religious fast requires total abstinence, not only from all food, (unless bodily weakness do manifestly disable from holding out till the fast be ended, in which case somewhat may be taken, yet very sparingly, to support nature, when ready to faint,) but also from all worldly labour, discourses, and thoughts, and from all bodily delights, and such like, (although at other times lawful,) rich apparel, ornaments, and such like, during the fast; and much more from whatever is in the nature or use scandalous and offensive, as gaudish attire, lascivious habits and gestures, and other vanities of either sex; which we recommend to all ministers, in their places, diligently and zealously to reprove, as at other times, so especially at a fast, without respect of persons, as there shall be occasion.

Before the publick meeting, each family and person apart are privately to use all religious care to prepare their hearts to such a solemn work, and to be early at the congregation.

So large a portion of the day as conveniently may be, is to be spent in publick reading and preaching of the word, with singing of psalms, fit to quicken affections suitable to such a duty: but especially in prayer, to this or the like effect:

“Giving glory to the great Majesty of God, the Creator, Preserver, and supreme Ruler of all the world, the better to affect us thereby with an holy reverence and awe of him; acknowledging his manifold, great, and tender mercies, especially to the church and nation, the more effectually to soften and abase our hearts before him; humbly confessing of sins of all sorts, with their several aggravations; justifying God’s righteous judgments, as being far less than our sins do deserve; yet humbly and earnestly imploring his mercy and grace for ourselves, the church and nation, for our king, and all in authority, and for all others for whom we are bound to pray, (according as the present exigent requireth,) with more special importunity and enlargement than at other times; applying by faith the promises and goodness of God for pardon, help, and deliverance from the evils felt, feared, or deserved; and for obtaining the blessings which we need and expect; together with a giving up of ourselves wholly and for ever unto the Lord.”

In all these, the ministers, who are the mouths of the people unto God, ought so to speak from their hearts, upon serious and thorough premeditation of them, that both themselves and their people may be much affected, and even melted thereby, especially with sorrow for their sins; that it may be indeed a day of deep humiliation and afflicting of the soul.

Special choice is to be made of such scriptures to be read, and of such tests for preaching, as may best work the hearts of the hearers to the special business of the day, and most dispose them to humiliation and repentance: insisting most on those particulars which each minister’s observation and experience tells him are most conducing to the edification and reformation of that congregation to which he preacheth.

Before the close of the publick duties, the minister is, in his own and the people’s name, to engage his and their hearts to be the Lord’s, with professed purpose and resolution to reform whatever is amiss among them, and more particularly such sins as they have been more remarkably guilty of; and to draw near unto God, and to walk more closely and faithfully with him in new obedience, than ever before.

He is also to admonish the people, with all importunity, that the work of that day doth not end with the publick duties of it, but that they are so to improve the remainder of the day, and of their whole life, in reinforcing upon themselves and their families in private all those godly affections and resolutions which they professed in publick, as that they may be settled in their hearts for ever, and themselves may more sensibly find that God hath smelt a sweet savour in Christ from their performances, and is pacified towards them, by answers of grace, in pardoning of sin, in removing of judgments, in averting or preventing of plagues, and in conferring of blessings, suitable to the conditions and prayers of his people, by Jesus Christ.

Besides solemn and general fasts enjoined by authority, we judge that, at other times, congregations may keep days of fasting, as divine providence shall administer unto them special occasion; and also that families may do the same, so it be not on days wherein the congregation to which they do belong is to meet for fasting, or other publick duties of worship.

Concerning the Observation of Days of Publick Thanksgiving.

WHEN any such day is to be kept, let notice be given of it, and of the occasion thereof, some convenient time before, that the people may the better prepare themselves thereunto.

The day being come, and the congregation (after private preparations) being assembled, the minister is to begin with a word of exhortation, to stir up the people to the duty for which they are met, and with a short prayer for God’s assistance and blessing, (as at other conventions for publick worship,) according to the particular occasion of their meeting.

Let him then make some pithy narration of the deliverance obtained, or mercy received, or of whatever hath occasioned that assembling of the congregation, that all may better understand it, or be minded of it, and more affected with it.

And, because singing of psalms is of all other the most proper ordinance for expressing of joy and thanksgiving, let some pertinent psalm or psalms be sung for that purpose, before or after the reading of some portion of the word suitable to the present business.

Then let the minister, who is to preach, proceed to further exhortation and prayer before his sermon, with special reference to the present work: after which, let him preach upon some text of Scripture pertinent to the occasion.

The sermon ended, let him not only pray, as at other times after preaching is directed, with remembrance of the necessities of the Church, King, and State, (if before the sermon they were omitted,) but enlarge himself in due and solemn thanksgiving for former mercies and deliverances; but more especially for that which at the present calls them together to give thanks: with humble petition for the continuance and renewing of God’s wonted mercies, as need shall be, and for sanctifying grace to make a right use thereof. And so, having sung another psalm, suitable to the mercy, let him dismiss the congregation with a blessing, that they may have some convenient time for their repast and refreshing.

But the minister (before their dismission) is solemnly to admonish them to beware of all excess and riot, tending to gluttony or drunkenness, and much more of these sins themselves, in their eating and refreshing; and to take care that their mirth and rejoicing be not carnal, but spiritual, which may make God’s praise to be glorious, and themselves humble and sober; and that both their feeding and rejoicing may render them more cheerful and enlarged, further to celebrate his praises in the midst of the congregation, when they return unto it in the remaining part of that day.

When the congregation shall be again assembled, the like course in praying, reading, preaching, singing of psalms, and offering up of more praise and thanksgiving, that is before directed for the morning, is to be renewed and continued, so far as the time will give leave.

At one or both of the publick meetings that day, a collection is to be made for the poor, (and in the like manner upon the day of publick humiliation,) that their loins may bless us, and rejoice the more with us. And the people are to be exhorted, at the end of the latter meeting, to spend the residue of that day in holy duties, and testifications of Christian love and charity one towards another, and of rejoicing more and more in the Lord; as becometh those who make the joy of the Lord their strength.

Of Singing of Psalms.

IT is the duty of Christians to praise God publickly, by singing of psalms together in the congregation, and also privately in the family.

In singing of psalms, the voice is to be tunably and gravely ordered; but the chief care must be to sing with understanding, and with grace in the heart, making melody unto the Lord.

That the whole congregation may join herein, every one that can read is to have a psalm book; and all others, not disabled by age or otherwise, are to be exhorted to learn to read. But for the present, where many in the congregation cannot read, it is convenient that the minister, or some other fit person appointed by him and the other ruling officers, do read the psalm, line by line, before the singing thereof.

AN APPENDIX,

Touching Days and Places for Publick Worship.

THERE is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord’s Day, which is the Christian Sabbath.

Festival days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued.

Nevertheless, it is lawful and necessary, upon special emergent occasions, to separate a day or days for publick fasting or thanksgiving, as the several eminent and extraordinary dispensations of God’s providence shall administer cause and opportunity to his people.

As no place is capable of any holiness, under pretence of whatsoever dedication or consecration; so neither is it subject to such pollution by any superstition formerly used, and now laid aside, as may render it unlawful or inconvenient for Christians to meet together therein for the publick worship of God. And therefore we hold it requisite, that the places of publick assembling for worship among us should be continued and employed to that use.

THE DIRECTORY FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP

The

DIRECTORY

FOR THE

PRIVATE WORSHIP OF GOD

Agreed upon by the

ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES,

at

WESTMINSTER,

With the Assistance of

COMMISSIONERS

With the

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

AS

A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland.

With

An Act of the General Assembly, and Act of Parliament, both in Anno. 1647, Approving and Establishing the said DIRECTORY

Printed at London,

1652

ASSEMBLY AT EDINBURGH,

August 24, 1647, Sess. 10.

ACT for observing the Directions of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY for secret and private Worship, and mutual Edification; and censuring such as neglect Family-worship.

THE General Assembly, after mature deliberation, doth approve the following Rules and Directions for cherishing piety, and preventing division and schism; and doth appoint ministers and ruling elders in each congregation to take special care that these Directions be observed and followed; as likewise, that presbyteries and provincial synods enquire and make trial whether the said Directions be duly observed in their bounds; and to reprove or censure (according to the quality of the offence), such as shall be found to be reprovable or censurable therein. And, to the end that these directions may not be rendered ineffectual and unprofitable among some, through the usual neglect of the very substance of the duty of Family-worship, the Assembly doth further require and appoint ministers and ruling elders to make diligent search and enquiry, in the congregations committed to their charge respectively, whether there be among them any family or families which use to neglect this necessary duty; and if any such family be found, the head of the family is to be first admonished privately to amend his fault; and, in case of his continuing therein, he is to be gravely and sadly reproved by the session; after which reproof, if he be found still to neglect Family-worship, let him be, for his obstinacy in such an offence, suspended and debarred from the Lord’s Supper, as being justly esteemed unworthy to communicate therein, till he amend.

Directions of the General Assembly, Concerning Secret And Private Worship, And Mutual Edification; For Cherishing Piety, For Maintaining Unity, and Avoiding Schism and Division.

BESIDES the publick worship in congregations, mercifully established in this land in great purity, it is expedient and necessary that secret worship of each person alone, and private worship of families, be pressed and set up; that, with national reformation, the profession and power of godliness, both personal and domestick, be advanced.

I. And first, for secret worship, it is most necessary, that every one apart, and by themselves, be given to prayer and meditation, the unspeakable benefit whereof is best known to them who are most exercised therein; this being the mean whereby, in a special way, communion with God is entertained, and right preparation for all other duties obtained: and therefore it becometh not only pastors, within their several charges, to press persons of all sorts to perform this duty morning and evening, and at other occasions; but also it is incumbent to the head of every family to have a care, that both themselves, and all within their charge, be daily diligent herein.

II. The ordinary duties comprehended under the exercise of piety which should be in families, when they are convened to that effect, are these: First, Prayer and praises performed with a special reference, as well to the publick condition of the kirk of God and this kingdom, as to the present case of the family, and every member thereof. Next, Reading of the scriptures, with catechising in a plain way, that the understandings of the simpler may be the better enabled to profit under the publick ordinances, and they made more capable to understand the scriptures when they are read; together with godly conferences tending to the edification of all the members in the most holy faith: as also, admonition and rebuke, upon just reasons, from those who have authority in the family.

III. As the charge and office of interpreting the holy scriptures is a part of the ministerial calling, which none (however otherwise qualified) should take upon him in any place, but he that is duly called thereunto by God and his kirk; so in every family where there is any that can read, the holy scriptures should be read ordinarily to the family; and it is commendable, that thereafter they confer, and by way of conference make some good use of what hath been read and heard. As, for example, if any sin be reproved in the word read, use may be made thereof to make all the family circumspect and watchful against the same; or if any judgment be threatened, or mentioned to have been inflicted, in that portion of scripture which is read, use may be made to make all the family fear lest the same or a worse judgment befall them, unless they beware of the sin that procured it: and, finally, if any duty be required, or comfort held forth in a promise, use may be made to stir up themselves to employ Christ for strength to enable them for doing the commanded duty, and to apply the offered comfort. In all which the master of the family is to have the chief hand; and any member of the family may propone a question or doubt for resolution.

IV. The head of the family is to take care that none of the family withdraw himself from any part of family-worship: and, seeing the ordinary performance of all the parts of family-worship belongeth properly to the head of the family, the minister is to stir up such as are lazy, and train up such as are weak, to a fitness to these exercises; it being always free to persons of quality to entertain one approved by the presbytery for performing family-exercise. And in other families, where the head of the family is unfit, that another, constantly residing in the family, approved by the minister and session, may be employed in that service, wherein the minister and session are to be countable to the presbytery. And if a minister, by divine Providence, be brought to any family, it is requisite that at no time he convene a part of the family for worship, secluding the rest, except in singular cases especially concerning these parties, which (in Christian prudence) need not, or ought not, to be imparted to others.

V. Let no idler, who hath no particular calling, or vagrant person under pretence of a calling, be suffered to perform worship in families, to or for the same; seeing persons tainted with errors, or aiming at division, may be ready (after that manner) to creep into houses, and lead captive silly and unstable souls.

VI. At family-worship, a special care is to be had that each family keep by themselves; neither requiring, inviting, nor admitting persons from divers families, unless it be those who are lodged with them, or at meals, or otherwise with them upon some lawful occasion.

VII. Whatsoever have been the effects and fruits of meetings of persons of divers families in the times of corruption or trouble, (in which cases many things are commendable, which otherwise are not tolerable,) yet, when God hath blessed us with peace and purity of the gospel, such meetings of persons of divers families (except in cases mentioned in these Directions) are to be disapproved, as tending to the hindrance of the religious exercise of each family by itself, to the prejudice of the publick ministry, to the rending of the families of particular congregations, and (in progress of time) of the whole kirk. Besides many offences which may come thereby, to the hardening of the hearts of carnal men, and grief of the godly.

VIII. On the Lord’s Day, after every one of the family apart, and the whole family together, have sought the Lord (in whose hands the preparation of men’s hearts are) to fit them for the publick worship, and to bless to them the publick ordinances, the master of the family ought to take care that all within his charge repair to the publick worship, that he and they may join with the rest of the congregation: and the publick worship being finished, after prayer, he should take an account what they have heard; and thereafter, to spend the rest of the time which they may spare in catechising, and in spiritual conferences upon the word of God: or else (going apart) they ought to apply themselves to reading, meditation, and secret prayer, that they may confirm and increase their communion with God: that so the profit which they found in the publick ordinances may be cherished and promoved, and they more edified unto eternal life.

IX. So many as can conceive prayer, ought to make use of that gift of God; albeit those who are rude and weaker may begin at a set form of prayer, but so as they be not sluggish in stirring up in themselves (according to their daily necessities) the spirit of prayer, which is given to all the children of God in some measure: to which effect, they ought to be more fervent and frequent in secret prayer to God, for enabling of their hearts to conceive, and their tongues to express, convenient desires to God for their family. And, in the meantime, for their greater encouragement, let these materials of prayer be meditated upon, and made use of, as followeth.

“Let them confess to God how unworthy they are to come in his presence, and how unfit to worship his Majesty; and therefore earnestly ask of God the spirit of prayer.

They are to confess their sins, and the sins of the family; accusing, judging, and condemning themselves for them, till they bring their souls to some measure of true humiliation.

They are to pour out their souls to God, in the name of Christ, by the Spirit, for forgiveness of sins; for grace to repent, to believe, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and that they may serve God with joy and delight, walking before him.

They are to give thanks to God for his many mercies to his people, and to themselves, and especially for his love in Christ, and for the light of the gospel.

They are to pray for such particular benefits, spiritual and temporal, as they stand in need of for the time, (whether it be morning or evening,) as anent health or sickness, prosperity or adversity.

They ought to pray for the kirk of Christ in general, for all the reformed kirks, and for this kirk in particular, and for all that suffer for the name of Christ; for all our superiors, the king’s majesty, the queen, and their children; for the magistrates, ministers, and whole body of the congregation whereof they are members, as well for their neighbours absent in their lawful affairs, as for those that are at home.

The prayer may be closed with an earnest desire that God may be glorified in the coming of the kingdom of his Son, and in doing of his will, and with assurance that themselves are accepted, and what they have asked according to his will shall be done.”

X. These exercises ought to be performed in great sincerity, without delay, laying aside all exercises of worldly business or hindrances, notwithstanding the mockings of atheists and profane men; in respect of the great mercies of God to this land, and of his severe corrections wherewith lately he hath exercised us. And, to this effect, persons of eminency (and all elders of the kirk) not only ought to stir up themselves and families to diligence herein, but also to concur effectually, that in all other families, where they have power and charge, the said exercises be conscionably performed.

XI. Besides the ordinary duties in families, which are above mentioned, extraordinary duties, both of humiliation and thanksgiving, are to be carefully performed in families, when the Lord, by extraordinary occasions, (private or publick,) calleth for them.

XII. Seeing the word of God requireth that we should consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works; therefore, at all times, and specially in this time, wherein profanity abounds, and mockers, walking after their own lusts, think it strange that others run not with them to the same excess of riot; every member of this kirk ought to stir up themselves, and one another, to the duties of mutual edification, by instruction, admonition, rebuke; exhorting one another to manifest the grace of God in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and in living godly, soberly and righteously in this present world; by comforting the feeble-minded, and praying with or for one another. Which duties respectively are to be performed upon special occasions offered by Divine Providence; as, namely, when under any calamity, cross, or great difficulty, counsel or comfort is sought; or when an offender is to be reclaimed by private admonition, and if that be not effectual, by joining one or two more in the admonition, according to the rule of Christ, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

XIII. And, because it is not given to every one to speak a word in season to a wearied or distressed conscience, it is expedient, that a person (in that case,) finding no ease, after the use of all ordinary means, private and publick, have their address to their own pastor, or some experienced Christian: but if the person troubled in conscience be of that condition, or of that sex, that discretion, modesty, or fear of scandal, requireth a godly, grave, and secret friend to be present with them in their said address, it is expedient that such a friend be present.

XIV. When persons of divers families are brought together by Divine Providence, being abroad upon their particular vocations, or any necessary occasions; as they would have the Lord their God with them whithersoever they go, they ought to walk with God, and not neglect the duties of prayer and thanksgiving, but take care that the same be performed by such as the company shall judge fittest. And that they likewise take heed that no corrupt communication proceed out of their mouths, but that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.

The drift and scope of all these Directions is no other, but that, upon the one part, the power and practice of godliness, amongst all the ministers and members of this kirk, according to their several places and vocations, may be cherished and advanced, and all impiety and mocking of religious exercises suppressed: and, upon the other part, that, under the name and pretext of religious exercises, no such meetings or practices be allowed, as are apt to breed error, scandal, schism, contempt, or misregard of the publick ordinances and ministers, or neglect of the duties of particular callings, or such other evils as are the works, not of the Spirit, but of the flesh, and are contrary to truth and peace.

THE FORM OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GOVERNMENT

The

FORM OF

PRESBYTERIAL CHURCH GOVERNMENT

Agreed upon by the

ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES,

at

WESTMINSTER,

With the Assistance of

COMMISSIONERS

With the

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

AS

A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of CHRIST in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland.

concerning

Church Government and the Ordination of Ministers

Printed at London,

1649

THE ACT of the CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

ASSEMBLY AT EDINBURGH,

February 10, 1645, Sess. 16.

ACT of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the KIRK of SCOTLAND, approving the Propositions concerning Kirk-government, and Ordination of Ministers.

THE General Assembly being most desirous and solicitous, not only of the establishment and preservation of the Form of Kirk-government in this kingdom, according to the word of God, books of Discipline, acts of General Assemblies, and National Covenant, but also of an uniformity in Kirk-government betwixt these kingdoms, now more straitly and strongly unite by the late Solemn League and Covenant; and considering, that as in former time there did, so hereafter there may arise, through the nearness of contagion, manifold, mischief to this kirk from a corrupt form of government in the kirk of England: likeas the precious opportunity of bringing the kirks of Christ in all the three kingdoms to an uniformity in Kirk-government being the happiness of the present times above the former; which may also, by the blessing of God, prove an effectual mean, and a good foundation to prepare for a safe and well-grounded pacification, by removing the cause from which the present pressures and bloody wars did originally proceed: and now the Assembly having thrice read, and diligently examined, the propositions (hereunto annexed) concerning the officers, assemblies, and government of the kirk, and concerning the ordination of ministers, brought unto us, as the results of the long and learned debates of the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, and of the treaty of uniformity with the Commissioners of this kirk there residing; after mature deliberation, and after timeous calling upon and warning of all, who have any exceptions against same, to make them known, that they might receive satisfaction; doth agree to and approve the propositions afore-mentioned, touching, touching Kirk-government and Ordination; and doth hereby authorized the Commissioners of this Assembly, who are to meet at Edinburgh, to agree and to conclude in the name of this Assembly, an uniformity betwixt the kirks in both kingdoms, in the afore-mentioned particulars, so soon as the same shall be ratified, without any substantial alteration, by an ordinance of the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England; which ratification shall be timely intimate and made known by the Commissioners of this kirk residing at London. Provided always, That this act be no ways prejudicial to the further discussion and examination of that article which hold forth, That the doctor or teacher hath power of the administration of the sacraments, as well as the pastor; as also of the distinct rights and interests of presbyteries and people in the calling of ministers; but that it shall be free to debate and discuss these points, as God shall be pleased to give further light.

CONTENTS

THE PREFACE.

Of the Church.

Of the Officers of the Church.

Pastors.

Teacher or Doctor.

Other Church-Governors.

Deacons.

Of Particular Congregations.

Of the Officers of a particular Congregation.

Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation.

Of Church-Government.

Of the power in common of all these Assemblies.

Of Congregational Assemblies.

Of Classical Assemblies.

Of Synodical Assemblies.

Of Ordination of Ministers.

Touching the Doctrine of Ordination.

Touching the Power of Ordination.

Concerning the Doctrinal Part of Ordination of Ministers.

The Directory for the Ordination of Ministers.

The Rules for Examination.

Extraordinary Practises.

THE PREFACE

JESUS CHRIST, upon whose shoulders the government is, whose name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace;[Isa. 9:6, 7.] of the increase of whose government and peace there shall be no end; who sits upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice, from henceforth, even for ever; having all power given unto him in heaven and in earth by the Father, who raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, far above all principalities and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all: he being ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things, received gifts for his church, and gave officers necessary for the edification of his church, and perfecting of his saints.[Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:20-23; Compared with Eph. 4:8, 11 and Psa. 68:18.]

Of the Church.

THERE is one general church visible, held forth in the New Testament.[1 Cor. 12:12, 13, 28 (Together with the rest of the Chapter).]

The ministry, oracles, and ordinances of the New Testament, are given by Jesus Christ to the general church visible, for the gathering and perfecting of it in this life, until his second coming.[1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:4, 5 compared with verses 10-13, 15-16.]

Particular visible churches, members of the general church, are also held forth in the New Testament.[Gal. 1:21-22; Rev. 1:4, 20; 2:1.] Particular churches in the primitive times were made up of visible saints, viz. of such as, being of age, professed faith in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according to the rules of faith and life taught by Christ and his apostles; and of their children.[Acts 2:38, 41, 47. Compared with Acts 5:14; 1 Cor. 1:2. Compared with 2 Cor. 9:13; Acts 2:39; 1 Cor. 7:14; Rom. 11:16; Mark 10:14. Compared with Matt. 19:13, 14; Luke 18:15-16.]

Of the Officers of the Church.

THE officers which Christ hath appointed for the edification of his church, and the perfecting of the saints, are, some extraordinary, as apostles, evangelists, and prophets, which are ceased.

Others ordinary and perpetual, as pastors, teachers, and other church-governors, and deacons.

Pastors.

THE pastor is an ordinary and perpetual officer in the church,[Jer. 3:15, 16, 17.] prophesying of the time of the gospel.[1 Pet. 5:2, 3, 4; Eph. 4:11, 12, 13.]

First, it belongs to his office,

To pray for and with his flock, as the mouth of the people unto God, [Acts 6:2-4; Acts 20:36.] where preaching and prayer are joined as several parts of the same office.[James 5:14-15.] The office of the elder (that is, the pastor) is to pray for the sick, even in private, to which a blessing is especially promised; much more therefore ought he to perform this in the publick execution of his office, as a part thereof.[1 Cor. 14:15-16.]

To read the Scriptures publickly; for the proof of which,

1. That the priests and Levites in the Jewish church were trusted with the publick reading of the word is proved.[Deut. 31:9-11; Neh. 8:1-3, 13.]

2. That the ministers of the gospel have as ample a charge and commission to dispense the word, as well as other ordinances, as the priests and Levites had under the law, proved, Isa. 66:21; Matt. 23:34. where our Saviour entitleth the officers of the New Testament, whom he will send forth, by the same names of the teachers of the Old.

Which propositions prove, that therefore (the duty being of a moral nature) it followeth by just consequence, that the publick reading of the scriptures belongeth to the pastor’s office.

To feed the flock, by preaching of the word, according to which he is to teach, convince, reprove, exhort, and comfort. [1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Tit. 1:9.]

To catechise, which is a plain laying down the first principles of the oracles of God,[Heb. 5:12] or of the doctrine of Christ, and is a part of preaching.

To dispense other divine mysteries.[1 Cor. 4:1-2.]

To administer the sacraments.[Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15-16; 1 Cor. 11:23-25. Compared with 1 Cor. 10:16.]

To bless the people from God, Numb. 6:23-26. Compared with Rev. 1:4-5, ( where the same blessings, and persons from whom they come, are expressly mentioned, Isa. 66:21, where, under the names of Priests and Levites to be continued under the gospel, are meant evangelical pastors, who therefore are by office to bless the people. [Deut. 10:8; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 1:2.]

To take care of the poor. [Acts 4:34-37; 6:2-4; 11:30; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; Gal. 2:9-10.]

And he hath also a ruling power over the flock as a pastor. [1 Tim. 5:17; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Thess. 5:12; Heb. 13:7, 17.]

Teacher or Doctor.

THE scripture doth hold out the name and title of teacher, as well as of the pastor.[1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11.]

Who is also a minister of the word, as well as the pastor, and hath power of administration of the sacraments.

The Lord having given different gifts, and divers exercises according to these gifts, in the ministry of the word;[Rom. 12:6, 7, 8. 1 Cor. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7.] though these different gifts may meet in, and accordingly be exercised by, one and the same minister;[1 Cor. 14:3; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 1:9.] yet, where be several ministers in the same congregation, they may be designed to several employments, according to the different gifts in which each of them doth most excel.[Here let them impose hands on his head.] And he that doth more excel in exposition of scripture, in teaching sound doctrine, and in convincing gainsayers, than he doth in application, and is accordingly employed therein, may be called a teacher, or doctor, (the places alleged by the notation of the word do prove the proposition.) Nevertheless, where is but one minister in a particular congregation, he is to perform, as far as he is able, the whole work of the ministry.[1 Tim. 6:2; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 1:9.]

A teacher, or doctor, is of most excellent use in schools and universities; as of old in the schools of the prophets, and at Jerusalem, where Gamaliel and others taught as doctors.

Other Church-Governors.

AS there were in the Jewish church elders of the people joined with the priests and Levites in the government of the church;[2 Chron. 19:8, 9, 10.] so Christ, who hath instituted government, and governors ecclesiastical in the church, hath furnished some in his church, beside the ministers of the word, with gifts for government, and with commission to execute the same when called thereunto, who are to join with the minister in the government of the church.[Rom. 12:7, 8. 1 Cor. 12:28.] Which officers reformed churches commonly call Elders.

Deacons.

THE scripture doth hold out deacons as distinct officers in the church.[Phil. 1:1. 1 Tim. 3:8.]

Whose office is perpetual.[1 Tim. 3:8-15.] To whose office it belongs not to preach the word, or administer the sacraments, but to take special care in distributing to the necessities of the poor.[Acts 6:1-4.]

Of Particular Congregations.

IT is lawful and expedient that there be fixed congregations, that is, a certain company of Christians to meet in one assembly ordinarily for publick worship. When believers multiply to such a number, that they cannot conveniently meet in one place, it is lawful and expedient that they should be divided into distinct and fixed congregations, for the better administration of such ordinances as belong unto them, and the discharge of mutual duties.[1 Cor. 14:26, 33, 40.]

The ordinary way of dividing Christians into distinct congregations, and most expedient for edification, is by the respective bounds of their dwellings.

First, Because they who dwell together, being bound to all kind of moral duties one to another, have the better opportunity thereby to discharge them; which moral tie is perpetual; for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it. [Deut. 15:7, 11. Matt. 5:17; 22:39.]

Secondly, The communion of saints must be so ordered, as may stand with the most convenient use of the ordinances, and discharge of moral duties, without respect of persons. [1 Cor. 14:26; Heb. 10:24-25; James 2:1, 2.]

Thirdly, The pastor and people must so nearly cohabit together, as that they may mutually perform their duties each to other with most conveniency.

In this company some must be set apart to bear office.

Of the Officers of a particular Congregation.

FOR officers in a single congregation, there ought to be one at the least, both to labour in the word and doctrine, and to rule.[Prov. 29:18; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7.]

It is also requisite that there should be others to join in government.[1 Cor. 12:28.]

And likewise it is requisite that there be others to take special care for the relief of the poor. [Acts 6:2-3.]

The number of each of which is to be proportioned according to the condition of the congregation.

These officers are to meet together at convenient and set times, for the well ordering of the affairs of that congregation, each according to his office.

It is most expedient that, in these meetings, one whose office is to labour in the word and doctrine, do moderate in their proceedings. [1 Tim. 5:17.]

OF THE ORDINANCES IN A PARTICULAR CONGREGATION.

THE ordinances in a single congregation are, prayer, thanksgiving, and singing of psalms,[1 Tim. 2:1; 1 Cor. 14:15, 16.] the word read, (although there follow no immediate explication of what is read,) the word expounded and applied, catechising, the sacraments administered, collection made for the poor, dismissing the people with a blessing.

OF CHURCH-GOVERNMENT, AND THE SEVERAL SORTS OF ASSEMBLIES FOR THE SAME.

CHRIST hath instituted a government, and governors ecclesiastical in the church: to that purpose, the apostles did immediately receive the keys from the hand of Jesus Christ, and did use and exercise them in all the churches of the world upon all occasions.

And Christ hath since continually furnished some in his church with gifts of government, and with commission to execute the same, when called thereunto.

It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that the church be governed by several sorts of assemblies, which are congregational, classical, and synodical.

OF THE POWER IN COMMON OF ALL THESE ASSEMBLIES.

IT is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that the several assemblies before mentioned have power to convent, and call before them, any person within their several bounds, whom the ecclesiastical business which is before them doth concern. [Matt. 18:15-20.]

They have power to hear and determine such causes and differences as do orderly come before them.

It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that all the said assemblies have some power to dispense church-censures.

OF CONGREGATIONAL ASSEMBLIES, THAT IS, THE MEETING OF THE RULING OFFICERS OF A PARTICULAR CONGREGATION, FOR THE GOVERNMENT THEREOF.

THE ruling officers of a particular congregation have power, authoritatively, to call before them any member of the congregation, as they shall see just occasion.

To enquire into the knowledge and spiritual estate of the several members of the congregation.

To admonish and rebuke.

Which three branches are proved by Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Ezek. 34:4.

Authoritative suspension from the Lord’s table, of a person not yet cast out of the church, is agreeable to the scripture:

First, Because the ordinance itself must not be profaned.

Secondly, Because we are charged to withdraw from those that walk disorderly.

Thirdly, Because of the great sin and danger, both to him that comes unworthily, and also to the whole church.[Matt. 7:6; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; 1 Cor. 11:27 to end of chapter. Compared with Jude 23. 1 Tim. 5:22.] And there was power and authority, under the Old Testament, to keep unclean persons from holy things. [Lev. 13:5; Num. 9:7; 2 Chron. 23:19.]

The like power and authority, by way of analogy, continues under the New Testament.

The ruling officers of a particular congregation have power authoritatively to suspend from the Lord’s table a person not yet cast out of the church:

First, Because those who have authority to judge of, and admit, such as are fit to receive the sacrament, have authority to keep back such as shall be found unworthy.

Secondly, Because it is an ecclesiastical business of ordinary practice belonging to that congregation.

When congregations are divided and fixed, they need all mutual help one from another, both in regard of their intrinsical weaknesses and mutual dependence, as also in regard of enemies from without.

Of Classical Assemblies.

THE scripture doth hold out a presbytery in a church.[1 Tim. 4:14; Acts 15:2, 4, 6.]

A presbytery consisteth of ministers of the word, and such other publick officers as are agreeable to and warranted by the word of God to be church-governors, to join with the ministers in the government of the church.[Rom. 12:7-8; 1 Cor. 12:28.]

The scripture doth hold forth, that many particular congregations may be under one presbyterial government.

This proposition is proved by instances:

I. First, Of the church of Jerusalem, which consisted of more congregations than one, and all these congregations were under one presbyterial government.

This appeareth thus:

First, The church of Jerusalem consisted of more congregations than one, as is manifest:

1st, By the multitude of believers mentioned, in divers places, both before the dispersion of the believers there, by means of the persecution.[Acts 1:15; 2:41, 46-47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7; 8:1.] and also after the dispersion. [Acts 9:31; 12:24; Acts 21:20.]

2dly, By the many apostles and other preachers in the church of Jerusalem. And if there were but one congregation there, then each apostle preached but seldom; which will not consist with Acts 6:2.

3dly, The diversity of languages among the believers, mentioned both in the second and sixth chapters of the Acts, doth argue more congregations than one in that church.

Secondly, All those congregations were under one presbyterial government; because,

1st, They were one church.[Acts 2:47; 8:1. Compared with Acts 5:11; 12:5; 15:4.]

2dly, The elders of the church are mentioned. [Acts 11:30; 15:4, 6, 22; 21:17, 18.]

3dly, The apostles did the ordinary acts of presbyters, as presbyters in that kirk; which proveth a presbyterial church before the dispersion, Acts vi.

4thly, The several congregations in Jerusalem being one church, the elders of that church are mentioned as meeting together for acts of government;[Acts 11:30; 15:4, 6, 22; 21:17, 18.] which proves that those several congregations were under one presbyterial government.

And whether these congregations were fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is all one as to the truth of the proposition.

Nor doth there appear any material difference betwixt the several congregations in Jerusalem, and the many congregations now in the ordinary condition of the church, as to the point of fixedness required of officers or members.

Thirdly, Therefore the scripture doth hold forth, that many congregations may be under one presbyterial government.

II. Secondly, By the instance of the church of Ephesus; for,

First, That there were more congregations than one in the church of Ephesus, appears by Acts 20:31, where is mention of Paul’s continuance at Ephesus in preaching for the space of three years; and Acts 19:18-20, where the special effect of the word is mentioned; and ver. 10. and 17. of the same chapter, where is a distinction of Jews and Greeks; and 1 Cor. 16:8-9, where is a reason of Paul’s stay at Ephesus until Pentecost; and ver. 19, where is mention of a particular church in the house of Aquila and Priscilla, then at Ephesus, as appears, Acts 18:19, 24, 26. All which laid together, doth prove that the multitude of believers did make more congregations than one in the church of Ephesus.

Secondly, That there were many elders over these many congregations, as one flock, appeareth.[Acts 20:17, 25, 28, 30, 36, 37.]

Thirdly, That these many congregations were one church, and that they were under one presbyterial government, appeareth.[Rev. 2:1-6. Joined with Acts 20:17, 28.]

Of Synodical Assemblies.

THE scripture doth hold out another sort of assemblies for the government of the church, beside classical and congregational, all which we call Synodical.[Acts 15:2, 6, 22, 23.]

Pastors and teachers, and other church-governors, (as also other fit persons, when it shall be deemed expedient,) are members of those assemblies which we call Synodical, where they have a lawful calling thereunto.

Synodical assemblies may lawfully be of several sorts, as provincial, national, and ecumenical.

It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that there be a subordination of congregational, classical, provincial, and national assemblies, for the government of the church.

Of Ordination of Ministers.

UNDER the head of Ordination of Ministers is to be considered, either the doctrine of ordination, or the power of it.

Touching the Doctrine of Ordination.

NO man ought to take upon him the office of a minister of the word without a lawful calling. [John 3:27; Rom. 10:14-15; Jer. 14:14; Heb. 5:4.]

Ordination is always to be continued in the church.[Tit. 1:5; 1 Tim. 5:21-22.]

Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a person to some publick church office.[Num. 8:10-11, 14, 19, 22; Acts 6:3, 5-6.]

Every minister of the word is to be ordained by imposition of hands, and prayer, with fasting, by those preaching presbyters to whom it doth belong. [1 Tim. 5:22; Acts 13:3; 14:23.]

It is agreeable to the word of God, and very expedient, that such as are to be ordained ministers, be designed to some particular church, or other ministerial charge. [Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Tit. 1:5.]

He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly qualified, both for life and ministerial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle.[1 Tim. 3:2-6; Tit. 1:5-9.]

He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained.[1 Tim. 3:7, 10; 5:22.]

No man is to be ordained a minister for a particular congregation, if they of that congregation can shew just cause of exception against him.[1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:7.]

Touching the Power of Ordination.

ORDINATION is the act of a presbytery.[1 Tim. 4:14.]

The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole presbytery, which, when it is over more congregations than one, whether these congregations be fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is indifferent as to the point of ordination.[1 Tim. 4:14.]

It is very requisite, that no single congregation, that can conveniently associate, do assume to itself all and sole power in ordination:

1. Because there is no example in scripture that any single congregation, which might conveniently associate, did assume to itself all and sole power in ordination; neither is there any rule which may warrant such a practice.

2. Because there is in scripture example of an ordination in a presbytery over divers congregations; as in the church of Jerusalem, where were many congregations: these many congregations were under one presbytery, and this presbytery did ordain.

The preaching presbyters orderly associated, either in cities or neighbouring villages, are those to whom the imposition of hands doth appertain, for those congregations within their bounds respectively.

Concerning the Doctrinal Part of Ordination of Ministers.

1. No man ought to take upon him the office of a minister of the word without a lawful calling. [John 3:27; Rom. 10:14-15; Jer. 14:14; Heb. 5:4.]

2. Ordination is always to be continued in the church.[Tit. 1:5; 1 Tim. 5:21-22.]

3. Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a person to some publick church office.[Num. 8:10-11, 14, 19, 22; Acts 6:3, 5-6.]

4. Every minister of the word is to be ordained by imposition of hands, and prayer, with fasting, by these preaching presbyters to whom it doth belong. [Acts 13:3; 14:23; 1 Tim. 5:22.]

5. The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole presbytery, which, when it is over more congregations than one, whether those congregations be fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is indifferent as to the point of ordination.[1 Tim. 4:14.]

6. It is agreeable to the word, and very expedient, that such as are to be ordained ministers be designed to some particular church, or other ministerial charge. [Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Tit. 1:5.]

7. He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly qualified, both for life and ministerial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle.[1 Tim. 3:2-6. Tit. 1:5-9.]

8. He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained.[1 Tim. 3:7, 10; 5:22.]

9. No man is to be ordained a minister for a particular congregation, if they of that congregation can shew just cause of exception against him. [1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:7.]

10. Preaching presbyters orderly associated, either in cities or neighbouring villages, are those to whom the imposition of hands doth appertain, for those congregations within their bounds respectively.[1 Tim. 4:14.]

11. In extraordinary cases, something extraordinary may be done, until a settled order may be had, yet keeping as near as possibly may be to the rule.[2 Chron. 29:34-36; 2 Chron. 30:2-5.]

12. There is at this time (as we humbly conceive) an extraordinary occasion for a way of ordination for the present supply of ministers.

The Directory for the Ordination of Ministers.

IT being manifest by the word of God, that no man ought to take upon him the office of a minister of the gospel, until he be lawfully called and ordained thereunto; and that the work of ordination is to be performed with all due care, wisdom, gravity, and solemnity, we humbly tender these directions, as requisite to be observed.

1. He that is to be ordained, being either nominated by the people, or otherwise commended to the presbytery, for any place, must address himself to the presbytery, and bring with him a testimonial of his taking the covenant of the three kingdoms; of his diligence and proficiency in his studies; what degrees he hath taken in the university, and what hath been the time of his abode there; and withal of his age, which is to be twenty four years; but especially of his life and conversation.

2. Which being considered by the presbytery, they are to proceed to enquire touching the grace of God in him, and whether he be of such holiness of life as is requisite in a minister of the gospel; and to examine him touching his learning and sufficiency, and touching the evidences of his calling to the holy ministry; and, in particular, his fair and direct calling to that place.

The Rules for Examination are these:

(1.) That the party examined be dealt withal in a brotherly way, with mildness of spirit, and with special respect to the gravity, modesty, and quality of every one.

(2.) He shall be examined touching his skill in the original tongues, and his trial to be made by reading the Hebrew and Greek Testaments, and rendering some portion of some into Latin; and if he be defective in them, enquiry shall be made more strictly after his other learning, and whether he hath skill in logick and philosophy.

(3.) What authors in divinity he hath read, and is best acquainted with; and trial shall be made in his knowledge of the grounds of religion, and of his ability to defend the orthodox doctrine contained in them against all unsound and erroneous opinions, especially these of the present age; of his skill in the sense and meaning of such places of scripture as shall be proposed unto him, in cases of conscience, and in the chronology of the scripture, and the ecclesiastical history.

(4.) If he hath not before preached in publick with approbation of such as are able to judge, he shall, at a competent time assigned him, expound before the presbytery such a place of scripture as shall be given him.

(5.) He shall also, within a competent time, frame a discourse in Latin upon such a commonplace or controversy in divinity as shall be assigned to him, and exhibit to the presbytery such theses as express the sum thereof, and maintain a dispute upon them.

(6.) He shall preach before the people, the presbytery, or some of the ministers of the word appointed by them, being present.

(7.) The proportion of his gifts in relation to the place unto which he is called shall be considered.

(8.) Beside the trial of his gifts in preaching, he shall undergo an examination in the premises two several days, and more, if the presbytery shall judge it necessary.

(9.) And as for him that hath formerly been ordained a minister, and is to be removed to another charge, he shall bring a testimonial of his ordination, and of his abilities and conversation, whereupon his fitness for that place shall be tried by his preaching there, and (if it shall be judged necessary) by a further examination of him.

3. In all which he being approved, he is to be sent to the church where he is to serve, there to preach three several days and to converse with the people, that they may have trial of his gifts for their edification, and may have time and occasion to enquire into, and the better to know, his life and conversation.

4. In the last of these three days appointed for the trial of his gifts in preaching, there shall be sent from the presbytery to the congregation a publick intimation in writing, which shall be publickly read before the people, and after affixed to the church door, to signify that such a day a competent number of the members of that congregation, nominated by themselves, shall appear before the presbytery, to give their consent and approbation to such a man to be their minister; or otherwise, to put in, with all Christian discretion and meekness, what exceptions they have against him. And if, upon the day appointed, there be no just exception against him, but the people give their consent, then the presbytery shall proceed to ordination.

5. Upon the day appointed for ordination, which is to be performed in that church where he that is to be ordained is to serve, a solemn fast shall be kept by the congregation, that they may the more earnestly join in prayer for a blessing upon the ordinances of Christ, and the labours of his servant for their good. The presbytery shall come to the place, or at least three or four ministers of the word shall be sent thither from the presbytery; of which one appointed by the presbytery shall preach to the people concerning the office and duty of ministers of Christ, and how the people ought to receive them for their work’s sake.

6. After the sermon, the minister who hath preached shall, in the face of the congregation, demand of him who is now to be ordained, concerning how faith in Christ Jesus, and his persuasion of the truth of the reformed religion, according to the scriptures; his sincere intentions and ends in desiring to enter into this calling; his diligence in praying, reading, meditation, preaching, ministering the sacraments, discipline, and doing all ministerial duties towards his charge; his zeal and faithfulness in maintaining the truth of the gospel, and unity of the church, against error and schism; his care that himself and his family may be unblameable, and examples to the flock; his willingness and humility, in meekness of spirit, to submit unto the admonitions of his brethren, and discipline of the church; and his resolution to continue in his duty against all trouble and persecution.

7. In all which having declared himself, professed his willingness, and promised his endeavours, by the help of God; the minister likewise shall demand of the people concerning their willingness to receive and acknowledge him as the minister of Christ; and to obey and submit unto him, as having rule over them in the Lord; and to maintain, encourage, and assist him in all the parts of his office.

8. Which being mutually promised by the people, the presbytery, or the ministers sent from them for ordination, shall solemnly set him apart to the office and work of the ministry, by laying their hands on him, which is to be accompanied with a short prayer or blessing, to this effect:

“Thankfully acknowledging the great mercy of God in sending Jesus Christ for the redemption of his people; and for his ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and thence pouring out his Spirit, and giving gifts to men, apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors, and teachers; for the gathering and building up of his church; and for fitting and inclining this man to this great work: to entreat him to fit him with his Holy Spirit, to give him (who in his name we thus set apart to this holy service) to fulfil the work of his ministry in all things, that he may both save himself, and his people committed to his charge.”

9. This or the like form of prayer and blessing being ended, let the minister who preached briefly exhort him to consider of the greatness of his office and work, the danger of negligence both to himself and his people, the blessing which will accompany his faithfulness in this life, and that to come; and withal exhort the people to carry themselves to him, as to their minister in the Lord, according to their solemn promise made before. And so by prayer commending both him and his flock to the grace of God, after singing of a psalm, let the assembly be dismissed with a blessing.

10. If a minister be designed to a congregation, who hath been formerly ordained presbyter according to the form of ordination which hath been in the church of England, which we hold for substance to be valid, and not to be disclaimed by any who have received it; then, there being a cautious proceeding in matters of examination, let him be admitted without any new ordination.

11. And in case any person already ordained minister in Scotland, or in any other reformed church, be designed to another congregation in England, he is to bring from that church to the presbytery here, within which that congregation is, a sufficient testimonial of his ordination, of his life and conversation while he lived with them, and of the causes of his removal; and to undergo such a trial of his fitness and sufficiency, and to have the same course held with him in other particulars, as is set down in the rule immediately going before, touching examination and admission.

12. That records be carefully kept in the several presbyteries, of the names of the persons ordained, with their testimonials, the time and place of their ordination, of the presbyters who did impose hands upon them, and of the charge to which they are appointed.

13. That no money or gift, of what kind soever, shall be received from the person to be ordained, or from any on his behalf, for ordination, or ought else belonging to it, by any of the presbytery, or any appertaining to any of them, upon what pretence soever.

Thus far of ordinary Rules, and course of Ordination, in the ordinary way; that which concerns the extraordinary way, requisite to be now practised, followeth.

1. In these present exigencies, while we cannot have any presbyteries formed up to their whole power and work, and that many ministers are to be ordained for the service of the armies and navy, and to many congregations where there is no minister at all; and where (by reason of the publick troubles) the people cannot either themselves enquire and find out one who may be a faithful minister for them, or have any with safety sent unto them, for such a solemn trial as was before mentioned in the ordinary rules; especially, when there can be no presbytery near unto them, to whom they may address themselves, or which may come or send to them a fit man to be ordained in that congregation, and for that people; and yet notwithstanding, it is requisite that ministers be ordained for them by some, who, being set apart themselves for the work of the ministry, have power to join in the setting apart others, who are found fit and worthy. In those cases, until, by God’s blessing, the aforesaid difficulties may be in some good measure removed, let some godly ministers, in or about the city of London, be designed by publick authority, who, being associated, may ordain ministers for the city and the vicinity, keeping as near to the ordinary rules fore-mentioned as possibly they may; and let this association be for no other intent or purpose, but only for the work of ordination.

2. Let the like association be made by the same authority in great towns, and the neighbouring parishes in the several counties, which are at the present quiet and undisturbed, to do the like for the parts adjacent.

3. Let such as are chosen, or appointed for the service of the armies or navy, be ordained, as aforesaid, by the associated ministers of London, or some others in the country.

4. Let them do the like, when any man shall duly and lawfully be recommended to them for the ministry of any congregation, who cannot enjoy liberty to have a trial of his parts and abilities, and desire the help of such ministers so associated, for the better furnishing of them with such a person as by them shall be judged fit for the service of that church and people.

[Editor’s Note: The Sum of Saving Knowledge was not written by the Westminster Assembly. It was written by David Dickson and James Durham, with help by Patrick Simson. However, the spiritual value of the Sum was so high, the comparability of the Confession so close and its use so far expanded through the Reformed Church of the times that it was thereafter published along with the Confession beginning in 1650 by Gideon Lithgow.]

THE SUM OF SAVING KNOWLEDGE

The

SUMME

OF

SAVING KNOWLEDGE,

With the

PRACTICAL USE THEREOF

by

David Dickson

and

James Durham

With the help of Patrick Simson

in which we find the whole of SALVATION and

Christian Doctrine,

as contained in

HOLY SCRIPTURE

and holden forth in the

CONFESSION OF FAITH

and

CATECHISMS.

JOHN 6.37 All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me: and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.

Printed at EDINBURGH,

by Gideon Lithgow, 1652.

CONTENTS:

The Summe of Saving Knowledge in Four Heads:

Head 1. Our Woeful Condition by Nature.

Head 2. The Remedy provided in Christ Jesus.

Head 3. The Means provided in the Covenant of Grace.

Head 4. The Blessings conveyed by these Means.

The Use of Saving Knowledge

1. For Convincing of Sin by the Law.

2. Of Righteousness by the Law.

3. Of Judgment by the Law.

For Convincing of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment by the Gospel.

Of Righteousness to be had only by Faith in Christ.

For strengthening a Man’s Faith, &c.

Warrants and Motives to Believe.

1. God’s hearty Invitation.

2. His earnest Request to be reconciled.

3. His Command, charging all to believe.

4. Much Assurance of Life given to Believers, &c.

Evidences of True Faith

1. Conviction of the Believer’s Obligation to keep the Moral Law.

2. That the Believer practise the Rules of Godliness and Righteousness.

3. That Obedience to the Law run in the right Channel of Faith in Christ.

4. The keeping of strait Communion with Christ the Fountain of all Grace and good Works.

For strengthening the Believer in Faith and Obedience, by these Evidences.

The Sum of Saving Knowledge

The Sum of Saving Knowledge may be taken up in these four heads:

1. The woeful condition wherein all men are by nature, through breaking of the covenant of works.

2. The remedy provided for the elect in Jesus Christ by the covenant of grace.

3. The means appointed to make them partakers of this covenant.

4. The blessings which are effectually conveyed unto the elect by these means. Which four heads are set down each of them in some few propositions.

HEAD 1. Our woeful condition by nature, through breaking the Covenant of Works. Hos. 13:9, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself.”

The Almighty and Eternal God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, three distinct Persons in the one and the same undivided Godhead, equally infinite in all perfections; did, before time most wisely decree, for his own Glory, whatsoever cometh to pass in time, and doth most holily and infallibly execute all his Decrees, without being partaker of the sin of any creature.

II. This God in six days made all things of nothing, very good in their own kind, in special he made all the Angels holy; and he made our first Parents, Adam and Eve the root of mankind, both upright and able to keep the Law written in their heart: which Law they were naturally bound to obey under pain of death, but God was not bound to reward their service, till he entered in a Covenant or Contract with them, and their posterity in them, to give them eternal life, upon condition of perfect personal obedience, withal threatening death in case they should fail. This is the Covenant of Works.

III. Both Angels and men were subject to the change of their own free will, as experience proved, (God having reserved to himself the incommunicable property of being naturally unchangeable.) For many Angels of their own accord fell by sin from their first estate and became Devils. Our first Parents, being enticed by Satan, one of these Devils, speaking in a serpent, did break the Covenant of works in eating the forbidden fruit, whereby they and their posterity being in their loins, as branches in the root, and comprehended in the same Covenant with them, became not only liable to eternal death, but also lost all ability to please God; yea, did become by nature enemies to God, and to all Spiritual good, and inclined only to evil continually. This is our original sin, the bitter root of all our actual transgressions, in thought, word, and deed.

HEAD 2. The remedy provided in Jesus Christ for the Elect by the Covenant of Grace. Hos. 13:9, “O Israel thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thine help.”

Albeit man, having brought himself into this woeful condition, be neither able to help himself, nor willing to be helped by God out of it, but rather inclined to lie still insensible of it till he perish: yet God for the glory of his rich grace, hath revealed in his Word a way to save sinners, to wit, by faith in Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God, by virtue of, and according to the tenor of the Covenant of Redemption made and agreed upon between God the Father and God the Son, in the counsel of the Trinity, before the world began.

II. The sum of the Covenant of Redemption is this: God having freely chosen unto life a certain number of lost mankind, for the glory of his rich Grace, did give them, before the World began, unto God the Son, appointed Redeemer, that upon condition he would humble himself so far as to assume the human Nature, of a soul and a body, unto personal Union with his Divine Nature, and submit himself to the Law as surety for them, and satisfy Justice for them, by giving obedience in their name, even unto the suffering of the cursed death of the Cross, he should ransom and redeem them all from sin and death, and purchase unto them Righteousness and eternal life, with all saving graces leading thereunto, to be effectually, by means of his own appointment, applied in due time, to every one of them. This condition the Son of God (who is Jesus Christ our Lord) did accept before the world began, and in the fullness of time came into the world, was born of the Virgin Mary, subjected himself to the law, and completely paid the ransom on the Cross: but by virtue of the foresaid bargain made before the world began, he is in all ages, since the fall of Adam, still upon the work of applying actually the purchased benefits unto the Elect: and that he doth by way of entertaining a Covenant of free grace and reconciliation with them, through faith in himself, by which Covenant, he makes over to every believer a right and interest to himself, and to all his blessings.

III. For the accomplishment of this Covenant of Redemption and making the elect partakers of the benefits thereof in the Covenant of Grace, Christ Jesus was clad with the threefold Office of Prophet, Priest, and King: Made a Prophet, to reveal all saving knowledge to his people, and to persuade them to believe and obey the same; Made a Priest, to offer up himself a sacrifice once for them all, and to intercede continually with the Father, for making their persons and services acceptable to him; And made a King, to subdue them to himself, to feed and rule them by his own appointed ordinances: and to defend them from their enemies.

HEAD 3. The outward means appointed to make the elect partakers of this Covenant, and all the rest that are called to be inexcusable. Matt. 22:14, “Many are called.”

The outward means & ordinances for making men partakers of the Covenant of Grace are so wisely dispensed, as that the Elect shall be infallibly converted and saved by them, and the Reprobate, among whom they are, not to be justly stumbled. The means are especially these four: 1. The Word of God. 2. The Sacraments. 3. Kirk-Government. 4. Prayer. In the Word of God Preached by sent Messengers, the Lord makes offer of Grace to all sinners, upon condition of faith in Jesus Christ, and whosoever do confess their sin, accept of Christ offered, and submit themselves to his Ordinances, he will have both them and their children received into the honour and privileges of the Covenant of Grace. By the Sacraments God will have the Covenant sealed for confirming the bargain on the foresaid condition. By Kirk-Government he will have them hedged in, and helped forward unto the keeping of the Covenant. And by Prayer, he will have his own glorious Grace, promised in the Covenant, to be daily drawn forth, acknowledged, and employed. All which means are followed either really, or in profession only, according to the quality of the Covenanters, as they are true or counterfeit believers.

II. The Covenant of Grace set down in the Old Testament before Christ came, and in the New since he came, is one and the same in substance, albeit different in outward administration: for the Covenant in the Old Testament being sealed with the Sacraments of Circumcision and the Paschal Lamb, did set forth Christ’s death to come, and the benefits purchased thereby, under the shadow of bloody sacrifices and sundry ceremonies; but since Christ came, the Covenant being sealed by the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, doth clearly hold forth Christ already crucified before our eyes, victorious over death and the grave, and gloriously ruling heaven and earth, for the good of his own people.

HEAD 4. The blessings which are effectually conveyed by these means to the Lord’s elect or chosen ones. Matt. 22:14, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

BY these outward Ordinances, as our Lord makes the Reprobate inexcusable, so in the power of his Spirit, he applies unto the Elect effectually, all saving Graces purchased to them in the Covenant of Redemption, and maketh a change in their persons. In particular: 1. He doth convert or regenerate them, by giving spiritual life to them, in opening their understandings, renewing their wills, affections, and faculties, for giving spiritual obedience to his Commands. 2. He gives unto them Saving Faith, by making them, in the sense of deserved condemnation to give their consent heartily to the Covenant of Grace, and to embrace Jesus Christ unfeignedly. 3. He gives them Repentance, by making them, with godly sorrow in the hatred of sin, and love of Righteousness, turn from all iniquity to the service of God. And 4. He Sanctifies them, by making them go on and persevere in faith, and spiritual obedience of the Law of God, manifested by fruitfulness in all duties, and doing good works, as God offereth occasion.

II. Together with this inward change of their persons, God changes also their state, for so soon as they are brought by faith into the Covenant of Grace, 1. He Justifies them, by imputing unto them that perfect obedience which Christ gave to the Law, and the satisfaction also which upon the Cross Christ gave unto justice in their name. 2. He Reconciles them, and makes them friends to God; who were before enemies to God. 3. He Adopts them, that they shall be no more children of Satan, but children of God, enriched with all spiritual privileges of his Sons. And last of all, after their warfare in this life is ended, he perfects the holiness and blessedness, first of their souls at their death, and then both of their souls and their bodies, being joyfully joined together again in the Resurrection, at the day of his glorious coming to Judgment, when all the wicked shall be sent away to hell, with Satan, whom they have served; but Christ’s own chosen and redeemed ones, true believers, students of holiness, shall remain with himself for ever, in the state of Glorification.

The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge

The chief general use of Christian Doctrine is, to convince a man of sin, and of Righteousness, and of Judgment; John 16:8. partly by the Law or Covenant of Works, that he may be humbled and become penitent; and partly by the Gospel or Covenant of Grace, that he may become an unfeigned believer in Jesus Christ, and be strengthened in his faith upon solid grounds and warrants, and give evidence of the truth of his faith by good fruits, and so be saved.

The sum of the Covenant of Works, or of, the Law, is this, If thou do all that is commanded and not fail in any point, thou shalt be saved: But if thou fail thou shalt die. Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3:10, 12.

The sum of the Gospel, or Covenant of Grace and Reconciliation, is this, If thou flee from deserved wrath to the true Redeemer Jesus Christ, (who is able to save to the uttermost, all that come to God, through him) thou shalt not perish but have eternal life. Rom. 10:8-9, 11.

For convincing a man of sin, of Righteousness, and of Judgment by the Law, or Covenant of Works, let these Scriptures among many more be made use of.

1. For convincing a man of sin by the Law: consider, Jer. 17:9-10, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins: even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Here the Lord teacheth these two things,

1. That the fountain of all our miscarriage and actual sinning against God is in the heart, which comprehendeth the mind, will, affections, and all the powers of the soul, as they are corrupted and defiled with original sin: the mind being not only ignorant and incapable of saving truth, but also full of error and enmity against God; and the will and affections being obstinately disobedient unto all God’s directions, and bent toward that only which is evil: The heart, saith he, is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; yea, and unsearchably wicked, so that no man can know it; and Gen. 6:5, “Every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart is only evil continually,” (saith the Lord) whose testimony we must trust in this and all other matters: and experience also may teach us, that till God make us deny ourselves, we never look to God in anything, but fleshly self-interest alone doth rule us and move all the wheels of our actions.

2. That the Lord bringeth our original sin, or wicked inclination, with all the actual fruits thereof, unto reckoning before his Judgment Seat, “for he searcheth the heart and trieth the reins, to give every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Hence let every man reason thus:

What God and my guilty conscience beareth witness of, I am convinced that it is true.

But, God and my guilty conscience beareth witness, that my heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; and that all the imaginations of my heart, by nature, are only evil continually.

Therefore I am convinced that this is true.

Thus a man may be convinced of sin by the Law.

2. For convincing a man of Righteousness by the Law: Consider, Gal. 3:10, “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.”

Here the apostle teacheth us three things.

1. That, by reason of our natural sinfulness, the impossibility of any man’s being justified by the works of the Law is so certain, that, whosoever do seek justification by the works of the Law, are liable to the curse of God, for breaking of the Law; “for, as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse,” saith he.

2. That unto the perfect fulfilling of the Law, the keeping of one or two of the precepts, or doing of some or of all duties (if it were possible) for a time, is not sufficient; for the Law requireth, that a man continue in all things which are written in the book of the Law, to do them.

3. That because no man can come up to this perfection, every man by nature is under the curse: for the Law saith, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law, to do them.”

Now to be under the curse, comprehendeth all the displeasure of God, with the danger of the breaking forth more and more of his wrath, upon soul and body, both in this life and after death perpetually, if grace do not prevent the full execution thereof.

Hence let every man reason thus:

Whosoever, according to the Covenant of Works, is liable to the curse of God, for breaking the Law, times and ways out of number, cannot be justified, or find righteousness by the works of the Law.

But I (may every man say) according to the Covenant of Works, am liable to the curse of God, for breaking the Law, times and ways out of number.

Therefore I cannot be justified, or have righteousness by the works of the Law.

Thus may a man be convinced of righteousness, that it is not to be had by his own works, or by the Law.

3. For convincing a man of Judgment by the Law: consider, 2 Thes. 1:7. “The Lord shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels; verse 8. In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. verse 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. verse 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.”

Wherein we are taught, that our Lord Jesus, who now offers to be Mediator for them who believe in him, shall, at the last day, come, armed with flaming fire, to judge, condemn, and destroy all them who have not believed God, have not received the offer of grace made in the Gospel, nor obeyed the Doctrine thereof; but remain in their natural state, under the Law, or Covenant of Works.

Hence let every man reason thus:

What the righteous Judge hath forewarned me shall be done at the last day, I am sure is just judgment.

But the righteous Judge hath forewarned me, that if I do not believe God in time and obey not the Doctrine of the Gospel, I shall be secluded from his presence and his glory, at the last day, and be tormented in soul and body for ever.

Therefore I am convinced that this is a just judgment. And I have reason to thank God heartily, who hath forewarned me to flee from the wrath which is to come.

Thus every man may be by the Law or Covenant of Works, convinced of judgment, if he shall continue under the Covenant of Works, or shall not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.

For convincing a man of sin, righteousness, and judgment by the Gospel.

As for convincing a man of sin, and righteousness, and judgment by the Gospel or Covenant of Grace, he must understand three things. 1. That not believing in Jesus Christ, or refusing of the Covenant of Grace, offered in him, is a greater and more dangerous sin than all other sins against the Law; because the hearers of the Gospel, not believing in Christ, do reject God’s mercy in Christ, the only way of freedom from sin and wrath, and will not yield to be reconciled to God. 2. Next, he must understand that perfect remission of sin, and true righteousness is to be had only by faith in Jesus; because God requireth no other conditions but Faith, and testifies from heaven, that he is well pleased to justify sinners upon this condition. 3. He must understand, that, upon righteousness received by Faith, judgment shall follow on the one hand, to the destroying of the works of the Devil in the believer, and to the perfecting of the work of Sanctification in him, with power: and that, upon refusing to take righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ, judgment shall follow on the other hand, to the condemnation of the misbeliever, and destroying of him with Satan and his servants forever.

For this end let these passages of Scripture, among many others, serve to make the greatness of the sin of not believing in Christ appear, or to make the greatness of the sin of refusing of the Covenant of Grace offered to us in the offering of Christ unto us, let the fair offer of Grace be looked upon as it is made, Isa. 55:3, “Incline your ear and come unto me,” (saith the Lord) “hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” That is, If ye will believe me, and be reconciled to me: I will, by Covenant, give unto you Christ, and all saving graces in him; repeated Acts 13:34.

Again consider that this general offer in substance is equivalent to a special offer made to every one in particular, as appeareth by the Apostle’s making use of it, Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house.” The reason of which offer is given, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Seeing then this great salvation is offered in the Lord Jesus, whosoever believeth not in him, but look for happiness some other way, what doth he else but observe lying vanities, and forsake his own mercy which he might have had in Christ, Jonah 2:8-9. What doth he else but blaspheme God in his heart, as it is said, 1 John 5:10, “He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” And that no sin against the law is like unto this [sin], Christ testifies, John 15:22, “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak for their sin.” This may convince a man of the greatness of this sin of not believing in Christ.

For convincing a man of righteousness to be had only by faith in Christ: consider how, Rom. 10:3-4.

It is said that the Jews, being ignorant of God’s Righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the Righteousness of God (and so they perished), “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone that believeth;” And Acts 13:39, “By Christ Jesus all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.” And 1 John 1:7, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”

For convincing a man of judgment if a man embrace this righteousness: consider, 1 John 3:8, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil.” And Heb. 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God.”

But if a man embrace not this righteousness, his doom is pronounced, John 3:18, “He that believeth not, is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light.”

Hence let the penitent desiring to believe, reason thus:

What doth suffice to convince all the Elect in the world of the greatness of the sin of not believing in Christ, or refusing to flee to him for relief from sins done against the Law, and from wrath due thereto; and what sufficeth to convince them, that righteousness and eternal life is to be had by faith in Jesus Christ, or by consenting to the Covenant of Grace in him; and what sufficeth to convince them of Judgment to be exercised by Christ, for destroying the works of the Devil in a man, and sanctifying and saving all that believe in him, may suffice to convince me also.

But what the Spirit hath said in these and other like Scriptures, sufficeth to convince the Elect world of the foresaid sin and righteousness and judgment:

Therefore what the Spirit hath said in these and other like Scriptures serveth to convince me thereof also.

Whereupon let the penitent desiring to believe take with him words and say heartily to the Lord: Seeing thou sayest, “Seek ye my face,” my soul answereth unto thee, “thy face Lord, will I seek;” I have hearkened unto the offer of an everlasting Covenant of all saving mercies to be had in Christ, and I do heartily embrace thy offer. Lord, let it be a bargain; “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief:” Behold, I give myself to thee to serve thee in all things for ever, and I hope “thy right hand shall save me,” the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever; forsake not the “works of thine own hands.” Thus may a man be made an unfeigned believer in Christ.

For strengthening the man’s faith who hath agreed unto the Covenant of Grace.

Because many true believers are weak, and do much doubt if ever they shall be sure of the soundness of their own faith and effectual Calling, or made certain of their Justification and salvation, when they see that many who profess faith, are found to deceive themselves, let us see how every believer may be made strong in the faith, and sure of his own election and salvation upon solid grounds, by sure warrants, and true evidences of faith. To this end, among many other Scriptures, take these following.

1. For laying solid grounds of Faith: consider 2 Peter 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make sure your calling and election, for, if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

In which words, the Apostle teacheth us these four things, for help and direction how to be made strong in the faith.

1. That such as believe in Christ Jesus, and are fled to him for relief from sin and wrath, albeit they be weak in the faith, yet they are indeed Children of the same Father with the Apostles; for so he accounteth of them, while he calleth them Brethren.

2. That albeit we be not sure for the time, of our Effectual Calling and Election, yet we may be made sure of both, if we use diligence; for this he presupposeth, saying, “Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure.”

3. That we must not be discouraged, when we see many seeming believers prove rotten branches, and make defection; but we must the rather take the better heed to ourselves: “Wherefore the rather brethren,” saith he, “give all diligence.”

4. That the way to be sure both of our Effectual Calling, and Election, is to make sure work of our faith, by laying the grounds of it solidly, and bringing forth the fruits of our faith in new obedience constantly. “For if ye do these things,” saith he, “ye shall never fall;” understanding by these things, what he had said of sound faith, verses 1-4, And what he had said of the bringing out of the fruits of faith, verses 5-9.

2. To this same purpose, consider Rom. 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. verse 2. For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. verse 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, verse 4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Wherein the Apostle teacheth us these four things, for laying of the ground of faith solidly:

1. That everyone is a true believer who, in the sense of his sin, and fear of God’s wrath, doth flee for full relief from both unto Jesus Christ alone, as the only Mediator and all-sufficient Redeemer of men; and being fled to Christ, doth strive against his own flesh, or corrupt inclination of nature, and studieth to follow the rule of God’s Spirit, set down in his word: For the man whom the Apostle doth here bless as a true believer, is a man in Christ Jesus, “who doth not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

2. That all such persons as are fled to Christ, and do strive against sin, howsoever they may be possibly exercised under the sense of wrath, and fear of condemnation, yet they are in no danger; for, “there is no condemnation,” (saith he) “to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

3. That albeit the Apostle himself (brought in here for example’s cause) and all other true believers in Christ, be, by nature, under the Law of sin and death, or under the Covenant of works (called the law of sin and death, because it bindeth sin and death upon us, till Christ set us free,) yet the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, or the Covenant of Grace (so called, because it doth enable and quicken a man to a spiritual life through Christ,) doth set the Apostle and all true believers free from the Covenant of Works or the Law of sin and death; so that every man may say with him, “The Law of the Spirit of life,” or the Covenant of Grace, “hath made me free from the law of sin and death,” or Covenant of works.

4. That the fountain and first ground from whence our freedom from the curse of the Law doth flow, is the Covenant of Redemption, passed betwixt God and God the Son, as incarnate, wherein Christ takes the curse of the law upon him for sin, that the believer who could not otherwise be delivered from the Covenant of works, may be delivered from it. And this doctrine the Apostle holdeth forth in these four branches: 1. That it was utterly impossible for the Law, or the Covenant of Works, to bring righteousness and life to a sinner, because it was weak. 2. That this weakness and inability of the Law or Covenant of Works, is not the fault of the Law, but the fault of sinful flesh, which is neither able to pay the penalty of sin, nor to give perfect obedience to the Law (presuppose bygone sins were forgiven,) “The law was weak,” (saith he) “through the flesh.” 3. That the righteousness and salvation of sinners, which was impossible to be brought about by the Law, is brought to pass by sending God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, “in the flesh,” in whose flesh sin is condemned and punished, for making satisfaction in the behalf of the Elect, that they might be set free. 4. That, by his means, the Law loseth nothing, because the righteousness of the Law is best fulfilled this way; first, by Christ giving perfect active obedience in our name unto it in all things; next, by his paying in our name the penalty (due to our sins) in his death; and lastly, by his working of Sanctification in us, who are true believers, who strive to give new obedience unto the Law, and “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Warrants to Believe

For building our confidence upon this solid ground, these four warrants and special Motives to believe in Christ may serve: The first whereof is God’s hearty invitation, holden forth, Isa. 55:1-5, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money: come and buy (and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk) without money and without price. verse 2. Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is no bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. verse 3. Incline your ear and come to me: hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. verse 4. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people,” &c.

Here (after setting down the precious ransom of our Redemption by the sufferings of Christ, and the rich blessings purchased to us thereby, in the two former chapters) the Lord in this chapter,

1. Maketh open offer of Christ and his grace, by proclamation of a free and gracious market of Righteousness and Salvation, to be had through Christ to every soul, without exception, that truly desires to be saved from sin and wrath, “Ho, every one that thirsteth,” saith he.

2. He inviteth all sinners, that, for any reason, stand at a distance with God, to come and take from him riches of Grace running in Christ as a river, to wash away sin and to slocken wrath: “Come ye to the waters,” saith he.

3. Lest any should stand aback in the sense of his own sinfulness or unworthiness, and inability to do any good, the Lord calleth upon such persons in special, saying, “He that hath no money, come.”

4. He craveth no more of his merchant, but that he be pleased with the wares offered, which are grace and more grace; and that he heartily consent unto, and embrace this offer of grace, that so he may close a bargain, and a formal Covenant with God, “Come buy without money,” (saith he) “Come eat,” that is, consent to have, and take unto you all saving graces, make the wares your own, possess them, and make use of all blessings in Christ: whatsoever maketh for your spiritual life and comfort, use and enjoy it freely, without paying anything for it. “Come buy wine and milk without money and without price,” saith he.

5. Because the Lord knoweth how much we are inclined to seek righteousness and life by our own performances and satisfaction, to have righteousness and life as it were by the way of works, and how loath we are to embrace Christ Jesus, and to take life by way of free grace, through Jesus Christ, upon the terms whereupon it is offered to us; therefore the Lord lovingly calls us off this our crooked and unhappy way, with a gentle and timeous admonition, giving us to understand, that we shall but lose our labour in this our way, “Wherefore do ye spend your money,” (saith he) “for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not?”

6. The Lord promiseth to us solid satisfaction in the way of betaking ourselves unto the grace of Christ, even true contentment, and fulness of spiritual pleasure, saying, “Hearken diligently unto me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”

7. Because faith cometh by hearing, he calleth for audience unto the explication of the offer, and calleth for believing of, and listening unto the truth, which is able to beget the application of saving faith, and to draw the soul to trust in God: “Incline your ear and come unto me,” (saith he.) To which end the Lord promiseth, that this offer, being received, shall quicken the dead sinner, and that upon the welcoming of this offer, he will close the Covenant of Grace with the man that shall consent unto it, even an indissolvable Covenant of perpetual reconciliation and peace, “Hearken and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you,” which Covenant, he declareth, shall be in substance the assignation, and the making over of all the saving graces which David (who is JESUS CHRIST, Acts 13:34,) hath bought for us in the Covenant of Redemption: “I will make a Covenant with you,” (saith he) “even the sure mercies of David.” By “sure mercies,” he means saving graces, such as are righteousness, peace, & joy in the Holy Ghost, Adoption, Sanctification, and Glorification, and whatsoever belongs to godliness and life eternal.

8. To confirm and assure us of the real grant of these saving mercies, and to persuade us of the reality of the Covenant betwixt God and the believer of this word, the Father hath made a fourfold gift of his eternal and only begotten Son.

First, to be incarnate and born for our sake, of the seed of David, his type; for which cause he is called here, and Acts 13:34, “David the true and everlasting King of Israel.” This is the great gift of God to man, John 4:10. And here, “I have given him to be David, or born of David, to the people.”

Secondly, He hath made a gift of Christ, to be a witness to the people, both of the sure and saving mercies granted to the Redeemed in the Covenant of Redemption, and also of the Father’s willingness and purpose to apply them, and to make them fast in the Covenant of Reconciliation made with such as embrace the offer: “I have given him,” (saith the Lord here) “to be a witness to the people:” And truly he is a sufficient witness in this matter, in many respects. 1. Because he is one of the Persons of the blessed Trinity, and party-contractor for us, in the Covenant of Redemption, before the world was. 2. He is by office as Mediator, the Messenger of the Covenant, and hath gotten commission to reveal it. 3. He began actually to reveal it in Paradise, where he promised, that the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the serpent. 4. He set forth his own death and sufferings, and the great benefits that should come thereby to us, in the types and figures of sacrifices and ceremonies before his coming. 5. He gave more and more light about this Covenant, speaking by his Spirit, from age to age, in the holy Prophets. 6. He came himself, in the fulness of time, and did bear witness of all things belonging to this Covenant, and of God’s willing mind to take believers into it; partly by uniting our nature in one person with the Divine Nature; partly by Preaching the good tidings of the Covenant with his own mouth; partly by paying the price of Redemption on the Cross; and partly by dealing still with his people from the beginning to this day, to draw in, and to hold in the redeemed in this Covenant.

Thirdly, God hath made a gift of Christ as a leader to the people, to bring us through all difficulties, all afflictions and temptations, unto life, by this Covenant; And he it is and no other, who doth indeed lead his own unto the Covenant; and in the Covenant, all the way on unto salvation: 1. By the direction of his Word and Spirit. 2. By the example of his own life, and faith and obedience, even to the death of the Cross. 3. By his powerful working, bearing his redeemed ones in his arms, and causing them to lean on him, while they go up through the wilderness.

Fourthly, God hath made a gift of Christ unto his people, as a Commander; which Office he faithfully exerciseth, by giving to his Kirk and people laws and ordinances, Pastors and Governors, and all necessary officers, by keeping Courts and Assemblies among them, to see that his Laws be obeyed: subduing, by his Word, Spirit, and Discipline, his people’s corruptions; and, by his wisdom and power, guarding them against their enemies whatsoever.

Hence he, who hath closed bargain with God, may strengthen his faith by reasoning after this manner:

Whosoever doth heartily receive the offer of free grace made here to sinners, thirsting for righteousness and salvation, unto him, by an everlasting Covenant, belongeth Christ the true David, with all his sure and saving mercies.

But I (may the weak believer say) do heartily receive the offer of free grace made here to sinners, thirsting for righteousness, and salvation. Therefore unto me, by an everlasting Covenant, belongeth Christ Jesus, with all his sure and saving mercies.

The second warrant and special motive to embrace Christ and believe in him, is, the earnest request that God maketh to us to be reconciled to him in Christ, holden forth, 2 Cor. 5. verses 14, 19, 20, 21. “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation. verse 20. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. verse 21. 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.”

Wherein the Apostle teacheth us these nine Doctrines.

1. That the elect world, or world of redeemed souls, are by nature in the estate of enmity against God;—This is presupposed in the word Reconciliation, for reconciliation, or renewing of friendship, cannot be, except betwixt those that have been at enmity.

2. That in all the time bypast, since the fall of Adam, Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of God, as Mediator, and the Father in him, hath been about the making friendship (by his word and Spirit) betwixt himself and the elect world. “God,” (saith he) “was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.”

3. That the way of reconciliation was in all ages one and the same in substance, viz. by forgiving the sins of them who do acknowledge their sins and their enmity against God, and do seek reconciliation and remission of sins in Christ; for “God,” (saith he) “was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself,” by way of “not imputing their trespasses unto them.”

4. That the end and scope of the Gospel, and whole word of God, is threefold: 1. It serveth to make people sensible of their sins, and of their enmity against God, and of their danger, if they should stand out, and not fear God’s displeasure. 2. The Word of God serveth to make men acquainted with the course which God hath prepared, for making friendship with them through Christ, viz. That if men shall acknowledge the enmity, and shall be content to enter into a Covenant of friendship with God, through Christ, then God will be content to be reconciled with them freely. 3. The Word of God serveth to teach men how to carry themselves towards God, as friends, after they are reconciled to him, viz. to be loath to sin against him, and to strive heartily to obey his Commandments, and therefore the Word of God here is called “the word of reconciliation,” because it teacheth us, what need we have of reconciliation, and how to make it, and how to keep the reconciliation or friendship, being made with God through Christ.

5. That albeit the hearing, believing, and obeying of this word, doth belong to all those to whom this Gospel doth come, yet the office of preaching of it with authority belongeth to none, but to such only as God doth call to this ministry, and sendeth out with commission for this work. This the Apostle holdeth forth, verse 18, in these words, “He hath committed to us the word of Reconciliation.”

6. That the Ministers of the Gospel should behave themselves as Christ’s messengers; and should closely follow their commission set down in the Word, Matt. 28:19-20; and when they do so, they should be received by the people as Ambassadors from God: for here the Apostle, in all their names, saith, We are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.

7. That Ministers, in all earnestness of affection, should deal with people to acknowledge their sins, and their natural enmity against God, more and more seriously; and to consent to the Covenant of Grace and embassage of Christ more and more heartily; and to evidence more & more clearly their reconciliation, by a holy carriage before God. This he holdeth forth, when he saith, “We pray you, be reconciled to God.”

8. That, in the Ministers’ affectionate dealing with the people, the people should consider that they have to do with God and Christ, requesting them, by the Ministers, to be reconciled. Now there cannot be a greater inducement to break a sinner’s hard heart than God’s making request to him for friendship: for when it became us, who have done so many wrongs to God, to seek friendship of God, he preventeth us, and (O wonder of wonders!) he requesteth us to be content to be reconciled to him; and therefore most fearful wrath must abide them who do set light by this request, and do not yield when they hear Ministers with commission, saying, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

9. To make it appear, how it cometh to pass that the Covenant of Reconciliation should be so easily made up betwixt God and a humble sinner flying to Christ, the Apostle leads us unto the cause of it, holden forth in the Covenant of Redemption; the sum whereof is this: It is agreed betwixt God and the Mediator Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Surety for the redeemed, as parties contractors, that the sins of the redeemed should be imputed to innocent Christ, and he both condemned and put to death for them, upon this very condition, that whosoever heartily consents unto the Covenant of Reconciliation offered through Christ, shall, by the imputation of his obedience unto them, be justified and holden righteous before God; “for God hath made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us,” (saith the Apostle) “that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21.)

Hence may a weak believer strengthen his faith, by reasoning from this ground after this manner:

He that, upon the loving request of God and Christ, made to him by the mouth of his Ministers, (having commission to that effect,) hath embraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ, and doth purpose, by God’s grace, as a reconciled person, to strive against sin, and to serve God to his power constantly, may be as sure to have righteousness and eternal life given to him, for the obedience of Christ imputed to him, as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him.

But I (may the weak believer say) upon the loving request of God and Christ, made to me by the mouth of his Ministers, have embraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ, and do purpose by God’s grace, as a reconciled person to strive against sin, and to serve God to my power constantly.

Therefore I may be as sure to have righteousness and eternal life given to me, for the obedience of Christ imputed to me, as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him.

The third warrant and special motive to believe in Christ, is the strait and awful Command of God, charging all the hearers of the Gospel to approach to Christ, in the order set down by him, and to believe in him: holden forth, 1 John 3:23, “This is his commandment, that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

Wherein the Apostle giveth us to understand these five Doctrines:

1. That if any man shall not be taken with the sweet invitation of God, nor with the humble and loving request of God made to him to be reconciled, he shall find he hath to do with the Sovereign Authority of the highest Majesty; “for this is his commandment, that we believe in him,” saith he.

2. That if any man look upon this command as he hath looked heretofore upon the neglected commandments of the Law, he must consider that this is a command of the Gospel, posterior to the Law, given for making use of the remedy of all sins; which if it be disobeyed, there is no other command to follow but this, “Go ye cursed, into the everlasting fire of hell, for this is his commandment,” the obedience of which is most pleasant in his sight, verse 22. And without which it is impossible to please him, Heb. 11:6.

3. That everyone who heareth the Gospel, must make conscience of the duty of lively faith in Christ, the weak believer must not think it presumption to do what is commanded; the person inclined to desperation must take up himself, and think upon obedience unto this sweet and saving command; the strong believer must dip yet more in the sense of his need he hath of Jesus Christ, and more and more grow in the obedience of this command; yea, the most impenitent, profane and wicked person must not thrust out himself, or be thrust out by others, from orderly aiming at this duty, how desperate soever his condition seems to be, for he that commands all men to believe in Christ, doth thereby command all men to believe that they are damned and lost without Christ: he thereby commands all men to acknowledge their sins, and their need of Christ, and in effect commands all men to repent, that they may believe in him. And whosoever do refuse to repent of their bygone sins, are guilty of disobedience to this command given to all hearers, but especially to those that are within the Visible Church: for “this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ,” saith he.

4. That he who obeyeth this Commandment hath built his salvation on a solid ground. For, first, he hath found the promised Messiah completely furnished with all perfections unto the perfect execution of the Offices of Prophet, Priest, and King; for he is that Christ in whom the man doth believe. 2. He hath embraced a Saviour, who is able to save to the uttermost; yea, and who doth effectually save every one that cometh to God through him: For he is Jesus, the true Saviour of his people from their sins. 3. He that obeyeth this command, hath built his salvation on the Rock, that is, on the Son of God, to whom it is no robbery to be called equal to the Father, and who is worthy to be the object of saving faith and of spiritual worship, for “this is his command,” (saith he) “that we believe in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ.”

5. That he who hath believed on Jesus Christ (though he be freed from the curse of the Law) is not freed from the command and obedience of the Law, but tied thereunto by a new obligation& a new command from Christ. Which new command from Christ, importeth help to obey the command: unto which command from Christ, the Father addeth his authority and command also; for “this is his commandment,” (saith John) “that we believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he hath commanded us.” The first part of which command, enjoining belief in him, necessarily implieth love to God, and so obedience to the first Table; for believing in God, and loving God, are inseparable. And the second part of the command enjoineth love to our neighbour, (especially to the household of Faith,) and so obedience to the second Table of the Law.

Hence may a weak believer strengthen himself, by reasoning from this ground after this manner:

Whosoever, in the sense of his own sinfulness, and fear of God’s wrath, at the Command of God, is fled to Jesus Christ the only remedy of sin and misery, and hath engaged his heart to the obedience of the Law of love, his faith is not presumptuous or dead, but true and saving faith.

But I (may the weak believer say) in the sense of my own sinfulness, and fear of God’s wrath, am fled to Jesus Christ the only remedy of sin and misery, and have engaged my heart to the obedience of the law of love.

Therefore my faith is not a presumptuous and dead faith, but true and saving faith.

The fourth warrant and special motive to believe in Christ, is much assurance of life given incase men shall obey the command of believing, and a fearful certification of destruction in case they obey not: holden forth, John 3:35. “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. verse 36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Wherein are holden forth to us these five following Doctrines:

1. That the Father is well satisfied with the undertakings of the Son, entered Redeemer and surety to pay the ransom of believers, and to perfect them in holiness and salvation. “The Father loveth the Son,” saith he: viz. As he standeth Mediator in our name, undertaking to perfect our Redemption in all points. The Father loveth him, that is, doth heartily accept his offer to do the work, and is well pleased with him: his soul delighteth in him, and resteth upon him, and maketh him in this his Office the receptacle of love and grace and good will, to be conveyed by him to believers in him.

2. That for fulfilling of the Covenant of Redemption, the Father hath given to the Son (as he standeth in the capacity of the Mediator) (or as he is God incarnate, the Word made Flesh) all authority in heaven and earth, all furniture of the riches of grace, and of Spirit and life, with all power, and ability, which the Union of the Divine Nature with the human, or which the fulness of the Godhead, dwelling substantially in his Human Nature, or which the indivisible all-sufficiency and omnipotency of the inseparable every-where-present Trinity doth import, or the work of Redemption can require: the Father (saith he) hath given all things into the Son’s hand, to wit, for accomplishing his work.

3. Great assurance of life is holden forth to all who shall heartily receive Christ and the offer of the Covenant of Grace and Reconciliation through him: He that believeth on the Son (saith he) hath everlasting life, for it is made fast unto him, 1. In God’s purpose, and irrevocable decree, as the believer is a man elected to life. 2. By effectual calling of him unto life by God, who, as he is faithful, so will he do it. 3. By promise and everlasting Covenant sworn by God, to give the believer strong consolation in life and death, upon immutable grounds. 4. By a pawn and infeftment under the great seal of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, so oft as the believer shall come to receive the symbols and pledges of life. 5. In Christ the fountain and head of life, who is entered in possession, as attorney for believers; in whom our life is so laid up, that it cannot be taken away. 6. By begun possession of spiritual life and regeneration, and a kingdom consisting in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, erected within the believer, as arles of the full possession of everlasting life.

4. A fearful certification is given, if a man receive not the doctrine concerning righteousness and eternal life to be had by Jesus Christ: “He that believes not the Son shall not see life,” that is, not so much as understand what it meaneth.

5. He further certifieth that if a man receive not the doctrine of the Son of God, he shall be burdened twice with the wrath of God; once, as a born rebel by nature, he shall bear the curse of the Law, or the Covenant of Works; and next, he shall endure a greater condemnation, in respect that light being come into the world, and offered to him, he hath rejected it, and loveth darkness rather than light: and this double wrath shall be fastened and fixed immovably upon him, so long as he remaineth in the condition of misbelief: “The wrath of God abideth on him,” saith he.

Hence may the weak believer strengthen his faith, by reasoning from this ground after this manner:

Whosoever believeth the Doctrine delivered by the Son of God, and findeth himself partly drawn powerfully to believe in him, by the sight of life in him, and partly driven, by the fear of God’s wrath, to adhere unto him, may be sure of right and interest to life eternal through him.

But, sinful and unworthy, I (may the weak believer say) do believe the doctrine delivered by the Son of God, and do feel myself partly drawn powerfully to believe in him, by the sight of life in him, and partly driven, by the fear of God’s wrath, to adhere unto him.

Therefore I may be sure of my right and interest unto eternal life through him.

The Evidences of True Faith.

So much for the laying the grounds of faith and warrants to believe: Now for evidencing of true faith by fruits, these 4 things are requisite: 1. That the believer be soundly convinced, in his judgment, of his obligation to keep the whole Moral Law, all the days of his life; And that not the less, but so much the more, as he is delivered by Christ from the Covenant of Works, and curse of the Law. That he endeavour to grow in the exercise and daily practice of godliness and righteousness. 3. That the course of his new obedience run in the right channel, that is through faith in Christ, and through a good conscience, to all the duties of love towards God and man. 4. That he keep strait communion with the fountain Christ Jesus, from whom grace must run along, for furnishing of good fruits.

For the first, viz. To convince the believer, in his judgment, of his obligation to keep the Moral Law, among many passages, take Matt. 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. verse 17, Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. verse 18, For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. verse 19, Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven. verse 20, For I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Wherein our Lord,

1. Giveth commandment to believers, justified by faith, to give evidence of the grace of God in them, before men, by doing good works: “Let your light so shine before men,” (saith he) “that they may see your good works.”

2. He induceth them so to do, by shewing that albeit they be not justified by works, yet spectators of their good works may be converted or edified, and so glory may redound to God by their good works, when the witnesses thereof “shall glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

3. He gives them no other rule for their new obedience, than the Moral Law, set down and explicated by Moses and the Prophets: “Think not,” (saith he) “that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets.”

4. He gives them to understand, that the doctrine of grace, and freedom from the curse of the Law, by faith in him, is readily mistaken, by men’s corrupt judgment, as if it did loose or slacken the obligation of believers to obey the commands, and to be subject to the authority of the Law; and that this error is indeed a destroying of the Law and of the Prophets, which he will in no case ever endure in any of his Disciples: it is so contrary to the end of his coming, which is first to sanctify, and then to save believers. “Think not,” (saith he) “that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets.”

5. He teacheth, that the end of the Gospel and Covenant of Grace is to procure men’s obedience unto the Moral Law: “I am come,” (saith he) “to fulfil the Law and the Prophets.”

6. That the obligation of the Moral Law, in all points, unto all holy duties, is perpetual, & shall stand to the world’s end, that is, “till heaven and earth pass away.”

7. That as God hath a care of the Scriptures from the beginning, so shall he have a care of them still to the world’s end, that there shall “not one jot or one tittle of the substance thereof be taken away;” so saith the Text, verse 18.

8. That as the breaking of the Moral Law, and defending the transgressions thereof to be no sin, doth exclude men both from heaven, and justly also from the fellowship of the true Kirk, so the obedience of the Law and teaching others to do the same, by example, counsel, and doctrine, according to every man’s calling, proveth a man to be a true believer, and in great estimation with God, and worthy to be much esteemed of by the true Church, verse 19.

9. That the righteousness of every true Christian must be more than the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, for the Scribes and Pharisees, albeit they took great pains to discharge sundry duties of the Law, yet they cutted short the exposition thereof: that it might the less condemn their practice, they studied the outward part of the duty, but neglected the inward and spiritual part; they discharged some meaner duties carefully, but neglected judgment, mercy, and the love of God: In a word, they went about to establish their own righteousness, and rejected the righteousness of God by faith in Jesus. But a true Christian must have more than all this: he must acknowledge the full extent of the spiritual meaning of the Law, and have a respect to all the Commandments, and labour to cleanse himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and not lay weight upon what service he hath done or shall do, but clothe himself with the imputed righteousness of Christ, who only can hide his nakedness; or else he cannot be saved. So saith the Text, “Except your righteousness,” &c.

The second thing requisite to evidence true Faith is, that the believer endeavour to put the rules of Godliness and righteousness in practice and to grow in the daily exercise thereof: holden forth, 2 Pet. 1:5-8, “And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; verse 6, And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience, godliness; verse 7, And to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity. verse 8, For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Wherein 1. The Apostle teacheth believers, for evidencing of precious faith in themselves, to endeavour to add to their faith seven other sister-graces: The first is Virtue, or the active exercise and practice of all Moral duties, that so faith may not be idle, but put forth itself in work. The second is Knowledge, which serveth to furnish Faith with information of the truth to be believed, and to furnish Virtue with direction what duties are to be done, & how to go about them prudently. The third is Temperance, which serveth to moderate the use of all pleasant things, that a man be not clogged therewith, nor made unfit for any duty whereto he is called. The fourth is Patience, which serveth to moderate a man’s affections, when he meeteth with any difficulty or unpleasant thing; that he neither weary for pains required in well-doing, nor faint when the Lord chastiseth him, nor murmur when he crosseth him. The fifth is Godliness, which may keep him up in all the exercises of Religion, inward and outward, whereby he may be furnished from God, for all other duties which he hath to do. The sixth is Brotherly-kindness, which keepeth estimation of, and affection to all the household of Faith, and to the Image of God in every one wheresoever it is seen. The seventh is Love, which keepeth the heart in readiness to do good to all men, whatsoever they be, upon all occasions which God shall offer.

2. Albeit it be true that there is much corruption and infirmity in the godly, yet the Apostle will have men uprightly endeavouring, and doing their best, as they are able, to join all these graces one to another, and to grow in the measure of exercising them: “giving all diligence,” (saith he) “add to your faith,” &c.

3. He assureth all professed believers, that, as they shall profit in the obedience of this direction, so they shall profitably prove the soundness of their own faith; and, if they want these graces, that they shall be found blind deceivers of themselves, verse 9.

The third thing requisite to evidence true faith is, that obedience to the Law run in the right channel, that is, through faith in Christ, &c. holden forth, 1 Tim. 1:5, “Now, the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.”

Wherein the Apostle teacheth these seven doctrines:

1. That the obedience of the Law must flow from Love, and love from a pure heart, and a pure heart from a good Conscience, and a good conscience from Faith unfeigned: this he maketh the only right channel of good works, “The end of the Law is love,” &c.

2. That the end of the Law is not that men may be justified by their obedience of it, as the Jewish Doctors did falsely teach; for it is impossible that sinners can be justified by the Law, who, for every transgression, are condemned by the Law: “For the end of the Law is,” (not such as the Jewish Doctors taught, but) “love out of a pure heart,” &c.

3. That the true end of the Law, preached unto the people, is, that they, by the Law, being made to see their deserved condemnation, should fly to Christ unfeignedly, to be justified by faith in him; So saith the Text, while it maketh love to flow through Faith in Christ.

4. That no man can set himself in love to obey the Law, except in as far as his conscience is quieted by faith, or is seeking to be quieted in Christ; “For the end of the Law is love, out of a good conscience and faith unfeigned.”

5. That feigned faith goeth to Christ without reckoning with the Law, and so wants an errand; but unfeigned faith reckoneth with the Law, and is forced to fly for refuge unto Christ as the end of the Law, for righteousness, so often as it finds itself guilty for breaking of the Law: “For the end of the Law is faith unfeigned.”

6. That the fruits of love may come forth in act particularly, it is necessary that the heart be brought to the hatred of all sin and uncleanness, and to a steadfast purpose to follow all holiness universally; for, “the end of the Law is love out of a pure heart.”

7. That unfeigned faith is able to make the conscience good, and the heart pure, and the man lovingly obedient to the Law: for when Christ’s blood is seen by faith to quiet justice, then the conscience becometh quiet also, and will not suffer the heart to entertain the love of sin, but sets the man on work to fear God for his mercy, and to obey all his Commandments out of love to God for his free gift of Justification by grace bestowed on him: “For this is the end of the Law indeed,” whereby it obtaineth of a man more obedience than any other way.

The fourth thing requisite to evidence true faith, is, the keeping of strait communion with Christ, the fountain of all grace and of all good works: holden forth; John 15:5, “I am the true vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.”

Wherein Christ in a similitude from a vine-tree, teacheth us:

1. That by nature we are wild barren briers, till we be changed by coming unto Christ, and that Christ is that noble Vine-Tree, having all life and sap of grace in himself; and able to change the nature of every one that cometh to him, and to communicate spirit and life to as many as shall believe in him: “I am the Vine,” (saith he) “and ye are the branches.”

2. That Christ loveth to have believers so united unto him, as that they be not separated at any time by unbelief; and that there may be a mutual inhabitation of them in him by faith and love, and of him in them, by his Word and Spirit, for he joineth these together, “If ye abide in me and I in you,” as things inseparable.

3. That except a man be ingrafted in Christ, and united to him by faith, he cannot do any the least good works of his own strength; yea, except in as far as a man doth draw spirit and life from Christ by faith, the work which he doth is naughty and null in point of goodness in God’s estimation, “for without me,” (saith he) “ye can do nothing.”

4. That this mutual inhabitation, is the fountain and infallible cause of constant continuing and abounding in well-doing: For “he that abideth in me and I in him,” (saith he) “the same beareth much fruit.” Now, as our abiding in Christ presupposeth three things: 1. That we have heard the joyful sound of the Gospel, making offer of Christ to us who are lost sinners by the Law; 2. That we have heartily embraced the gracious offer of Christ; 3. That by receiving of him we are become the sons of God, John 1:12, and are incorporated into his Mystical body, that he may dwell in us as his temple, and we dwell in him as in the residence of righteousness and life; So our abiding in Christ importeth other three things: 1. An employing of Christ in all our addresses to God, and in all our undertakings of whatsoever piece of service to him. 2. A contentedness with his sufficiency, without going out from him to seek righteousness, or life, or furniture in any case, in our own or any of the creatures’ worthiness. 3. A fixedness in our believing in him, a fixedness in our employing and making use of him, and a fixedness in our contentment in him, and adhering to him, so that no allurement, no tentation of Satan or the world, no terror nor trouble, may be able to drive our spirits from firm adherence unto him, or from the constant avowing of his truth and obeying his commands, who hath loved us, and given himself for us; and in whom not only our life is laid up, but also the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily, by reason of the substantial and personal union of the Divine and Human Nature in him.

Hence let every watchful Believer, for strengthening himself in faith and obedience, reason after this manner:

Whosoever doth daily employ Christ Jesus, for cleansing his conscience and affections from the guiltiness and filthiness of sins against the Law, and for enabling of him to give obedience to the Law in love, he hath the evidence of true faith in himself.

But I (may every watchful believer say) do daily employ Jesus Christ, for cleansing my conscience and affections from the guiltiness and filthiness of sins against the Law, and for enabling of me to give obedience to the Law in love.

Therefore I have the evidence of true faith in myself.

And hence also let the sleepy and sluggish believer reason, for his own upstirring, thus:

Whatsoever is necessary for giving evidence of true faith, I must study to do it, except I would deceive myself and perish.

But to employ Christ Jesus daily for cleansing of my conscience and affections from the guiltiness and filthiness of sins against the Law, and for enabling of me to give obedience to the Law in love, is necessary for evidencing of true faith in me.

Therefore this I must study to do, except I would deceive myself and perish.

And lastly, Seeing Christ himself hath pointed this forth as an undoubted evidence of a man elected of God unto life, and given to Jesus Christ to be redeemed, if he come unto him, that is, close Covenant and keep communion with him, as he teacheth us, John 6:37, saying, “All that the Father hath given me, shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out;” Let every person who doth not in earnest make use of Christ for remission of sin and amendment of life reason hence, and from the whole premises, after this manner, that his conscience may be wakened:

Whosoever is neither by the Law, nor by the Gospel, so convinced of sin, righteousness, and judgment, as to make him come to Christ, and employ him daily for remission of sin, and amendment of life, he wanteth not only all evidence of saving faith, but also all appearance of his election, so long as he remaineth in this condition.

But I (may every impenitent person say) am neither by the Law nor Gospel so convinced of sin, righteousness, and judgment, as to make me come to Christ and employ him daily for remission of sin and amendment of life.

Therefore, I want not only all evidence of saving faith, but also all appearance of my election, so long as I remain in this condition.

FINIS

INDEX TO WORDS AND PHRASES TO THE WESTMINSTER STANDARDS

The following abbreviations are used in this index:

WCF= The Westminster Confession of Faith

ER = The Epistle to the Reader

MER = Mr. Thomas Manton’s Epistle to the Reader

I = Of the Holy Scripture

II = Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

III = Of God’s Eternal Decree

IV = Of Creation

V = Of Providence

VI = Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof

VII = Of God’s Covenant with Man

VIII = Of Christ the Mediator

IX = Of Free Will

X = Of Effectual Calling

XI = Of Justification

XII = Of Adoption

XIII = Of Sanctification

XIV = Of Saving Faith

XV = Of Repentance unto Life

XVI = Of Good Works

XVII = Of the Perseverance of the Saints

XVIII = Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation

XIX = Of the Law of God

XX = Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience

XXI = Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day

XXII = Of lawful Oaths and Vows

XXIII = Of the Civil Magistrate

XXIV = Of Marriage and Divorce

XXV = Of the Church

XXVI = Of the Communion of Saints

XXVII = Of the Sacraments

XXVIII = Of Baptism

XXIX = Of the Lord’s Supper

XXX = Of Church Censures

XXXI = Of Synods and Councils

XXXII = Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead

XXXIII = Of the Last Judgment

LC = The Larger Catechism (Questions 1-196)

SC = The Shorter Catechism (Questions 1-107)

SSK = The Sum of Saving Knowledge, etc.

I = Our woeful condition by nature

II = The remedy provided in Jesus Christ

III = The outward means appointed

IV = The blessings which are effectually conveyed

PUSK = The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge

Pref. = Preface

I = For convincing a man of sin by the law

II = For convincing a man of righteousness by the law

III = For convincing a man of judgment by the law

IV = For convincing a man of sin, righteousness and judgment by the gospel

FO = For convincing a man of righteousness to be had only by faith in Jesus Christ

SF = For strengthening the man’s faith who hath agreed unto the covenant of grace

W = Warrants to Believe

WPref. = Preface

W1 = First Warrant

W2 = Second Warrant

W3 = Third Warrant

W4 = Fourth Warrant

E = The Evidences of True Faith

EPref. = Preface

E1 = First thing requisite to evidence true faith

E2 = Second thing requisite to evidence true faith

E3 = Third thing requisite to evidence true faith

E4 = Fourth thing requisite to evidence true faith

EStr. = Hence let every watchful believer, for strengthening himself

DPWG = The Directory for the Publick Worship of God

Pref. = Preface

1 = Of the Assembling of the Congregation and their Behaviour in the Publick Worship of God

2 = Of Publick Reading of the Holy Scriptures

3 = Of Publick Prayer before the Sermon

4 = Of the Preaching of the Word

5 = Of Prayer after Sermon

6 = Of Baptism

7 = Of the Celebration of the Communion, or Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

8 = Of the Sanctification of the Day

9 = The Solemnization of Marriage

10 = Concerning Visitation of the Sick

11 = Concerning Burial of the Dead

12 = Concerning Publick Solemn Fasting

13 = Concerning the Observation of Days of Publick Thanksgiving

14 = Of Singing of Psalms

Appen. = Touching Days and Places for Publick Worship

DFW = The Directory for Family Worship

FPCG = The Form of Presbyterial Church Government

Pref. = Preface

1 = Of the Church

2 = Of the Officers of the Church

3 = Pastors

4 = Teacher or Doctor

5 = Other Church-Governors

6 = Deacons

7 = Of Particular Congregations

8 = Of the Officers of a Particular Congregation

9 = Of the Ordinances in a Particular Congregation

10 = Of Church-Government, and the several sorts of Assemblies for the same

11 = Of the Power in common of all these Assemblies

12 = Of Congregational Assemblies

13 = Of Classical Assemblies

14 = Of Synodical Assemblies

15 = Touching the Doctrine of Ordination

16 = Touching the Power of Ordination

17 = Concerning the Doctrinal Part of Ordination of Ministers

18 = The Directory for the Ordination of Ministers

19 = The Rules for Examination

20 = that which concerns the extraordinary way

NC = The National Covenant

SLC = The Solemn League and Covenant

Letters given in lower case after each reference refer to the proof scripture texts in the edition of the Westminster Standards published by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, 1967.

A

abase, DPW12

abasement, LC47

Abba, Father, WCFXII

abhorred, WCFXXII.II

abide, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E4, DPW5

abideth, WCFXIII.II, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4

abiding, WCFXVII.II, LC78, LC79, PUSK.E4

abilities, WCFXXVI.II, LC141, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20

ability, WCFIX.III, WCFXVI.III, WCFXIX.I, WCFXXII.VII, LC42, LC178, SSKI.III, PUSK.W4, PCG19

able, WCFIX.III, WCFXVI.IV, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXIV.III, LC4, LC67, LC149, LC179, LC192, LC193, LC196, SC82, SC100, SC103, SSKI.II, SSKII.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW10, PCG4, PCG19

able to believe, WCFVII.III

abode, DPW9, PCG18

abominably, WCFXXIX.II

abound, PUSK.E2

abounding, PUSK.E4

abounds, DFWXII

above, WCFV.III, WCFVIII.III, LC42, LC107, SC49, PUSK.I, DPW4, PCGPref

Abraham, DPW6

abridgment, LC121

abroad, DPWPref, DPW3, DFWXIV

abrogated, WCFXIX.III

absence, DPW6

absent, DFWIX

absenting, DPW1

absolute, WCFII.I, WCFIX.I, WCFXX.II

absolution, WCFXXX.II

abstaining, DPW1, DPW4, DPW8

abstinence, DPW12

abundance, DPW3

abundant, WCFII.I, WCFIII.VIII, LC7, DPW9

abuse, LC113, DPW7

abused, LC114, DPW11

abuses, WCFXXIII.III

abusing, LC113, SC55

accept, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXXIII.II, LC67, LC194, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, PUSK.W4, DPW9

acceptable, WCFI.VIII, WCFXXI.VI, SSKII.III

acceptable way of worshipping, WCFXXI.I

acceptance, LC55, LC180, DPW1, DPW3

acceptation, DPW5

accepted, WCFX.I, WCFXI.III, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXVII.I, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXII.VI, LC40, LC67, DFWIX

accepteth, LC70, LC71, SC33

accepting, WCFXI.I, WCFXIV.II, LC72

access, WCFXII, WCFXX.I, LC39, LC55, LC181, DPW7

accessory, DPW3

accompanied, WCFXI.II, WCFXVI.VI, PCG19

accompany, LC73, SC32, SC36, DPW9, DPW11, PCG19

accomplishing, PUSK.W4

accomplishment, SSKII.III

accord, SSKI.III

according, WCFI.VI, WCFII.I, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VII, WCFV.I, WCFV.II, WCFVI.I, WCFVIII.VII, WCFX.IV, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXV.V, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXVIII.VI, WCFXXX.IV, WCFXXXIII.I, LC13, LC14, LC59, LC60, LC99, LC108, LC125, LC127, LC129, LC141, LC145, LC163, LC168, LC187, SC7, SC96, SSKII.I, SSKIII.I, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCG1, PCG3, PCG4, PCG8, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, DFWIX, DFWXII, DFWConcl

account, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXXIII.I, LC172, DPW3, DPW8, DPW9, DFWVIII

accounteth, LC70, PUSK.SF1

accounting, WCFXI.I, LC72, LC110, DPW8

accusations, LC55

accusing, DFWIX

acknowledge, WCFI.VI, LC190, SC46, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW3, PCG19

acknowledged, LC90, SC38, SSKIII.I, DPW9

acknowledging, LC104, LC144, LC190, LC191, LC192, LC193, LC194, LC195, DPW1, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, PCG19

acknowledgment, LC178, SC98, DPW7

acquainted, PUSK.W2, DPW2, PCG19

acquainting, DPW9

acquit, LC194

acquitted, LC90, SC38

acquitting, LC114

act, WCFXI.I, WCFXXII.III, LC73, LC74, SC12, PUSK.E3, PCG16

act of God, WCFXV.III, LC70, LC71, SC33, SC34

acteth, WCFXIV.II

action, DPW7, DPW9

actions, WCFV.I, WCFXIX.III, LC18, LC145, LC151, LC174, SC11, SC72, PUSK.I, DPW3

active, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E2

acts, WCFXIV.II, LC12, LC139, PUSK.W1, PCG3, PCG13

actual, WCFVI.IV, WCFVI.VI, WCFXVI.III, LC25, SSKI.III, PUSK.I

actual sin, WCFVI.VI, LC194, PUSK.I, DPW3, DPW6, DPW10

actual sins, SC18, DPW3

actually, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXI.IV, WCFXXVIII.IV, SSKII.II, PUSK.W1

Adam, WCFIII.VI, WCFVII.II, WCFXIX.I, LC22, LC25, LC31, LC92, LC193, SC16, SC18, SSKII.II, PUSK.W2

Adam & Eve, LC17, LC21, SC13, SC15, SSKI.II

added, WCFI.VI

adding, DPW6

adding to, LC109

address, PCG18, PCG20, DFWXIII

addresses to God, PUSK.E4

adhere, PUSK.W4

adherence, PUSK.E4

adhering, PUSK.E4

adjacent, PCG20

administer, WCFXXVII.III, SC91, DPW10, DPW12, DPWAppen, PCG3, PCG6

administered, WCFVII.V, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXVIII.III, WCFXXVIII.VI, WCFXXVIII.VII, LC33, LC34, LC35, LC161, LC166, LC177, SC95, DPW6, DPW7, PCG9

administration, WCFVII.VI, WCFXIV.I, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXIII.III, LC35, LC43, LC108, LC167, LC169, LC174, SSKIII.II, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, PCG4, PCG7

administrations, LC19, LC33, DPWPref

admirable, DPW5

admiration, LC145

admiration of God, WCFIII.VIII

admired, PUSK.III

admission, WCFXXVIII.I, PCG19

admit, LC144, LC151, DPW4, PCG12

admitted, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC74, LC165, DPW6, DPW7, PCG19

admitting, DFWVI

admonish, LC129, DPW6, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCG12

admonition, WCFXXX.IV, LC151, PUSK.W1, DPW4, DPW6, DFWII, DFWXII

admonitions, PCG19

adopted, WCFIII.VI

adoption, WCFXII, WCFXVIII.II, LC39, LC69, LC74, LC165, SC32, SC34, SC36, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6

adopts, SSKIV.II

adoration, WCFXXIX.IV, DPW1

adoring, LC104

adorn, WCFXVI.II

adultery, WCFXXIV.V, WCFXXIV.VI, LC137, LC139, SC70

advance, LC39

advanced, LC54, SC102, DFWPref, DFWConcl

advancement, LC131, LC132

advantage, DPW10

adversaries, WCFXVI.II

adversity, WCFXXXIII.III, DFWIX

advice, WCFXXXI.V, DPW10

advise, WCFXXXI.II, DPW9

affairs, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXXI.V, LC120, PCG8, DFWIX

affected, LC172, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13

affecting, LC142

affection, PUSK.E2, DPW4

affectionate, PUSK.W2

affectionately, LC174

affections, LC28, LC53, LC99, LC105, LC138, LC139, LC141, LC147, LC148, LC182, LC189, SC81, SSKIV.I, PUSK.I, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E2, PUSK.EStr, DPW7, DPW12

affinity, WCFXXIV.IV, DPW9

affirm, WCFXXVI.III

affixed, PCG19

afflicted, DPW3, DPW4

afflicting of the soul, DPW12

affliction, DPW10

afflictions, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.I, PUSK.W1

after death, WCFXXXII.I, LC82, LC83, LC86, PUSK.II

against the law, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.EStr

age, WCFXIX.III, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC124, LC151, PUSK.W1, DPW2, DPW9, DPW14, PCG1, PCG18, PCG19

ages, SSKII.II, PUSK.W2

aggravate, LC106

aggravating smaller faults, LC145

aggravations, LC150, LC151, SC83, DPW3, DPW12

agree, LC176, DPW4

agreeable, SC98, DPWPref, PCG10, PCG11, PCG12, PCG13, PCG14, PCG15, PCG17

agreed, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.W2

agreed upon, SSKII.I, DPWPref

agreement, WCFXXXI.III

aiming, LC159, PUSK.W3, DFWV

alive, WCFXXXII.II, LC87, DPWPref

all ages, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXXI.VII, LC43, LC62, LC63, SSKII.II, PUSK.W2

all in all, WCFXXV.I, PCGPref

all men, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXXIII.III, LC30, LC84, LC94, LC95, LC97, LC116, LC171, LC190, LC192, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2, DPW10

all things, WCFI.VI, WCFI.VII, WCFII.I, WCFII.II, WCFIV.I, WCFV.I, WCFV.II, WCFV.VII, WCFVII.IV, WCFVIII.I, LC7, LC15, LC43, LC45, LC54, LC104, LC106, LC129, LC184, LC190, LC192, LC193, LC195, SC9, SC48, SC101, SC103, SSKI.II, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW3, PCGPref, PCG19

all-sufficiency, PUSK.W4, DPW3

all-sufficient, WCFII.II, LC7, PUSK.SF2, DPW10

alleged, PCG4

allowed, DPW2, DFWConcl

allowing, LC120, LC139, SC62

allurement, PUSK.E4

almighty, WCFII.I, WCFV.IV, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFX.I, LC7, LC67, LC101, SSKI.I

alone, WCFII.II, WCFIX.IV, WCFIX.V, WCFX.II, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.II, WCFXIV.II, WCFXX.II, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXIX.II, WCFXXIX.IV, WCFXXIX.VI, LC4, LC60, LC70, LC101, LC179, LC181, LC196, SC33, SC47, SC86, PUSK.I, PUSK.SF2, DPW7, DPW10, DFWPref

always, WCFI.VI, WCFXXV.V, WCFXXXIII.III, LC33, LC73, LC99, DPW2, DPW4, PCG15, PCG17, DFWIV

ambassadors, PUSK.W2

Amen, WCFXXXIII.III, LC196, SC107

amendment, DPW10

amendment of life, PUSK.EStr

amiss, DPW12

ample, PCG3

analogy, PCG12

analysing, DPW4

ancestors, DPWPref

ancient, DPW4

angel, DPW7

angels, WCFII.II, WCFIII.III, WCFIII.IV, WCFV.IV, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXXIII.I, LC12, LC13, LC16, LC19, LC56, LC88, LC89, LC90, LC105, LC192, SC103, SSKI.II, SSKI.III, PUSK.III

anger, LC136

annexed, WCFXXVIII.V

anointed, WCFVIII.III, LC42

another, WCFXXIV.V, WCFXXVI.III, LC131, LC132, LC162, PUSK.E2, DPW13, PCG7, PCG12, PCG14, PCG19, DFWIV

answer, WCFX.II, LC67, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4

answerable, LC112, DPW7

answering, LC55, DPW4

answers of grace, DPW12

antichrist, WCFXXV.VI, DPW3

antichristian, DPW3, DPW5

antiquity, LC109

apart, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXIX.V, LC42, LC156, LC169, DPW7, DPW12, PCG7, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20, DFWI, DFWVIII

Apocrypha, WCFI.III, DPW2

apostate, WCFXXXIII.I

apostatizing, LC105

apostle, PUSK.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, DPW7, PCG13, PCG15, PCG17

apostles, LC53, PUSK.SF1, PCG1, PCG2, PCG10, PCG13, PCG19

apostles’ times, WCFXXXI.IV

apparel, LC138, LC139, DPW12

appeal, WCFI.VIII

appear, WCFXXXIII.I, LC2, LC4, LC11, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W2, DPW1, DPW10, PCG13, PCG19

appearance, PUSK.EStr

appearances, LC99

appeared, LC53

appearing, LC55, LC144, LC145

appertain, PCG16, PCG17

appertaining, PCG19

application, LC58, LC157, SC29, PUSK.W1, DPW4, PCG4

applied, LC55, LC59, LC194, SC92, SSKII.II, DPW4, DPW7, PCG9

applies, SSKIV.I

applieth, LC73, SC30

apply, WCFVIII.VIII, LC170, SC30, PUSK.W1, DPW4, DPW5, DPW7, DPW10, DPW11, DFWIII, DFWVIII

apply Christ, WCFXI.IV

applying, LC75, LC159, SSKII.II, DPW4, DPW12

appointed, WCFIII.VI, WCFX.I, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXVIII.VI, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXX.I, WCFXXXI.III, WCFXXXIII.I, LC32, LC84, LC109, LC116, LC169, LC172, LC181, SC50, SC51, SC58, SC59, SSKII.II, SSKII.III, SSKIII.Pref, DPW3, DPW9, DPW10, DPW11, DPW14, PCG2, PCG19, PCG20

appointing, WCFXXXIII.II, LC20

appointment, WCFXXVIII.I, LC163, LC168, LC169, SC96, SSKII.II

apprehended, LC194

apprehension, WCFXV.II, LC76, LC172, LC185, SC87

apprehensions, LC182, LC189

approach, DPW1

approach to Christ, PUSK.W3

approbation, PCG19

approbation of God, WCFXIX.VI

approve, LC175

approved, WCFI.III, LC158, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, DFWIV

approver of sin, WCFV.IV

approving, LC109

apt, WCFXXIV.VI, DPW10, DFWConcl

Aquila and Priscilla, PCG13

archangel, LC56

argue, PCG13

argument, LC106

arguments, WCFI.V, WCFXXIV.VI, LC196, DPW4

aright, LC190, DPW3

ariseth, WCFXIII.II, WCFXVII.II, LC78

arm, DPW10

armed, WCFXXIII.I

armies, DPW5, PCG20

arms, PUSK.W1

arose from the dead, WCFVIII.IV

art, DPW4

arts, DPW4

ascended, WCFVIII.IV, PCGPref

ascending, SC28

ascension, LC51, LC53, PCG19

ascribing, LC11, LC105, LC196, SC107

ashamed, WCFXVIII.I, LC113, DPW4

aside, LC195, DPWPref, DPW8, DPW11, DPWAppen, DFWX

ask, LC180, LC194, SC105, DFWIX

asked, DFWIX

ass, LC146, SC79

assailed, WCFXIV.III

assaulted, LC195

assembled, DPW1, DPW13

assemblies, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXXI.I, WCFXXXI.II, PUSK.W1, PCG10, PCG11, PCG12, PCG13, PCG14

assembling, DPW1, DPW13, DPWAppen

assembly, DPW1, PCG7, PCG19, DFWPref

Assembly of Divines, DPW5

assenteth, LC72

assert, WCFX.IV

asserteth, WCFXXII.I

assignation, PUSK.W1

assigned, PCG19

assist, PCG19

assistance, DPW1, DPW3, DPW7, DPW8, DPW13

associate, PCG16

associated, PCG16, PCG17, PCG20

association, PCG20

assume, WCFXXIII.III, SSKII.II, PCG16

assurance, WCFI.V, WCFXIV.III, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXVIII.IV, LC81, LC196, SC36, SC107, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW7, DFWIX

assurance of forgiveness, LC194

assurance of pardon of sin, LC167

assure, LC52, PUSK.W1

assured, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXVIII.I, LC80, LC81, LC172

assureth, PUSK.E2

assuring, DPW7

asunder, WCFXXIV.VI

atheism, LC105, LC190

atheists, DFWX

attain, WCFI.VII, WCFXVI.IV, WCFXVIII.III, LC94, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7

attained, DPW4

attaining, WCFXXX.IV, DPWPref

attainment, WCFXIV.III

attend, LC160, LC175, SC90, DPW1

attendance, LC175

attending, WCFIII.VIII, DPW4

attention, LC157, LC174

attire, DPW12

attorney, PUSK.W4

attributed, WCFVIII.VII, WCFXXVII.II

attributes, LC11, LC112, LC113, LC151, LC190, SC54

audience, PUSK.W1

auditors, DPW4

authentical, WCFI.VIII

author, WCFI.IV, WCFXIV.III, LC176

author of sin, WCFIII.I, WCFV.IV

authoritative, PCG12

authoritatively, WCFXXXI.III, PCG12

authority, WCFI.III, WCFI.IV, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIII.IV, LC42, LC124, LC127, LC129, LC130, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW9, DPW12, PCG12, PCG20, DFWII

authority of God, WCFI.V, WCFXIV.II, WCFXIX.V

authorizing, WCFXXVII.III

authors, PCG19

averse, WCFIX.III

averting, DPW3, DPW12

avoid, DPW3, DPW4

avoided, LC99

avoiding, LC135, LC141, LC145, DFWPref

avouching, LC105

avowing, PUSK.E4

awaken, LC96, DPW10

awakened, PUSK.EStr, DPW10

awe, DPW12

awful, LC185, PUSK.W3

B

backbiting, LC145

backsliding, LC113

badge, DPW6

baptised, WCFXXVIII.V

baptism, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXVIII.III, WCFXXVIII.VI, WCFXXVIII.VII, LC35, LC164, LC165, LC166, LC167, LC176, LC177, SC93, SC94, SC95, SSKIII.II, DPW6

baptize, DPW6

baptized, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXVIII.IV, LC165, LC166, LC167, SC95, DPW6

baptizing, DPW6

bare mentioning, LC180

bargain, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1

barren, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E4

barrenness, DPW3

bear, LC143, SC76, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW10, PCG7

beareth, PUSK.I, PUSK.E4

bearing, WCFI.V, LC4, LC80, LC127, LC135, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW4

become, WCFXXV.V, LC37, LC47, LC161, LC194, SC22, SC90, SC91, SSKI.III, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.E4, DPWPref

becometh, PUSK.E3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW13, DFWI

beds, LC86

before me, LC103, LC106, SC45, SC48

before men, PUSK.E1

before the world began, SSKII.I, SSKII.II

before time, SSKI.I

before-hand, WCFXXI.VIII, DPW8

beg, WCFXI.V, LC175

beget, LC10, PUSK.W1

beginning, WCFIV.I, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXXI.VII, LC15, LC83, LC116, LC121, SC59, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW4, DPW8

beginning of the world, WCFVIII.VI

begotten, WCFII.III, WCFVIII.I, LC10, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1

behalf, WCFXI.III, LC71, PUSK.SF2, PCG19

behave, PUSK.W2

behaved, LC175

behaviour, LC127, LC130, LC135, LC138, LC139, SC71, DPW1

behold, WCFXXXII.I, LC86, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, DPW10

belief in, PUSK.W3

believe, WCFVII.III, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXIV.I, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXX.II, LC5, LC59, LC60, LC80, LC87, LC97, LC157, SC3, SSKII.III, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.WPref, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E4, DPW10, DFWIX

believed, WCFI.IV, WCFI.VII, LC179, PUSK.III, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2

believer, WCFXVIII.III, SSKII.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.EStr, DPW10

believers, WCFXI.VI, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.I, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.VII, LC4, LC55, LC77, LC78, LC79, LC80, LC81, SC37, SC38, SC92, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E4, DPW4, DPW6, PCG7, PCG13

believers and their seed, DPW6

believes, LC63

believeth, WCFXIV.II, WCFXXII.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W4

believing, WCFXI.I, WCFXXVIII.IV, LC104, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4

belong, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXXVII.I, PUSK.W2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW12, PCG7, PCG15, PCG17

belongeth, WCFXXVIII.VI, WCFXXXI.III, SC65, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PCG3, DFWIV

belonging, WCFVII.IV, LC52, LC109, SC64, PUSK.W1, DPW4, PCG12, PCG19

beloved, WCFXVII.I, LC194

beneficial, DPW11

benefit, WCFXXVII.III, LC121, LC175, DPWPref, DPW7, DFWI

benefits, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXIX.III, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.VII, LC57, LC58, LC65, LC121, LC153, LC154, LC162, LC167, LC170, LC176, SC32, SC36, SC37, SC38, SC85, SC88, SC92, SC94, SC96, SSKII.II, SSKII.III, SSKIII.II, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DFWIX

bent, PUSK.I

bequeathed, WCFVII.IV

beseech, PUSK.W2

beseeching, DPW1, DPW9, DPW10

bestow, LC195, DPW6

bestowed, PUSK.E3

betray, WCFXX.II

betrayed, WCFXXIX.I, LC49

better, WCFI.I, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXX.IV, WCFXXXI.I, WCFXXXI.III, LC121, PUSK.SF1, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW7, DPW12, DPW13, PCG7, PCG19, PCG20, DFWII

bewail, LC172, DPW3

bewailing, DPW10

beware, DPW10, DPW13, DFWIII

Bible, DPW2

bind, WCFXIX.V, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXII.VI, DPW3

bindeth, LC99, PUSK.SF2

binding, WCFXXI.VII, LC93, LC95

binds, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXII.IV

birth, LC46, LC47, DPW6

bitter, SSKI.III, DPW3

bitterness, DPW4

blaspheme, PUSK.IV

blasphemies, WCFXXIII.III, DPW3

blasphemous, WCFXXVI.III, DPW4

blasphemy, LC113

bless, WCFXXIX.III, LC129, LC175, LC195, PUSK.SF2, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, DPW13, PCG3, DFWVIII

blessed, LC115, LC120, LC193, SC38, SC57, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DFWVII

blessedness, WCFII.II, WCFVII.I, LC7, SSKIV.II

blessing, LC120, LC161, SC62, SC91, SC104, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCG3, PCG9, PCG19, PCG20

blessings, WCFXIX.VI, LC167, LC193, SSKII.II, SSKIV.Pref, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW5, DPW12, PCG3

blind, WCFV.VI, WCFXVI.I, WCFXX.II, LC105, PUSK.E2

blindness, LC192

blindness of mind, LC28, DPW3

blood, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC165, LC168, LC169, SC96, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E3, DPWPref, DPW6, DPW7

blood of Christ, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VII, LC152, LC170, PUSK.FO, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10

bloody, SSKIII.II

boasted, DPWPref

boasting, LC145

boastingly, LC151

bodies, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXII.II, WCFXXXII.III, LC28, LC86, LC87, SC37, SSKIV.II

bodily, PUSK.E4

bodily delights, DPW12

bodily weakness, DPW12

body, WCFII.I, WCFVI.II, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXV.I, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXIX.VII, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXXII.III, WCFXXXIII.I, LC17, LC29, LC37, LC52, LC60, LC87, LC89, LC90, LC93, LC129, LC138, LC167, LC168, LC170, LC174, SC22, SC96, SC97, SSKII.II, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.E4, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW10, DPW11, PCGPref, DFWIX

body of Christ, LC169, DPW7

body of sin, WCFXIII.I, DPW6

body politick, WCFXIX.IV

Bohemia, DPW3

bold, LC105

boldness, WCFXII, WCFXX.I, LC39, LC55, LC180

bond, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXIX.I

bond slaves, LC27

, WCFIX.IV, LC101, SC43, DPW10

to Satan, WCFXX.I

book, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW9, DPW14

Book of Common Prayer, DPWPref

book of Psalms, DPW2

book of the law, PUSK.II

books, WCFI.II, WCFI.III, LC139, DPW2

born, LC37, LC47, SC22, SC27, SSKII.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW6

born in sin, LC26

borne, LC49

bosom, DPW6

bosom of the Father, LC47

bought, PUSK.W1

bound, WCFVI.VI, WCFXV.VI, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVI.IV, WCFXIX.I, WCFXXVI.II, LC97, LC99, LC101, LC118, LC156, SC44, SSKI.II, DPW6, DPW12, PCG7

bounding, WCFV.IV

bounds, PCG7, PCG11, PCG16, PCG17

bow down, LC107, SC49

bowing, DPW1

branch, DPW4

branches, SSKI.III, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E4, PCG12

breach, WCFXIX.I, LC30, LC93, LC145, DPW3

bread, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXIX.VII, LC168, LC169, LC170, LC177, LC193, SC96, SC104, PUSK.W1, DPW7

bread of life, DPW3

break, WCFXXIX.III, LC149, LC151, LC169, SC82, SSKI.III, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, DPW7

break forth, DPW3

breakers, LC110, SC56

breaking, SSKI.Pref, PUSK.E1

breaking forth, PUSK.II

breaking of the law, PUSK.II, PUSK.E3

breaking the law, PUSK.II

breaks forth, LC151

breed, DFWConcl

brethren, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXXX.III, LC151, LC171, LC183, PUSK.SF1, PCG19

bribery, LC142

brief, DPW4

briers, PUSK.E4

brimstone, DPW3

bring forth, LC160, DPW5

bringeth, LC30, PUSK.I, DPW6

bringeth forth, PUSK.E4

bringing forth, PUSK.SF1

bringing out, PUSK.SF1

broken, LC169, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10

broken-hearted, DPW3

brother, WCFXV.VI

brotherly, PCG19

brotherly love, LC167

brotherly-kindness, PUSK.E2

brought about, PUSK.SF2

bruise, PUSK.W1

build up, WCFVII.V, LC4, LC34

building, SC89, PUSK.WPref, DPWPref

building up, LC155, LC191, PCG19

built, PUSK.W3, DPW4

burden, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW7

burdened, PUSK.W4

burdensome, DPWPref

burial, DPW11

burial of the dead, DPW11

buried, WCFVIII.IV, LC50, SC27

burneth, DPW3

business, LC117, DPW8, DPW12, DPW13, PCG11, PCG12, DFWX

buy, PUSK.W1

bygone sins, PUSK.SF2

C

cadences of sounds, DPW4

calamity, DFWXII

call, WCFX.I, WCFX.II, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXIX.II, WCFXXXI.II, LC67, PUSK.W2, DPW3, PCG11, PCG12, PCG14

called, WCFI.III, WCFVII.III, WCFVII.V, WCFVII.VI, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.III, WCFX.III, WCFX.IV, WCFXIII.I, WCFXVII.I, WCFXIX.III, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXV.VI, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXXI.I, LC25, LC30, LC41, LC42, LC68, LC116, LC145, LC158, LC159, LC186, LC191, SC18, SC99, SSKIII.Pref, SSKIV.Pref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, DPW2, DPW3, DPW6, DPWAppen, PCGPref, PCG4, PCG5, PCG10, PCG18, PCG19, DFWIII

called to account, WCFXX.IV

called upon, WCFXXI.I

calleth, WCFXI.I, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXII.I, LC145, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DFWXI

calling, WCFXVIII.III, LC45, LC104, LC108, LC141, LC145, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW6, DPW8, PCG14, PCG15, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, DFWIII, DFWV

calling, effectual, WCFIII.VI, LC66, LC67, LC68, SC30, SC31, SC32, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W4

callings, LC99, LC138, LC142, DPW3, DPW8, DFWConcl

calls, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW13

cannot, WCFIII.IV, WCFX.IV, WCFXVI.V, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC60, LC152, PUSK.II, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E4, DPW2, DPW3, DPW7, DPW14, PCG7, PCG20

cannot please God, WCFXVI.VII

canon, WCFI.III

canonical, DPW2

capable, LC85, DPWAppen, DFWII

capacities, LC159

capacity, PUSK.W4

captive, LC195, DFWV

captivity, DPW3

care, WCFIII.VIII, WCFV.VII, WCFXXII.V, LC63, LC74, LC97, LC141, LC144, LC175, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, PCG3, PCG6, PCG8, PCG18, PCG19, DFWI, DFWIV, DFWVI, DFWVIII, DFWXIV

careful, LC104, LC135, DPWPref

carefully, PUSK.E1, DPW4, DPW9, PCG19, DFWXI

careless, LC119, LC130, SC61

carelessly, WCFXXI.VI

carelessness, DPWPref

cares, LC136, LC142, DPW3, DPW9

carnal, LC170, SC96, DPW13, DFWVII

carnal delights, LC105

carnal presumptions, WCFXVIII.I

carnal security, WCFXXXIII.III, LC105

carnally, WCFXXIX.VII, LC170

carriage, LC128, LC129, LC175, PUSK.W2

carry, PUSK.W2, PCG19

carrying, WCFXXIX.IV

cases of conscience, PCG19

cast, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC86, LC89, DPW3, DPW10

cast down, DPW10

cast off, WCFXII, DPW10

cast out, PUSK.EStr, PCG12

catechise, PCG3

catechising, DPW8, PCG9, DFWII, DFWVIII

catechisms, PUSK.Pref

catholick, WCFXXV.I, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXV.IV

cattle, LC115, SC57

caught up, LC90

cause, WCFV.II, WCFXV.III, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXIX.VI, LC145, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E4, DPW4, DPW9, DPW10, DPWAppen, PCG15, PCG17

causes, WCFIII.I, WCFIII.V, WCFV.II, LC99, DPW4, PCG11, PCG19

causing, PUSK.W1

cautious, PCG19

cavils, DPW4

ceased, WCFI.I, PCG2

celebrate, DPW13

celebrated, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW7, DPW8

celebration, DPW7

censures, WCFXXX.II, WCFXXX.III, LC45, LC114, PCG11

censures of the church, WCFXX.IV, LC151

censuring, LC145

ceremonial law, WCFXX.I

ceremonial laws, WCFXIX.III

ceremonies, SSKIII.II, PUSK.W1, DPWPref

ceremony, DPW6, DPW9, DPW11

certain, WCFIII.IV, SSKII.II, PUSK.II, PUSK.SFPref, PCG7

certainly, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXVII.I, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXXXIII.III, LC59

certainty, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXVII.II, WCFXVIII.II

certification, PUSK.W4

certifieth, PUSK.W4

cessation, DPW8

challenging, LC120, SC62

chance, DPW10

change, WCFIV.II, WCFXXIX.VI, LC16, SSKI.III, SSKIV.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.E4, DPW10

changed, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXXII.II, LC87, PUSK.E4

changes, SSKIV.II

chapter, LC98, PUSK.W1, DPW2, DPW4, PCG13

chapters, PUSK.W1, DPW2, PCG13

charge, LC118, DPW7, DPW10, PCG3, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, DFWI, DFWIII, DFWVIII, DFWX

charged, PCG12

charges, DFWI

charging, LC105, PUSK.W3, DPW9

charitable, LC135, LC144, LC147, SC80

charity, LC171, PUSK.E2, DPW8, DPW13

charms, LC113

chaste, LC138

chastened, WCFXII

chastening, DPW10

chastise, WCFV.V

chastiseth, PUSK.E2

chastising, LC129

chastity, LC138, SC71

checks, DPW3

cheerful, DPW13

cheerfully, WCFXIX.VII

cheerfulness, WCFXVIII.III, LC125, LC135, LC192

cherish, WCFXX.III, LC162

cherished, DFWVIII, DFWConcl

cherishing, DFWPref

chief end, LC1, SC1

chief hand, DFWIII

child, DPW6

child-like, WCFXX.I, LC189

children, WCFV.V, WCFXXV.II, LC62, LC74, LC107, LC110, SC49, SC100, SSKIII.I, PUSK.SF1, DPW6, DPW9, PCG1, DFWIX

children of Abraham, DPW6

children of God, WCFXII, WCFXVIII.II, LC80, SSKIV.II, DFWIX

children of Satan, SSKIV.II

children of wrath, LC27, DPW10

choice, DPW4, DPW9, DPW12

choose, WCFVIII.I

choosing, LC104

chosen, WCFIII.V, LC13, LC75, SSKII.II, SSKIV.Pref, SSKIV.II, PCG20

Christ alone, WCFXIV.II, WCFXXI.II, LC60, LC181, PUSK.SF2

Christ Jesus, WCFXVI.II, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.EPref, DPW3, PCG19

Christ’s death and resurrection, WCFXIII.I

Christ’s sake, WCFXI.I

Christian, WCFI.VI, WCFXIV.II, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXII.VII, LC116, SC59, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW6, DPW8, DPW11, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG19, DFWIV, DFWXIII

Christian liberty, WCFXX.III, WCFXX.IV

Christian religion, WCFX.IV, DPW6

Christianity, WCFXX.IV

Christians, WCFXX.I, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXIV.III, LC172, LC175, DPWPref, DPW6, DPW9, DPW14, DPWAppen, PCG7

chronology, PCG19

church, WCFI.I, WCFI.VIII, WCFV.VII, WCFVIII.I, WCFXIX.III, WCFXX.I, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXV.V, WCFXXV.VI, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXX.I, WCFXXX.III, WCFXXX.IV, WCFXXXI.I, WCFXXXI.II, WCFXXXI.III, LC42, LC43, LC52, LC54, LC60, LC61, LC124, LC151, LC154, LC162, LC164, LC173, LC184, LC191, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCGPref, PCG1, PCG2, PCG3, PCG5, PCG6, PCG10, PCG12, PCG13, PCG14, PCG15, PCG16, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20, DFWConcl

church censures, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXX.III

church government, LC108

church of Christ, WCFXV.VI, LC176, LC183

Church of England, DPWPref, PCG19

church of Ephesus, PCG13

church of God, WCFI.III, DPW9

church office, PCG15, PCG17

church, general, PCG1

church, invisible, WCFXXV.I, LC61, LC64, LC65, LC69, LC82, LC83, LC86, LC90

church, visible, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXVIII.I, LC61, LC62, LC63, LC165, LC166, SC95, PUSK.W3, DPW6, PCG1

church-censures, PCG11

church-door, PCG19

Church-government, PCG10

church-governors, DPW7, PCG2, PCG5, PCG13, PCG14

church-officers, WCFXXX.I

churches, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXV.V, WCFXXXI.II, DPWPref, DPW3, PCG1, PCG5, PCG10, DFWIX

churches of Christ, WCFXXV.V

circumcise, DPW3

circumcision, WCFVII.V, LC34, SSKIII.II

circumspect, DFWIII

circumspection, DPW4

circumstances, WCFI.VI, LC47, LC151

cities, PCG16, PCG17

citing, DPW1, DPW4

city, DPW3, PCG20

city of London, PCG20

civil, WCFXX.IV, DPW11

civil affairs, WCFXXXI.V

civil government, DPW3

civil magistrate, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXX.I, WCFXXXI.V, LC191

civil magistrates, WCFXXIII.I

civil punishments, LC151

clad, SSKII.III

classical, PCG10, PCG13, PCG14

cleanse, PUSK.E1

cleanseth, PUSK.FO

cleansing, PUSK.EStr, DPW6

clear, WCFI.VII, WCFII.I, LC89

cleared, DPW4

clearer, WCFXIX.VI

clearly, WCFI.IX, LC144, SSKIII.II, PUSK.W2, DPW4

clearly propounded, WCFI.VII

cloak, PUSK.IV, DPW3

clogged, PUSK.E2

close, WCFV.V, PUSK.W1, PUSK.EStr, DPW12

closed, PUSK.W1, DFWIX

closely, PUSK.W2, DPW12

clothe, PUSK.E1

clouds, LC90

cohabit, PCG7

cohabitation, LC138

coherence of matter, DPW2

collection, DPW13, PCG9

collection for the poor, DPW7

come, WCFI.VIII, WCFIII.II, WCFV.II, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.II, WCFX.I, WCFX.IV, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVII.III, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXXIII.II, WCFXXXIII.III, LC27, LC34, LC58, LC63, LC68, LC96, LC121, LC152, LC171, LC172, LC173, LC191, SC84, SC102, SSKIII.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.EStr, DPW1, DPW7, DPW10, DPW13, PCGPref, PCG3, PCG11, PCG19, PCG20, DFWVII, DFWIX

come again, LC56

come to pass, DPWPref

comely, DPW7

cometh, LC121, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr

cometh to God, PUSK.W3

cometh to pass, SSKI.I

comfort, WCFI.I, WCFI.VIII, LC4, LC39, LC142, LC155, LC175, LC193, SC89, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW10, PCG3, DFWIII, DFWXII

comfortable, LC29, LC193, DPW8, DPW10

comforting, LC135, LC191, DPW3, DFWXII

comforts, WCFXVII.III, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9

coming, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC53, LC176, LC191, SC28, SC97, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E4, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, PCG1, DFWIX

coming again, LC51, LC56

coming of the Lord, LC88

command, WCFIV.II, LC92, LC180, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW7

commanded, WCFI.VIII, WCFXVI.I, WCFXXII.VII, LC99, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.W3, DPWAppen, DFWIII

commander, PUSK.W1

commanding, LC109, LC130

commandment, WCFVIII.III, WCFXXI.VII, LC21, LC103, LC104, LC105, LC106, LC107, LC108, LC109, LC110, LC111, LC112, LC113, LC114, LC115, LC116, LC119, LC120, LC121, LC123, LC124, LC126, LC133, LC134, LC135, LC136, LC137, LC138, LC139, LC140, LC141, LC142, LC143, LC144, LC145, LC146, LC147, LC148, SC45, SC46, SC47, SC48, SC49, SC50, SC51, SC52, SC53, SC54, SC55, SC56, SC57, SC58, SC61, SC62, SC63, SC64, SC65, SC66, SC67, SC68, SC69, SC70, SC71, SC72, SC73, SC74, SC75, SC76, SC77, SC78, SC79, SC80, SC81, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3

commandments, WCFXV.II, WCFXVI.II, WCFXIX.II, WCFXX.II, LC16, LC98, LC99, LC100, LC101, LC102, LC107, LC110, LC121, LC122, LC149, LC151, SC41, SC42, SC43, SC44, SC49, SC82, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, DPW3

commands, WCFII.II, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXXIII.IV, LC99, LC105, LC127, LC128, SSKIV.I, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E4

commemoration, WCFXXIX.II

commend, DPW2

commendable, DFWIII, DFWVII

commended, PCG18

commending, LC129, PCG19

commerce, LC141

commission, LC53, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PCG3, PCG5, PCG10

commit, WCFI.I, LC137, SC70

committed, WCFXXIV.V, WCFXXX.II, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10, PCG19

common, WCFI.VI, WCFVIII.II, WCFXX.I, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXIX.III, LC48, LC52, LC94, LC97, LC151, LC169, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, PCG11

common operations of the Spirit, WCFX.IV, LC68

common people, DPWPref

common prayer, DPWPref

common sense, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXIX.VI

common-place, DPW4, PCG19

commonality, DPW3

commonwealth, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXXI.V, LC124, DPW3, DPW9

communicants, WCFXXIX.III, LC169, DPW7

communicate, WCFVIII.VIII, LC168, LC170, PUSK.E4, DPW7

communicated, WCFVIII.VI, LC59, LC83, DPW7

communicates, LC153, LC154

communicateth, SC85, SC88

communicating, WCFXXIX.III

communication, DPW5, DFWXIV

communications, WCFXX.I, LC139

communion, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXVI.III, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC20, LC63, LC65, LC69, LC82, LC83, LC85, LC86, LC90, LC162, LC168, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW7, PCG7

communion with God, WCFIV.II, WCFVI.II, LC27, SC19, DPW8, DFWI, DFWVIII

compacts, LC105

company, LC90, LC138, LC139, PCG7, DFWXIV

compassion, LC135

competent, DPW9, PCG19

competent portion, SC104

Compilers, DPWPref

complaint, LC145

complaints, WCFXXXI.III

completely, SSKII.II, PUSK.W3

compliance, DPWPref

comply, WCFXIX.VII

compose, DPW1

composed, DPW10

composition, WCFVIII.II

comprehended, LC98, SC41, SSKI.III, DFWII

comprehendeth, LC51, PUSK.I, PUSK.II

comprehensive, DPW5

concealing, LC145

conceive, PCG17, DFWIX

conceived, WCFVIII.II, LC26, LC37, LC151, SC22

conception, LC46, LC47

concern, WCFXXXI.V, DPW9, PCG11

conclude, WCFXXXI.V, DPW9

conclusion, LC188, LC196, SC107

concur, DFWX

condemn, PUSK.III, PUSK.E1

condemnation, LC77, LC89, SSKIV.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E3

condemned, WCFXIX.VI, LC49, LC56, LC97, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E3

condemning, WCFXX.I, DFWIX

condescension, WCFVII.I, LC189

condition, WCFVII.II, LC20, LC32, LC46, LC48, LC72, LC141, LC147, SC12, SC27, SC80, SSKI.Pref, SSKI.II, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EStr, DPW4, DPW9, DPW10, DPW11, PCG8, PCG13, DFWII, DFWXIII

conditions, WCFIII.II, WCFIII.V, PUSK.IV, DPW12

conduce, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXVI.I, LC191

conducing, DPW12

confer, LC160, DPW10, DFWIII

conference, DFWIII

conferences, DPW1, DPW8, DPW11, DFWII, DFWVIII

conferred, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC167

conferring, DPW12

confess, WCFXI.V, SSKIII.I, DPW3, DFWIX

confessing, DPW10, DPW12

confession, WCFXV.VI, LC145, LC178, SC98, DPW3

Confession of Faith, PUSK.Pref

confidence, LC180, LC189, SC100, PUSK.WPref, DPW3

confined, WCFXXV.II

confirm, WCFXXVII.I, LC177, PUSK.W1, DPW4, DPW6, DFWVIII

confirmed, LC168, DPWPref, DPW4

confirming, LC191, SSKIII.I, DPW4

conflict, WCFXVIII.III

conflicted, LC49

conflicting, LC48

conform, LC97

conformable, WCFXXXII.III

conforming, LC155, DPWPref

conformity, LC24, LC93, LC99, SC14

confusion, WCFVIII.II, DPW3

confutation, DPW4

confute, DPW4

congregation, WCFXXIX.III, LC156, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, PCG4, PCG8, PCG9, PCG12, PCG13, PCG15, PCG16, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20, DFWVIII, DFWIX

congregational, PCG10, PCG12, PCG14

congregations, DPW3, DPW12, PCG7, PCG12, PCG13, PCG16, PCG17, PCG20, DFWPref, DFWVII

conjectural, WCFXVIII.II

conjugal, DPW9

conjugal love, LC138

conquer, LC38

conquering, SC26

consanguinity, DPW9

consanguinity, degrees of, WCFXXIV.IV

conscience, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXX.II, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXXI.III, WCFXXXI.V, LC28, LC55, LC80, LC83, LC105, LC151, SC36, PUSK.I, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E3, PUSK.EStr, DPW7, DPW10, PCG19, DFWXIII

conscience’ sake, WCFXXIII.IV

consciences, WCFXVII.III, LC89, LC96, LC175, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10

conscionable, WCFXXI.V, DPW3

conscionably, DFWX

consecration, WCFXXIX.VI, DPWAppen

consent, WCFI.V, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXIV.IV, LC4, SSKIV.I, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW9, PCG19

consenting, PUSK.FO

consents, PUSK.W2

consequence, WCFI.VI, DPW4, PCG3

conservation, DPW3

consider, WCFXXII.III, LC100, LC175, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, DPW6, DPW10, PCG19, DFWXII

consideration, LC167, DPW10

considerations, DPWPref

considered, DPW7, PCG18, PCG19

consist, LC188, SC27, PCG13

consisted, LC50, SC27, PCG13

consolation, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXXXIII.III, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DPW7

consolations, DPW4

constancy, LC192

constant, WCFV.V, PUSK.E4, DPW9

constantly, LC76, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W2, DFWIV

consult, WCFXXXI.II

consultation, DPWPref

consulting, LC105

contained, WCFI.II, WCFXIX.V, LC101, LC110, LC113, LC189, SC2, PUSK.Pref, DPWPref, DPW4, PCG19

contemn, WCFXXVIII.V, DPW6

contempt, LC68, LC109, LC128, LC145, DFWConcl

content, WCFXV.V, PUSK.W2, DPW9

contented, DPWPref

contentedness, PUSK.E4

contention, DPWPref

contentment, LC147, LC193, SC80, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E4

context, DPW4

continency, LC138

contingency, WCFIII.I

contingent, WCFII.II

contingently, WCFV.II

continual, WCFXIII.II, WCFXIII.III, LC44, LC79, SC25

continually, LC25, LC55, SSKI.III, SSKII.III, PUSK.I, PCG10

continuance, LC96, LC151, LC175, LC177, DPW5, DPW6, DPW13, PCG13

continue, WCFXI.V, WCFXVII.III, LC21, LC53, LC86, LC116, LC121, LC194, SC13, SC59, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, DPW6, DPW12, PCG19

continued, WCFXIX.II, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXVIII.I, LC176, LC193, DPWPref, DPW7, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG3, PCG15, PCG17

continueth, SC21

continuing, LC50, SC27, PUSK.E4

contract, WCFXXIV.V, SSKI.II, DPW9

contractors, PUSK.W2

contracts, LC141, LC142, DPW10

contrary, WCFVI.VI, WCFXV.II, WCFXIX.VII, WCFXX.II, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIX.IV, LC83, LC99, LC167, LC193, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW4, DFWConcl

controversies, WCFI.VIII, WCFI.X, WCFXXXI.III

controversy, PCG19

convene, DFWIV

convened, DFWII

convenience, DPW7

conveniency, DPW5, DPW9, PCG7

convenient, LC141, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW11, DPW13, DPW14, PCG7, PCG8, DFWIX

conveniently, DPW6, DPW7, DPW12, PCG7, PCG16

convent, PCG11

conventions, DPW13

conversation, WCFXX.IV, LC112, LC167, DPW3, PCG18, PCG19

converse, PCG19

conversed, LC53

conversing, DPW4

conversion, WCFVIII.II, LC159, DPW3, DPW4

convert, WCFIX.III, LC4, SSKIV.I

converted, LC191, SSKIII.I, PUSK.E1, DPW4

converting, LC191, SC89

converts, WCFIX.IV

convey the truth, DPW4

conveyed, WCFVI.III, LC26, LC67, SSKIV.Pref, PUSK.W4

conveyed grace, WCFX.II

conviction, WCFXIX.VI, LC89

conviction of conscience, LC151

convince, LC4, LC95, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW10, PCG3

convinced, LC72, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.EStr, DPW3

convincing, LC155, SC31, SC89, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, DPW4, PCG4

corporal, LC170, SC96

corporally, WCFXXIX.VII, LC170

corpse, DPW11

correcting, LC45, LC130

correction, DPW10

corrections, LC127, LC128, DFWX

corrupt, LC105, LC139, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E1, DPW4, DFWXIV

corrupted, PUSK.I

corrupted nature, WCFVI.III

corrupting, LC109

corruption, WCFV.V, WCFV.VI, WCFVI.IV, WCFVI.V, WCFVIII.IV, WCFIX.IV, WCFXIII.II, WCFXIII.III, WCFXVII.III, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXXII.I, LC25, LC52, LC191, LC195, SC18, PUSK.E2, DPW6, DFWVII

corruption of the flesh, WCFI.I

corruptions, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXIII.III, LC155, PUSK.W1, DPW4

council, SSKII.I

councils, WCFXXXI.I, WCFXXXI.III, WCFXXXI.IV, WCFXXXI.V

counsel, WCFII.I, WCFIII.I, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VII, WCFV.I, WCFVI.I, LC12, LC13, LC14, LC129, SC7, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW9, DFWXII

counsel of God, WCFI.VI, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC159

counselling, LC109, LC130

counsellor, PCGPref

counsels, WCFII.II, LC127, LC128

countable, DFWIV

countenance, WCFXVIII.IV

countenance of God, WCFXI.V, WCFXVIII.IV

countenanced, LC191

countenancing, LC129, LC145

counterfeit, SSKIII.I

counties, PCG20

country, PCG20

courteous, LC135

courts, PUSK.W1

covenant, WCFVII.I, WCFVII.II, WCFVII.III, WCFVII.V, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXX.III, LC22, LC30, LC32, LC101, LC166, LC174, LC176, SC16, SC92, SSKI.II, SSKI.III, SSKII.II, SSKIII.Pref, SSKIII.I, SSKIII.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EStr, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW9, PCG18

covenant of grace, WCFVII.III, WCFVII.IV, WCFVII.VI, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVII.II, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXVIII.I, LC30, LC31, LC32, LC33, LC34, LC35, LC36, LC57, LC79, LC162, SC20, SC94, SSKII.Pref, SSKII.III, SSKIII.I, SSKIII.II, SSKIV.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPW6, DPW10

covenant of life, LC20, SC12

covenant of promise, LC166, DPW6

covenant of redemption, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, SSKII.III, SSKIV.I, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4

covenant of works, WCFVII.II, WCFXIX.I, WCFXIX.VI, LC30, LC97, SSKI.Pref, SSKI.II, SSKI.III, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref

covenanters, SSKIII.I

covenants, LC151

covered, DPW7

covering, LC127, LC144

covet, LC146

covetousness, LC142

craveth, PUSK.W1

create, WCFIV.I, LC16, LC17, SC10, DPW10

created, WCFIV.II, WCFXIII.I, WCFXVI.II, LC16, LC17, LC20, LC21, LC25, SC10, SC12, SC13, SC15

creation, WCFI.I, LC14, LC15, LC121, SC8, SC9

creator, WCFV.I, WCFVII.I, WCFXIX.V, DPW12

creature, WCFII.II, WCFIII.V, WCFV.IV, WCFVII.I, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXII.VI, LC24, LC105, LC109, LC194, LC196, SSKI.I

creature’s worthiness, PUSK.E4

creatures, WCFII.II, WCFIII.I, WCFIII.VII, WCFIV.II, WCFV.I, WCFV.VII, WCFVII.I, LC17, LC18, LC20, LC28, LC72, LC105, LC113, SC10, SC11

credible, DPW9

credit, LC145

credulity, LC105

creep, DFWV

crime, WCFXXX.IV

crooked, PUSK.W1

cross, WCFXXIX.II, LC49, SC27, SSKII.II, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W1, DFWXII

cross of Christ, DPW4

crosses, DPW3

crosseth, PUSK.E2

crown, DPW4

crucified, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VII, LC170, SSKIII.II, DPW7

cruel, DPW3

cup, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXIX.IV, DPW7

cups, DPW7

curious, LC105, LC113

curse, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.I, LC27, LC85, LC96, LC97, LC153, SC19, SC85, PUSK.II, PUSK.W3, DPW10

curse of God, LC28, LC152, LC153, SC84, SC85, PUSK.II, DPW3

curse of the law, WCFVI.VI, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, DPW10

cursed, LC49, LC193, SC27, SSKII.II, PUSK.II, PUSK.W3

curses of the law, DPW3

cursing, LC128

cursings, LC113

custom, LC109, DPW11

cutted short, PUSK.E1

D

daily, WCFXXI.VI, LC55, LC149, LC194, SC82, SSKIII.I, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, PUSK.EStr, DPWPref, DPW6, DFWI, DFWIX

daily bread, LC193, SC104

damnable heresies, WCFXXIV.III

damnation, WCFXV.IV, WCFXX.I, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXXIII.II, LC19, DPW3, DPW6

damned, PUSK.W3

dancings, LC139

danger, WCFXV.II, LC76, LC130, PUSK.II, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, PCG12, PCG19

dangerous, PUSK.IV

darkness, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXXXII.I, LC49, LC86, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW5

David, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PCGPref

day, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXXIII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, WCFXXXIII.III, LC50, LC52, LC85, LC86, LC87, LC88, LC115, LC116, LC117, LC119, LC120, LC193, SC28, SC57, SC58, SC59, SC60, SC61, SC104, SSKIV.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG19

day of burial, DPW11

day of judgment, WCFXXXIII.III, LC82, LC89, LC90, SC38

day of redemption, WCFXII

day to day, LC193

days, WCFIV.I, WCFXX.III, LC15, LC53, LC115, LC117, LC120, LC121, LC123, LC133, SC9, SC57, SC60, SC62, SC63, SSKI.II, PUSK.EPref, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG19

days of fasting, DPW12

days of thanksgiving, DPW5

deacons, PCG2, PCG6

dead, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXI.II, WCFXXI.IV, WCFXXIV.V, WCFXXIX.II, WCFXXXII.II, LC50, LC52, LC87, LC183, SC28, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, DPW3, DPW9, DPW11, PCGPref

dead body, DPW11

dead in sin, WCFVI.II, WCFIX.III, LC67

deadness, LC105

deal, PUSK.W2

dealing, LC142, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2

dealt, PCG19

death, WCFVI.VI, WCFVII.IV, WCFVIII.IV, WCFX.I, WCFXI.III, WCFXIII.I, WCFXIX.I, WCFXX.I, WCFXXI.IV, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.VII, WCFXXXII.I, LC20, LC28, LC38, LC46, LC49, LC50, LC52, LC71, LC75, LC82, LC83, LC84, LC85, LC86, LC93, LC167, LC168, LC170, LC174, LC183, SC12, SC19, SC27, SC37, SC96, SSKI.II, SSKI.III, SSKII.II, SSKIII.II, SSKIV.II, PUSK.II, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10

death in sin, WCFVI.III

death, everlasting, WCFIII.III

debarred, DPWPref

debt, WCFXI.III, WCFXVI.V, LC194

debtors, LC194, SC105

debts, LC194, SC105, DPW10

decayeth, DPW10

deceased, DPW11

deceitful, PUSK.I

deceitfulness, WCFV.V

deceive, WCFXVIII.I, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.EStr

deceivers, PUSK.E2

decently, DPW7, DPW11

declaration, LC93

declare, WCFI.I, WCFXV.VI, WCFXXIX.III, LC2, DPW9, DPW10

declared, LC52, PCG19

declareth, PUSK.W1

declaring, LC55

decree, WCFXI.IV, WCFXVII.II, LC13, LC79, SSKI.I

decree of God, WCFIII.III, WCFV.II, PUSK.W4

decreed, WCFIII.II, LC13

decrees, WCFXXXI.III, LC6, LC12, SC8

decrees of councils, WCFI.X

decrees of God, LC6, LC12, LC14, LC113, SC7, SSKI.I

dedication, DPWAppen

deduced, WCFI.VI

deed, LC149, LC190, SC82, SSKI.III

deeds, WCFXXXIII.I

deep things of God, DPW3

defection, PUSK.SF1

defective, PCG19

defects, DPW7

defence, WCFXXIII.I, LC127, LC135, LC136, LC145, DPW5, DPW6

defend, LC54, SSKII.III, PCG19

defending, LC135, LC144, SC26, PUSK.E1

defer, DPW3

deferences, DPW11

deferred, DPW9

deferring, DPW10

defile, DPW3

defiled, WCFVI.II, WCFXVI.V, LC78, LC151, PUSK.I

defilement, LC167

definite, WCFIII.IV

defrauding, LC142

degenerated, WCFXXV.V

degrees, WCFXIV.III, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXIV.IV, PCG18

degrees of consanguinity, DPW9

dehortation, DPW4

deities, LC109

delay, LC139, DFWX

delay of marriage, LC139

delayed, DPW6

delegation, WCFXXXI.II

deliberately, LC151

delight, LC117, LC151, PUSK.W1, DPW4, DPW8, DFWIX

delighteth, PUSK.W4

delighting, LC104

delights, DPW12

deliver, LC195, SC20, SC106, DPW4, DPW7

deliverance, DPW3, DPW12, DPW13

deliverances, DPW5, DPW13

delivered, WCFVII.V, WCFXX.I, WCFXX.III, LC85, LC97, LC98, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, DPW7, DPW10

delivered by God, WCFXIX.II

delivereth, LC30, LC101

delivering, DPW4

delusions, LC28

demand, DPW6, PCG19

demanded, LC71

demerit, WCFXXX.IV

demonstration of the Spirit, LC159, DPW3, DPW4

denial, WCFXXIX.IV, DPW7

deny, PUSK.I, DPW9, DPW11

denying, LC105, LC145, SC47, DFWXII

depart, LC172, DPW8

departeth, DPW11

dependence, WCFV.V, DPW2, PCG12

depopulations, LC142

depraved, DPW3

deprecate, DPW3

deprive, WCFXXIII.IV

deprived, WCFXVII.III, LC193

depriving, DPWPref

deriving, WCFII.II

descended, LC50

descending, LC22, LC166, SC16

desert, DPW10

desertion, WCFXXIV.VI, LC139

desertions, LC81

deserve, WCFXIX.VI, LC152, LC193, SC84, DPW12

deserved, SSKIV.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.E3, DPW12

deserved credit, LC145

deserves, WCFXV.IV

deserveth, LC152, SC84

designed, WCFIII.IV, PCG4, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20

desire, LC136, LC157, LC173, LC179, LC193, LC196, SC107, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, PCG20, DFWIX

desires, LC171, LC172, LC178, LC179, SC98, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DFWIX

desiring, LC104, LC144, LC145, PUSK.FO, PCG19

despair, WCFXVIII.IV, LC81, LC105, DPW10

desperate, PUSK.W3

desperately, PUSK.I

desperation, PUSK.W3

despise, DPW4

despising, DPW3, DPW10

despising God, LC105

destitute, WCFXVIII.IV

destroy, WCFXX.II, WCFXX.III, WCFXX.IV, PUSK.III, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E1, PCG7

destroyed, WCFXIII.I, LC191, SC102, SSKI.Pref, SSKII.Pref, DPW6

destroying, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E1

destruction, WCFXXXIII.II, LC136, PUSK.III, PUSK.W4

destructive, WCFXX.IV

detain, DPW4

detained, LC141, DPW8

detected, WCFXXIV.V

deter, WCFXXXIII.III

determinations, WCFXXXI.III

determine, WCFXXXI.III, PCG11

determined, WCFI.X, WCFIX.I, DPW7, DPW10

determining, WCFX.I, LC67

deterreth, WCFXIX.VI

deterring, WCFXXX.III

detested, WCFX.IV

detesting, LC108

detracting, LC145

devices, LC109

devices of men, WCFXXI.I

devil, LC89, LC105, LC192, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, DPW6

devils, SSKI.III

devised by men, WCFXVI.I

devising, LC109

devotion, LC109ONT>

devotions, DPW1

die, WCFXI.IV, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXII.II, LC75, LC84, LC85, SC35, PUSK.Pref

died, WCFVIII.IV

diet, DPW8

difference, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXVII.I, PCG13

differences, DPW4, PCG11

different, WCFXIV.III, WCFXXXII.II, LC33, SSKIII.II, DPW4, PCG4

difficulties, WCFXVIII.III, PUSK.W1, PCG20

difficulty, PUSK.E2, DPW4, DFWXII

dignities, DPW3

dignity, LC131

diligence, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXVIII.III, LC117, LC141, LC157, LC160, LC175, LC192, SC90, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.E2, PCG18, PCG19, DFWX

diligent, WCFX.IV, WCFXVI.III, LC60, LC138, LC153, SC85, DPW7, DPW10, DFWI

diligently, WCFII.I, LC159, LC174, PUSK.W1, DPW4, DPW12

diminished, WCFIII.IV, WCFXVIII.IV

dipping, WCFXXVIII.III

direct, WCFV.I, LC186, LC190, SC2, SC99, DPW5, PCG18

directed, WCFXXI.VI, LC118, DPWPref, DPW13

directing, LC93

direction, LC186, LC187, SC99, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E2, DPW9

directions, WCFXXXI.III, PUSK.I, PCG18, DFWPref, DFWVII, DFWConcl

Directory, DPWPref, PCG18

directs, WCFXIX.VI

disability, LC72, LC95

disable, DPW12

disabled, WCFVI.IV, LC25, DPW2, DPW14

disapproved, DFWVII

disapproving, LC108

discern, LC80, LC174, SC97, DPW4

discerner, DPW4

discerning, DPW3

discharge, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXI.III, PUSK.E1, DPW5, PCG7

discharged, PUSK.E1

disciples, LC49, LC186, SC99, PUSK.E1, DPW5

discipline, WCFXXIII.III, LC108, PUSK.W1, DPW3, PCG19

disclaim, DPW10

disclaimed, PCG19

discontent, LC105

discontentment, LC148, SC81

discountenancing, LC129, LC130

discouraged, PUSK.SF1

discouraging, LC130, LC144

discourse, PCG19

discourses, DPW12

discover, WCFV.V, DPW4, DPW9, DPW10

discovering, WCFXIX.VI, LC145, DPW4

discovery, WCFI.V, DPWPref

discretion, WCFXXIV.VI, DPW6, DPW9, PCG19, DFWXIII

disease, DPW10

diseases, DPW10

disgrace, LC145

dishonour, WCFIII.VII, WCFXXXII.III, LC13, LC87, LC128

dishonourable, LC190

dishonouring, LC130

dismiss, DPW5, DPW13

dismissed, PCG19

dismissing, PCG9

dismission, DPW13

disobedience, PUSK.W3

disobedient, WCFXXXIII.II, PUSK.I

disobeyed, PUSK.W3

disorderly, PCG12

disparage, DPWPref

dispatch, LC117

dispensation, WCFV.IV, WCFVIII.VIII

dispensations, WCFVII.VI, LC74, LC105, DPWAppen

dispense, DPW3, PCG3, PCG11

dispensed, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXVII.IV, LC176, LC191, SSKIII.I

dispersion, PCG13

displeased, LC106, SC48

displeasing, WCFXVI.VII

displeasure, WCFXI.V, WCFXVII.III, LC27, DPW10

displeasure of God, PUSK.II, PUSK.W2

dispose, WCFV.I, LC117, LC141, LC190, SC101, DPW8, DPW12

disposeth, WCFV.VII

disposition, LC93

dispositions, LC189

disproportion, WCFXVI.V

dispute, PCG19

disquieting, DPWPref

dissolve, WCFXIX.V, WCFXXIV.V

dissolved, DPW10

dissolving, WCFXXIV.VI

dissuade, LC106

dissuading, LC130

distance, WCFVII.I, WCFXVI.V, LC181, PUSK.W1

distempers, LC81, DPW10

distinct, WCFVIII.II, WCFXXX.I, LC36, SC21, SSKI.I, PCG6, PCG7

distinction, PCG13

distinctly, DPW2

distinguish, LC162

distinguished, LC9, DPW6

distracting, LC136, LC142

distress, DPW3

distressed, LC135, DPW3, DFWXIII

distributed, DPW7

distributing, PCG6

distrust, LC105

distrustful, LC142

disturb, DPW1

disturbed, DPW10

divers manners, WCFI.I

diversity, PCG13

diverted, DPWPref

divide, DPW3

divided, PCG7, PCG12

dividing, DPW4, PCG7

divine, WCFI.III, WCFI.V, WCFVIII.III, WCFXVIII.II, LC52, LC151, SC25, DPWPref, DPW6, DPW12, PCG3, DFWIV, DFWXII, DFWXIV

divine institution, DPWPref

divine nature, LC40, SSKII.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4

Divines, DPW5

divinity, DPW4, PCG19

division, DPW4, DFWPref, DFWV

divisions, DPW3

divorce, WCFXXIV.V, LC139

doctor, PCG4

doctors, PUSK.E3, PCG4

doctrinal, PCG17

doctrine, WCFI.V, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXV.I, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXIX.VI, LC159, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.III, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW6, PCG3, PCG4, PCG8, PCG15, PCG19

doctrines, WCFXX.II, LC113, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E3, DPW4

doctrines of men, WCFI.X, WCFXX.II

doings, PUSK.I

domestick, DFWPref

dominion, WCFII.II, WCFIV.II, WCFXIII.I, LC17, LC20, SC10, PCGPref

dominion of sin, WCFXX.I, LC191, DPW6

dominions, WCFXXIII.IV, DPW3

doom, PUSK.FO

door, PCG19

door of hope, DPW10

double wrath, PUSK.W4

doubt, PUSK.SFPref, DPW4, DPW10, DFWIII

doubteth, LC172

doubtful expressions, LC145

doubting, LC172, DPW10

doubts, LC172

draw, LC67, LC189, LC195, SC100, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E4, DPW4, DPW12

draw near, DPW3

drawing strength, LC167

drawing unto Christ, LC155

drawn, PUSK.W4, DPW4

drawn forth, SSKIII.I

dreadful, WCFXXII.II

drift, DFWConcl

drink, LC135, LC136, LC169, SC97, DPW7

drinketh, DPW7

drive, LC96, PUSK.E4

driven, PUSK.W4

driving out of themselves, LC155

dross, DPW3

drunkenness, LC139, DPW13

due, WCFI.VII, WCFII.II, WCFIII.VI, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXIII.IV, LC105, LC127, LC141, LC142, LC153, LC172, LC175, LC189, SC47, SC85, SSKII.II, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, DPW4, DPW7, DPW8, DPW10, DPW13, PCG18

due time, WCFXI.IV, LC13

dues, WCFXXIII.IV

duly, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIX.V, LC158, LC172, PCG15, PCG17, PCG20, DFWIII

dust, WCFXXXII.I, LC17, DPW10

duties, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXIX.III, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXIX.I, LC93, LC104, LC108, LC117, LC119, LC125, LC126, LC128, LC130, LC131, LC132, LC135, LC138, LC139, LC141, LC142, LC144, LC147, SC61, SC64, SSKIV.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW8, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCG7, PCG19, DFWI, DFWII, DFWXI, DFWXII, DFWXIV, DFWConcl

duty, WCFII.II, WCFXV.V, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVI.IV, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXIX.II, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXIV.III, LC5, LC91, LC95, LC98, LC99, LC102, LC122, LC167, LC175, LC182, LC186, LC187, SC3, SC39, SC65, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW10, DPW11, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, PCG3, PCG19, DFWI, DFWIII

dwell, WCFVIII.III, PUSK.E4, PCG7

dwelleth, PUSK.E4

dwelling, WCFI.VIII, WCFXIII.I, PUSK.W4, DPW3

dwellings, PCG7

dying in infancy, WCFX.III

E

each other, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXIX.I, LC131, DPW9

ear, PUSK.W1

earnest, WCFXVIII.II, LC83, LC174, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EStr, DPWPref, DPW6, DFWIX

earnestly, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW12, PCG19, DFWIX

earnestness, PUSK.W2

ears, LC145, DPW3

earth, WCFXXV.V, WCFXXXIII.I, LC20, LC54, LC55, LC107, LC115, LC120, LC181, LC183, LC192, SC49, SC57, SC103, SSKIII.II, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PCGPref

ease, LC130, DPW7, DFWXIII

easily, PUSK.W2

eat, PUSK.W1

eateth, DPW7

eating, WCFVI.I, LC21, SC15, SSKI.III, DPW13

ecclesiastical, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXXI.V, DPW4, PCG5, PCG10, PCG11, PCG12, PCG19

edification, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXXI.I, LC43, LC159, DPW2, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW12, PCGPref, PCG2, PCG7, PCG19, DFWPref, DFWII, DFWXII

edified, PUSK.E1, DFWVIII

edify, WCFXVI.II

edifying, DPW2, DFWXIV

education, DPW3

effect, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, PCG13, PCG19, DFWII, DFWIX, DFWX

effecting, WCFXXIII.III

effects, WCFXXVII.II, DPW10, DFWVII

effectual, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXXV.III, LC154, LC155, LC161, LC191, SC29, SC88, SC89, SC90, SC91, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DFWXII

effectual call, WCFX.II

effectual calling, WCFX.I, WCFXI.I, LC66, LC67, SC30, SC31, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W4

effectually, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFX.I, WCFXI.I, LC2, LC59, SSKII.II, SSKIV.Pref, SSKIV.I, PUSK.W3, DPW12, DFWX

effectually called, WCFIII.VI, WCFXIII.I, WCFXVII.I, LC68, SC32

efficacious, WCFVII.V

efficacy, WCFI.V, WCFVII.VI, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXVII.II, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC35, LC38

Egypt, LC101, SC43

elder, PCG3

elders, PCG5, PCG13, DFWX

elect, WCFIII.VI, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.VI, WCFX.III, WCFXI.IV, WCFXIV.I, WCFXXV.I, WCFXXIX.II, WCFXXXIII.II, LC30, LC31, LC32, LC34, LC45, LC64, LC66, LC67, LC68, LC154, SC21, SC88, SSKII.Pref, SSKII.II, SSKII.III, SSKIII.Pref, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.Pref, SSKIV.I, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2

elect world, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W2

elected, WCFIII.VI, WCFX.IV, LC13, SC20, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EStr

election, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXVII.II, WCFXVIII.III, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.EStr, DPW5

elegant, DPW4

elements, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXIX.IV, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VII, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC170, LC174, LC177, DPW7

embassage of Christ, PUSK.W2

embitter, DPW9

emboldened, LC194, LC196

embrace, WCFX.II, LC67, SC31, SSKIV.I, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2

embraced, WCFXXV.IV, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E4

embracing, WCFXIV.II, DPW6

eminency, LC151, DFWX

eminent, LC151, DPWAppen

employ, PUSK.EStr, DFWIII

employed, SSKIII.I, DPWAppen, PCG4, DFWIV

employing, LC19, PUSK.E4

employments, WCFXXI.VIII, LC28, LC117, LC118, LC119, SC60, SC61, SC62, PCG4

emptying himself, LC46

enable, LC32, LC157, LC190, SC31, SC101, PUSK.SF2, DPW3, DPW5, DPW10, DFWIII

enabled, WCFX.II, WCFXII, WCFXIV.I, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVIII.III, LC59, LC195, SC35, SC105, DPW7, DFWII

enables, WCFIX.IV

enableth, LC77

enabling, WCFXIX.VII, LC80, LC182, PUSK.EStr, DFWIX

encourage, LC175, DPW7, PCG19

encouraged, LC194, SC105, DPWPref

encouragement, WCFXXIII.I, LC180, SC107, DPW3, DFWIX

encourageth, WCFXIX.VI

encouraging, LC130, DPW3

end, WCFVIII.III, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVII.I, WCFXX.III, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXXIII.II, LC1, LC117, LC145, LC156, SC1, SC36, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCGPref

end of the law, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E3

end of the world, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXIX.I, LC53, LC116, SC59, PUSK.E1

endangering, DPWPref

endeavour, WCFXV.V, LC80, LC99, LC141, SC87, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7

endeavoured, DPWPref, DPW10

endeavouring, WCFXV.II, WCFXVIII.I, LC76, LC145, LC167, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW9

endeavours, LC135, SC68, DPWPref, DPW10, PCG19

ended, SSKIV.II, DPW2, DPW5, DPW7, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCG19

endless, DPW4

endless strife, DPWPref

ends, WCFV.IV, WCFV.V, WCFXXX.IV, LC113, LC167, LC191, LC195, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, PCG19

endued, WCFIV.II, WCFIX.I, WCFXIX.I, LC17

endure, WCFXVI.V, LC83, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1

endured, WCFVIII.IV

endureth, PUSK.FO

enduring, LC49, LC97

enemies, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXX.III, WCFXXXI.II, LC38, LC45, LC52, LC53, LC54, LC63, LC183, SC26, SSKI.III, SSKII.III, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W1, PCG12

enforce, LC100, LC110, LC120, LC133, LC196

engage, WCFXXVII.I, DPW12

engaged, LC151

engagement, WCFXXIX.I, LC165, SC94

engagement to God, LC168

engagements, LC141, LC151, LC167

England, DPW3, PCG19

enhance the price, LC142

enjoined, DPW3, DPW12

enjoy, WCFXII, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC1, LC65, LC83, LC86, LC90, LC193, SC1, SC2, SC104, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW9, PCG20

enjoyed, DPW3

enjoying, LC63, SC38

enjoyment, LC81

enlarge, DPW13

enlarged, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXX.I, LC185, DPW13

enlargement, DPW12

enlightened, WCFV.VI

enlightening, WCFX.I, LC67, LC155, SC31

enmity, PUSK.I, PUSK.W2

enquire, PCG12, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20

enquiry, PCG19

enrich, DPW9

enriched, SSKIV.II

enriching, LC142, DPW9

ensnare, LC195

entangle, WCFXXII.VII

entangling, LC139

enter, LC85, LC165, SC20, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, DPW1, PCG19

entered into, SC12, SSKI.II, DPW6, DPW10

entertain, PUSK.E3, DFWIV

entertained, DFWI

entertaining, SSKII.II

enticed, SSKI.III

enticing, DPW4

enticing words, LC159

entire, WCFI.V, WCFXIX.I, WCFXXIII.III, LC36, LC99, LC108, SC50

entreat, DPW7, DPW9, PCG19

entreat of God, DPW5

envy, LC136

envying, LC128, LC132, LC142, LC145, LC148, SC81

Ephesus, PCG13

Epistle, DPW7

equal, WCFVIII.II, WCFXXVI.III, LC9, LC11, LC36, LC77, SC6, PUSK.W3

equally, LC77, LC150, SC83, SSKI.I

equals, LC126, LC131, LC132, SC64

equity, WCFXIX.IV, LC120

equivocal expressions, LC145

equivocation, WCFXXII.IV

err, WCFXXXI.IV

errand, PUSK.E3

erred, WCFXXXI.IV

erroneous, WCFXX.IV, DPWPref, PCG19

error, WCFXXV.V, PUSK.I, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW4, PCG19, DFWConcl

errors, DPW6, DFWV

escape, LC114, LC153, SC56, SC85

especial, DPW7

especially, WCFXXIII.II, LC12, LC13, LC58, LC90, LC106, LC114, LC124, LC145, LC151, LC154, LC155, LC167, SC77, SC88, SC89, SSKIII.I, PUSK.W3, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW8, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCG3, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20, DFWIV, DFWIX

essence of faith, WCFXVIII.III, LC81

essential, WCFVIII.II, LC52

establish, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E1, DPW3, PCGPref

established, WCFIII.I, WCFXX.IV, LC19, DPW3, DFWPref, DFWXII

establishing, LC155

establishment, WCFI.I, DPW3

estate, WCFXVIII.I, LC20, LC21, LC23, LC25, LC42, LC46, LC47, LC51, LC92, LC96, LC141, LC142, LC148, SC12, SC13, SC15, SC17, SC18, SC19, SC20, SC23, SC74, SC75, SC81, SSKI.III, PUSK.W2, DPW9, DPW10, PCG12

estate of grace, LC80, LC81

estate of salvation, LC30

estate of sin, LC23, LC30, SC17, SC20

estates, LC28

esteem, WCFI.V, LC144, LC157, LC190

esteemed, PUSK.E1

esteeming, LC104, LC110

estimation, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E4, DPWPref

estranging, LC105

eternal, WCFII.I, WCFIV.I, WCFVI.VI, WCFVIII.V, LC7, LC36, LC101, LC196, SC4, SC21, SSKII.I, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2

eternal death, SSKI.III

eternal decree, LC13

eternal election, WCFIII.VIII

eternal God, WCFVIII.II, LC9, SSKI.I

eternal life, WCFVII.III, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVI.V, LC13, SSKI.II, SSKII.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DPW10, DFWVIII

eternal purpose, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VI, WCFVIII.I, SC7

eternal salvation, WCFVII.V, WCFXXXIII.II, LC34

eternal torments, WCFXXXIII.II

eternally, WCFII.III, WCFXVII.I

eternity, WCFII.III, WCFIII.I, WCFVIII.I, WCFXI.IV, LC10, LC12, LC47, LC90, SC20, SC38, DPW10

evangelical, PCG3

evangelical grace, WCFXV.I

evangelical obedience, WCFXI.I

Evangelists, DPW7

evangelists, PCG2, PCG19

evening, DFWI, DFWIX

everlasting, WCFIII.V, WCFVII.IV, WCFVIII.V, WCFXII, LC29, LC38, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, PCGPref

everlasting covenant, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4

everlasting damnation, WCFXX.I, DPW3

everlasting death, WCFIII.III

everlasting destruction, WCFXXXIII.II, PUSK.III

everlasting fire, PUSK.W3

everlasting life, WCFIII.III, WCFXXXIII.II, LC165, SC20, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W4, DPW7

every one, WCFXVIII.III, LC93, LC99, LC141, SC64, SC65, SSKII.II, PUSK.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW4, DPW14, PCG19, DFWI, DFWVIII, DFWXIII

evidence, WCFI.V, WCFVII.VI, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXIX.VI, LC32, LC35, LC89, LC145, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW10

evidences, WCFXVI.II, PUSK.SFPref, DPW10, PCG18

evidencing, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, PUSK.EStr

evil, WCFIV.II, WCFVI.IV, WCFIX.I, WCFIX.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.I, WCFXXXIII.I, LC20, LC25, LC92, LC130, LC135, LC144, LC145, LC195, SC12, SC106, SSKI.III, PUSK.I, DPW3, DPW10

evil cause, LC145

evil report, LC144

evil reports, LC145

evil suspicion, LC145

evil-doers, WCFXXIII.I

evils, LC28, LC105, DPW12, DFWConcl

exact, WCFXI.III, WCFXIX.I

exaltation, LC42, LC51, SC23, SC28

exalted, LC52, LC53, LC54, LC56

exalteth himself, WCFXXV.VI

examination, DPW4, PCG19

examine, LC160, LC177, SC97, DPW4, DPW10, PCG18

examined, WCFI.X, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19

examining, WCFXIX.VI, LC171

example, LC120, LC151, SC62, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, DPW4, DPW7, PCG16, DFWIII

examples, PCG19

excel, PCG4

excellencies, WCFI.V

excellency, LC196, DPW3, DPW10

excellent, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW10, PCG4

excelleth, DPW4

excelling, LC16

exception, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19

exceptions, PCG19

excess, DPW13, DFWXII

excessive, LC136

excited, DPW4

exclude, PUSK.E1

excluding, LC63

excommunication, WCFXXX.IV

excusing sins, LC145

execute, WCFVIII.III, WCFXXIII.II, LC14, LC16, LC42, LC43, LC44, LC45, SC8, SC23, SC24, SC25, SC26, SSKI.I, PCG5, PCG10

executeth, LC14, LC43, LC44, LC45, SC8, SC23, SC24, SC25, SC26

execution, LC6, PUSK.II, PUSK.W3, PCG3

exemplarily, DPW3

exemplary, LC129

exempted, WCFXXIII.IV

exercise, WCFXX.IV, LC77, LC171, LC174, LC191, SC12, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW3, DPW10, PCG10, DFWII, DFWIV, DFWVII

exercised, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, DPW4, PCG4, DFWI, DFWX

exercises, WCFXXI.VIII, LC117, SC60, PUSK.E2, DPW8, PCG4, DFWIV, DFWX, DFWConcl

exerciseth, PUSK.W1

exercising, PUSK.E2

exhibit, LC162, LC177, PCG19

exhibited, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXVII.V, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC35

exhort, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, PCG3, PCG19

exhortation, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW13

exhortations, DPW4

exhorted, DPW2, DPW9, DPW13, DPW14

exhorteth, DPW4

exhorting, DPW4, DPW9, DFWXII

exigencies, PCG20

exigent, DPW12

expect, WCFXV.III, WCFXIX.VI, LC194, DPW12

expectation, LC83, DPWPref

expecteth, DPW12

expecting, DPWPref

expects, DPW10

expedient, DPW6, DPW9, PCG7, PCG8, PCG14, PCG15, PCG17, DFWPref, DFWXIII

experience, LC151, SSKI.III, PUSK.I, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW12

experienced, DPW4, DFWXIII

expiated, LC152

expired, WCFXIX.IV

explain, DPW7

explicated, PUSK.E1

explication, PUSK.W1, DPW4, PCG9

expose, LC195

exposeth, WCFV.VI

exposing, LC130

exposition, PUSK.E1, PCG4

expound, DPW2, PCG19

expounded, PCG9

express, WCFVII.I, LC97, LC125, LC133, LC151, DPW5, PCG19, DFWIX

expressed, LC50, DPW4

expressing, DPW7, DPW13

expressions, LC145, DPW4, DPW7

ex, WCFI.VI, LC116, SC58, PCG3

extendeth, WCFIII.VII, WCFV.IV, LC13

extent, PUSK.E1

extenuating of sins, LC145

external, WCFXX.IV

extortion, LC142

extraordinary, WCFXXXI.V, DPWPref, DPW12, DPWAppen, PCG2, PCG17, PCG20, DFWXI

extraordinary revelation, WCFXVIII.III, LC80

eyes, LC138, SSKIII.II, DPW3, DPW10

F

face, LC106, PUSK.FO, DPW3, DPW6, DPW9, PCG19

face of God, WCFXXXII.I, LC86

faction, DPWPref, DPW3

faculties, WCFVI.II, SSKIV.I, DPW3

fail, SSKI.II, PUSK.Pref, DPW10

failed, LC175

failings, LC55, LC194, DPW10

faint, PUSK.E2, DPW12

fair, PUSK.IV, PCG18

fairly, DPW9

faith, WCFI.II, WCFI.VI, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VI, WCFVII.III, WCFVII.V, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.II, WCFXI.V, WCFXIV.I, WCFXIV.II, WCFXIV.III, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXX.II, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVIII.IV, WCFXXIX.VII, WCFXXXI.III, LC3, LC32, LC34, LC70, LC71, LC72, LC73, LC79, LC80, LC81, LC105, LC153, LC155, LC160, LC162, LC167, LC170, LC171, LC173, LC174, LC185, LC187, LC194, LC196, SC30, SC33, SC85, SC86, SC89, SC90, SC91, SC96, SC97, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, PCG1, DFWII

faith in Christ, WCFIII.VI, WCFXV.I, LC166, SC95, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E3, DPW3, PCG1, PCG19

faith, saving, WCFXIV.II

faithful, PUSK.W4, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10, PCG20

faithfully, LC159, PUSK.W1, DPW4, DPW12

faithfulness, WCFXXII.V, LC141, LC192, DPW9, PCG19

fall, WCFV.II, WCFV.IV, WCFVII.III, WCFIX.II, WCFIX.III, WCFXI.V, WCFXVII.III, WCFXIX.II, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXX.III, LC17, LC22, LC23, LC27, LC77, LC78, LC94, SC16, SC17, SC19, SC82, SSKII.II, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W2, DPW3

fall away, WCFXVII.I, LC79

fall into sin, LC19

fall short, WCFXVI.IV

fallen, WCFIII.VI, LC195

fallible, WCFXVIII.II

falling, WCFXVIII.IV

falling short, LC167

false, LC105, LC109, LC143, LC145

false doctrines, LC113, DPW4

false hopes, WCFXVIII.I

false rumours, LC145

false weights and measures, LC142

false witness, SC76

false witnesses, LC145

false worship, LC108, LC110

falsehood, WCFXXII.I

falsely, PUSK.E3

families, WCFXXI.VI, LC118, LC156, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW8, DPW12, DFWPref, DFWII, DFWIV, DFWV, DFWVI, DFWVII, DFWX, DFWXI, DFWXIV

family, LC124, DPW8, DPW12, DPW14, PCG19, DFWI, DFWII, DFWIII, DFWIV, DFWVI, DFWVII, DFWVIII, DFWIX

family of God, WCFXXV.II

family-exercise, DFWIV

family-worship, DFWIV, DFWVI

famine, DPW3

fast, PUSK.W1, DPW12, PCG19

fastened, PUSK.W4

fasting, LC108, DPW12, DPWAppen, PCG15, PCG17

fastings, WCFXXI.V

fasts, DPW5, DPW12

Father, WCFII.III, WCFIV.I, WCFVIII.II, WCFVIII.III, WCFVIII.IV, WCFVIII.V, WCFXI.III, WCFXII, WCFXVII.II, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXIX.II, WCFXXXIII.I, LC9, LC10, LC11, LC36, LC47, LC51, LC54, LC55, LC56, LC90, LC165, LC189, SC6, SC28, SC94, SC100, SSKI.I, SSKII.I, SSKII.III, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, PCGPref, PCG19

father, LC123, LC124, LC125, SC63

Father’s justice, WCFXI.III

fatherly, LC74, LC189, LC193, DPW6

fatherly displeasure, WCFXI.V

fathers, LC107, LC110, SC49

fatness, PUSK.W1

fault, PUSK.SF2

faults, LC145

favour, LC13, LC54, DPW6, DPW9

favour of God, WCFXVIII.I, LC38, LC194, DPW10

favourable, LC89

favouring, LC130

fear, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXX.I, WCFXX.III, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXII.II, PUSK.SF2, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10, DFWIII

fear God, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E3

fear of death, DPW10

fear of God, WCFI.VIII, WCFXIII.III, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4

fear of scandal, DFWXIII

feared, WCFXXI.I, DPW10, DPW12

fearful, LC83, LC89, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW3

fearing, LC104

feast, DPW7

federally, DPW6

feeble-minded, DFWXII

feed, WCFXXIX.VII, LC168, LC170, SC97, SSKII.III, DPW7, PCG3

feeding, LC174, DPW13

feel, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW4

feet, LC195, PCGPref

feigned deities, LC109

feigned faith, PUSK.E3

fell, WCFVI.II, LC21, LC22, LC25, LC30, SC13, SC15, SC16, SC18, SC19, SSKI.III

fellow-feeling, LC39

fellow-heirs, LC74

fellowship, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVI.II, LC89, LC168, PUSK.E1, DPW3

felt, LC49, DPW12

female, WCFIV.II, LC17, SC10

fervency, WCFXXI.III, LC185

fervent, LC110, LC159, LC171, DFWIX

festival-days, DPWAppen

fidelity, LC127, DPW3

fiercest, DPW3

fight against, DPW6

figures, PUSK.W1

fill, LC194, DPW3, PCGPref

filled, LC90

filleth, WCFXXV.I, PCGPref

filth, DPW10

filthiness, WCFXV.II, LC76, PUSK.E1, PUSK.EStr

filthy, LC139

final, LC88, DPW6

finally, WCFI.VIII, WCFXVII.I, LC79, DFWIII

finish, DPW10

finished, DFWVIII

finisher, WCFXIV.III

fire, LC29, PUSK.III, PUSK.W3, DPW3

firm, LC157, DPW4

firm adherence, PUSK.E4

first cause, WCFV.II

first estate, SSKI.III

first ground, PUSK.SF2

first parents, WCFVI.I, LC21, LC26, SC13, SC15, SSKI.II, SSKI.III

first-fruits, LC83, DPW3

fit, WCFXXXI.II, LC117, LC181, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW14, PCG12, PCG14, PCG19, PCG20, DFWVIII

fitly, WCFXXII.VI

fitness, PCG19, DFWIV

fittest, DFWXIV

fitting, PCG19

fixed, PUSK.W4, PCG7, PCG12, PCG13, PCG16, PCG17

fixedness, PUSK.E4, PCG13

flaming fire, PUSK.III

flatterers, LC144

flattering, LC145

fled, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W3

flee, LC96, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.III, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E3

flesh, WCFX.I, WCFXIII.II, LC48, LC78, LC192, LC195, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW6, DFWConcl

fleshly, PUSK.I

flock, DPW4, PCG3, PCG13, PCG19

flock of God, DPWPref

flourish, DPW3

flow, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E3

flow from, SC32, SC36, PUSK.E3

foiled, LC78, LC195

follow, LC88, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E3, DPW3, DPW5, PCG9

followed, LC151, SSKIII.I

fonts, DPW6

food, DPW12

foolishly, LC105

for a time, WCFXIII.III, WCFXVII.III, LC195, SC27, PUSK.II

for ever, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXIX.V, WCFXXXII.II, LC1, LC29, LC36, LC87, LC89, LC90, LC99, LC191, LC195, LC196, SC1, SC19, SC21, SC107, SSKIV.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, DPW3, DPW12, PCGPref

for evermore, DPW3

forbearance, LC135, DPW3

forbid, LC99

forbidden, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXIV.IV, LC21, LC99, LC105, LC109, LC113, LC119, LC136, LC139, LC142, LC145, LC148, SC15, SC47, SC51, SC55, SC61, SC65, SC69, SC72, SC75, SC78, SC81, SSKI.III, DPW3

forbidden fruit, WCFVI.I

forbiddeth, SC47, SC51, SC55, SC61, SC65, SC69, SC72, SC75, SC78, SC81

forbidding, LC20, SC12

forbids, WCFXIX.VI, LC99

force, DPW9

forced, WCFIX.I, PUSK.E3

fore-signify, LC34

foreknowledge of God, WCFV.I, WCFV.II, LC14

foreordained, WCFIII.III, WCFIII.IV, WCFIII.VI, LC12, LC13, SC7

foresaw, WCFIII.II

foreseen, WCFX.II, DPWPref

foresight, WCFIII.V, LC117

foresignifying, WCFVII.V

forewarned, PUSK.III

forfeited, LC193

forgery, LC145

forget, LC121

forgetfulness, LC105

forgive, WCFXI.V, LC194, SC105, DPW10

forgiven, LC85, PUSK.SF2

forgiveness, LC194, DPW3, DPW5, DPW10, DFWIX

forgiving, WCFII.I, LC135, LC171, PUSK.W2

form, LC46, LC186, SC99, PCG19, DFWIX

formal, PUSK.W1

formed, LC17, DPW3, PCG20

formerly, DPWPref, DPWAppen, PCG19

forms, DPWPref

fornication, WCFXXIV.V, LC139

forsake, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO

forsaken, WCFXXI.VI, LC49

forsaking, WCFXV.VI

fortune, LC105

found, WCFXXXII.II, LC87, LC172, LC173, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2, DPW4, PCG12, PCG20, DFWVIII

foundation of the world, WCFIII.V, LC75

fountain, PUSK.I, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E4, DPW4

fountain of all being, WCFII.II

frame, WCFX.IV, LC60, LC93, LC147, SC80, DPW9, PCG19

framing, DPW4

fraudulent dealing, LC142

free, WCFII.I, WCFIII.VI, WCFV.I, WCFV.III, WCFIX.V, WCFXVII.II, WCFXX.I, WCFXX.II, WCFXXIII.IV, LC12, LC14, LC67, LC77, LC85, LC117, LC145, SC104, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW9, DFWIV

free gift, LC193, PUSK.E3

free grace, WCFX.II, WCFXI.III, WCFXV.III, LC70, LC71, SSKII.II, PUSK.W1

free grace of God, WCFIII.V, LC74, LC194, SC33, SC34, SC35

free will, WCFXVII.II, LC21, SC13, SSKI.III

freed, WCFXIX.VI, LC90, LC195, PUSK.W3

freedom, WCFIX.II, WCFXX.I, LC21, SC13, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E1

freeing, DPW5

freely, WCFIII.I, WCFV.II, WCFIX.IV, WCFX.I, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.III, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXIX.VII, LC32, LC67, LC141, LC144, SC105, SSKII.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2

freely offered, SC31

freely offereth, WCFVII.III

freeness, DPW10

freeth, WCFIX.IV

frequent, LC175, DPWPref, DPW2, DFWIX

frequently, WCFVII.IV, LC151, DPW7

friend, DPW6, DFWXIII

friends, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W2, DPW11

friendship, PUSK.W2

frugality, LC141

fruit, WCFVI.I, WCFXVI.II, LC20, LC21, LC92, LC160, LC175, SC15, SSKI.III, PUSK.I, PUSK.E4, DPW5, DPW6

fruitful, DPW3

fruitfulness, SSKIV.I

fruition, WCFVII.I, LC90

fruits, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVIII.III, LC73, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.I, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E3, DPW9, DFWVII

fulfil, WCFIV.II, WCFVIII.IV, LC17, LC175, LC179, LC196, PUSK.E1, PCG7, PCG19

fulfilled, LC48, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E1

fulfilling, WCFXIX.I, LC93, LC97, LC113, PUSK.II, PUSK.W4

full, WCFI.V, WCFI.IX, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.III, WCFXI.III, WCFXIV.III, WCFXXXII.I, LC34, LC56, LC70, LC71, LC86, LC89, LC90, LC99, LC147, SC38, SC80, SC87, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6

full extent, PUSK.E1

fully, WCFVIII.V, WCFXI.III, WCFXXII.III, LC1, LC4, LC42, LC83, LC90, LC144, LC195, DPW10

fulness, WCFVII.VI, WCFVIII.III, WCFXXV.I, LC35, LC54, LC174, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW10, PCGPref

fulness of joy, WCFXXXIII.II

fulness of the Gentiles, LC191

fulness of time, WCFVIII.II, WCFXI.IV, LC36, LC47, SSKII.II, PUSK.W1

furnish, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW10

furnished, WCFVIII.III, LC42, LC191, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2, PCG5, PCG10

furnisheth, LC54

furnishing, PUSK.EPref, PCG20

furniture, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4, DPWPref

further, LC147

furthering, SC74

future, WCFIII.II, WCFV.V

G

gain, DPW4

gaining, WCFXXX.III

gainsayers, PCG4

Gamaliel, PCG4

gaming, LC142

garments, DPW3

gates, LC115, SC57

gather, LC54

gathered, WCFXXV.I, LC64

gathering, WCFXXV.III, PCG1, PCG19

gaudish attire, DPW12

gazing, DPW1

general, WCFI.VI, WCFV.VII, WCFXV.V, WCFXIX.IV, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXXI.IV, LC87, LC88, LC97, LC126, PUSK.Pref, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW12, PCG1, DFWIX

General Assembly, DFWPref

general church, PCG1

general offer, PUSK.IV

generation, WCFVI.III, LC22, LC26, LC107, LC110, SC16, SC49

generations, LC110

Gentiles, WCFVII.VI, LC191, DPW3

gentle, PUSK.W1

gentleness, LC135

gentry, DPW3

gesture, DPW4

gestures, LC99, DPW12

gift, LC71, LC138, LC193, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW4, PCG19

gift of God, WCFXI.I, SC104, PUSK.W1, DFWIX

gifted, LC158, DPW4

gifts, WCFV.VI, WCFXXVI.I, LC53, LC54, LC124, LC131, LC132, LC144, LC145, LC151, DPWPref, DPW4, PCGPref, PCG4, PCG5, PCG10, PCG19

given, PUSK.W4

given himself for us, PUSK.E4, DPW7

giveth, WCFXXIV.V, LC32, LC123, LC133, SC63, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, DPW7

giving, WCFX.I, WCFXXVIII.I, LC20, LC45, LC53, LC101, LC104, LC105, LC131, LC141, LC145, LC168, LC194, SC47, SC96, SSKII.II, SSKIV.I, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.EStr, DPW4, DPW9, DPW12, PCG19

giving thanks, LC174

giving up, DPW12

glorification, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W1

glorified, WCFVIII.I, WCFXI.III, PUSK.III, DFWIX

glorify, LC104, LC190, SC2, SC46, SC101, PUSK.E1

glorify God, WCFXVI.II, LC1, SC1, DPW10

glorifying, SC47

glorious, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VII, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXXII.III, LC13, LC87, LC89, LC181, LC196, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.II, DPW3, DPW5, DPW10, DPW13

gloriously, SSKIII.II

glory, WCFII.II, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VI, WCFIV.I, WCFVII.VI, WCFIX.V, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC7, LC9, LC13, LC45, LC46, LC54, LC56, LC65, LC74, LC82, LC83, LC85, LC86, LC90, LC121, LC130, LC159, LC196, SC37, SC38, SC102, SC107, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW10, DPW12

glory of God, WCFI.VI, WCFII.I, WCFII.II, WCFIII.III, WCFIII.VII, WCFV.I, WCFVI.I, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVIII.I, LC12, LC18, LC19, LC112, LC133, LC184, LC190, SC6, SC7, SC47, SC66, SC101, SC107, SSKI.I

glory to come, WCFXVI.V

glory to God, WCFI.V, LC4, LC129, DPW4

gluttony, LC139, DPW13

gnashing of teeth, DPW3

God-man, LC54

Godhead, WCFII.III, WCFVIII.II, WCFXXVI.III, LC6, LC9, LC10, SC6, SSKI.I, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4

godliness, WCFXX.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW3, DFWPref, DFWConcl

godly, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXXIII.III, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW6, DPW12, PCG20, DFWII, DFWVII, DFWIX, DFWXII, DFWXIII

godly fear, WCFXXI.V

godly sorrow, SSKIV.I

gods, LC8, LC103, LC105, SC5, SC45

good, WCFI.VI, WCFIV.I, WCFIV.II, WCFV.VII, WCFVI.IV, WCFIX.I, WCFIX.II, WCFIX.III, WCFIX.IV, WCFIX.V, WCFX.I, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXXIII.I, LC15, LC20, LC25, LC45, LC80, LC92, LC97, LC105, LC112, LC130, LC133, LC135, LC145, LC147, LC148, LC151, LC184, SC9, SC12, SC66, SC81, SSKI.II, SSKI.III, SSKIII.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.W1, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, PCG19, PCG20, DFWXIV

good intent, LC109

good intention, WCFXVI.I

good name, LC144, LC145, SC77, SC78

good pleasure, WCFIII.V, WCFXVI.III, SC20

good report, LC144, LC145

good things, SC104

good tidings, PUSK.W1

good use, WCFXVI.VII, DFWIII

good will, PUSK.W4

good works, WCFIII.V, WCFXVI.I, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVI.VI, LC73, SSKIV.I, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPW9, DFWXII

goodness, WCFII.I, WCFII.II, WCFIV.I, LC7, PUSK.E4, DPW10

goodness of God, WCFI.I, WCFV.I, WCFV.IV, LC152, LC189, SC4, DPW3, DPW5, DPW7, DPW12

goods, WCFXXVI.III, LC141, LC142

gospel, WCFIII.VIII, WCFVII.V, WCFVII.VI, WCFXV.I, WCFXVI.II, WCFXIX.V, WCFXIX.VII, WCFXX.I, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXX.II, WCFXXX.III, WCFXXXIII.II, LC45, LC53, LC59, LC60, LC61, LC63, LC72, LC176, LC191, SC31, SC86, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW10, DPWAppen, PCG3, PCG18, PCG19, DFWVII, DFWIX

gospel-officers, LC191

govern, WCFV.I

governed, PCG10

governing, WCFV.IV, WCFVIII.VIII, LC18, SC11

government, WCFXXX.I, WCFXXXI.I, WCFXXXI.III, LC63, LC108, LC127, LC128, SSKIII.I, DPW3, PCGPref, PCG5, PCG8, PCG10, PCG12, PCG13

government of the Church, WCFI.VI, PCG5, PCG13, PCG14

governors, LC118, PUSK.W1, DPW7, PCG2, PCG5, PCG10, PCG13, PCG14

governs, LC45

grace, WCFIII.V, WCFVIII.III, WCFIX.IV, WCFX.I, WCFX.II, WCFXI.III, WCFXII, WCFXIII.III, WCFXIV.II, WCFXV.I, WCFXV.III, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVII.I, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXIX.VII, WCFXX.I, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXVIII.V, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC30, LC31, LC32, LC33, LC34, LC35, LC36, LC39, LC45, LC52, LC55, LC57, LC63, LC65, LC69, LC72, LC74, LC77, LC79, LC80, LC81, LC113, LC149, LC151, LC155, LC162, LC163, LC167, LC168, LC174, LC194, LC195, SC20, SC33, SC34, SC35, SC36, SC86, SC87, SC94, SC96, SC102, SSKII.Pref, SSKII.II, SSKII.III, SSKIII.I, SSKIII.II, SSKIV.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, DFWIX, DFWXIV

grace conveyed, WCFX.II

grace of adoption, WCFXII

grace of faith, WCFXIV.I, LC73

grace of God, WCFIII.V, WCFV.VI, WCFXI.III, WCFXVI.III, LC13, LC32, LC66, LC67, LC70, LC71, LC75, LC76, LC190, LC192, LC194, SC103, SC105, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12, PCG18, PCG19, DFWXII

grace of life, DPW9

grace offered, WCFX.II, LC67, LC68

graces, WCFXI.II, WCFXIII.I, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVII.III, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXIX.III, WCFXXVI.I, LC32, LC54, LC73, LC75, LC80, LC127, LC144, LC145, LC162, LC171, LC174, LC182, LC187, SSKII.II, SSKIV.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E4, DPW4, DPW9, DPW10

gracious, WCFII.I, WCFV.V, LC7, LC189, LC195, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E4, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7

gracious offers, DPW10

graciously, DPW3, DPW6

grant, PUSK.W1

grave, WCFXX.I, LC87, LC129, SSKIII.II, DPW1, DPW4, DPW10, DPW11, DFWXIII

gravely, DPW4, DPW14

graven image, LC107, SC49

graves, LC86, SC37

gravity, PCG18, PCG19

great, WCFV.I, WCFVII.I, WCFXV.IV, WCFXVI.V, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXVIII.V, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC56, LC94, LC121, LC181, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW12, PCG12, PCG19, PCG20, DFWPref, DFWX, DFWXII

great day, WCFXXXII.I, LC86

great estimation with God, PUSK.E1

greatest, WCFV.I, WCFXVI.IV, DPW3, DPW4

greatness, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, DPW1, DPW4, DPW7, PCG19

Greek, WCFI.VIII, PCG19

Greeks, PCG13

grief, SC87, DFWVII

grieve, WCFXVII.III

grieves, WCFXV.II, LC76

grieveth, WCFXVIII.IV

grieving, LC105, LC132, LC145, LC148, SC81

grievous, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXVII.III, LC29

ground, LC17, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.WPref, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW3

grounded, WCFXVIII.II, LC80, DPW4

grounds, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, DPW4, DPW6, DPW9, PCG19

grow, WCFXVI.III, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2

grow in grace, WCFXIII.III

growing up, WCFXIV.III, LC77, LC167

growth, WCFXXIX.I, LC168, LC177, SC96

guarding, PUSK.W1

guidance, DPW10

guides to others, LC151

guilt, WCFVI.III, WCFVI.VI, LC25, SC18, DPW3, DPW10

guilt of sin, WCFXX.I, LC194, DPW6

guiltiness, PUSK.EStr

guiltless, LC111, LC114, SC53

guilty, WCFII.I, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC194, PUSK.I, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E3, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW12

H

habits, DPW12

hallowed, LC115, LC120, LC190, SC57, SC101

hand, WCFVIII.III, WCFXXX.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W4, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW4, DPW7, DPW10, PCG10

hand of God, WCFXVI.V, LC135, DPW10

handle, WCFXXXI.V

handled, WCFIII.VIII

handmaids, DPW4

hands, WCFXX.III, PUSK.FO, DPWPref, PCG15, PCG16, PCG17, PCG19, DFWVIII

hands of God, LC152

happiness, LC19, PUSK.IV, DPW7, DPW9

happy, WCFIV.II, LC90

hard heart, PUSK.W2

harden, WCFV.VI

hardened, WCFXVII.III, DPWPref

hardening, DFWVII

hardness, DPW3

hardness of heart, LC28, LC105, DPW3

harmless, WCFVIII.III

harsh, LC145

hasten, LC191

hastened, SC102

hastening, PUSK.W1, DPW3

hate, LC107, LC110, SC49

hates, WCFXV.II, LC76

hating, WCFII.I

hatred, WCFXIX.VI, LC136, SSKIV.I, PUSK.E3

hatred of God, LC105

hatred of sin, SC87

head, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXXV.I, WCFXXV.VI, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXX.I, LC52, LC53, LC64, LC66, LC83, LC87, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW4, PCGPref, PCG19, DFWI, DFWIV

heads, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW5

heal, DPW3

health, DPW10, DFWIX

hear, LC61, LC160, LC179, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, PCG11

heard, LC60, SC90, SC107, PUSK.E4, DPW8, DFWIII, DFWVIII

hearer’s heart, DPW4

hearers, LC159, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W3, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW12, DFWXIV

heareth, PUSK.W3

hearing, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW3

hearing of the word, WCFXXI.V, LC108

hearken, PUSK.W1

hearkened, PUSK.FO

hearkening, LC105

heart, WCFX.I, WCFXIII.I, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXI.V, LC4, LC28, LC72, LC76, LC102, LC105, LC127, LC144, LC151, LC192, LC194, SC42, SC71, SC105, SSKI.II, PUSK.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW14

heart of stone, WCFX.I

heartily, SSKIV.I, PUSK.III, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4

hearts, WCFI.V, WCFIV.II, WCFV.V, WCFV.VI, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXIV.I, WCFXVII.III, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXI.VIII, LC17, LC75, LC95, LC117, LC155, LC160, LC179, LC182, LC185, LC191, SC90, DPW1, DPW3, DPW9, DPW12, DFWVII, DFWVIII, DFWIX

hearty, PUSK.W1, DPW4, DPW7

heaven, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXV.V, WCFXXX.II, LC54, LC55, LC90, LC107, LC115, LC120, LC181, LC189, LC192, SC28, SC49, SC57, SC100, SC103, SSKIII.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPW7, DPW10, PCGPref

heavenliness, WCFI.V

heavenly, LC189, DPW5, DPW7

heavens, WCFXXXII.I, LC53, LC86

heavy, DPW3, DPW10

Hebrew, WCFI.VIII, PCG19

hedged in, SSKIII.I

heed, LC99, PUSK.SF1, DPWPref

heedfully, LC174

height, WCFXVI.IV, DPWPref

heinous, LC150, LC151, SC83

heir, WCFVIII.I

heirs, WCFXII, LC74, DPW9

held, LC52

held forth, WCFVII.VI, LC35, LC72, DPW7, PCG1, DFWIII

hell, WCFXXXII.I, LC50, LC86, LC89, SC19, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W3, DPW10

hell-fire, LC29

help, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXXI.IV, LC20, LC95, LC178, LC182, LC196, SC100, SSKII.Pref, SSKII.I, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W3, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW10, DPW12, PCG12, PCG19, PCG20

helped, LC121, SSKII.I, SSKIII.I

helpeth, LC182

helpful, LC99, DPW4

hereafter, WCFXXI.IV, LC183, DPW3

heresies, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIV.III

heresy, LC105, DPW3, DPW4

hereticks, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXIII.IV

hide, LC160, PUSK.E1

hiding sins, LC145

high, WCFI.V, WCFIII.VIII, LC157

High Priest, DPW3, DPW5

High Court of Parliament, DPW3

highest, LC54

highest end, LC1

highest heavens, WCFXXXII.I, LC53, LC86

hinder, WCFXXII.VII, LC118, SC75, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW9

hinderance, DPWPref, DFWVII

hinderances, DFWX

hindered, LC78, DPW1, DPW7, DPW8, DPW10

hindering, LC109, LC145

histories, DPW4

his, PCG19

hold forth, SSKIII.II, DPWPref, PCG13

hold out, PCG4, PCG6, PCG13, PCG14

holden forth, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4

holdeth forth, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2

holding forth, WCFXIX.III, DPW4

holding our peace, LC145

holding out, DPW12

holily, LC112, SSKI.I

holiness, WCFIV.II, WCFXIII.I, WCFXIII.III, WCFXVI.II, WCFXX.III, WCFXXXII.I, LC17, LC19, LC86, LC93, LC155, LC167, SC10, SC37, SC89, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E3, DPW4, DPW10, DPWAppen, PCG18

holiness of God, LC152, SC4

holy, WCFII.I, WCFII.II, WCFIII.I, WCFV.I, WCFV.IV, WCFV.V, WCFVI.I, WCFVIII.III, WCFXV.II, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXX.III, LC7, LC12, LC16, LC18, LC32, LC56, LC75, LC89, LC90, LC95, LC112, LC115, LC116, LC117, LC129, LC162, LC174, LC193, LC195, SC11, SC54, SC57, SC58, SC60, SC92, SC100, SSKI.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG18, PCG19, DFWII

holy ends, DPW4

Holy Ghost, WCFII.III, WCFIV.I, WCFVIII.II, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC9, LC10, LC11, LC37, LC42, LC58, LC59, LC83, LC161, LC165, SC6, SC22, SC36, SC94, SSKI.I, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW6

holy scripture, WCFI.I, WCFI.II, WCFI.IV, WCFI.V, WCFXXI.I, DPW4

holy scriptures, LC3, LC156, LC157, DPW2, DPW4, DFWIII

Holy Spirit, WCFI.V, WCFI.X, WCFVII.III, WCFVIII.III, WCFX.II, WCFXI.IV, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVII.III, LC32, LC90, LC151, SC29, DPW3, DPW5, DPW10, PCG19

holy things, DPW5, PCG12

holy use, WCFXXIX.III, DPW7, DPW9

holy word, WCFXVI.I, DPWPref

Holy-days, DPWAppen

home, DPWPref, DPW4, DFWIX

honest, LC144

honour, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXX.III, WCFXXXII.III, LC123, LC127, LC129, LC131, LC190, SC63, SC64, SC65, SSKIII.I, DPWPref

honour of Christ, DPW4

honourable, DPW9

honouring, LC104

hope, WCFI.VIII, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXVIII.II, LC180, PUSK.FO, DPW3, DPW10

hope of glory, LC83, DPW5

hopeful, DPWPref

hopes, WCFXVIII.I

hoping, LC104

horror, LC28, LC83

hour, WCFXXXIII.III, LC88, LC195, DPW9

house, LC101, LC146, SC43, SC79, PUSK.IV, DPWPref, DPW10, DPW11, PCG13

house of God, WCFXXV.II

household, DPW3

household of faith, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2, DPW6

houses, DFWV

human, WCFXIX.VI

human actions and societies, WCFI.VI

human condition, LC141

human nature, WCFVIII.III, LC27, LC38, LC39, LC40, LC55, LC95, LC141, LC191, SC18, SSKI.Pref, SSKII.II, PUSK.I, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4, DPW10

human writers, DPW4

human writings, WCFI.III

humble, WCFXI.V, WCFXXXI.V, LC47, LC48, LC49, LC95, LC185, SSKII.II, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW13

humbled, WCFV.V, LC47, LC48, LC49, LC167, LC175, PUSK.Pref, DPW4, DPW10

humbling, LC155

humbly, LC104, DPW1, DPW3, DPW12, PCG17, PCG18

humiliation, WCFXIX.VI, LC42, LC46, LC50, SC23, SC27, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, DFWIX, DFWXI

humility, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXXI.III, LC192, DPW1, PCG19

hunger, DPW3

hungering, LC174, DPW7

hurt, WCFXVII.III, WCFXXII.IV

hurtful, DPW11

husband, WCFXXIV.I, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXIV.IV, LC66, DPW9

husbands, LC139

hypocrisy, LC113

hypocrites, WCFXVIII.I

I

idle, PUSK.E2, DPWPref

idleness, LC119, LC139, LC142, SC61

idler, DFWV

idol, DPWPref

idolaters, WCFXXIV.III

idolatries, WCFXXIX.VI

idolatrous, DPWPref

idolatry, LC105, LC108, LC190, DPWPref

idols, LC105

ignorance, LC105, LC190, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW6, DPW10

ignorant, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC113, LC173, PUSK.I, PUSK.FO, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW7

ill, LC129

ill name, LC145

ill-grounded, DPW10

illumination, WCFI.VI, DPW4

illustrations, DPW4

illustrious, DPW3

image, LC109, SC49

image of God, WCFIV.II, LC17, LC75, LC155, SC10, SC35, PUSK.E2

image, graven, LC107

images, SC51

imitation, PUSK.I

imitations, WCFXXI.I, LC139, PUSK.I

imitation, LC127

immediate, LC90, PCG9

immediately, WCFI.VIII, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXXII.I, LC82, LC86, LC88, LC151, SC37, DPW11, PCG10, PCG19

immense, WCFII.I

imminent, DPW12

immoderate, LC105, LC136

immodest, LC139

immortal, WCFIV.II, WCFXXXII.I, LC16, LC17

immovably, PUSK.W4

immutability, WCFXVII.II

immutable, WCFII.I, WCFIII.V, WCFV.I, LC13, LC14, LC101, PUSK.W4

immutably, WCFV.II, WCFIX.V

impair, LC145

imparted, DFWIV

impatience, LC105

impediment, DPW9

impediments, DPW8

impenitency, DPW3

impenitent, WCFXXX.II, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EStr

imperfect, WCFXIII.II, LC78

imperfection, WCFXVI.V, LC78

imperfections, WCFXVI.VI, LC79

impiety, LC121, DFWConcl

impious, WCFXXVI.III

implicit faith, WCFXX.II

imploring, DPW10, DPW12

importunity, DPW12

impose, PCG19

imposed, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXII.III

imposing, DPWPref

imposition of hands, PCG15, PCG16, PCG17

impossibility, PUSK.II

impossible, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E3

improve, LC195, DPW4, DPW6, DPW10, DPW12

improved, LC167

improvement, LC195

improving our baptism, LC167

impudent, LC106, LC139

impudently, LC151

imputation, PUSK.W2

imputed, WCFVI.III, LC73, SC33, PUSK.W2

imputed righteousness, LC70, PUSK.E1

imputeth, LC77

imputing, WCFXI.I, LC71, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W2

imputing faith, WCFXI.I

in our name, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4

in season, LC159, DPW10, DFWXIII

in the Lord, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXXIV.III, DPW9, DPW13, PCG19

in time, WCFVIII.I, LC12, LC59, LC75, SSKI.I, PUSK.III, DPW10

inability, LC190, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, DPW1

incapable, WCFVII.III, WCFX.III, PUSK.I

incarnate, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4

incarnation, WCFVIII.VI

incest, LC139

incestuous marriages, WCFXXIV.IV

inclination, PUSK.I, PUSK.SF2

incline, LC190, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1

inclined, LC192, SSKI.III, SSKII.I, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3

inclined to all evil, WCFVI.IV, LC25

inclining, WCFXVIII.III, PCG19

inclosures, LC142

incommunicable, SSKI.III

incomparable, WCFI.V

incomprehensible, WCFII.I, LC7, DPW1

inconceivable, LC90

inconveniences, DPW10

inconvenient, DPWAppen

incorporated, PUSK.E4

incorrigibleness, LC105

incorruptible, LC87

increase, WCFXXIV.II, LC162, SC36, DPWPref, DPW6, PCGPref, DFWVIII

increased, WCFIII.IV, WCFXIV.I, LC75, DPWPref

incumbent, DFWI

indecent, DPW1

independent, WCFII.II

indifferent, DPW4, PCG16, PCG17

indignation of God, LC110

indignities, LC48

indiscreet, LC105, LC130

indisposed, WCFVI.IV, LC25

indisposedness, LC192

indisposition, LC190

indissolvable, PUSK.W1

indivisible, PUSK.W4

induced, WCFI.V

inducement, PUSK.W2

induceth, PUSK.E1

industry, LC193

inestimable, DPW6, DPW7

inexcusable, WCFI.I, LC96, SSKIII.Pref, SSKIV.I

infallibility, WCFXVII.II

infallible, WCFI.V, WCFI.IX, WCFII.II, WCFV.I, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXVIII.III, LC14, PUSK.E4

infallibly, WCFV.II, LC80, SSKI.I, SSKIII.I

infamy, LC145

infancy, DPW6

infant, DPW6

infants, WCFXXVIII.IV, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC166, LC177, SC95

infants, elect, WCFX.III

infect, WCFXXX.III

inferior, DPWPref

inferiors, LC125, LC126, LC127, LC128, LC129, LC130, SC64

infidelity, WCFXXIII.IV

infidels, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXIV.III

infinite, WCFII.I, WCFII.II, WCFV.IV, WCFXVI.V, LC7, LC38, SC4, SSKI.I

infirmities, WCFVIII.II, LC39, LC48, LC52, LC127, LC144, LC145, LC182, DPW10

infirmity, PUSK.E2, DPW3

inflicted, LC13, DPW3, DPW12, DFWIII

inflicts, LC105

influence, WCFXVI.III

inform, LC95

information, PUSK.E2, DPW4

informing, WCFXIX.VI

infringe, WCFXXVI.III

infuseth, LC77

infusing righteousness, WCFXI.I

ingrafted, DPW3

ingrafted into Christ, PUSK.E4

ingrafting, LC165

ingrafting into Christ, WCFXXVIII.I, LC177, SC94, DPW6

ingrossing commodities, LC142

inhabitation, PUSK.E4

inherit, WCFXII

inheritance, WCFVII.IV, WCFVIII.V, WCFXVIII.II, DPW3

iniquity, WCFII.I, LC107, LC110, LC145, LC172, SC49, SSKIV.I

injuries, LC135

injurious, WCFXXIX.II, SC78

injustice, LC142

innocence, LC92

innocency, WCFIX.II, LC21, LC144

innocent, LC135, PUSK.W2

innocent, WCFXXIV.V

innumerable, LC90, DPW3

inordinate, LC105, LC130, LC142, LC148, SC81

inquities, DPW5

insensible, SSKII.I

insensibleness, LC105

inseparable, LC79, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4

inseparably, WCFVIII.II, WCFXXVIII.V, LC66, LC77

insist, DPW4

insisted, DPW4

insisting, DPW12

inspiration of God, WCFI.II, WCFI.III

inspired by God, WCFI.VIII

instance, PCG13

instituted, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXIX.I, LC108, LC109, LC161, LC164, LC167, SC92, DPW6, PCG5, PCG10

instituted by Christ, LC162

instituting, LC20

institution, WCFXXVII.III, LC169, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9

institution of Christ, WCFXXIX.IV

instruct, WCFVII.V, LC129, DPW10

instruction, LC173, DPW4, DPW6, DPW9, DFWXII

instructions, WCFXIX.III, DPW6, DPW10

instrument, WCFXI.II, LC73, DPW3

instruments, LC121, DPWPref

intend, DPW2

intended, WCFXX.IV, DPW4

intent, LC109, PCG20

intention, WCFXVI.I, WCFXXVII.III, LC161, DPWPref

intentions, LC145, PCG19

intents, DPW4

intercede, SSKII.III

intercession, WCFVIII.IV, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXVII.II, LC38, LC39, LC44, LC54, LC55, LC79, SC25, DPW3, DPW10

interest, WCFI.VIII, WCFXXVII.I, LC32, LC172, LC189, SSKII.II, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10

interested, LC83

intermeddle, WCFXXXI.V

intermission, LC29

intermitted, WCFXVIII.IV, LC81

interpretation, WCFI.IX

interpreting, DFWIII

interred, DPW11

intimation, PCG19

introduction, DPW4

invaluable, DPW7

invented, LC109

investment, PUSK.W4

invisible, WCFII.I, WCFIV.I, WCFXXV.I

invisible church, LC61, LC64, LC65, LC69, LC82, LC83, LC86, LC90

invitation, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, DPW7

invitations, DPW3

invite, LC67, DPW7

inviteth, PUSK.W1

inviting, DFWVI

inward, WCFI.V, WCFI.VI, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXXVI.I, LC28, LC147, LC163, SSKIV.II, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, DPW3, DPW6

inward man, DPW10

inwardly, WCFXXIX.VII, LC109

Ireland, DPW3

irreconcilable, WCFXIII.II

irrecoverably, LC19

irreligion, LC121

irreverent, LC113

irreverently, DPW1

irrevocable decree, PUSK.W4

Israel, WCFXIX.III, LC101, SSKI.Pref, SSKII.Pref, PUSK.W1

issue, WCFXXIV.II

issues, DPW10

J

janglings, LC113

jealous, LC110

jealous God, LC107, SC49

JEHOVAH, LC101

Jerusalem, PCG4, PCG13, PCG16

jests, LC113

Jesus, WCFXVIII.I, LC41, SSKII.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW9

Jesus Christ, WCFVII.III, WCFVII.IV, WCFX.I, WCFXII, WCFXVII.II, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXXIII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC60, LC67, LC68, LC74, LC168, SC31, SC85, SC86, SSKII.Pref, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12, PCGPref, PCG1, PCG10, PCG19

Jewish Church, WCFXX.I, PCG3, PCG5

Jewish doctors, PUSK.E3

Jews, WCFVII.V, WCFVII.VI, LC191, PUSK.FO, DPW3, PCG13

join, LC90, LC196, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW6, DPW8, DPW9, DPW14, PCG5, PCG8, PCG13, PCG19, PCG20, DFWVIII

joined, WCFV.IV, LC66, LC77, DPW6, DPW9, PCG3, PCG5

joined together, WCFVIII.II, WCFXXIV.VI, SSKIV.II

joineth, PUSK.E4

joining, DFWXII

joy, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXXXIII.II, LC54, LC83, LC194, SC36, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW13, DFWIX

joyful, PUSK.E4, DPW10

joyfully, SSKIV.II

joys, LC90, LC105, DPW3

Judas, LC49

Judge, WCFI.X, WCFVIII.I

judge, WCFV.VI, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXXIII.I, LC51, LC56, LC87, SC28, PUSK.III, DPW2, DPW3, DPW7, DPW9, DPW11, DPW12, PCG12, PCG19, DFWXIV

judged, WCFXXXIII.I, LC56, PCG19, PCG20

judges, DPW3

judging, LC90, LC174, DFWIX

judgment, WCFVIII.III, WCFXVI.V, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXIII.I, WCFXXXIII.III, LC82, LC83, LC86, LC88, LC89, LC90, LC114, LC144, SC38, SC56, SC97, SSKIV.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.EStr, DPW5, DPW7, DPW10, PCGPref, DFWIII

judgment-seat, PUSK.I

judgments, WCFII.I, WCFXVII.III, LC105, LC141, LC151, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW12

judicature, LC145

judicial laws, WCFXIX.IV

jurisdiction, WCFXXIII.IV

just, WCFII.I, WCFV.V, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXIV.V, WCFXXXII.III, LC7, LC87, LC89, LC135, LC141, LC195, PUSK.III, DPW3, DPW9, PCG3, PCG12, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, DFWII

just cause, LC145

just defence, LC145

justice, WCFIII.VII, WCFXI.III, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXXIII.II, LC52, LC136, LC141, LC144, LC145, SSKII.II, SSKIV.II, PUSK.E3, PCGPref

justice of God, WCFV.I, WCFVIII.V, WCFXI.III, LC13, LC19, LC38, LC52, LC71, LC194, SC4, SC25, DPW10

justification, WCFXI.II, WCFXI.III, WCFXI.IV, WCFXI.V, WCFXI.VI, WCFXIV.II, LC52, LC69, LC70, LC71, LC73, LC77, SC32, SC33, SC36, PUSK.II, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.E3, DPW5

justified, WCFIII.VI, WCFVIII.I, WCFXI.II, WCFXI.III, WCFXI.IV, WCFXI.V, WCFXII, WCFXIX.V, WCFXIX.VI, LC71, LC74, LC97, PUSK.II, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3

justifies, LC73, SSKIV.II

justifieth, WCFXI.I

justify, WCFXI.IV, LC73, PUSK.IV

justifying, DPW12

justifying faith, LC72

justling, DPWPref

justly, WCFXXX.III, LC27, LC68, SSKIII.I, PUSK.E1, DPW3

K

keep, WCFXIX.I, LC38, LC95, LC101, LC107, LC110, LC115, LC118, LC121, LC133, LC141, LC149, SC44, SC49, SC57, SC66, SC82, SC106, SSKI.II, PUSK.W2, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.EStr, DPWPref, DPW12, PCG12, DFWVI

keepeth, PUSK.E2

keeping, LC108, LC116, LC118, LC121, LC138, LC139, LC142, LC144, SC50, SC58, SSKIII.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E4, DPW4, DPW6, PCG17, PCG20

kept, WCFI.VIII, WCFIII.VI, WCFIV.II, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXIII.III, LC79, LC86, LC173, LC193, LC195, SC102, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW6, DPW9, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG19

keys, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXX.II, PCG10

kill, LC134, SC67

kind, SSKI.II

kindness, LC135, PUSK.E2

kindred, WCFXXIV.IV

King, WCFVIII.I, WCFXXIII.I, SSKII.III, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, DPW5, DPW13

king, WCFXXX.I, LC42, LC45, SC23, SC26, DPW12

King’s majesty, DPW3, DFWIX

kingdom, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXX.II, LC191, LC196, SC102, SC107, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW5, PCGPref, DFWII, DFWIX

kingdom of Christ, DPW3

kingdom of glory, SC102

kingdom of God, LC53, SC107, DPW6

kingdom of grace, SC102

kingdom of heaven, WCFVIII.V, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXX.II, PUSK.E1

kingdom of Satan, SC102

kingdom of sin, LC191

kingdoms, DPW3, PCG18

kirk, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, PCG13, DFWIII, DFWVII, DFWIX, DFWX, DFWXII

kirk of Christ, DFWIX

kirk of God, DFWII

kirk-government, SSKIII.I

kneeling, DPW11

know, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXXXIII.III, LC60, LC157, LC190, LC192, SC46, SC103, PUSK.I, DPW6, DPW9, PCG19

know not God, WCFXXXIII.II, LC45, PUSK.III

knoweth, LC88, PUSK.W1

knowing, LC7, LC104, LC182

knowledge, WCFIV.II, WCFVIII.III, LC16, LC17, LC20, LC92, LC171, SC10, SC12, SC31, SC97, SSKII.III, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, PCG12, PCG19

knowledge of God, WCFI.I, WCFII.II

known, WCFI.VII, WCFI.VIII, WCFI.IX, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.IV, LC112, LC159, LC183, LC190, SC55, SC101, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW9, DFWI

L

labour, LC115, LC120, LC121, LC135, LC136, LC138, LC159, LC172, SC57, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12, PCG8

laboured, DPWPref

labours, DPW3, DPW4, DPW8, PCG19

laid, LC87

laid aside, DPW8, DPW11, DPWAppen

laid down, LC49

laid in the dust, DPW10

lake, DPW3

Lamb, WCFVIII.VI

land, LC101, LC123, LC133, SC43, SC63, DPW5, DFWPref, DFWX

landmarks, LC142

language, DPWPref

language, native, WCFI.VIII

language, vulgar, WCFI.VIII

languages, LC156, DPW4, PCG13

languages, original l, LC156

lascivious, LC139, DPW12

last day, WCFXXXII.II, LC52, LC56, LC85, LC86, LC87, SC28, PUSK.III, DPW9

Latin, DPWPref, PCG19

latter times, DPWPref

law, WCFIV.II, WCFVI.VI, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.IV, WCFX.IV, WCFXIX.I, WCFXIX.II, WCFXIX.III, WCFXIX.V, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXIX.VII, WCFXX.I, WCFXXV.II, LC39, LC48, LC92, LC93, LC94, LC95, LC96, LC97, LC98, LC99, LC151, LC153, SC27, SC40, SC41, SC83, SSKI.II, SSKII.II, SSKIV.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW10, PCG3, PCG7

law of God, WCFIV.II, WCFVI.VI, WCFXV.II, LC17, LC24, LC150, LC152, SC14, SSKIV.I, DPW3

law of man, WCFXXIV.IV

law of Moses, PUSK.FO

law of nature, WCFXXI.VII

law of sin and death, PUSK.SF2

law-suits, LC141, LC142

lawful, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXI.IV, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXIV.I, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXIV.V, LC113, LC117, LC121, LC127, LC128, LC135, LC136, LC139, LC141, LC144, LC145, LC193, SC60, SC68, SC74, DPW6, DPW9, DPW12, DPWAppen, PCG7, PCG10, PCG11, PCG14, PCG15, PCG17, DFWVI, DFWIX

lawful oath, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXII.II

lawfully, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXXI.II, DPW9, PCG14, PCG18, PCG20

laws, WCFXIX.III, WCFXIX.IV, WCFXXIII.II, LC45, LC60, PUSK.W1

lay aside, DPWPref

lay hold, DPW10

layeth hold, DPW10

laying aside, DFWX

laying down, PCG3

laying on of hands, PCG19

lazy, DFWIV

lead, LC195, SC106, PUSK.W1, DFWV

leader, PUSK.W1

League, DPWPref

lean, PUSK.W1

learn, DPW2, DPW9, DPW14

learned, WCFI.VII, DPWPref

learning, DPW3, PCG18, PCG19

least, WCFV.I, WCFXXIII.IV, LC99, LC152, LC194, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, PCG8, PCG19

leave, WCFI.I, WCFV.V, LC30, LC96, SC20, DPW13

leaven, WCFXXX.III

leaving, LC130, DPW3

led captive, LC195

left hand, LC89

, WCFXXIII.IV

legitimate issue, WCFXXIV.II

lending, LC141

lessening, LC130

letter, LC151

Levites, PCG3, PCG5

liable, LC27, SC19, SSKI.III, PUSK.II, DPW3

liar, PUSK.IV

liberties, WCFXII, LC74

liberty, WCFIII.I, WCFIV.II, WCFIX.I, WCFXX.I, WCFXX.II, WCFXX.III, WCFXX.IV, LC20, LC121, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, PCG20

lie still, SSKII.I

life, WCFI.II, WCFI.VI, WCFII.II, WCFIII.V, WCFVI.V, WCFVII.II, WCFVII.III, WCFX.I, WCFXIII.II, WCFXIV.II, WCFXV.I, WCFXVI.IV, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXIX.I, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.III, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXVIII.I, LC20, LC32, LC46, LC48, LC49, LC52, LC69, LC75, LC76, LC77, LC80, LC82, LC83, LC93, LC94, LC133, LC135, LC136, LC139, LC149, LC152, LC193, SC12, SC19, SC27, SC32, SC36, SC66, SC68, SC69, SC82, SC84, SC85, SC87, SC104, SSKII.II, SSKIV.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPW11, DPW12, PCG1, PCG15, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19

life eternal, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW6

life long, LC167

life, eternal, WCFVII.III, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVI.V, LC13, SSKI.II, SSKII.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DPW10, DFWVIII

life, everlasting, WCFIII.III, WCFXXXIII.II, LC165, SC20, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W4, DPW7

lifting, WCFXXIX.IV

light, WCFX.IV, WCFXI.V, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXXXII.I, LC4, LC86, LC139, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DFWIX

light of nature, WCFI.I, WCFI.VI, WCFX.IV, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXI.I, LC2, LC60, LC121, LC151

likeness, LC107, LC109, SC49, PUSK.SF2, DPW6

limited, WCFXXI.I

limiting, LC19

lip-labour, DPWPref

Liturgy, DPWPref

live, SC35, PUSK.W1

livelihood, DPWPref

lively, WCFXVI.II

lives, WCFX.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXIII.IV, LC60, LC95, LC160, SC90, DPW3

living, WCFII.I, WCFXXI.IV, LC17, LC60, LC183, DPW9, DPW11

living God, LC8, SC5, PUSK.FO

living godly, DFWXII

loath, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2

lodged, DFWVI

logick, PCG19

loins, SSKI.III, DPW13

London, PCG20

long, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXXII.VI, LC81, LC123, LC133, SC63, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EStr, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9

long life, SC66

long-suffering, WCFII.I, LC7, DPW3

look, PUSK.I, PUSK.W3, DPW6

looked, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W3

looking, WCFXVI.VI, DPW4

loose, PUSK.E1

looseness, WCFXVIII.III

Lord, WCFI.I, WCFVII.III, WCFXIII.I, WCFXX.II, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXXIII.II, WCFXXXIII.III, LC52, LC88, LC101, LC102, LC107, LC110, LC111, LC114, LC115, LC120, LC123, LC133, SC42, SC43, SC44, SC49, SC53, SC56, SC57, SC63, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.I, PUSK.I, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, PCG4, DFWVIII, DFWXI, DFWXIV

Lord Jesus, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.III, WCFVIII.IV, WCFVIII.V, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXX.I, WCFXXXIII.III, PUSK.III, DPW3

Lord Jesus Christ, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXV.VI, LC36, LC90, LC153, SC21, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10

Lord’s body, LC174, SC97

Lord’s day, WCFXXI.VII, LC116, LC117, LC151, DPW2, DPW3, DPW8, DPW9, DPWAppen, DFWVIII

Lord’s Prayer, LC186, LC187, LC188, LC189, LC196, SC99, SC100, SC107

Lord’s Supper, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXX.IV, LC35, LC164, LC168, LC169, LC170, LC171, LC172, LC173, LC174, LC175, LC176, LC177, SC93, SC96, SC97, SSKIII.II, PUSK.W4, DPW7

Lord’s table, WCFXXIX.VIII, DPWPref, DPW7, PCG12

hip, WCFXXI.I

lose, PUSK.W1

lost, WCFIX.III, LC72, SC19, SSKI.III, SSKII.II, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E4, DPW10

lots, LC112, LC113

love, WCFXI.II, WCFXV.VI, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXX.I, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXVI.I, LC30, LC102, LC107, LC110, LC122, LC125, LC127, LC129, LC135, LC138, LC144, LC160, LC162, LC167, LC168, LC174, LC185, SC42, SC49, SC90, SC97, SSKIV.I, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPW13, DFWIX, DFWXII

love of God, WCFIII.V, WCFXVII.II, LC13, LC67, LC79, LC83, LC85, SC36, PUSK.E1, DPW5, DPW7, DPW10

love of sin, PUSK.E3

love one another, PUSK.W3

love to God, LC159, LC171, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E3

loved, WCFXXI.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E4, DPW7

lovely, LC144

loveth, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4

loving, WCFII.I, LC104, LC144, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, DPW4, DPW9

lovingly, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E3

low, LC46, LC47, LC48, SC27

lukewarmness, LC105, DPW3

lust, WCFXX.III

lusting, WCFXIII.II

lustings, LC78

lusts, WCFV.VI, WCFXIII.I, LC113, LC139, DFWXII

lying, LC145

lying vanities, PUSK.IV

M

made fast, PUSK.W4

magistrate, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXX.I, WCFXXXI.V, LC191

magistrates, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXXI.II, LC183, DPW3, DFWIX

maid-servant, LC115, LC146, SC57, SC79

maintain, WCFX.IV, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXVI.II, PCG19

maintenance, LC108

maintained, LC191

maintaining, WCFXX.IV, LC113, SC77, PCG19, DFWPref

maintenance, LC127

majesty, WCFI.V, LC4, PUSK.W3, DPW1, DFWIX

majesty of God, LC185, LC189, DPW12

majesty of the king, DPW3

make known, LC6, DPW10

maladministration, WCFXXXI.III

male, WCFIV.II, LC17, SC10

malice, WCFI.I

maliciously, LC145, LC151

maligning, LC113

man, WCFI.V, WCFI.VI, WCFIV.II, WCFVII.II, WCFVII.III, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.II, WCFIX.II, WCFIX.III, WCFX.I, WCFX.II, WCFXIII.I, WCFXV.VI, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXIX.II, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXIV.I, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVI.III, LC1, LC2, LC4, LC5, LC17, LC20, LC21, LC25, LC36, LC37, LC39, LC40, LC47, LC48, LC75, LC88, LC91, LC92, LC93, LC94, LC98, LC122, LC141, LC142, LC144, LC149, LC181, SC1, SC3, SC10, SC12, SC18, SC19, SC21, SC22, SC35, SC39, SC40, SC77, SC82, SSKII.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, PCG15, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20

man of sin, WCFXXV.VI

man-servant, LC115, LC146, SC57, SC79

man-stealing, LC142

managing, WCFXXIII.II

manhood, WCFVIII.II

manifest, WCFI.I, WCFII.II, WCFV.IV, WCFXVI.II, LC4, LC11, LC173, DPWPref, DPW4, PCG13, PCG18, DFWXII

manifestation, WCFIII.III, WCFIV.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC56

manifested, LC13, LC32, SSKIV.I, PUSK.FO

manifesteth, LC101

manifesting, WCFII.II

manifests, LC69

manifold, WCFI.IX, WCFV.IV, WCFV.V, WCFXXIX.VI, LC81, DPW3, DPW4, DPW12

mankind, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VII, WCFVI.III, WCFXXIV.II, LC22, LC23, LC27, LC30, LC92, LC93, LC191, SC16, SC17, SC19, SC20, SSKI.II, SSKII.II, DPW9

manner, WCFI.VIII, WCFV.VII, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXI.V, LC33, LC170, SC96, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EStr, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW13, DFWV

manners, WCFI.I

market, PUSK.W1

marriage, WCFXXIV.I, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXIV.V, WCFXXIV.VI, LC20, LC138, LC139, DPW9

marriages, WCFXXIV.IV, LC139, DPW9

married, DPW9

marry, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXIV.V, DPW9

marrying, WCFXXIV.III

Mass, WCFXXIX.II, DPWPref

Masses, WCFXXIX.IV

master, DFWIII, DFWVIII

meals, DFWVI

meaner, PUSK.E1

meanest, DPW4

meaneth, PUSK.W4

meaning, LC145, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, PCG19

means, WCFII.I, WCFIII.VI, WCFV.III, WCFV.VI, WCFXVII.III, WCFXVIII.III, LC13, LC99, LC105, LC120, LC136, LC141, LC151, LC153, LC154, LC155, LC161, LC193, SC85, SC88, SC89, SC91, SSKII.II, SSKIII.Pref, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.Pref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW10, DFWXIII

means of grace, LC195, DPW3, DPW7

measure, WCFVIII.III, WCFXVII.III, LC42, LC171, LC182, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, PCG20, DFWIX

measures, LC142

meat, LC135, LC136

mediation, WCFVIII.VII, WCFXXI.II, LC57, LC69, LC153, LC154, LC162, LC180, DPW1, DPW3, DPW5, DPW10

Mediator, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.II, WCFVIII.III, WCFXXI.II, LC32, LC36, LC38, LC39, LC40, LC41, LC42, LC181, PUSK.III, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW10

meditate, LC160, LC174

meditated, DFWIX

meditating, LC104

meditation, LC112, LC157, LC171, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW8, PCG19, DFWI, DFWVIII

meditations, DPW11

meekness, LC135, LC160, DPW3, PCG19

meet, WCFXVI.VII

meeting, DPW2, DPW12, DPW13, PCG12, PCG13

meetings, DPW1, DPW8, DPW13, PCG8, DFWVII, DFWConcl

melody, DPW14

melted, DPW12

member, PCG12, DFWII, DFWIII, DFWXII

members, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXIX.I, LC61, LC63, LC65, LC69, LC82, LC83, LC86, LC90, LC168, SC95, DPW3, DPW4, PCG1, PCG12, PCG13, PCG14, PCG16, PCG17, PCG19, DFWII, DFWIX, DFWConcl

memories, DPW4

memory, LC121, DPW4

men, WCFI.I, WCFI.VI, WCFII.II, WCFIII.III, WCFIII.IV, WCFIII.VIII, WCFV.IV, WCFV.VI, WCFVIII.IV, WCFX.IV, WCFXV.V, WCFXVI.I, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXX.II, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.IV, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXIII.III, LC2, LC12, LC13, LC30, LC53, LC56, LC84, LC88, LC90, LC94, LC95, LC96, LC97, LC105, LC114, LC116, LC151, LC171, LC183, LC192, SC56, SSKI.III, SSKIII.I, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10, PCG19, DFWVII, DFWX

mental reservation, WCFXXII.IV

mentioning, LC113, LC180

merchant, PUSK.W1

mercies, LC151, LC178, SC98, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW7, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, DFWIX, DFWX

merciful, WCFII.I, LC7

mercifully, DFWPref

mercy, WCFIII.VII, WCFXV.VI, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXXIII.II, LC30, LC117, LC180, SC49, SC60, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW13

mercy in Christ, WCFXV.II, PUSK.IV

mercy of God, WCFV.I, LC19, LC76, LC107, LC110, SC87, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12, PCG19, DFWIX, DFWX

merit, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVII.II, LC55, LC193, DPW5, DPW6, DPW10

merits, LC174, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10

messenger, PUSK.W1

messengers, SSKIII.I, PUSK.W2

Messiah, WCFVII.V, LC34, PUSK.W3

method, DPW4

might, WCFXXI.I

mighty, LC16, PUSK.III, PCGPref

mild, LC135

mildness, PCG19

milk, PUSK.W1

mind, WCFXX.I, LC28, LC102, LC105, LC109, LC135, LC138, LC160, SC42, PUSK.I, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW7

mind of God, WCFXXIII.III

minded, DPW13

minds, WCFX.I, LC67, LC121, SC31, DPW3, DPW4

minister, WCFXV.I, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXVIII.II, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW11, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, PCG4, PCG5, PCG15, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20, DFWIV, DFWXIV

minister of Christ, DPW4, DPW6

minister of the word, PCG15, PCG17

minister’s, DPW12

ministerial, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19

ministerial calling, DFWIII

ministerially, WCFXXXI.III

ministering, PCG19

ministers, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXXI.II, LC54, LC169, LC176, LC183, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW12, PCG3, PCG4, PCG13, PCG15, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20, DFWIX, DFWConcl

ministers of the word, PCG5, PCG19

ministers’ affectionate dealing, PUSK.W2

ministry, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXX.II, LC63, LC108, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW8, PCG1, PCG4, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20, DFWVII

ministry of the word, WCFX.III, WCFX.IV, WCFXIV.I, LC68, LC159, DPW3, PCG4

mirth, DPW13

misapplying, LC113

misapprehensions, LC105

misbelief, LC105, PUSK.W4

misbeliever, PUSK.IV

miscarriage, PUSK.I

miscarriages, LC151

mischief, DPWPref

misconstructing intentions, LC145

miserable condition, DPW10

miseries, WCFVI.VI, SC19, SC27

misery, LC23, LC27, LC30, LC72, LC85, LC90, LC95, SC17, SC19, SC20, SC31, PUSK.W3, DPW4, DPW7

misinterpreting, LC113

misregard, DFWConcl

mistake, DPW4

mistaken, PUSK.E1

mixed, WCFXVI.V

mixture, WCFXXV.V

mockers, DFWXII

mocking, LC128, DFWConcl

mockings, DFWX

moderate, PUSK.E2, PCG8

moderation, LC117, LC141

modern, DPW4

modesty, LC138, PCG19, DFWXIII

moment, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC87, DPW6

monastical vows, WCFXXII.VII

money, PUSK.W1, PCG19

monuments, LC108

moral, WCFXIX.III, WCFXXI.VII, PUSK.E2

moral duties, PCG7

moral law, WCFXIX.III, WCFXIX.V, WCFXX.I, LC92, LC93, LC94, LC95, LC96, LC97, LC98, SC40, SC41, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1

moral nature, PCG3

moral tie, PCG7

morning, DPW7, DPW13, DFWI, DFWIX

mortality, LC52, DPW10

mortification, DPW3, DPW6

mortified, WCFVI.V, WCFXIII.I

mortifying of sin, LC167

Moses, PUSK.FO

mother, LC123, LC124, LC125, SC63

motion, WCFXVI.III

motions, WCFVI.V, LC147, LC148, SC81, DPW3

motive, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4

motives, PUSK.WPref

mourn, DPW3

mouth, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PCG3, DFWXII

mouths, WCFXVI.II, DPW12, DFWXIV

moved, WCFI.V

multiply, PCG7

multitude, PCG13

murmur, LC192, PUSK.E2

murmuring, LC113

mutably, WCFIX.II

mutual, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVI.II, LC168, PUSK.E4, DPW9, PCG7, PCG12, DFWXII

mutual edification, DFWPref

mutually, WCFXX.IV, LC126, PCG7, PCG19

mysteries, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXXIX.VIII, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW6, PCG3

mystery, WCFIII.VIII

mystical body, WCFXXIX.I, LC168, PUSK.E4

mystically, LC66

N

nakedness, PUSK.E1

name, WCFI.II, WCFVII.IV, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXIX.V, LC16, LC74, LC111, LC114, LC144, LC145, LC165, LC180, LC181, LC190, SC53, SC77, SC78, SC94, SC101, SSKII.II, SSKIV.II, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW1, DPW6, DPW7, DPW12, PCGPref, PCG4, PCG19, DFWConcl

name of Christ, LC108, LC178, LC180, LC181, SC98, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DFWIX

name of God, WCFXII, WCFXXII.II, LC108, LC111, LC112, LC113, LC114, SC53, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW7, DPW9

names, WCFXXVII.II, LC11, LC28, LC167, SC54, PUSK.W2, DPW9, PCG3, PCG19

narration, DPW13

nation, WCFI.VIII, WCFXXV.II, DPW3, DPW12

national, DPW5, PCG14, DFWPref

nations, WCFI.VIII, WCFVII.VI, LC35, LC53, DPW3

natural, WCFIX.IV, LC121, LC125, PUSK.II, PUSK.W2

natural man, WCFIX.III

natural state, PUSK.III

naturally, SSKI.II, SSKI.III

nature, WCFI.I, WCFV.II, WCFVI.V, WCFVI.VI, WCFVIII.II, WCFVIII.VII, WCFIX.I, WCFX.I, WCFXV.II, WCFXVII.II, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXII.V, WCFXXIX.IV, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXX.IV, LC2, LC25, LC27, LC38, LC39, LC53, LC55, LC60, LC95, LC121, LC127, LC141, LC151, LC167, LC191, LC192, SC18, SSKI.Pref, SSKI.III, SSKII.II, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4, DPW4, DPW6, DPW10, DPW12, PCG3

nature of God, LC95

nature of man, LC48

nature, corrupted, WCFVI.III

nature, divine, WCFVIII.III, LC40

nature, human, WCFVIII.III, LC40

natures, WCFVIII.II, WCFVIII.VII, LC36, SC21

naughty, PUSK.E4

navy, PCG20

near, DPW1, DPW3, DPW12, PCG17, PCG20

near to God, LC189, SC100

necessarily, WCFV.II, PUSK.W3

necessary, WCFI.I, WCFI.VI, WCFI.VII, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXVIII.III, WCFXXX.III, LC129, LC136, LC141, LC187, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.EStr, DPW2, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, DPWAppen, PCGPref, PCG19, DFWPref, DFWI, DFWXIV

necessary unto salvation, WCFI.I

necessities, WCFXXVI.II, LC141, LC159, LC185, DPW13, PCG6, DFWIX

necessity, WCFIX.I, WCFXV.III, WCFXXI.VIII, LC117, SC60, DPW1, DPW7, DPW10

need, WCFII.II, WCFXIX.VI, LC95, LC144, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCG12, DFWIV, DFWIX

needeth, DPW4

needful, LC167, DPWPref, DPW4

neglect, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVII.III, WCFXXVIII.V, LC68, LC105, LC109, LC128, LC130, LC132, LC139, LC142, DPW6, DFWXIV, DFWConcl

neglected, WCFXXI.VI, LC167, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1

neglecting, LC136, LC145, SC65, DPW4, DPW10

negligence, WCFXVIII.IV, DPW1, PCG19

negligent, WCFXVI.III, LC119, DPWPref, DPW6

negligently, DPW4

neighbour, LC122, LC142, LC143, LC144, LC147, LC148, SC42, SC69, SC71, SC76, SC77, SC78, SC80, SC81, PUSK.W3

neighbour’s, LC146, SC75, SC79

neighbouring, PCG16, PCG17, PCG20

neighbours, LC144, LC145, DFWIX

new covenant, SC92, DPW3

New Testament, WCFI.II, WCFI.VIII, WCFVII.VI, WCFXI.VI, WCFXIX.III, WCFXX.I, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXVII.V, WCFXXVIII.I, LC3, LC33, LC35, LC116, LC164, LC165, LC168, SC2, SC93, SSKIII.II, DPW2, DPW7, PCG1, PCG3, PCG12

newness of life, WCFXXVIII.I, LC75, DPW3, DPW6

no other name, LC181, DPW7

nobility, DPW3

noble, PUSK.E4

nominated, PCG18, PCG19

none, WCFII.III, WCFXV.III, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXXII.I, LC63, LC181, PUSK.W2, DPW2, DPW4, DPW10, DFWIII, DFWIV

none other, WCFXXXII.II, LC176, LC179

notable, DPW12

notation, PCG4

nothing, WCFI.VI, WCFII.II, WCFIV.I, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXXI.V, LC15, LC67, LC71, SC9, SSKI.II, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E4, DPW4, DPW9

notice, LC106, SC48, DPW6, DPW13

notorious, WCFXXX.III

notoriously, WCFXXIV.III, DPW12

nourishment, LC168, LC177, SC96

novelty, DPWPref

now, WCFI.I, WCFI.II, WCFXIX.III, WCFXIX.IV, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXIII.II, LC17, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPWAppen, PCG13, PCG19, PCG20

null, PUSK.E4

number, WCFIII.IV, WCFVII.VI, WCFXII, WCFXXV.I, LC64, LC74, SC34, SSKII.II, PUSK.II, DPW9, PCG7, PCG8, PCG19

numbereth, DPW6

nurture, DPW6

O

oath, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXII.V

oaths, WCFXXI.V, LC112, LC113

obedience, WCFII.II, WCFIII.VIII, WCFVII.I, WCFVII.II, WCFVIII.V, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.III, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVI.IV, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXIX.I, WCFXIX.V, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.I, WCFXX.II, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXVIII.IV, LC3, LC20, LC32, LC38, LC39, LC45, LC55, LC70, LC71, LC76, LC91, LC92, LC93, LC95, LC97, LC99, LC104, LC127, LC162, LC166, LC171, LC180, LC194, SC12, SC39, SC40, SC87, SC95, SC97, SSKI.II, SSKII.II, SSKIV.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW10, DPW12, PCG1

obedience of Christ, PUSK.W2

obedient, PUSK.E3, DPW9

obey, WCFIII.VIII, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXX.II, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXXIII.II, LC45, LC157, SC103, SSKI.II, SSKII.III, PUSK.III, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, PCG19

obeyed, WCFI.IV, PUSK.III, PUSK.W1

obeyeth, PUSK.W3

obeying, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E4

objected, DPW9

objections, DPW4

oblation, WCFXXIX.II, DPW3

obligation, WCFXIX.V, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1

obligations, DPW3

oblige, WCFXXII.IV, LC162

obliged, WCFXXVI.I

obliging, WCFXIX.IV

obscure terms, DPW4

observation, DPW12, DPW13

observe, WCFXXI.VIII, LC174, PUSK.IV

observed, WCFI.VI, WCFI.VII, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXIX.I, LC99, LC118, DPW2, DPW9, PCG18

observers, LC110

observing, LC108, SC50, DPWPref, DPW10

obstinate, WCFXXX.III

obstinately, LC151, PUSK.I

obtain, LC81, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10

obtained, DPW12, DPW13, DFWI

obtaineth, PUSK.E3

obtaining, WCFXXII.VI, DPW12

obtruded, DPWPref

occasion, WCFV.VI, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXIV.V, WCFXXX.II, SSKIV.I, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW7, DPW10, DPW11, DPW12, DPW13, PCG12, PCG17, PCG19, DFWVI

occasions, WCFV.V, WCFXXIII.II, LC99, LC135, LC138, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW5, DPW10, DPW11, DPWAppen, PCG10, DFWI, DFWXI, DFWXII, DFWXIV

odiousness, WCFXV.II, LC76

oecumenical, PCG14

of age, WCFXXVIII.VI, DPW9, PCG1

of years, LC177, DPW9

offence, LC151, DPWPref, DPW7

offences, WCFXXX.III, LC194, DFWVII

offended, WCFXV.VI, LC87, LC104, LC151

offender, DFWXII

offenders, WCFXXX.III

offending, WCFXXX.III, LC151

offending, WCFXXIV.V

offensive, LC113, DPW12

offer, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E4

offer of grace, SSKIII.I, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1

offer up himself, SSKII.III

offer up to God, DPW3

offered, WCFIII.I, WCFX.II, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC67, LC68, SC31, SC86, SSKIII.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW10, DFWIII, DFWXII

offered up, WCFVIII.V, WCFXXIX.II

offered, freely, SC31

offereth, WCFVII.III, WCFXXVI.II, LC32, SSKIV.I

offering, WCFXXIX.II, LC44, LC49, LC178, SC25, PUSK.IV, DPW13

offering up, SC98

offers, PUSK.III, DPW10

offers of grace, LC63, DPW3

office, WCFVIII.III, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXXI.II, LC43, LC44, LC45, LC151, LC158, SC24, SC25, SC26, SSKII.III, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPWPref, PCG3, PCG6, PCG7, PCG8, PCG15, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, DFWIII

officer, PCG3

officers, WCFXXX.I, WCFXXX.II, WCFXXX.IV, LC45, LC191, PUSK.W1, DPW9, DPW14, PCGPref, PCG2, PCG3, PCG5, PCG6, PCG8, PCG12, PCG13, PCG16, PCG17

offices, LC42, SC23, PUSK.W3, DPW10

often, WCFXIV.III, LC53, LC68, LC78, LC121, LC177, PUSK.E3, DPW7, DPW10

Old Testament, WCFI.II, WCFI.VIII, WCFVII.V, WCFXI.VI, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXVII.V, LC3, LC33, LC34, SC2, SSKIII.II, DPW2, DPW6, PCG3, PCG12

omission, LC105, SC61

omissions, LC119

omnipotency, LC196, PUSK.W4

once, WCFVIII.V, WCFXXVIII.VII, LC44, LC84, LC121, LC177, SC25, SSKII.III, PUSK.W4, DPW2

once for all, WCFXXIX.II

one another, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXVI.I, DPW9, DFWXII

one God, SC6

only, WCFI.V, WCFI.VII, WCFII.I, WCFII.II, WCFIII.VI, WCFV.IV, WCFV.VI, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.II, WCFVIII.V, WCFIX.IV, WCFIX.V, WCFX.I, WCFXI.III, WCFXII, WCFXV.II, WCFXVI.I, WCFXIX.V, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXVIII.IV, WCFXXIX.II, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXXIII.I, LC2, LC3, LC8, LC11, LC22, LC36, LC60, LC61, LC68, LC70, LC71, LC72, LC73, LC74, LC76, LC104, LC117, LC118, LC120, LC124, LC144, LC151, LC157, LC158, LC161, LC164, LC165, LC177, LC179, LC181, LC187, LC192, LC195, SC2, SC5, SC16, SC21, SC33, SC46, SC91, SC107, SSKI.III, SSKIII.I, PUSK.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCGPref, PCG20, DFWI, DFWX

open, WCFII.II, WCFXXX.II, WCFXXXI.II, LC165, DPW3, DPW10

open offer, PUSK.W1

opened, WCFI.VII, DPW4

opening, SSKIV.I

openly, LC90, SC38

operation, LC75

operation of the Spirit, WCFVII.V, WCFXVIII.IV

opinion, DPW4

opinions, WCFXX.IV, LC105, PCG19

opinions of ancient writers, WCFI.X

opportunities, DPW10

opportunity, WCFXXVI.II, DPWAppen, PCG7

oppose, WCFXX.IV

opposing, LC108, LC109, LC113

opposite, WCFVI.IV, LC25

opposition, LC63

oppression, LC136, LC142

oppressions, DPW3

oracles, WCFXXV.III, PCG1, PCG3

ordain, WCFIII.I, WCFIII.VII, WCFVIII.I, PCG16, PCG20

ordained, WCFVII.III, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXIX.V, LC165, PCG15, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20

ordaining, LC20, LC120

order, WCFVI.I, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.III, LC195, PUSK.W3, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10, PCGPref, PCG17

ordered, WCFI.VI, DPW7, DPW8, DPW14, PCG7

ordereth, WCFV.II

ordering, WCFV.IV, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXXI.III, LC18, LC19, LC45, PCG8, PCG16, PCG17

orderly, WCFXXIV.VI, PUSK.W3, DPW7, DPW10, PCG11, PCG16, PCG17

ordinance, WCFXXVIII.V, WCFXXVIII.VI, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXIX.VII, LC124, LC162, LC174, LC175, SC92, DPWPref, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW13, PCG12

ordinance of God, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXXI.III, DPW1

ordinances, WCFVII.V, WCFVII.VI, WCFXIX.III, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXV.IV, LC34, LC108, LC109, LC112, LC113, LC154, LC190, LC191, SC50, SC54, SC88, SSKII.III, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.I, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW8, PCG1, PCG3, PCG7, PCG9, PCG19, DFWII, DFWVIII, DFWConcl

ordinarily, WCFXIV.I, WCFXX.I, DPW2, DPW4, PCG7, DFWIII

ordinary, WCFV.III, WCFVI.III, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXV.II, LC22, LC47, SC16, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW8, PCG2, PCG3, PCG7, PCG12, PCG13, PCG20, DFWII, DFWIV, DFWXI

ordinary means, WCFI.VII, WCFXVIII.III, LC63, LC154, SC88, DFWXIII

ordination, DPW4, PCG15, PCG16, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20

original, WCFVI.II, WCFVI.IV, WCFVI.VI, LC25, SC18, PCG19

original languages, LC156, DPW4

original sin, WCFVI.VI, LC25, LC26, LC194, SC18, SSKI.III, PUSK.I, DPW3, DPW6, DPW10

ornaments, DPW12

orthodox, PCG19

other god, LC106, SC48

others, WCFIII.III, WCFV.VI, WCFX.IV, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVII.III, WCFXIX.V, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXX.III, LC68, LC99, LC109, LC112, LC122, LC135, LC136, LC138, LC139, LC141, LC142, LC145, LC150, LC151, LC167, LC184, LC189, LC190, LC192, LC193, LC194, SC68, SC74, SC83, SC100, SC101, SC102, SC105, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW7, DPW9, DPW12, DPW14, PCG2, PCG4, PCG8, PCG20, DFWIV, DFWXII

ought, WCFI.IV, WCFXV.V, WCFXV.VI, WCFXVI.III, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXII.V, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXXI.I, LC172, LC173, LC182, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, PCG3, PCG8, PCG15, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, DFWIV, DFWVIII, DFWIX, DFWX, DFWXII, DFWXIV

our own affairs, LC120

ourselves, WCFXXII.VI, LC99, LC105, LC109, LC112, LC122, LC135, LC136, LC138, LC139, LC142, LC145, LC183, LC190, LC191, LC192, LC193, LC194, LC195, LC196, SC42, SC74, SC102, PUSK.I, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW9, DPW12

out of season, LC159

out-facing, LC145

outward, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VII, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC28, LC141, LC142, LC153, LC154, LC163, LC170, LC193, SC74, SC75, SC85, SC88, SSKIII.Pref, SSKIII.I, SSKIII.II, SSKIV.I, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, DPW3, DPW6

outward man, DPW10

outwardly, WCFX.III, WCFXXIX.VII, LC68, LC109

over-bearing, LC145

over-rule, LC195

over-ruling, LC190

overcome, WCFXIII.III

overcoming, WCFVIII.VIII, LC45

overseer, DPW4

overtaken, LC79, DPW4

owe, WCFVII.I, WCFXXIX.I, LC126, LC127

oweth, LC93

own accord, SSKI.III

own kind, SSKI.II

owners, LC141

ox, LC146, SC79

P

pacified, DPW12

paid, SSKII.II

pain, LC20

pain of death, SC12, SSKI.II

painful, WCFVIII.IV, LC49

painfully, DPW4

pains, SC19, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, DPWPref

Papists, WCFXXIV.III, DPWPref

parables, DPW4

paradise, LC20, PUSK.W1

paraphrase, DPW4

pardon, WCFXI.V, WCFXV.III, WCFXV.VI, WCFXVI.V, LC72, LC167, LC179, LC194, LC195, SC105, DPW1, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12

pardoned, WCFVI.V, LC77

pardoneth, LC70, SC33

pardoning, DPW12

pardoning sins, WCFXI.I

parent, DPW6

parents, WCFVI.I, WCFXXVIII.IV, LC21, LC26, LC124, LC125, LC166, SC13, SC15, SSKI.II, SSKI.III, DPW6, DPW9

parishes, PCG20

Parliament, DPW3, DPW5

partake, WCFXX.I, WCFXXIX.VIII, SC32, SC97

partaker, WCFXVIII.III, SSKI.I

partakers, WCFXII, WCFXXVI.III, LC58, LC59, SC29, SC96, SSKII.III, SSKIII.Pref, SSKIII.I, DPW6

partaking, WCFXXIX.VII, LC69, LC99, SC94

partial censuring, LC145

participation, DPW7

particular, WCFXIV.II, WCFXV.V, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXXI.IV, LC96, LC99, SSKIV.I, PUSK.IV, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW10, DPW13, PCG1, PCG4, PCG7, PCG8, PCG9, PCG12, PCG13, PCG15, PCG16, PCG17, PCG18, DFWV, DFWVII, DFWIX, DFWXIV, DFWConcl

particularly, WCFIII.IV, WCFXXI.VII, LC48, LC108, LC151, PUSK.E3, DPW3, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12

particulars, DPWPref, DPW12, PCG19

parties, WCFXXIV.IV, LC151, LC165, PUSK.W2, DPW9, DFWIV

parts, WCFI.V, WCFII.I, WCFVI.II, WCFXXI.V, LC4, LC163, LC188, DPWPref, DPW8, PCG3, PCG19, PCG20, DFWIV

-contractor, PUSK.W1

paschal lamb, WCFVII.V, SSKIII.II

pass, WCFIII.II, WCFV.II, WCFV.VI, WCFXXVII.II, SC37, SSKI.I, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, DPWPref

pass by, WCFIII.VII, PUSK.SF2

passed by, LC13

passion, DPW4

passions, WCFII.I, LC135, LC136

passive, WCFX.II

passover, LC34

pastimes, DPW8

pastor, PCG3, PCG4, PCG7, DFWXIII

pastor’s office, PCG3

pastors, PUSK.W1, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW3, PCG2, PCG3, PCG14, PCG19, DFWI

patience, WCFI.VIII, PUSK.E2, DPW10

patient, LC135

pattern, LC187, DPW5

Paul, DPW7, PCG13

pawn, PUSK.W4

pay, WCFXXIII.IV, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4

paying, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1

payment, DPW10

peace, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXIII.III, LC83, LC145, LC194, SC36, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW10, PCGPref, DFWVII, DFWConcl

peaceable, LC135, DPW3

peculiar, LC94, DPW9

peculiar people, LC38

penalty, PUSK.SF2

penalty of sin, PUSK.SF2

penitent, WCFXV.II, WCFXXX.II, LC76, LC185, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.FO, DPW10

Pentecost, PCG13

people, WCFI.I, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.I, WCFXIX.III, WCFXIX.IV, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXIX.IV, LC38, LC41, LC44, LC45, LC54, LC101, LC156, LC159, LC195, SSKII.III, SSKIII.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E3, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG3, PCG5, PCG7, PCG9, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20, DFWIX

people of God, WCFI.VIII

people’s corruptions, PUSK.W1

people’s names, DPW12

people’s understandings and memories, DPW4

perfect, WCFVII.II, WCFVIII.II, WCFVIII.V, WCFXIX.II, WCFXXXII.I, LC20, LC70, LC77, LC86, LC90, LC93, LC99, SC12, SC37, SSKI.II, SSKIV.II, PUSK.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW3

perfected, LC82, LC195

perfecting, WCFXIII.III, WCFXXV.III, PUSK.IV, PCGPref, PCG1, PCG2

perfection, WCFI.V, WCFII.I, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXII.VII, LC7, LC77, LC95, LC99, PUSK.II

perfections, SSKI.I, PUSK.W3

perfectly, WCFVIII.IV, WCFIX.IV, WCFIX.V, LC48, LC77, LC85, LC90, LC149, SC38, SC82

perfects, SSKIV.II

perform, WCFXVI.III, WCFXXII.III, LC39, LC130, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, PCG3, PCG4, PCG7, DFWI, DFWV

performance, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXVI.I, LC93, LC126, LC182, LC187, SC61, DPW4, DPW6, DFWIV

performances, PUSK.W1, DPW2, DPW12

performed, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXII.V, WCFXXV.IV, LC99, LC167, DPW1, DPW2, DPW4, PCG18, PCG19, DFWII, DFWX, DFWXI, DFWXII, DFWXIV

performing, WCFXXVI.II, LC119, LC125, SC64, DFWIV

perish, WCFXVIII.I, LC30, SC20, SSKII.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.EStr

perished, PUSK.FO

perjury, LC113

permission, WCFV.IV

permit, WCFVI.I, DPW10

permitted, LC19, LC156

pernicious, WCFX.IV

perpetual, WCFXIX.I, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXIX.I, LC20, LC78, LC93, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, PCG2, PCG3, PCG6, PCG7

perpetually, PUSK.II

persecuted, DPWPref

persecution, PCG13, PCG19

persecutors, LC49

perseverance, WCFIII.V, WCFXXI.III, LC79, LC185, SC36, DPW3, DPW10

perseverance of the saints, WCFXVII.II

persevere, WCFXVII.I, LC80, SSKIV.I

person, WCFVIII.II, WCFVIII.VII, WCFXI.II, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXVIII.III, WCFXXVIII.V, WCFXXVIII.VII, WCFXXX.IV, LC22, LC36, LC40, LC52, LC72, SC21, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EStr, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW8, DPW10, DPW11, DPW12, DPW14, PCG11, PCG12, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20, DFWPref, DFWV, DFWXIII

personal, WCFVII.II, WCFXIX.I, LC9, LC10, LC20, LC93, SSKI.II, SSKII.II, PUSK.E4, DPW10, DFWPref

personally, WCFXIII.I

persons, WCFII.III, WCFX.III, WCFXI.I, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXIX.V, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXXI.II, WCFXXXIII.I, LC6, LC9, LC10, LC55, LC70, LC109, LC127, LC128, LC151, LC182, SC6, SSKI.I, SSKII.III, SSKIV.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW9, DPW12, PCG3, PCG7, PCG12, PCG14, PCG19, DFWI, DFWIV, DFWV, DFWVI, DFWVII, DFWX, DFWXIV

perspicuous, DPW4

persuade, LC4, LC106, SC31, SSKII.III, PUSK.W1

persuaded, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXXIII.III, DPWPref, DPW4

persuading, WCFVIII.VIII

persuasion, WCFI.V, WCFXVIII.II, LC157, DPW10, PCG19

pertinent, DPW4, DPW13

perusal, DPW9

perverseness, LC192

perverting, LC113, LC145

pestilence, DPW3

petition, WCFXXXI.V, LC190, LC191, LC192, LC193, LC194, LC195, SC101, SC102, SC103, SC104, SC105, SC106, DPW13

petitions, LC188, LC196, DPW3, DPW5

Pharisees, PUSK.E1

philosophy, PCG19

phrases, DPW4

physick, LC135, LC139

piety, WCFXXIII.II, WCFXXVII.III, LC161, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW5, DPW8, DFWPref, DFWII

Pilate, LC49

pilgrimage, DPW7

pious, DPWPref

pithy, DPW13

pitied, WCFXII

place, WCFI.VII, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXVI.II, LC53, LC108, LC124, LC151, DPW1, DPW4, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10, DPW11, DPWAppen, PCG7, PCG18, PCG19, DFWIII

placed, DPW6, DPW7

places, WCFI.IX, WCFXXXII.I, LC62, LC99, LC127, LC128, SC64, SC65, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW4, DPW6, DPW9, DPW12, DPWAppen, PCG4, PCG13, PCG19, DFWConcl

plague, DPW3

plagues, DPW12

plain, WCFI.VII, WCFXXII.IV, DPW4, PCG3, DFWII

plain terms, DPW4

plainly, LC2, LC159, DPW4

plantations, DPW3

planted, DPW6

plays, LC139

plead, LC196

pleading, LC145

pleasant, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E2

please, WCFXVI.VII, LC104, SSKI.III, PUSK.W3, DPW3, DPW10

pleased, WCFI.I, WCFII.II, WCFIII.VII, WCFIV.I, WCFVI.I, WCFVII.I, WCFVII.III, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.III, WCFX.I, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXIX.III, LC47, LC190, LC191, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DPW9

pleaseth, WCFII.II, WCFIII.VII, WCFX.III, LC13, DPWPref

pleasing themselves, DPWPref

pleasure, WCFV.III, WCFXVI.III, LC19, LC130, SC20, PUSK.W1

pleasures, DPW3

pledge, WCFXXIX.I, LC20

pledges, PUSK.W4, DPW7, DPW9

plentiful, DPW6

plentifully, WCFI.VIII

poisoned, DPW3

pollution, LC95, DPW10, DPWAppen

pollutions, WCFXIX.VI

poor, DPW7, DPW8, DPW13, PCG3, PCG6, PCG8, PCG9

Pope, WCFXXIII.IV

Pope of Rome, WCFXXV.VI

Popery, DPW6

Popish, WCFXXIX.II

Popish monastical vows, WCFXXII.VII

portion, LC193, SC104, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCG19, DFWIII

positive, WCFXXI.VII

possess, PUSK.W1

possessed, LC83

possession, PUSK.W4

possessions, WCFXXVI.III

possibility, WCFIV.II, WCFXXV.II

possible, WCFXVI.IV, WCFXXIX.II, LC52, PUSK.II

posterior, PUSK.W3

posterity, WCFVI.III, WCFVII.II, WCFXIX.I, LC22, LC26, SC16, SSKI.II, SSKI.III, DPWPref, DPW6

pour out, DPW3, DFWIX

pouring, WCFXXVIII.III, DPW6, PCG19

poverty, WCFXXII.VII

power, WCFII.III, WCFIV.I, WCFIV.II, WCFVIII.II, WCFVIII.III, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFIX.II, WCFX.I, WCFXIX.I, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXX.II, WCFXXXI.III, WCFXXXIII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC4, LC9, LC16, LC17, LC37, LC52, LC54, LC56, LC87, LC129, LC130, LC159, LC161, LC173, LC195, LC196, SC9, SC22, SC107, SSKIV.I, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW9, PCGPref, PCG3, PCG4, PCG11, PCG12, PCG16, PCG17, PCG20, DFWX, DFWConcl

power of Christ, WCFXXXII.III, LC87, LC191

power of death, WCFVIII.IV, LC38, LC50, SC27

power of God, WCFI.I, WCFIII.VI, WCFIII.VII, WCFV.I, WCFV.IV, LC13, LC15, LC19, LC67, LC79, LC189, SC4, SC6, SC9, SC107, PUSK.W1, DPW4, DPW6

power of godliness, WCFXX.IV, DPW3, DFWPref

power of Satan, WCFV.VI, DPW3

power of the keys, WCFXXIII.III

power of the sword, WCFXXIII.I

powerful, WCFV.IV, LC18, LC75, SC11, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW4

powerfully, LC45, LC67, LC195, PUSK.W4

powers, WCFXX.IV, LC49, LC99, PUSK.I, DPW3

practical use, PUSK.Pref

practice, WCFXIII.I, WCFXXXI.IV, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PCG12, PCG16, DFWConcl

practices, WCFXX.IV, LC113, LC135, DFWConcl

practicing, LC144, LC145

practise, WCFXX.III, SC90

practised, PCG20

praise, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VII, WCFIII.VIII, WCFV.I, WCFXXIX.II, LC13, LC16, LC104, LC105, SC107, DPW9, DPW13, DPW14

praised, WCFXXI.I

praises, LC196, DPW13, DFWII

pray, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXIX.III, LC88, LC129, LC179, LC180, LC181, LC182, LC183, LC184, LC185, LC189, LC190, LC191, LC192, LC193, LC194, LC195, SC100, SC101, SC102, SC103, SC104, SC105, SC106, PUSK.W2, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCG3, DFWIX

prayer, WCFXIV.I, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.IV, WCFXXI.VI, LC108, LC112, LC127, LC154, LC157, LC160, LC169, LC171, LC178, LC179, LC180, LC182, LC186, LC187, LC188, LC189, LC196, SC88, SC90, SC98, SC99, SC100, SC107, SSKIII.I, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCG3, PCG9, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, DFWI, DFWII, DFWVIII, DFWIX, DFWXIV

prayers, LC151, LC187, LC196, SC107, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW5, DPW12

praying, WCFXV.VI, LC105, DPW6, DPW9, DPW11, DPW13, PCG19, DFWXII

pre-eminence, LC132

preach, LC53, LC159, DPW3, DPW13, PCG6, PCG19

preached, WCFXV.I, LC158, LC159, LC160, SSKIII.I, PUSK.E3, PCG13, PCG19

preachers, PCG13

preacheth, DPW12

preaching, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXI.V, LC35, LC108, SC89, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW4, DPW12, DPW13, PCG3, PCG13, PCG15, PCG16, PCG17, PCG19

preaching of the word, LC155, DPWPref, DPW12, PCG3

precept, WCFXXVII.III

precepts, PUSK.II

precious, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E2, DPW3

precontract, DPW9

predestinated, WCFIII.III, WCFIII.IV, WCFIII.V, WCFX.I

predestination, WCFIII.VIII

preface, LC100, LC101, LC188, LC189, SC43, SC44, SC100, DPWPref, PCGPref

prejudice, LC142, LC145, DPW4, DFWVII

prejudicial, SC78

prejudicing, LC145

prelates, DPWPref

premeditation, DPW12

premises, PUSK.EStr, PCG19

preparation, LC121, LC160, LC172, LC175, SC90, DPW5, DPW7, DFWI, DFWVIII

preparations, DPW4, DPW8, DPW13

prepare, WCFIX.III, LC53, LC117, LC121, LC171, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13

prepared, WCFXXXIII.III, PUSK.W2, DPW1, DPW7

preparing, WCFXXI.VIII

presbyter, PCG19

presbyterial, PCG13

presbyterial church, PCG13

presbyterial government, PCG13

presbyteries, PCG19, PCG20

presbyters, PCG13, PCG15, PCG16, PCG17, PCG19

presbytery, DPW2, PCG13, PCG16, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20, DFWIV

prescribed, WCFXXI.I, DPW4

presence, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXXIII.II, LC81, LC151, LC181, PUSK.III, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DFWIX

presence of God, LC29, LC89, DPW9

present evil world, WCFXX.I

present exigencies, PCG20

presented, DPW6

preservation, WCFXVII.III, LC136, LC138, SC71

preserve, WCFXX.IV, LC129, LC135, LC141, SC68, DPW3

preserved, WCFXXIII.III, LC63, DPW4

Preserver, DPW12

preserving, WCFI.I, WCFXVIII.IV, LC18, LC45, LC144, SC11, SC64

press, DFWI

pressed, DFWPref

presume, DPW7

presumption, LC105, PUSK.W3

presumptions, WCFXVIII.I

presumptuous, PUSK.W3, DPW3

presumptuously, LC151, DPW3

presupposed, PUSK.W2, DPW4

presupposeth, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.E4

pretence, WCFXVI.I, WCFXX.III, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXIII.IV, LC109, DPW1, DPWAppen, PCG19, DFWV

pretended, DPWPref

pretended religious use, WCFXXIX.IV

pretext, DFWConcl

prevail, WCFXIII.III, DPW4, DPW6

prevalency, WCFXVII.III

prevent, LC151, LC190, PUSK.II, DPW3, DPW10

prevented, WCFXXIII.III

preventeth, PUSK.W2

preventing, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXX.III, DPW12

price, PUSK.W1

pride, LC105

Priest, WCFVIII.I, SSKII.III, PUSK.W3, DPW3, DPW5

priest, WCFXXIX.IV, WCFXXIX.VI, LC42, LC44, SC23, SC25

priests, PCG3, PCG5

primitive, PCG1

Prince, DPW3

Prince Charles, Elector Palatine of the Rhine, DPW3

Prince of Peace, PCGPref

principal, WCFXIV.II

principalities, PCGPref

principally, LC5, SC3, DPW4

principle, DPW4

principles, WCFXX.IV, DPW10, PCG3

Priscilla and Aquila, PCG13

prisons, LC86

private, WCFXV.VI, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXIX.IV, LC117, LC151, SC60, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW12, DPW13, PCG3, DFWXI, DFWXII, DFWXIII

private devotions, DPW1

private meetings, DPW1

private person, DPW6

private spirits, WCFI.X

private worship, DFWPref

privately, DPW2, DPW6, DPW10, DPW12, DPW14

privilege, LC63

privileges, WCFXII, LC63, LC74, LC167, SC34, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.II, DPW6

prizing, LC142

probable, WCFXVIII.II

proceed, WCFVI.IV, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXXX.IV, LC10, LC25, LC26, SC18, DPW9, DPW13, PCG18, PCG19, DFWXIV

proceeded against, WCFXX.IV

proceedeth, WCFV.IV

proceeding, WCFII.III, WCFXXIV.VI, DPW3, PCG19

proceedings, DPW9, PCG8

proclamation, PUSK.W1

procure, LC38, LC129, LC141, LC145, LC193, PUSK.E1

procured, LC57, LC58, DFWIII

procuring, LC55, SC74

prodigality, LC142

profane, LC113, PUSK.W3, DPW7, DFWX

profane jests, LC113

profaned, WCFXXX.III, LC114, PCG12

profaneness, LC105, LC190, DPW3

profaning, LC119, SC55, SC61

profanity, DFWXII

profess, WCFX.IV, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXVIII.IV, LC60, LC62, LC166, LC173, SC95, PUSK.SFPref, DPW3, DPW7

professed, WCFXXII.VII, LC165, PUSK.E2, DPW12, PCG1, PCG19

professing, WCFX.IV, LC166, DPW6

profession, WCFXVI.II, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXX.III, LC112, LC113, LC151, LC173, SSKIII.I, DFWPref

proficiency, PCG18

profit, WCFXVI.V, LC130, PUSK.E2, DPW3, DPW10, DFWII, DFWVIII

profitable, DPW3, DPW4

profitably, PUSK.E2

progress, DPW7, DFWVII

prohibited, DPW9

prohibiting, LC139

promise, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXVII.III, LC72, LC99, LC133, LC166, SC66, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DPW9, PCG19, DFWIII

promised, WCFVII.II, WCFVII.V, WCFXIX.I, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC34, SSKIII.I, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, DPWPref, PCG3, PCG19

promises, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXII, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXIX.VI, LC34, LC74, LC80, LC144, LC145, LC151, LC172, LC180, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW6, DPW10

promises of God, LC80, DPW12

promiseth, WCFXXII.I, LC32, PUSK.W1

promising, WCFVII.III, LC93, LC110

promissory oath, WCFXXII.V

promote, DPW4

promoting, LC144, SC77

promoved, DFWVIII

prone, LC118, LC192, LC193

pronounce, DPW9

pronounced, LC89, PUSK.FO

pronounceth, DPW6

proof, PCG3

propagated, LC191

propagating, WCFI.I

propagation, DPW3

proper, WCFVIII.VII, WCFXI.III, WCFXVIII.III, LC10, LC11, LC40, LC71, DPW10, DPW13

properly, WCFVI.V, DFWIV

properties, WCFVIII.II, LC9, LC10, LC52

property, WCFXXVI.III, SSKI.III

prophecies, WCFVII.V, LC34

prophesying, PCG3

prophet, WCFVIII.I, LC42, LC43, SC23, SC24, SSKII.III, PUSK.W3

prophets, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, PCG2, PCG4, PCG19

propitiation, WCFXXIX.II

propone, DFWIII

proportion, WCFXXI.VII, PCG19

proportioned, PCG8

proposed, PCG19

proposition, PCG4, PCG13

propositions, PCG3

propounded, DPW4

propounding, DPW4, DPW10

propriety, LC110, LC120, SC52, SC62

prosecute, DPW4

prosperity, LC132, LC133, LC142, SC66, DFWIX

protected, WCFXII, LC63

protecting, LC129, LC135

protection, DPW3

prove, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.E2, DPW4, PCG3, PCG4, PCG13

proved, SSKI.III, DPWPref, DPW11, PCG3, PCG12, PCG13

proves, LC128, PCG13

proveth, PUSK.E1, PCG13

provide, WCFXXIII.III, LC71

provided, SSKII.Pref, DPW4

provided for, WCFXII, DPW9

providence, WCFI.I, WCFI.VIII, WCFV.I, WCFV.II, WCFV.III, WCFV.IV, WCFXXI.VI, LC14, LC18, LC19, LC190, LC192, LC195, SC8, SC11, SC12, DPWPref, DPW6, DPW9, DPW12, DPWAppen, DFWIV, DFWXII

providence of God, WCFV.VII, LC20, LC193, DPWPref, DFWXIV

providences, LC113

provident, LC141

provideth, LC32

providing, LC129

provincial, PCG14

provocation, LC106

provocations, LC99, LC139, DPW12

provoke, LC97, DFWXII

provoked, LC151, DPW9

provoking, LC130, LC136, DPW9

prudence, WCFI.VI, WCFIII.VIII, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DFWIV

prudently, PUSK.E2

prying into, LC113

psalm, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW13, DPW14, PCG19

psalm book, DPW14

psalms, WCFXXI.V, DPW8, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, PCG9

public, LC52, LC117, LC145, LC151, DPW4

public ordinances, DPW8

publication, DPW9

publick, WCFXV.VI, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXXI.III, LC22, LC136, LC151, SC60, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW11, DPW12, DPWAppen, PCG3, PCG9, PCG13, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20, DFWII, DFWVII, DFWVIII, DFWXI, DFWXIII, DFWConcl

publick admonition, DPW4

publick assemblies, WCFXXI.VI

publick burial, DPW11

publick duties, DPW12

publick fasts, DPW5

publick humiliation, DPW13

publick meeting, DPW12

publick meetings, DPW13

publick prayer, DPW3

publick prayers, DPW5

publick reading, DPW2, DPW12

publick solemn fasting, DPW12

publick thanksgiving, DPW13

publick warning, DPW7

publick worship, WCFXXV.IV, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG7, DFWPref, DFWVIII

publickly, LC156, DPW2, DPW9, DPW14, PCG3, PCG19

published, DPW9

publishing, WCFXX.IV

punish, LC110

punished, WCFXXXIII.II, LC89, PUSK.III, PUSK.SF2

punishment, WCFXXIII.I, SC56

punishment of sin, LC194

punishments, LC27, LC28, LC29, LC114, LC151

purchase, LC38, SSKII.II

purchased, WCFVIII.V, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXX.I, WCFXX.IV, LC59, SC29, SC30, SSKII.II, SSKIII.II, SSKIV.I, PUSK.W1, DPW6

pure, WCFII.I, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXV.IV, LC108, SC50, PUSK.E3

pure heart, PUSK.E3

pure in all ages, WCFI.VIII

purely, WCFXXV.IV, LC191

purest churches, WCFXXV.V

purge, PUSK.FO

purged, LC191

purging, WCFXXX.III, DPWPref

purified, WCFXVI.VII

purity, LC4, DPW3, DPW5, DFWPref, DFWVII

purpose, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VI, SC7, SC87, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E3, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCG10, PCG20

purpose of God, WCFVIII.I

purposed, WCFVI.I

purposes, LC135, LC139, LC151, DPW3

purposing, WCFXV.II, LC76

put asunder, WCFXXIV.VI

put forth, PUSK.E2

put to death, PUSK.W2

putting forth, DPWPref

Q

qualified, PCG15, PCG17, DFWIII

qualities, WCFXXXII.II

quality, LC151, SSKIII.I, PCG19, DFWIV

quarrelling, LC113, LC136

Queen, DPW3

queen, DFWIX

Queen of Bohemia, DPW3

question, WCFI.IX, DFWIII

questions, LC113

quick, WCFXXIX.II, LC52, DPW4

quicken, LC195, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, DPW12

quickened, WCFX.II, WCFXIII.I, DPW4

quickening, LC52, LC175, LC182, DPW3

quickening of grace, LC167

quickly, WCFXXXIII.III

quiet, LC55, PUSK.E3, PCG20

quieted, PUSK.E3

quietly, LC196

quietness of mind, LC135

R

raise, WCFV.V, LC53, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW10

raised, WCFXXXII.III, LC87, LC195, DPWPref, PCGPref

raised up, WCFXXXII.II, LC87, SC38

ranks, LC127

ransom, SSKII.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4

rape, LC139

rash, LC145

rashly, WCFXXII.II

reacheth, LC99, DPW6

read, WCFI.VIII, LC156, LC157, SC90, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW2, DPW7, DPW12, DPW14, PCG3, PCG9, PCG19, DFWII, DFWIII

readeth, DPW2

readiness, LC135, LC160, PUSK.E2

reading, LC108, LC155, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW2, DPW4, DPW8, DPW11, DPW12, DPW13, PCG19, DFWVIII

reading of the scriptures, WCFXXI.V, PCG3, DFWII

reading of the word, SC89, DPW3, DPW13, PCG3, PCG9

ready, LC88, LC121, LC144, LC195, SC100, DPW12, DFWV

real, WCFXI.III, WCFXXIX.II, LC71, PUSK.W1

reality, PUSK.W1

really, WCFXIII.I, WCFXXVIII.VI, WCFXXIX.VII, LC52, LC66, LC170, SSKIII.I

reason, WCFVIII.VII, WCFIX.IV, WCFXVI.V, WCFXX.II, WCFXXIX.VI, LC79, LC133, LC150, LC153, LC181, LC195, SC56, SC66, SC83, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW4, PCG13, PCG20

reasonable, WCFIV.II, LC17, LC24, LC37, SC22

reasonable creatures, WCFVII.I

reasoning, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4

reasons, LC100, LC110, LC114, LC120, SC52, SC62, DPW4, DFWII

rebel, LC192, PUSK.W4

rebellion, LC128

rebellions, DPW3

rebellious, DPW3

rebuke, PCG12, DFWII, DFWXII

receive, WCFXII, WCFXV.VI, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXXIX.VII, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXXI.III, WCFXXXIII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC39, LC53, LC129, LC151, LC160, LC170, LC171, LC173, LC174, SC37, SC38, SC86, SC90, SC91, SC104, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, PCG10, PCG12, PCG19

received, WCFI.IV, WCFIV.II, WCFXVI.III, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXXI.III, WCFXXXII.I, LC70, LC74, LC86, LC90, LC109, LC149, LC169, LC175, SC33, SC34, SSKIII.I, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, DPW6, DPW7, DPW13, PCGPref, PCG19

receiver, LC170

receivers, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXIX.VII, SC96

receiveth, LC72, LC73

receiving, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.II, WCFXIV.II, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXIX.IV, LC108, LC142, LC144, LC145, LC168, LC174, SC50, SC96, SC97, PUSK.E4

receptacle, PUSK.W4

reckoneth, PUSK.E3

reckoning, PUSK.I, PUSK.E3

reclaimed, DFWXII

reclaiming, WCFXXX.III

recommend, DPW5, DPW12

recommended, DPW4, PCG20

recommending, DPW4

reconcile, LC40, SC25

reconciled, WCFXV.VI, LC135, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, DPW10

reconciles, SSKIV.II

reconciliation, WCFVIII.V, LC44, SSKII.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW3

reconciling, PUSK.W2, DPW4

record, PUSK.IV

recorded, LC98, DPW9

records, PCG19

recover, LC72, LC195

recovered, LC195

recovery, DPW10

recreations, WCFXXI.VIII, LC117, LC119, LC135, LC136, SC60, SC61

redeem, SSKII.II

redeemed, WCFIII.VI, WCFVIII.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.EStr

Redeemer, SC20, SC21, SC23, SC44, SSKII.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4, DPW10

redemption, WCFVIII.VI, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXII, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXXXII.I, LC57, LC59, LC86, LC121, SC29, SC30, SC85, SC88, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, SSKII.III, SSKIV.I, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW7, PCG19

redound, PUSK.E1

redress, DPWPref

reference, WCFVII.IV, DPWPref, DPW13, DFWII

reform, DPW12

reformation, LC173, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW5, DPW12, DFWPref

reformed, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIV.III, DPWPref, DPW3, PCG5, PCG19, DFWIX

reformed Churches, DPWPref

reformers, DPWPref

refractory, LC128

refraining from evil, WCFXIX.VI

refreshing, WCFXXXIII.II, DPW7, DPW13

refuge, PUSK.E3

refuse, WCFXXII.III, PUSK.W3

refusing, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO

regard, WCFXIX.V, WCFXXVII.V, LC131, LC196, DPW2, DPW4, PCG12, PCG13, PCG16, PCG17

regenerate, WCFXIII.III, WCFXIX.VI, LC94, LC97, SSKIV.I

regenerated, WCFVI.V, WCFX.III, WCFXIII.I, WCFXXVIII.V

regeneration, WCFXXVIII.I, LC165, LC177, PUSK.W4, DPW6

register, DPW9

regular, WCFXXII.VII

reigning with him, LC191

reinforcing, DPW12

reins, PUSK.I

reject, PUSK.IV

rejected, LC49, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1

rejoice, WCFXVIII.I, LC131, DPWPref, DPW13

rejoicing, LC104, LC144, LC145, LC174, DPW13

relapses, LC175

relapsing, LC151

related, LC151

relation, WCFV.II, WCFXXVII.II, WCFXXIX.V, LC129, DPW9, PCG19

relations, LC28, LC125, LC126, SC64, SC65, DPW9

relied on, LC40

relief, LC172, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2

relief of the poor, PCG8

relieving, WCFXXVI.II

relieving the poor, DPW8

religion, WCFI.VIII, WCFI.X, WCFX.IV, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXXI.II, LC60, LC62, LC109, LC113, LC121, PUSK.E2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW10, PCG19

religious, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXII.V, WCFXXIX.IV, LC108, DPW3, DPW12, DFWVII, DFWConcl

religious education, DPW3

religious intentions, DPWPref

religious worship, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXII.I, LC105, LC108, LC109, LC179, SC50

religiously, DPW3

rely, LC196

remain, WCFVI.V, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXXII.I, LC86, SSKIV.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.EStr

remained, WCFVIII.IV

remaineth, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EStr

remaining, WCFXIII.III, WCFXVII.III, DPW10, DPW13

remaining corruption, WCFIX.IV

remedied, WCFXXIV.VI

remedies, DPW4

remedy, LC151, SSKII.Pref, PUSK.W3

remember, LC115, LC121, SC57, DPW6

remembered, DPW8

remembering, LC104, LC121

remembrance, WCFXXIX.I, LC121, LC169, DPWPref, DPW7, DPW10, DPW11, DPW13

remiss, LC130

remission of sin, LC34, PUSK.IV, PUSK.EStr, DPW6

remission of sins, WCFVII.V, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXIX.II, LC165, PUSK.W2, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10

remit, WCFXXX.II

remnants, WCFXIII.II, LC78

remote parts, DPW3

removal, PCG19

remove, LC190, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10

removed, DPWPref, PCG19, PCG20

removing, LC108, LC142, DPW12

rendering, LC141, PCG19

rending, DFWVII

renew, WCFXI.V, LC168, DPW10

renewed, WCFX.II, LC75, SC35, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10, DPW13

renewing, WCFX.I, LC67, LC171, LC174, SC31, SSKIV.I, PUSK.W2, DPW13

renounce, DPW6

renouncing, DPW10

rents, DPW3

repair, DFWVIII

repairing, DPW10

reparation, LC151

repast, DPW13

repent, WCFXV.IV, WCFXV.V, PUSK.W3, DPW6, DPW10, DFWIX

repentance, WCFXI.V, WCFXV.III, WCFXV.V, WCFXV.VI, LC151, LC153, LC171, SC97, SSKIV.I, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12

repentance unto life, WCFXV.I, LC75, LC76, SC85, SC87

repetition of sermons, DPW8

repine, LC192

report, LC144, LC145

reports, LC145

reprehended, DPW4

reprehension, DPW4

represent, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXIX.V, LC177

representation, WCFXXI.I, LC109, DPW10

represented, SC92

representeth, DPW6

reprobate, WCFXXXIII.II, LC28, LC90, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.I

reproof, LC145

reproofs, DPW4

reprove, DPW10, DPW12, PCG3

reproved, DFWIII

reproving, LC129

repugnant, WCFXXIX.VI

request, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3

requesteth, PUSK.W2

requesting, PUSK.W2

requests, LC179, LC196

require, WCFII.II, WCFXIX.IV, WCFXXX.II, LC99, LC153, SC85, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6

required, WCFXVI.III, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXXI.V, LC99, LC104, LC105, LC108, LC112, LC113, LC116, LC119, LC128, LC129, LC130, LC132, LC135, LC138, LC139, LC141, LC142, LC144, LC147, LC160, LC174, SC46, SC50, SC54, SC58, SC61, SC64, SC68, SC71, SC74, SC77, SC80, SC97, PUSK.E2, PCG13, DFWIII

requires, WCFXVI.IV, LC5, LC112, SC3, DPW12

requireth, WCFXIX.VII, LC91, LC116, LC144, LC153, SC39, SC46, SC50, SC54, SC58, SC64, SC68, SC71, SC74, SC77, SC80, SC85, PUSK.II, PUSK.IV, DPW2, DPW12, DFWXII, DFWXIII

requiring, WCFVII.III, WCFXX.II, LC32, LC71, DPW4, DPW6, DFWVI

requisite, LC38, LC39, LC40, LC182, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPW2, DPW4, DPW5, DPW7, DPW8, DPWAppen, PCG8, PCG16, PCG18, PCG20, DFWIV

requiting, LC135

reservation, WCFXXII.IV

reserved, WCFXXXII.I, SSKI.III

reserving, WCFXXIX.IV, LC120

residence, PUSK.E4, DPW4

residing, DFWIV

resist, WCFXX.IV, LC195, DPW9

resisting, LC105, LC135, LC138

resolution, DPW12, PCG19, DFWIII

resolutions, DPW10, DPW12

resolved, WCFXXII.III, LC172, DPWPref

resolving, DPW4

respect, WCFXIX.V, WCFXXVI.III, LC166, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPW4, DPW12, PCG19, DFWX

respect of persons, PCG7

respects, WCFXI.VI, WCFXXII.VII, LC99, PUSK.W1, DPW11

rest, WCFI.X, WCFIII.VII, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXVII.I, LC13, LC19, LC45, LC86, LC121, SC37, SC86, SSKIII.Pref, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DFWVIII

rested, WCFXV.III, LC115, LC120, SC57

resteth, LC72, PUSK.W4

resting, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.II, WCFXIV.II, LC117, SC60, DPW8

restitution, LC141, DPW3, DPW10

restored, WCFXI.V

restrain, WCFXIX.VI, LC195

restrained, DPW3

restraineth, LC121

restraining, LC45, SC26

resurrection, WCFXIII.I, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXVI.I, LC46, LC51, LC52, LC53, LC75, LC82, LC86, LC87, LC88, LC90, LC116, LC165, LC167, SC37, SC38, SC59, SSKIV.II, DPW6, DPW10

resurrection of Christ, WCFXXI.VII

retain, WCFXXX.II

return, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXXII.I, DPWPref, DPW10, DPW13

return to dust, WCFXXXII.I

reveal, WCFI.I, LC2, LC92, SC40, SSKII.III, PUSK.W1, DPW10

revealed, WCFIII.VIII, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXIX.VII, LC92, LC157, SC40, SSKII.I, PUSK.III, DPW3, DPW5

revealed in the word, WCFI.VI, WCFXIV.II

revealed will, WCFXXI.I, LC91, SC39

revealing, WCFI.I, WCFVIII.VIII, LC43, SC24

revelation, WCFXVIII.III, LC80

revelations of the Spirit, WCFI.VI

revenge, LC136

revengeful, LC110

revenging, LC77, LC83

reverence, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXXI.III, LC127, LC174, LC187, LC189, SC100, DPW1, DPW12

reverend, WCFI.V, DPW3

reverent, LC157, SC54

reverently, LC112, DPW1

review, LC175

reviling, LC113, LC145

revived, WCFXVIII.IV

reward, WCFVII.I, WCFXVI.VI, SSKI.II

rewarder, WCFII.I

rewarding, LC45, LC129, LC145

rib, LC17

rich, WCFXI.III, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW12

riches, PUSK.W1, DPW3

riches of grace, PUSK.W4

right, WCFI.VIII, LC99, LC141, LC182, LC187, LC193, SC34, SC80, SSKII.II, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DFWI

right channel, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E3

right end, WCFXVI.VII

right hand, WCFVIII.IV, LC51, LC54, LC90, SC28, PUSK.FO, DPW3, DPW9, PCGPref, PCG19

right manner, WCFXVI.VII

right use, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXXVIII.VI, DPW6, DPW13

righteous, WCFII.I, WCFV.IV, WCFV.V, WCFV.VI, WCFVI.VI, WCFXI.I, WCFXV.II, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC70, LC72, LC85, LC90, LC114, LC145, LC152, LC195, SC33, SC56, PUSK.III, PUSK.W2, DPW12

righteously, DFWIX, DFWXII

righteousness, WCFIV.II, WCFVI.II, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.II, WCFXIX.II, WCFXX.III, WCFXXXIII.I, LC17, LC25, LC56, LC70, LC71, LC72, LC73, LC93, LC94, LC99, LC167, SC10, SC18, SC35, SSKII.II, SSKIV.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW10

righteousness of Christ, LC77, SC33

righteousness of God, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1

rightly, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXVIII.III, DPW3

rigorous, LC130

riot, DPW13, DFWXII

rise again, WCFXI.IV

rising, DPW6

rising again, SC28

rites, DPWPref

river, PUSK.W1

robbery, LC142, PUSK.W3

Rock, PUSK.W3

root, WCFVI.III, SSKI.II, SSKI.III

rose again, LC52

rotten, PUSK.SF1

rouse, DPW10

royal seed, DPW3

rude, DFWIX

rule, WCFI.IX, WCFXIX.II, LC24, LC92, LC97, LC186, LC191, SC2, SC40, SC99, SSKII.III, PUSK.I, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.E1, DPW2, PCG8, PCG16, PCG17, PCG19, DFWXII

rule of faith, WCFI.II, WCFXXXI.IV, LC3

rule of life, WCFI.II, WCFXIX.VI

ruler, DPW12

rules, WCFXXXI.III, LC99, PUSK.E2, DPWPref, DPW4, PCG1, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20

rules of the word, general, WCFI.VI

ruling, SC26, SSKIII.II, DPW14, PCG3, PCG12

rumours, LC145

S

Sabbath, WCFXXI.VII, DPWAppen

sabbath, WCFXXI.VIII, LC20, LC115, LC116, LC117, LC118, LC120, SC57, SC58, SC59, SC60, DPW3, DPW8

sabbath-day, LC115, LC120, SC57, SC62, DPW7

sabbath-days, DPW9

sacrament, WCFXXVII.II, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXVIII.VII, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.II, WCFXXIX.IV, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXIX.VII, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXX.IV, LC162, LC163, LC165, LC167, LC168, LC169, LC170, LC171, LC172, LC173, LC174, LC175, SC92, SC94, SC96, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, PCG12

sacramental, LC174

sacramental union, WCFXXVII.II

sacramentally, WCFXXIX.V

sacraments, WCFVII.VI, WCFXIV.I, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXVII.V, LC35, LC108, LC112, LC154, LC161, LC164, LC176, LC177, SC88, SC91, SC93, SSKIII.I, SSKIII.II, DPW3, DPW5, DPW7, PCG3, PCG4, PCG6, PCG9, PCG19

sacrifice, WCFVIII.V, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXIX.II, LC44, LC55, SC25, SSKII.III, DPW5

sacrifices, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.VI, LC34, SSKIII.II, PUSK.W1

sacrilege, LC109

sad, DPWPref

safety, DPW10, PCG20

saints, WCFXIII.III, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVI.II, WCFXXVI.III, LC63, LC89, LC90, LC105, LC151, LC174, PUSK.III, DPW6, PCGPref, PCG1, PCG2, PCG7

sake, WCFXI.I, LC180, SC105, PUSK.W1, PCG19

salutations, DPW1

salvation, WCFI.V, WCFI.VI, WCFI.VII, WCFIII.VI, WCFVII.III, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFIX.III, WCFX.I, WCFXII, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXVIII.V, WCFXXXIII.II, LC2, LC4, LC30, LC32, LC34, LC35, LC38, LC43, LC60, LC63, LC72, LC79, LC80, LC81, LC154, LC155, LC159, LC161, LC195, SC20, SC24, SC86, SC88, SC89, SC90, SC91, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10

sanctification, WCFXIII.II, WCFXIV.II, LC69, LC75, LC77, LC78, LC195, SC32, SC35, SC36, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW5, DPW8

sanctified, WCFIII.VI, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.III, WCFXIII.I, WCFXVII.I, LC117, LC195, SC60, DPW2, DPW3, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10

sanctifies, SSKIV.I

sanctify, LC121, PUSK.E1, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10

sanctifying, WCFXIII.III, LC116, LC120, PUSK.FO, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9

sanctifying grace, DPW13

sap, PUSK.E4

Satan, WCFI.I, WCFV.VI, WCFVI.I, WCFXVII.III, WCFXX.I, WCFXXI.I, LC21, LC27, LC48, LC121, LC191, LC195, SC102, SSKI.III, SSKIV.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW10

satisfaction, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.III, WCFXV.III, WCFXXXI.V, LC70, LC71, LC194, SSKIV.II, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW10

satisfied, WCFVIII.V, LC52, PUSK.W4

satisfieth, PUSK.W1

satisfy, WCFXVI.V, LC38, SC25, SSKII.II, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW10

save, SSKII.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW4, PCG19

saved, WCFIII.VI, WCFVII.III, WCFX.III, WCFX.IV, WCFXVII.I, WCFXXVIII.V, LC60, LC61, LC63, LC81, SSKIII.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, DPW7

savest, PUSK.FO

saveth, LC41

saving, WCFI.VI, WCFXIV.I, SSKII.III, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, DPWPref, DPW3

saving faith, WCFXIV.II, SSKIV.I, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EStr

saving grace, LC45, LC72, LC76, SC86, SC87

saving graces, WCFXI.II, WCFXIII.I, LC32, LC75, SSKII.II, SSKIV.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1

saving truth, PUSK.I

savingly, WCFX.I, LC67

Saviour, WCFVIII.I, LC60, LC186, PUSK.W3, DPW3, DPW5, DPW7, DPW10, PCG3

savour, DPW12

scandal, DFWXIII, DFWConcl

scandalize, WCFXVII.III, LC151

scandalizeth, WCFXV.VI

scandalous, LC128, LC173, DPW7, DPW12

scarcity, DPWPref

schism, DPW3, PCG19, DFWPref, DFWConcl

schools, DPW3, PCG4

sciences, DPW4

scoffing, LC145

scope, WCFI.V, LC4, LC126, LC157, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW4, DFWConcl

scorned, LC49

scornful, LC145

scorning, LC113

Scotland, DPW3, PCG19

scribes, PUSK.E1

scripture, WCFI.I, WCFI.II, WCFI.III, WCFI.IV, WCFI.V, WCFI.VI, WCFI.VII, WCFI.IX, WCFI.X, WCFVII.IV, WCFVIII.VII, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXXII.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV, DPW4, DPW9, DPW10, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG4, PCG6, PCG12, PCG13, PCG14, PCG16, PCG19, DFWIII

scriptures, WCFI.VIII, WCFXXI.V, LC3, LC4, LC5, LC6, LC11, LC156, LC157, LC160, SC2, SC3, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW4, DPW12, PCG3, PCG19, DFWII, DFWIII

scruple, DPW10

sea, LC115, LC120, SC57, DPW5

seal, WCFXXVIII.I, LC162, LC165, LC177, SC94, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW6

sealed, WCFXII, WCFXVIII.II, LC167, SC92, SSKIII.I, SSKIII.II, DPWPref, DPW6, DPW7

sealing, WCFXXIX.I

seals, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXX.III, LC176

search, WCFI.VIII, LC179, PUSK.I, DPW10

searched, WCFI.IX

searcheth, PUSK.I, DPW9

searching, LC105

season, WCFXXX.IV

seasonable, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10

seasonably, LC117, DPW8, DPW10

seasons, WCFXXI.V, DPW3

seats, DPW1

secluded, PUSK.III

secluding, DFWIV

second Adam, LC31

second causes, WCFIII.I, WCFV.II

second coming, LC53, LC176, LC191, DPW3, PCG1

secret, WCFIII.V, WCFXXI.VI, DFWXIII

secret prayer, DFWVIII, DFWIX

secret worship, DFWPref, DFWI

secrets, LC105, DPW4

secure, DPW3, DPW10

security, LC105, DPW3

seduced, WCFVI.I

see the Lord, WCFXIII.I

seed, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXXIV.II, LC31, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW6

seed of David, PUSK.W1

seed of God, WCFXVII.II, WCFXVIII.IV, LC79

seeds, LC75

seek, WCFII.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E4, DPW4

seeking, LC130, PUSK.E3

seeming, PUSK.SF1

seeming differences, DPW4

seemly, DPW1

seldom, PCG13

self-denial, LC157

self-interest, PUSK.I

self-love, LC105

self-same, WCFXXXII.II, LC87

self-seeking, LC105

seminaries, DPW3

send forth, PCG3

sendeth, PUSK.W2

sending, PUSK.SF2, DPW5, PCG19

sense, WCFI.IX, WCFXV.II, WCFXXV.VI, LC28, LC76, LC83, LC95, LC185, SC87, SSKIV.I, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10, PCG19

senses, WCFXXIX.VII, LC138, LC170, DPW4

sensible, LC163, SC92, PUSK.W2, DPW10

sensibly, DPW12

sent, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.II, DPW10, PCG19, PCG20

sentence, LC89, LC145, DPW4

sentences, WCFI.X, DPW4

separate, DPW9, DPW10, DPWAppen

separated, WCFXXXII.I, PUSK.E4

separation, LC29

serious, LC167, LC171, DPW12

seriously, LC175, PUSK.W2

sermon, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW7, DPW13, PCG19

sermons, DPW8

serpent, SSKI.III, PUSK.W1

serpent’s head, WCFVIII.VI

servant, LC46, LC115, LC146, SC57, SC79, DPW3, DPW4, PCG19

servants, WCFXVI.V, PUSK.IV, DPWPref, DPW8

serve, WCFXIX.VI, LC107, LC133, SC49, SC66, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.WPref, PUSK.W2, DPW6, DPW10, PCG19, DFWIX

serve the Lord, WCFXX.III

served, WCFXXI.I, SSKIV.II

serves, PUSK.E2

serveth, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E2

service, WCFII.II, WCFXXVII.I, LC106, LC109, LC120, SSKI.II, SSKIV.I, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E4, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW4, DPW7, PCG19, PCG20, DFWIV

service of God, DPW1

service-book, DPWPref

services, WCFXXVI.II, LC55, LC78, SSKII.III

session, DFWIV

set apart, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXIX.V, LC42, LC169, DPW7, PCG7, PCG19, PCG20

set down, WCFI.VI, WCFXXXI.III, SSKIII.II, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PCG19

set form, DFWIX

set forms, DPWPref

set forth, WCFVII.IV, SSKIII.II, PUSK.W1, DPWPref

set free, PUSK.SF2

set up, DFWPref

setting apart, PCG15, PCG17

setting down, PUSK.W1

setting forth, DPW7

settle, DPW10

settled, WCFXXIII.III, DPW12, PCG17

severe, DPW10, DFWX

severity, WCFXVI.V

shadow, SSKIII.II

shake off, WCFXXXIII.III

shaken, WCFXVIII.IV

shame, LC113, LC128, DPW3

shameful, LC49

shed, LC169, DPW3, DPW7

shew, LC97

shewed, DPW7

shewed forth, LC168, SC96

sheweth, WCFXXI.I, DPW6

shewing, LC107, LC110, SC49, PUSK.E1, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7

shine, PUSK.E1

should, WCFVIII.III, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXX.III, LC38, LC39, LC40, SC100, SSKI.II, SSKII.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E3, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10, DPWAppen, PCG7, PCG8, DFWII, DFWIII, DFWVIII, DFWXII

shoulders, PCGPref

shout, LC56

shunning, LC138, DPW4

shut, WCFXXX.II

sick, DPW8, DPW10, PCG3

sickness, DPW10, DFWIX

sicknesses, DPW10

sight, WCFII.II, WCFXV.II, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXIX.VI, LC70, LC72, LC76, LC95, LC106, LC150, SC33, SC83, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4

sight of God, LC73, LC78, LC150

sign, WCFXXVII.II, WCFXXVIII.I, LC163, LC165, LC177

signified, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXXVII.II, WCFXXVII.V, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC163

signifieth, DPW6

signify, LC162, SC94, PCG19

signs, WCFXXVII.I, SC92, DPW4

silence, LC145

silenced, DPWPref

silly, DFWV

similitude, PUSK.E4

simony, LC109

simpler, DFWII

simplicity, WCFVII.VI

sin, WCFII.I, WCFIII.VII, WCFV.IV, WCFV.V, WCFV.VI, WCFVI.I, WCFVI.II, WCFVI.III, WCFVI.V, WCFVI.VI, WCFVIII.II, WCFIX.III, WCFIX.IV, WCFX.I, WCFXV.III, WCFXV.IV, WCFXV.VI, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.I, WCFXX.III, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXVIII.V, WCFXXIX.VIII, WCFXXXIII.III, LC13, LC19, LC24, LC25, LC26, LC28, LC29, LC30, LC34, LC37, LC49, LC72, LC75, LC77, LC78, LC85, LC90, LC95, LC96, LC99, LC106, LC152, LC167, LC174, LC191, LC193, LC194, LC195, SC14, SC15, SC17, SC18, SC20, SC22, SC31, SC35, SC48, SC84, SC85, SC87, SC106, SSKI.I, SSKI.III, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12, PCG12, DFWIII

sin offering, LC49

sin unto death, WCFXXI.IV, LC183

sin, actual, WCFVI.VI, LC194, PUSK.I, DPW6, DPW10

sin, hatred of, WCFII.I, SC87

sin, original, WCFVI.VI, LC25, LC26, LC194, SC18, SSKI.III, PUSK.I, DPW3, DPW6, DPW10

sin, remission of, LC34, PUSK.IV, PUSKEStr, DPW6

Sinai, WCFXIX.II, LC98

sincere, WCFXVI.VI, PCG19

sincerely, WCFIII.VIII, LC144, LC159, DPW10

sincerity, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXVIII.IV, LC185, LC192, DPW10, DFWX

sinful, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXII.VII, LC95, LC113, LC117, LC119, LC136, LC142, LC167, SC61, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4

sinful nature, DPW6

sinfulness, WCFV.IV, LC25, LC181, SC18, PUSK.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, DPW3

sing, DPW14

singing, DPW3, DPW11, DPW14, PCG19

singing of psalms, WCFXXI.V, DPW8, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, PCG9

single life, WCFXXII.VII, LC139

singular care of God, WCFI.VIII

sinister, LC113

sinking, LC38, LC81

sinned, WCFVI.I, WCFXXI.IV, LC22, LC84, LC183, SC16

sinner, WCFVI.VI, WCFIX.IV, WCFXV.II, LC72, LC73, LC76, SC87, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2

sinners, WCFVII.III, WCFXI.III, WCFXV.III, WCFXXX.II, LC4, LC32, LC70, LC155, SC89, SSKII.I, SSKIII.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPW3

sinning against God, SC13

sins, WCFV.IV, WCFV.V, WCFV.VI, WCFVII.V, WCFXI.I, WCFXI.IV, WCFXI.V, WCFXV.II, WCFXV.V, WCFXV.VI, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVII.III, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXIX.II, WCFXXX.II, LC19, LC41, LC44, LC45, LC70, LC76, LC78, LC79, LC81, LC85, LC105, LC109, LC113, LC119, LC128, LC130, LC132, LC136, LC139, LC142, LC145, LC148, LC150, LC151, LC171, LC178, LC179, LC185, LC191, LC195, SC18, SC33, SC83, SC98, SC105, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, DFWIX

sins, actual, SC18, DPW3

sins, remission of, WCFVII.V, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXIX.II, LC165, PUSK.W2, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10

sit, DPW7

sits, PCGPref

sitteth, WCFVIII.IV

sitting, LC51, LC54, SC28

skill, DPW4, PCG19

slacken, PUSK.E1

slain, WCFVIII.VI

slanderers, LC144

slandering, LC145

slaves to Satan, LC27

slavish, WCFXX.I

sleep, WCFXXXII.I, LC135

sleeping, DPW1

sleepy, PUSK.EStr

slighting, LC105

slothful, DPWPref

sluggish, PUSK.EStr, DFWIX

small, WCFXV.IV

smiteth, DPW10

smitten, DPW10

snare, DPWPref

snares, WCFXXII.VII

sober, LC135, DPW3, DPW9, DPW13

soberly, DFWIX, DFWXII

society, LC62

sodomy, LC139

soften, DPW12

softening, WCFV.VI

sole, DPW10, PCG16

solemn, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXII.III, WCFXXVIII.I, LC167, DPW1, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20

Solemn Covenant, DPW3

solemn fasting, DPW12

Solemn League and Covenant, DPWPref

Solemn National League and Covenant, DPW3

solemnity, PCG18

solemnization, DPW9

solemnize, DPW9

solemnized, DPW9

solemnizing, DPW9

solemnly, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXVII.I, LC165, DPW6, DPW8, DPW13, PCG19

solid, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.WPref, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, DPW4

solidly, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2

Son, WCFII.III, WCFIV.I, WCFVIII.I, WCFXII, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXVIII.II, LC9, LC10, LC11, LC71, LC74, LC165, SC6, SC94, SSKI.I, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW5, DPW6, DFWIX

son, LC115, SC57

Son of God, WCFVIII.II, LC36, LC37, LC47, LC52, SC21, SC22, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10

son of man, LC47

son of perdition, WCFXXV.VI

songs, LC139

sons, LC39, SSKIV.II

sons of God, LC74, SC34, PUSK.E4

sons of men, DPW3

sore, DPW10

sorrow, SSKIV.I, DPW12

sorrow for his sin, WCFXV.VI

sorrowful, LC104

sorrowing, LC144, LC174

sought, DPW12, DFWVIII, DFWXII

soul, WCFVI.II, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXI.I, LC29, LC37, LC52, LC89, LC90, LC93, LC99, LC102, LC129, LC147, LC177, SC22, SC42, SSKII.II, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW10, DPW12

souls, WCFIV.II, WCFXIV.I, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXII.II, LC17, LC86, LC87, LC151, LC159, SC37, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10, DFWV, DFWIX

sound, WCFXXI.V, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.E4, DPW3

sound doctrine, LC159, PCG4

soundly, PUSK.EPref, DPW4

soundness, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.E2, DPWPref

sounds, DPW4

sovereign, WCFII.II, WCFIII.VII, LC13, LC189, PUSK.W3, DPW3

sovereignty, WCFXXI.I, LC196

sovereignty of God, LC101, LC110, LC152, SC52

sparing, LC114, DPW4

sparingly, DPW4, DPW12

speak, WCFI.IX, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW12, DFWXIII

speaking, WCFXIV.II, LC53

speaking too highly, LC145

speaking too meanly, LC145

special, WCFIII.VIII, WCFV.VII, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXXI.III, LC63, LC65, LC67, LC92, LC97, LC100, LC106, LC120, LC179, LC186, SC12, SC62, SC99, SSKI.II, PUSK.WPref, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG6, PCG8, PCG13, PCG19, DFWI, DFWII, DFWVI

special grace, WCFX.II

special occasions, WCFXXI.V, DPW5, DFWXII

special offer, PUSK.IV

special wisdom, DPW4

specially, LC118, SC48, DFWXII

spectators, PUSK.E1

speech, SC71

speeches, LC135

spend, LC117, PUSK.W1

spending, SC60

Spirit, WCFIII.VI, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.V, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFX.I, WCFX.III, WCFX.IV, WCFXII, WCFXIII.II, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVII.I, WCFXVII.II, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXXII.III, LC2, LC7, LC38, LC43, LC67, LC68, LC72, LC74, LC75, LC76, LC77, LC79, LC80, LC105, LC159, LC165, LC167, LC178, LC182, LC192, LC195, SC4, SC24, SC30, SC31, SC91, SSKIV.I, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, PCG19, DFWIX, DFWConcl

spirit, WCFII.I, WCFXIII.I, WCFXXI.VI, LC78, LC135, SC80, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10, PCG19, DFWIX

Spirit of Christ, WCFXIII.III, WCFXIV.I, WCFXVI.III, WCFXIX.VII, LC87, DPW6

Spirit of God, WCFI.VI, WCFXX.I, LC4, LC81, LC155, SC89, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7

Spirit of grace, DPW3

spirit of prayer, DFWIX

spirits, WCFXVIII.II, LC16, LC80, PUSK.E4, DPW3

spiritual, WCFVI.VI, WCFVII.VI, WCFXXVII.V, LC87, LC99, LC101, LC163, LC170, LC176, SSKIV.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, DPW10, DPW13, PCG12, DFWVIII, DFWIX

spiritual evil, DPW10

spiritual good, WCFIX.III, SSKI.III, DPW10

spiritual life, SSKIV.I, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W4

spiritual meaning, PUSK.E1

spiritual nourishment, WCFXXIX.I, LC168, LC177, SC96

spiritual oblation, WCFXXIX.II

spiritual relation, WCFXXVII.II

spiritual services, WCFXXVI.II, LC78

spiritual whoredom, LC110

spiritual worship, PUSK.W3

spiritually, WCFIX.IV, WCFX.I, WCFXXIX.VII, LC25, LC66, LC170

spoiled, DPWPref

spoken, PUSK.IV

sports and pastimes, DPW8

spot, LC44, PUSK.FO

spouse, WCFXXV.I

sprinkling, WCFXXVIII.III, DPW6

stage plays, LC139

stand, LC129, LC151, LC195, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, DPW10, PCG7, DFWIX

standeth, PUSK.W4

standing, WCFII.II

standing for, LC144

standing out, DPW3

state, WCFIX.II, WCFXIX.IV, SSKIV.II, PUSK.III, DPW13

state of death, WCFX.I

state of glory, WCFIX.V

state of grace, WCFIX.IV, WCFXVII.I, WCFXVIII.I, LC79

state of justification, WCFXI.V

state of sin, WCFIX.III, WCFX.I

state of the dead, LC50

stead, WCFXI.III, LC97, PUSK.W2

steal, LC140, SC73

stedfast, PUSK.E3

stedfastly, DPW3

steward, DPW6

stews, LC139

sting, WCFXX.I, LC85, DPW10

stir up, LC174, DPW6, DPW7, DPW13, DFWIII, DFWIV, DFWX, DFWXII

stirred up, LC75

stirring up, WCFXVI.III, DPWPref, DFWIX

stolen, LC142

stone, WCFX.I

stop, WCFXVI.II

stopping our ears, LC145

strait, PUSK.W3, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E4

straitened, DPW2

strange, DFWXII

strange phrases, DPW4

stranger, LC115, SC57

strangers, LC166, DPW6

strength, WCFV.V, WCFIX.III, WCFXIII.III, WCFXVIII.III, LC102, LC167, LC180, SC42, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10, DPW13, DFWIII

strengthen, WCFXVI.II, WCFXIX.V, LC162, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW10

strengthened, WCFXIII.I, WCFXIV.I, LC75, LC172, PUSK.Pref, DPW4

strengthening, LC155, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.EStr

strict, DPW9

strictly, WCFXXII.VI, DPW3, PCG19

striking, LC136

strive, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2

strong, WCFXIV.III, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4

strong delusions, LC28

strong in the faith, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1

students, SSKIV.II

studied, PUSK.E1

studies, LC135, LC142, DPWPref, PCG18

studieth, PUSK.SF2

study, WCFXXIV.VI, LC141, PUSK.EStr, DPW9

studying, LC144, DPW4

stumbled, SSKIII.I

stupid, DPW10

style, WCFI.V

subdue, LC54, LC195, SSKII.III

subdued, LC77

subduing, WCFXIX.VII, LC135, LC155, SC26, PUSK.W1

subject, WCFIV.II, WCFVI.VI, WCFXXIII.IV, WCFXXV.V, LC16, LC17, LC195, SSKI.III, PUSK.E1, DPW4, DPWAppen

subjected, WCFXX.I, SSKII.II

subjecting, LC48

subjection, DPW2

submission, WCFXXXI.III, LC104, LC127, LC185

submit, LC192, SC103, SSKII.II, SSKIII.I, PCG19

submitted, PUSK.FO

subordinate, DPW3

subordination, PCG14

subscribing, DPWPref

subsistence, WCFXXXII.I

substance, WCFII.III, WCFVII.VI, WCFVIII.II, WCFXXVI.III, WCFXXVII.V, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VI, LC9, LC35, LC36, LC37, LC100, SC6, SSKIII.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW6, PCG19

substantial, PUSK.E4

subtilty, WCFVI.I

success, LC175, DPW3

succouring, LC135

sudden, WCFXVIII.IV

sue, WCFXXIV.V

suffer, WCFXXX.III, LC39, LC114, SC56, PUSK.E3, DFWIX

suffered, WCFVIII.IV, LC52, DFWV

suffering, WCFXVIII.IV, SSKII.II

sufferings, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXIX.III, WCFXXVI.I, LC38, LC45, LC174, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10

sufferings of Christ, PUSK.W1

suffice, PUSK.FO

sufficeth, PUSK.FO

sufficiency, PUSK.E4, DPW10, PCG18, PCG19

sufficient, WCFI.I, WCFI.VII, WCFVII.V, WCFXXIV.VI, LC34, PUSK.II, PUSK.W1, DPW6, DPW9, PCG19

sufficiently, LC2, LC158

suggestions, LC105

suggestions of Satan, WCFXXI.I

suitable, LC141, DPW4, DPW7, DPW11, DPW12, DPW13

summarily, LC98, SC41

sundry times, WCFI.I

sung, DPW5, DPW13

supererogate, WCFXVI.IV

superiors, LC118, LC124, LC125, LC126, LC127, LC128, LC129, LC130, LC151, SC64, DFWIX

superstition, DPWPref, DPW3, DPWAppen

superstitions, WCFXXIX.VI

superstitious, WCFXXII.VII, LC109, LC113, DPWPref, DPW11

superstitiously, DPW6

Supper of the Lord, WCFXXVII.IV, DPW7

supplicate, DPW3

supply, WCFXIII.III, PCG17

support, WCFV.V, LC52, LC81, LC193, SC106, DPW12

supported, WCFXVIII.IV, LC195

supporting, LC45

suppressed, WCFXXIII.III, DFWConcl

supreme, WCFI.X, WCFXXIII.I, DPW12

sure, WCFI.I, WCFXVIII.III, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, DPW10

suretiship, LC141

surety, WCFVIII.III, LC71, SSKII.II, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4

surprised, DPW4

suspend, PCG12

suspension, WCFXXX.IV, PCG12

suspicion, LC145

sustain, LC38, LC193

sustentation, LC141

swear, WCFXXII.II

sweareth, WCFXXII.I

swearing, WCFXXII.I, LC108

sweet command, PUSK.W3

sweet invitation, PUSK.W3

sweet savour, DPW12

sweetens, DPW9

sweetly, WCFXIX.VII

sword, WCFXXIII.I, DPW3

sworn, PUSK.W4

symbols, PUSK.W4

synagogues of Satan, WCFXXV.V

synod, WCFXXXI.II

synodical, PCG10, PCG14

synods, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXXI.I, WCFXXXI.III, WCFXXXI.IV, WCFXXXI.V

T

table, PUSK.W3, DPW7, PCG12

tables of stone, LC98

tainted, DFWV

take away, WCFXXVI.III, LC192

take heed, LC99, DFWXIV

taken away, WCFIII.I, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPW10

taken out, DPW6

taketh away, DPW6

taking away, WCFX.I, LC135, LC136, SC69, DPW4

taking from, LC109

tale-bearers, LC144

tale-bearing, LC145

tasting, DPW3

taught, WCFXXV.IV, LC106, LC186, SC48, SC99, PUSK.III, PUSK.E3, DPW5, DPW7, PCG1, PCG4

taught of God, DPW4

teach, LC5, LC106, LC125, LC189, LC196, SC3, SC44, SC48, SC100, SC107, PUSK.I, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW10, PCG3

teacher, PCG4

teachers, DPW2, DPW3, PCG2, PCG3, PCG14, PCG19

teacheth, LC189, LC196, SC44, SC100, SC107, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr, DPW3, DPW4

teaching, PUSK.E1, PCG4

tedious, DPW2

teeth, DPW3

temperance, LC138, PUSK.E2

temple, PUSK.E4

temporal, WCFVI.VI, WCFXVII.III, LC193, DPW3, DPW5, DFWIX

temptation, WCFVI.I, WCFXVIII.IV, LC21, LC130, LC167, LC195, SC106, PUSK.E4, DPW10

temptations, WCFV.V, WCFV.VI, WCFXVII.III, LC45, LC48, LC78, LC79, LC81, LC135, LC138, LC155, LC195, PUSK.W1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW9, DPW10

tempted, LC195, SC106

tempting of God, LC105

Ten Commandments, WCFXIX.II, LC98, LC99, LC100, LC101, SC41, SC42, SC43, SC44

tend, LC147

tender, PCG18

tender mercies, DPW12

tenderness, LC125, DPW10

tendeth, SC69

tending, LC184, DPW13, DFWII, DFWVII

tenor, SSKII.I

terms, PUSK.W1, DPW4

terrible, WCFII.I

terror, PUSK.E4, DPW3

terrors, LC49, DPW4

testament, WCFVII.IV, DPW2

Testaments, PCG19

testator, WCFVII.IV

testifications, DPW13

testifies, PUSK.IV

testify, LC162, LC168, LC196

testifying, LC63

testimonial, PCG18, PCG19

testimonials, PCG19

testimony, WCFXVIII.II, LC194, SC107, PUSK.I, DPWPref, DPW9

testimony of God, WCFI.IV

testimony of man, WCFI.IV

testimony of the church, WCFI.IV, WCFI.V

tests, DPW12

text, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, DPW4, DPW13

thankful, LC121, LC167, LC169, LC178, LC185, SC98, DPW9

thankfulness, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXXII.VI, LC32, LC97, LC168, DPWPref, DPW6

thanks, LC104, LC174, DPW5, DPW6, DPW7, DPW13, DFWIX

thanksgiving, WCFXXI.III, LC108, LC127, LC169, DPW5, DPW7, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG9, DFWXI, DFWXIV

thanksgivings, WCFXXI.V, DPW3, DPW5

theft, LC142

theology, DPW4

theses, PCG19

things of God, WCFX.I, LC105

think, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, DPW2, DPW3, DFWXII

thinking, LC104, LC121, LC145

thirst, DPW3

thirsteth, PUSK.W1

thirsting, LC174, PUSK.W1, DPW7

thou shalt, LC103, SC45, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.IV

thou shalt not, LC107, LC111, LC115, LC134, LC137, LC140, LC143, LC146, SC49, SC53, SC57, SC67, SC70, SC73, SC76, SC79, PUSK.Pref

thought, LC112, LC149, LC190, SC82, SSKI.III

thoughts, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXXIII.I, LC105, LC119, LC135, LC139, SC61, SC72, PUSK.I, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW8, DPW12

thraldom, LC101

threatened, WCFXIX.I, WCFXIX.VI, LC84, DPW4, DFWIII

threatening, LC93, LC99, LC110, SSKI.II

threatenings, WCFXIV.II, WCFXIX.VI

three kingdoms, PCG18

throne of David, PCGPref

throne of grace, WCFXII, WCFXX.I, LC39, LC55, DPW3, DPW7

throughout, WCFXIII.II

thrust out, PUSK.W3

tidings, PUSK.W1

tie, PCG7

tied, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXVIII.VI, PUSK.W3, DPW6

time, WCFI.VI, WCFI.VIII, WCFVII.V, WCFX.I, WCFXI.IV, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXIV.I, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC34, LC47, LC59, LC67, LC75, LC99, LC117, LC139, LC151, LC167, LC174, LC175, LC191, SC27, SC60, SSKII.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E4, DPWPref, DPW2, DPW3, DPW5, DPW6, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW11, DPW13, PCG3, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, DFWIV, DFWVII, DFWVIII, DFWIX, DFWXII

time of the gospel, WCFVII.V

time of the law, WCFVII.V

timely, DPW8, DPW10

timeous, PUSK.W1

times, WCFI.I, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXXI.IV, LC81, LC99, LC116, LC117, LC121, LC151, LC182, SC58, PUSK.II, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCG1, PCG8, DFWVII, DFWXII

title, WCFXXVI.III, LC109, PCG4

titles of God, LC112, LC113, LC190, SC54

today, WCFVIII.VI

together, WCFXIX.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXIV.VI, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXXI.II, LC28, LC99, LC148, SC18, SSKIV.II, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, DPW14, DPWAppen, PCG7, PCG8, PCG13, DFWII, DFWVIII, DFWXIV

token, DPW6

tolerable, DFWVII

tolerating, LC109, LC139

tongue, WCFXXI.III, DPWPref, DPW2

tongues, DPW4, PCG19, DFWIX

tongues, original, WCFI.VIII, PCG19

tormented, LC49, PUSK.III

torments, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC29, LC83, LC86, LC89

total abstinence, DPW12

totally, WCFXVII.I, LC79

towns, PCG20

tradition, LC109

traditions, WCFI.VI

train up, DFWIV

transacted, WCFXXIII.III

transgressed, LC21

transgressing, WCFIV.II

transgression, WCFII.I, WCFVI.VI, LC22, LC24, LC153, SC14, SC16, PUSK.E3

transgressions, WCFVI.IV, LC25, LC150, SC18, SC83, SSKI.III, PUSK.E1, DPW3

transgressors, LC114

translated, WCFI.VIII, LC156

translates, WCFIX.IV

translation, DPW2

transubstantiation, WCFXXIX.VI

treasures, WCFVIII.III

tree of life, LC20

trembling, WCFXIV.II

trespasses, PUSK.W2, DPW10

trial, DPW4, DPW10, PCG19, PCG20

tribunal of Christ, WCFXXXIII.I

tribute, WCFXXIII.IV

tried, PCG19

trieth, PUSK.I

Trinity, WCFII.III, WCFVIII.II, SSKII.I, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4

triumphed, DPW10

triumphing, LC53

trodden under our feet, LC195

trouble, PUSK.E4, DPW4, PCG19, DFWVII

troubled, DPW3, DPW4, DFWXIII

troubles, DPW4, DPW9, PCG20

true, WCFI.IX, WCFII.I, WCFIV.II, WCFXIII.I, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.II, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXIX.I, LC37, LC61, LC62, LC79, LC80, LC81, LC144, LC172, SC22, SC87, SSKIII.I, SSKIV.II, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.I, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, DPWPref, DPW6, DFWIX

true church, PUSK.E1

true faith, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, PUSK.EStr

true God, WCFXXI.I, LC8, LC9, LC104, LC105, SC5, SC46, SC47

true kirk, PUSK.E1

truly, WCFVI.V, WCFX.IV, WCFXV.IV, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXXIX.V, LC68, LC80, LC170, PUSK.W1, DPW10

trumpet of God, LC56

trust, LC142, PUSK.I, PUSK.W1

trusted, PCG3

trusted in, WCFXXI.I

trusting, LC104, LC105, LC174

truth, WCFI.I, WCFI.IV, WCFI.V, WCFII.I, WCFVIII.III, WCFXVIII.II, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXII.III, LC7, LC32, LC72, LC113, LC141, LC144, LC145, LC160, LC171, SC77, SC78, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.I, PUSK.W1, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW10, PCG13, PCG19, DFWConcl

truth of Christ, DPW4

truth of God, WCFXXIII.III, LC80, SC4, DPW4

tuition, DPW6

tunably, DPW14

Turk, DPW3

turn from, WCFXV.II, SC87, SSKIV.I

turns from, LC76

type, PUSK.W1

types, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.VI, LC34, PUSK.W1

typical, WCFXIX.III

tyrannizing, DPW3

tyranny, DPW3, DPW5

U

unable, LC192, LC195

unbelief, LC68, LC105, LC172, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E4, DPW3

unbeliever, DPW4

unblameable, WCFXVI.VI, PCG19

uncertain, WCFII.II

unchangeable, WCFXVII.II, LC7, LC79, SC4, SSKI.III

unchangeably, WCFIII.I, WCFIII.IV, LC12

unchaste, LC139, SC72

unclean, LC139, PCG12

uncleanness, WCFXXIV.II, LC138, LC139, PUSK.E3

unconformable, LC113

uncorrupt, DPW4

undefiled, WCFVIII.III

under age, DPW9

under grace, WCFXIX.VI

under his feet, PCGPref

under the curse, LC96, PUSK.II, DPW10

under the law, WCFVII.V, WCFVIII.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXX.I, WCFXXV.II, SC27, PUSK.III, PUSK.SF2, PCG3

undergo, DPW9, PCG19

understand, WCFX.I, LC157, LC182, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, DPW2, DPW4, DPW13, DFWII

understanding, WCFI.VII, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.V, LC99, LC185, LC187, PUSK.SF1, DPW10, DPW14

understanding, saving, WCFI.VI

understandings, WCFV.VI, SSKIV.I, DPW4, DFWII

undertake, WCFVIII.IV

undertaking, PUSK.W4

undertakings, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4

undervaluing, LC132

undisturbed, PCG20

undivided, SSKI.I

undoing, DPWPref

undone, DPW3

undoubted, PUSK.EStr

undoubtedly, WCFXXVIII.V

unduly, WCFXXIV.VI, LC130, LC142

unedifying, DPWPref

unequally yoked, WCFXXIV.III

unfaithfulness, LC142

unfeigned, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.FO, PUSK.E3

unfeigned faith, PUSK.E3

unfeignedly, LC172, SSKIV.I, PUSK.E3

unfit, WCFXXIX.VIII, PUSK.E2, DFWIV, DFWIX

unfitly, DPW6

unfruitful, LC113, PUSK.E2

unfruitfulness, DPW3

ungodliness, DFWXII

ungodly, WCFV.VI, WCFXXIX.VIII

unhappy, PUSK.W1

uniformity, DPWPref

union, WCFXXVII.II, LC65, LC66, LC69, LC79, LC168, SSKII.II, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4, DPW6

united, WCFVIII.III, WCFXXVI.I, WCFXXXII.II, LC52, LC86, LC87, SC37, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW6

uniting, SC30, PUSK.W1

unity, WCFVIII.VII, WCFXXIII.III, PCG19, DFWPref

unity of the Godhead, WCFII.III

universal, WCFXXV.II

universal church, WCFXXV.I

universally, PUSK.E3

universities, DPW3, PCG4

university, PCG18

unjust, WCFXXXII.III, LC87, LC130, LC135, LC139, LC142

unjust sentence, LC145

unjustly, LC56, SC69, SC75

unknown, WCFXXXIII.III, DPW4

unlawful, LC105, LC113, LC130, LC139, LC142, LC184, DPWAppen

unlawful means, LC105

unlawfully, LC141, LC193

unlearned, WCFI.VII

unnatural, LC139

unnecessarily, DPW4, DPW6, DPW8

unnecessary, LC141, LC145, SC61, DPWPref, DPW8

unpleasant, PUSK.E2, DPW4

unprofitable, WCFXVI.V, LC113, LC119, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4

unregenerate, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXVIII.I, LC94, LC96

unreproveable, WCFXVI.VI

unsearchable, WCFIII.VII, WCFV.IV, WCFVIII.VIII, LC13

unsearchably, PUSK.I

unseasonably, LC145

unsound, PCG19

unspeakable, LC89, DPW6, DFWI

unspotted, DPW3

unstable, DFWV

untruth, LC145

unwilling, LC192, LC195

unwillingness, LC144

unwise, LC113

unworthily, SC97, DPW7, PCG12

unworthiness, LC185, PUSK.W1, DPW1, DPW7

unworthy, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC105, PUSK.W4, DPW3, PCG12, DFWIX

uphold, WCFV.I, WCFXX.IV, DPW6

upright, SSKI.II

uprightly, PUSK.E2

uprightness, DPW10

upstirring, PUSK.EStr

urging, DPWPref

useful, DPW5, DPW10

usual, DPW9

usurping, LC132

usury, LC142

utterance, DPW3

uttermost, PUSK.W3

V

vacant, DPW8

vagrant, DFWV

vain, LC111, LC113, LC114, SC53, DPWPref, DPW4

vain credulity, LC105

vain janglings, LC113

vainglorious, LC145

vainly, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXXII.II

valid, PCG19

vanities, PUSK.IV, DPW12

vanquished, LC52

variance, DPW10

vehement, WCFXVIII.IV

vengeance, LC45, PUSK.III

vessels, DPW7

vexatious, LC142

vicinity, PCG20

victorious, SSKIII.II

victory, WCFXIV.III, WCFXX.I, DPW6, DPW10

vigorous, LC174

vile affections, LC28

vileness, DPW1

vilest, DPW3

villages, PCG16, PCG17

vindicating, WCFXXX.III

vine, PUSK.E4

vine-tree, PUSK.E4

violated, WCFXXII.IV

violating, LC113

violence, WCFIII.I, LC135

Virgin Mary, WCFVIII.II, LC37, SC22, SSKII.II

virtue, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXIII.I, WCFXIV.II, WCFXXX.II, WCFXXXI.II, LC69, LC87, LC161, SC91, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, PUSK.E2, DPW6

virtues, LC127

visible, WCFIV.I, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXIX.VII, PCG1

visible church, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXVIII.I, LC61, LC62, LC63, LC165, LC166, SC95, PUSK.W3, DPW6, PCG1

visible churches, PCG1

visibly, LC45, LC53

vision, LC90

visitation, DPW10

visitation of God, DPW10

visiting, LC110

visiting the sick, DPW8

vocal, WCFXXI.III

vocation, WCFIII.VIII, DPW5

vocations, DFWXIV, DFWConcl

voice, LC56, DPW4, DPW14

voice of God, LC98

void, WCFXXIII.IV

voluntarily, WCFXXII.VI

voluntary, WCFVII.I

vouchsafe, DPW3, DPW6, DPW7, DPW10

vouchsafed, DPW7

vouchsafeth, WCFXII, DPWPref

vow, WCFXXII.V, WCFXXII.VII, LC167

vowing, LC108

vows, WCFXXI.V, LC112, LC113, LC139, LC151, LC175, DPW3, DPW10

vows, monastical, WCFXXII.VII

vulgar, WCFI.VIII, DPW2

vulgar languages, LC156

W

wages of sin, LC84, LC85

wait, WCFXVIII.III, LC81, LC175, DPW10

wait upon God, LC174

waiting, WCFXXXII.I, LC86, LC185, LC193

walk, WCFXV.II, WCFXVIII.I, WCFXVIII.IV, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXVIII.I, LC76, LC80, LC95, LC167, PUSK.SF2, DPW7, DPW10, DPW12, PCG12, DFWXIV

walk worthy, DPW3, DPW10

walked, DPW3

walking, LC104, LC113, LC167, DPW4, DFWIX, DFWXII

want, WCFXXII.VI, LC24, LC25, LC172, LC195, SC14, SC18, PUSK.E2, PUSK.EStr, DPW6, DPW10

wanteth, PUSK.EStr

wanton looks, LC139

wants, LC171, PUSK.E3, DPW4

war, WCFXIII.II, WCFXIII.III, WCFXXIII.II, LC136

wares, PUSK.W1

warfare, SSKIV.II, DPW7

warn, DPW7

warning, DPW7, DPW9

warrant, WCFXVI.I, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPWAppen, PCG16

warrantableness, DPWPref

warranted, WCFXXII.II, PCG13

warrants, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.WPref, PUSK.EPref

wash away, PUSK.W1

washing, LC165, SC94, DPW6

wasteful gaming, LC142

watch, LC88, LC175

watchful, WCFV.V, WCFXXXIII.III, PUSK.EStr, DFWIII

watchfully, DPW4

watchfulness, LC138, LC195

watching, DPW5, DPW9

water, WCFXXVIII.II, WCFXXVIII.III, LC107, LC165, LC177, SC49, SC94, DPW6

waters, PUSK.W1

way, WCFI.V, WCFVII.I, WCFX.IV, WCFXIX.V, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXII.VI, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXXI.V, LC26, LC32, LC96, LC113, LC114, LC130, SC51, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.E3, DPWPref, DPW4, DPW11, PCG7, PCG12, PCG17, PCG19, PCG20, DFWI, DFWII, DFWIII

ways, WCFI.I, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFXIV.III, WCFXV.II, WCFXVIII.IV, LC43, LC76, LC113, LC142, PUSK.I, PUSK.II, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW10, DPW11

weak, WCFXIV.III, LC151, LC172, PUSK.SFPref, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW7, DFWIV

weakened, WCFXIII.I, WCFXIV.III, LC81

weaker, DFWIX

weakness, WCFXVI.V, LC192, LC195, PUSK.SF2, DPW12

weaknesses, WCFXVI.VI, PCG12

wealth, LC141, SC74, SC75

wearied, DPW7, DFWXIII

weary, LC119, PUSK.E2, DPW10

weather, DPW3

week, SC62

weekly, SC59

weeping, DPW3

weight, WCFXXII.II, LC49, PUSK.E1

weightiness, WCFXXII.III

weights, LC142

weighty, DPWPref, DPW4

welcoming, PUSK.W1

welfare, LC184

well, WCFXV.I, WCFXIX.V, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXII.II, LC94, LC99, LC129, LC141, LC144, LC145, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W4, DPWPref, DPW3, PCG3, PCG8, DFWIX

well-doing, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E4

well-pleasing, WCFIX.II

whatsoever comes to pass, WCFIII.I, WCFIII.II, LC12, SC7

whispering, LC145

whisperings, DPW1

whole, WCFVIII.II

whole counsel of God, LC159

whole man, WCFXIII.II, LC75, LC93, LC99, LC104, SC35

wholly, WCFI.I, WCFI.IV, WCFVI.II, WCFVI.IV, WCFIX.III, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVI.VI, LC25, LC165, LC193, DPW1, DPW10, DPW12

wholly inclined, LC192

whoredom, LC110

wicked, WCFV.VI, WCFXXIV.III, WCFXXXII.I, WCFXXXIII.II, LC83, LC86, LC87, LC89, LC105, LC113, LC145, SSKIV.II, PUSK.I, PUSK.W3, DPW4

wicked men, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC56

wife, WCFXXIV.I, WCFXXIV.II, WCFXXIV.IV, LC146, SC79, DPW9

wild, PUSK.E4

wilderness, PUSK.W1

wilful, LC68

wilful desertion, WCFXXIV.VI

wilfully, WCFXXI.VI, LC19, LC151

will, WCFI.I, WCFIV.II, WCFIX.II, WCFIX.IV, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVII.II, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXV.V, LC21, LC55, LC99, LC105, LC192, SC13, SC39, SC103, SSKI.III, PUSK.I, PUSK.W4, DFWIX

will of God, WCFI.I, WCFII.I, WCFIII.I, WCFIII.V, WCFIII.VI, WCFIII.VII, WCFIII.VIII, WCFV.I, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXIX.VII, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXVIII.VI, LC12, LC13, LC14, LC43, LC91, LC93, LC95, LC155, LC157, LC185, LC192, SC7, SC24, SC98, DFWIX

will of man, WCFIII.I, WCFIX.I, WCFIX.III, WCFIX.V, WCFXIX.VII, LC67

willing, WCFX.I, WCFXV.VI, WCFXX.I, LC67, LC127, LC192, LC196, SC103, SSKII.I, PUSK.W1

willing to believe, WCFVII.III

willingly, WCFVIII.IV

willingness, LC125, PUSK.W1, PCG19

wills, WCFX.I, WCFXXIV.VI, LC141, SC31, SSKIV.I

wine, WCFXXIX.III, WCFXXIX.V, WCFXXIX.VI, WCFXXIX.VII, LC168, LC169, LC170, LC177, SC96, PUSK.W1, DPW7

wisdom, WCFIV.I, WCFVIII.III, WCFVIII.VIII, LC193, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW5, DPW6, PCG18

wisdom of God, WCFI.I, WCFV.I, WCFV.IV, SC4, PUSK.W1

wisdom of man, LC159, DPW4

wise, WCFII.I, WCFIII.I, WCFV.I, WCFV.IV, WCFV.V, WCFVI.I, WCFXXVI.III, LC7, LC12, LC18, LC109, LC129, LC195, SC11, PUSK.E1, DPWPref, DPW10

wisely, LC159, SSKI.I, SSKIII.I, DPW4

withdraw, PCG12, DFWIV

withdraweth, WCFV.VI

withdrawing, WCFXVIII.IV, LC136

withholdeth, WCFIII.VII, WCFV.VI, LC13

withholding, LC142

without, WCFII.I, WCFIII.V, WCFV.III, WCFVIII.II, WCFXIII.I, WCFXV.III, WCFXVI.I, WCFXVIII.III, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXVIII.V, WCFXXIX.VIII, LC29, LC52, LC80, LC81, LC162, LC181, SSKI.I, PUSK.II, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW4, DPW6, DPW9, DPW10, DPW11, DPW12, PCG7, PCG12, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19

without Christ, PUSK.W3

without delay, DFWX

without exception, PUSK.W1

without fear, WCFXX.III, DPW10

without sin, WCFVIII.II, LC37, SC22

without spot, LC44, PUSK.FO

witness, WCFI.V, WCFXXII.I, LC4, LC80, LC143, LC151, SC76, PUSK.I, PUSK.W1

witness-bearing, SC77

witnesses, PUSK.E1, DPW9, DFWXII

witnessing, WCFXVIII.II

wittingly, LC145

wives, LC139

woeful, SSKI.Pref, SSKII.I

woman, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXXIV.I, WCFXXIV.IV, LC17, LC47, PUSK.W1, DPW9

wonder, PUSK.W2

wonderful, WCFVIII.VIII, PCGPref

word, WCFI.V, WCFVII.VI, WCFVIII.VIII, WCFX.I, WCFX.III, WCFX.IV, WCFXIII.I, WCFXIV.I, WCFXIV.II, WCFXVI.I, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXX.II, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXIV.IV, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXVII.IV, WCFXXX.II, WCFXXXI.III, LC2, LC15, LC35, LC43, LC67, LC68, LC108, LC112, LC113, LC116, LC121, LC127, LC149, LC154, LC155, LC156, LC159, LC160, LC169, LC190, SC9, SC24, SC50, SC51, SC58, SC82, SC88, SC89, SC90, SSKI.III, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E4, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW2, DPW3, DPW4, DPW7, DPW9, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCG3, PCG4, PCG5, PCG6, PCG8, PCG9, PCG13, PCG15, PCG17, PCG19, DFWIII, DFWXII, DFWXIII

Word of God, WCFI.II, WCFI.IV, WCFI.V, WCFI.VIII, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXXII.II, WCFXXII.VII, WCFXXXI.III, LC3, LC4, LC72, LC76, LC156, LC157, LC158, LC159, LC160, LC186, LC190, LC192, SC2, SC54, SC99, SSKII.I, SSKIII.I, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, DPWPref, DPW3, DPW4, DPW6, DPW9, DPWAppen, PCG10, PCG11, PCG13, PCG14, PCG15, PCG18, DFWVIII, DFWXII

word of institution, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXIX.III, LC169, DPW6, DPW7

words, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXII.IV, WCFXXXIII.I, LC50, LC99, LC101, LC106, LC110, LC114, LC119, LC120, LC133, LC136, LC138, LC145, LC151, LC159, LC189, SC43, SC48, SC61, SC72, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W2, DPW4, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9

work, WCFI.V, WCFV.III, WCFVIII.VI, WCFVIII.VII, WCFXIV.I, LC15, LC58, LC66, LC67, LC75, LC115, LC120, LC125, LC145, LC181, SC9, SC31, SC35, SC57, SSKII.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E2, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW3, DPW4, DPW10, DPW12, DPW13, PCG4, PCG16, PCG17, PCG18, PCG19, PCG20

work in, WCFXVI.III, LC32, DPW10

work of the Lord, DPW4

work of the Spirit, WCFXXVII.III

work’s, PCG19

worketh, WCFX.III, WCFXI.II

working, WCFII.I, WCFIII.VI, LC161, LC182, SC30, SC91, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, DPW7

workings of the Holy Spirit, LC151

workman, DPW4

workmanship, WCFXVI.II

works, WCFI.I, WCFXVI.I, WCFXVI.II, WCFXVI.III, WCFXVI.V, WCFXVI.VI, WCFXVI.VII, WCFXIX.I, WCFXIX.VI, WCFXXI.VIII, LC11, LC14, LC18, LC30, LC40, LC73, LC78, LC99, LC101, LC117, LC119, SC8, SC11, SC60, SC61, SSKI.Pref, SSKI.II, SSKI.III, SSKIV.I, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W4, PUSK.EPref, PUSK.E1, PUSK.E3, PUSK.E4, DPW4, DPW9, DFWXII, DFWConcl

works of God, WCFII.II, LC2, LC112, LC113, LC190, SC54

works of the devil, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO

world, WCFI.I, WCFIV.I, WCFV.VI, WCFVIII.I, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXVII.III, WCFXX.I, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXIII.I, WCFXXV.II, WCFXXV.III, WCFXXVII.I, WCFXXVIII.I, WCFXXIX.I, WCFXXXIII.I, LC15, LC27, LC28, LC45, LC48, LC49, LC51, LC53, LC56, LC62, LC116, LC191, LC195, SC28, SC59, SSKII.I, SSKII.II, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W4, PUSK.E4, DPW3, DPW6, DPW10, DPW12, PCGPref, PCG10, DFWXII

world to come, LC29, DPW4

world’s end, PUSK.E1

worldly, LC141, LC142, SC62, DPW8, DPW12, DFWXII

worldly business, LC117, DPW8, DFWX

worldly businesses, LC121

worldly employments, WCFXXI.VIII, LC117, LC119, SC60, SC61

worse, DFWIII

worship, WCFI.VIII, WCFII.II, WCFXIX.III, WCFXX.II, WCFXX.IV, WCFXXI.II, WCFXXI.III, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXI.VI, WCFXXI.VIII, WCFXXII.I, WCFXXIII.III, WCFXXV.IV, WCFXXV.V, WCFXXXI.III, LC11, LC104, LC105, LC108, LC109, LC110, LC117, LC151, LC179, SC46, SC50, SC52, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW6, DPW7, DPW8, DPW9, DPW12, DPW13, DPWAppen, PCG7, DFWPref, DFWI, DFWIV, DFWV, DFWVI, DFWVIII, DFWIX

worship of God, WCFI.VI, WCFXXI.VII, WCFXXVI.II, LC109, LC110, LC151, SC47, SC60, DPWPref, DPW1, DPW2, DPW8, DPWAppen

worshipped, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXI.VI, LC179

worshipping, WCFXXI.I, WCFXXIX.IV, LC105, LC109, SC47, SC51, DPW1

worth, LC38, LC131, LC132

worthily, LC168, LC170, SC97

worthiness, LC196, PUSK.E4

worthy, WCFXXI.V, WCFXXVII.III, WCFXXIX.VII, LC195, SC96, SC97, PUSK.W3, PUSK.E1, DPW3, DPW7, DPW10, PCG20

wounded, WCFXVII.III, DPW3

woundeth, WCFXVIII.IV

wounding, LC136

wrath, WCFIII.VII, LC13, LC27, LC96, LC130, LC153, SC19, SC85, PUSK.Pref, PUSK.II, PUSK.III, PUSK.IV, PUSK.FO, PUSK.SF1, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W1, PUSK.W2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW7, DPW10

wrath of God, WCFVI.VI, WCFXX.I, WCFXXX.III, LC38, LC49, LC77, LC83, LC152, LC153, SC27, SC84, SC85, PUSK.SF2, PUSK.W3, PUSK.W4, DPW3, DPW6, DPW10

writers, DPW4

writing, WCFI.I, WCFI.VIII, LC112, PCG19

writings, WCFI.III

written, WCFI.II, WCFIV.II, WCFXIX.II, LC17, LC98, SSKI.II, PUSK.II

wrong, LC130, LC171, DPW10

wrong end, LC145

wrong meaning, LC145

wrongs, PUSK.W2

wrought, WCFV.VI, WCFVIII.VI, WCFXI.I, WCFXIV.I, WCFXVI.V, LC70, LC72, LC76

Y

years of discretion, DPW6

yesterday, WCFVIII.VI

yield, PUSK.IV, PUSK.W2, DPWPref

yielding, WCFIII.VIII, WCFXIV.II, WCFXX.I, LC104

yoke, WCFXX.I

Z

zeal, WCFXVI.I, LC105, LC110, LC192, SC52, DPW3, DPW4, PCG19

zealous, LC104, DPW3

zealously, LC159, DPW12

Zion, DPW3

[1] Latourette, Kenneth Scott, A History of Christianity: Reformation to the Present, vol 2, (New York: Harper & Row, 1975) Page 773.

[2] Smellie, Alexander, Men of the Covenant (Carlisle: Banner of Truth Trust, 1975), Page 4.

[3] Latourette, Kenneth Scott, A History of Christianity, Reformation to the Present, vol 2, (New York: Harper & Row, 1975) Page 773.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Smellie, Alexander, Men of the Covenant (Carlisle: Banner of Truth Trust, 1975), Page 6.

[6] Latourette, Kenneth Scott, A History of Christianity, Reformation to the Present, vol 2, (New York: Harper & Row, 1975) Page 820.

[7] Toon, Peter, Puritans and Calvinism, (Seoul: Westminster Publishing House, nd) Page 53.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Brown, John, The English Puritans (Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian focus Publications, 1998), Page 133-134.

[10] Toon, Peter, Puritans and Calvinism, (Seoul: Westminster Publishing House, nd) Page 54.

[11] Ibid, Page 38.

[12] Hetherington, William M, History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, (Edmonton: Still Waters Revival Books, 1993) Page 124.

[13] Brown, John, The English Puritans (Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian focus Publications, 1998), Page134-135.

[14] Barker, William, Puritan Profiles, (Fearn, Ross-shire: Mentor, 1996) Page 12.

[15] Neal, Daniel, The History of the English Puritans, vol 2, (Staffordshire: Tentmaker Publications, 2002) Pages 216-217.

[16] Toon, Peter, Puritans and Calvinism, (Seoul: Westminster Publishing House, nd) Page 56.

[17] Ibid, Page 38.

[18] Neal, Daniel, The History of the English Puritans, vol 2, (Staffordshire: Tentmaker Publications, 2002) Page 217.

[19] Ibid.

[20] Smith, Morton H., The Presbyterians of the South 1607-1861, Westminster Theological Journal, vol 27, (November 1964), Page 27.

[21] Wylie, J.A., The History of Protestantism, (Albany: Ages Software CD ROM, 1997) Page 930.

[22] Hetherington, William M., History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, (Edmonton: Still Waters Revival Books, 1993) Page 127.

[23] Neal, Daniel, The History of the English Puritans, vol 2, (Staffordshire: Tentmaker Publications, 2002) Page 264.

[24] Ibid.

[25] Ibid, Page 218.

[26] Hetherington, William M., History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, (Edmonton: Still Waters Revival Books, 1993) Page 127.

[27] Mitchell, Alexander F., The Westminster Assembly: Its History and Standards, (London: np, 1883) Page 161.

[28] Ibid, Page 168.

[29] Neal, Daniel, The History of the English Puritans, vol 2, (Staffordshire: Tentmaker Publications, 2002) Page 224.

[30] Ibid, Page 225.

[31] Hetherington, William M., History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, (Edmonton: Still Waters Revival Books, 1993) Page 128.

[32] Mitchell, Alexander F., The Westminster Assembly: Its History and Standards, (London: np, 1883) Page 179.

[33] Ibid, Page 166.

[34] Brown, John, The English Puritans (Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian focus Publications, 1998), Pages134-135.

[35] Ibid.

[36] Ibid.

[37] Mitchell, Alexander F., The Westminster Assembly: Its History and Standards, (London: np, 1883) Page 177.

[38] Wylie, J.A., The History of Protestantism, (Albany: Ages Software CD ROM, 1997) Page 930.

[39] Schaff, Phillip, History of the Christian Church, vol 7, (Albany: Ages Software CD ROM, 1997) Page 63.

Table of Contents

THE 1647 WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH AND SUBORDINATE DOCUMENTS WITH THE AUTHORIZED VERSION

Copyright Information

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE ELECTRONIC VERSION

ATTENDEES OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY

A THEOLOGICAL AND PRACTICAL HISTORY OF THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

PART 1: THE HISTORY OF THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

PART 2: THE THEOLOGY BEHIND THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

PART 3: PRACTICAL THOUGHTS FOR CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS ON THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT

THE 1647 WESTMINSTER CONFESSION

MR. THOMAS MANTON’S EPISTLE TO THE READER

TO THE CHRISTIAN READER: ESPECIALLY HEADS OF FAMILIES.

CHAPTER 1: OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE.

CHAPTER 2: OF GOD, AND OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

CHAPTER 3: OF GOD’S ETERNAL DECREE.

CHAPTER 4: OF CREATION.

CHAPTER 5: OF PROVIDENCE.

CHAPTER 6: OF THE FALL OF MAN, OF SIN, AND OF THE PUNISHMENT THEREOF.

CHAPTER 7: OF GOD’S COVENANT WITH MAN.

CHAPTER 8: OF CHRIST THE MEDIATOR.

CHAPTER 9: OF FREE WILL.

CHAPTER 10: OF EFFECTUAL CALLING.

CHAPTER 11: OF JUSTIFICATION.

CHAPTER 12: OF ADOPTION.

CHAPTER 13: OF SANCTIFICATION.

CHAPTER 14: OF SAVING FAITH.

CHAPTER 15: OF REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE.

CHAPTER 16: OF GOOD WORKS.

CHAPTER 17: OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.

CHAPTER 18: OF THE ASSURANCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION.

CHAPTER 19: OF THE LAW OF GOD.

CHAPTER 20: OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY, AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE.

CHAPTER 21: OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP AND THE SABBATH DAY.

CHAPTER 22: OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS.

CHAPTER 23: OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE.

CHAPTER 24: OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.

CHAPTER 25: OF THE CHURCH.

CHAPTER 26: OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

CHAPTER 27: OF THE SACRAMENTS.

CHAPTER 28: OF BAPTISM.

CHAPTER 29: OF THE LORD’S SUPPER.

CHAPTER 30: OF CHURCH CENSURES.

CHAPTER 31: OF SYNODS AND COUNCILS.

CHAPTER 32: OF THE STATE OF MEN AFTER DEATH, AND OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

CHAPTER 33: OF THE LAST JUDGMENT.

THE LARGER CATECHISM

THE SHORTER CATECHISM

THE DIRECTORY FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP

Of the Assembling of the Congregation,

Of Publick Reading of the Holy Scriptures.

Of Publick Prayer before the Sermon.

Of the Preaching of the Word.

Of Prayer after Sermon.

Of the Administration of the Sacraments:

Of the Sanctification of the Lord’s Day

The Solemnization of Marriage.

Concerning Visitation of the Sick.

Concerning Burial of the Dead.

Concerning Publick Solemn Fasting.

Concerning the Observation of Days of Publick Thanksgiving.

Of Singing of Psalms.

THE DIRECTORY FOR PRIVATE WORSHIP

THE FORM OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GOVERNMENT

CONTENTS

THE PREFACE

Of the Church.

Of the Officers of the Church.

Pastors.

Teacher or Doctor.

Other Church-Governors.

Deacons.

Of Particular Congregations.

Of the Officers of a particular Congregation.

Of Classical Assemblies.

Of Synodical Assemblies.

Of Ordination of Ministers.

Touching the Doctrine of Ordination.

Touching the Power of Ordination.

Concerning the Doctrinal Part of Ordination of Ministers.

The Directory for the Ordination of Ministers.

The Rules for Examination are these:

THE SUM OF SAVING KNOWLEDGE

CONTENTS:

The Use of Saving Knowledge

Warrants and Motives to Believe.

Evidences of True Faith

The Sum of Saving Knowledge

The Practical Use of Saving Knowledge

Warrants to Believe

The Evidences of True Faith.

INDEX TO WORDS AND PHRASES TO THE WESTMINSTER STANDARDS

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