A. It consists of two parts. First, The pardon of sin ; Acts xiiio -39. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Secondly^ The acceptation of our persons as righteous; Rom. v. 1, 2, 3. There- fore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Q. 2. Whose act is it to justify sinners ?
A. It is the act of God alone ; Rom. viii. 33. It is God that iustifieth. Man'sjustifying of him self is nothing: Lukexvi. 15. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts ; for that which is highly esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God. Nor other men's justifying of us; Rev. iii. 1. I know thy works, that thou hast'a name to hve, and art dead.
Q. 3. Is there any thing in man to merit his justification.''
A. No; it is an act of free grace in God;, Rom. iii. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ.
Q. 4. If it be not for any inherent righteousness ; how then ?
A. It is for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us ; Rom. iv. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeih righteousness without works.
Q. 5. How is Christ's righteousness made ours ?
A. By apphcation of it to us by faith ; Gal. ii. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be jus- tified 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.
Q. 6. Js it not partly by Christ's righteousness made ours, and partly our own ?
A. No ; by Christ's righteousness, without any mixture of ours ; Rom. iii. 28. Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Q. 7. But doth not James say otherwise, James ii. 14. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works ; Can faith save him ?
A. The two apostles contradict not one another ; Paul speaks of
at: exposition of the assembly's catechism. 197
justification before God ; and James of justifying our faith before men.
Q. 8. Is no regard then to be had to good works?
A. Yes, very great ; tliey that believe must be careful to maintain good works ; Tit. iii. 8. That they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and pro- fitable unto men.
Q. 9- Why can none be justified by works.?
A. Because all are guilty before God ; Rom. iii. 29. Is he the God (;f the Jews only ? Is he not also of the Gentiles ? Yes, of the Gentiles also. And the law curses all that are under guilt ; Gal. iii. 10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Q. 10. What is the first inference from hence.?
A. The happy state of believers who are now at peace with God ; Rom. v. 1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And whom he justifieth he glorifieth. Rom. viii. 80. Whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Q. 11. What is the second inference from hence ?
A. The excellency and necessity of faith ; Rom. iii. 30. The cir- cumcision is justified by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith.
Q. 12. What is the third inference.?
A. That the greatness of sin is no bar to faith, since it is the righ- teousness of Christ that justifieth ; 2 Cor. v. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
Q. 13. What is the last inference ?
A. That believers ought to be exceeding humble, and far from boasting. The law of faith excludes boasting; Rom. iii. 27. Where is boasting then.? It is excluded: By what law.? of works.? nay, but by the law of faith.
Quest. 34. >VhAT is adoption .?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges qftlie sons of God.
Q. 1. How many sorts of sons are there .?
A. There is one by generation, and another by adoption ; John i. 12, 13. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name ; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Q. 2. What moves God to adopt any man ?
A. Nothing but his free love; 1 John iii. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called tli^ sons of God.
198 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM*
Q. 3. Is this privilege common to all men ?
A. No ; it is peculiar to them that receive him ; John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the soni of God.
Q. 4. What is the first property of adoption ?
A. It is a costly relation ; Gal. iv. 4. When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Q. 5. What is the second property of adoption ?
A. It is an high and honourable relation ; 1 John iii. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God.
Q. 6. What is the third property of adoption ?
A. It is a free relation on God's part ; Eph. i. 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. Having pre- destinated us unto the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ to him- self, according to the good pleasure of his will. And it makes us free ; John viii. 36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Q. 7. What is the fourth property of adoption ?
A. It is a permanent relation ; John viii. 35. The Son abideth in the house for ever.
Q. 8. What is the first privilege of the adoption?
A. They have an interest in God, as children in a father ; 2 Cor, vi. 18. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Q. 9. What is the second privilege ?
A. Being God's sons, they are heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; Rom. viii. 17. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.
Q. 10. What was the third privilege ?
A. Seasonable and sanctified afflictions ; Heb. xii. 6. He scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Q. 11. What is the fourth privilege ?
A. The attendance and ministry of angels ; Heb. i. 14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation ?
Q. 12. What is the fifth privilege ?