A. The assistance of the Spirit in prayer ; Rom. viii. 15. For wo have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have re- ceived the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. And God's audience of their prayers ; 1 John v. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, That if we ask any thing accord- ing to his will, he heareth us.
Q. 13. What use should we make of this ?
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A. It teacheth us to carry ourselves as children to our heavenly Father. First, In our imitation of him ; Eph. v. 1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. Secondlij, In our submission to him ; Heb. xii. 9- Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, who corrected us, and we gave them reverence ; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live ? Thirdlyy In our dependence on him ; Matth. v. 32. For your heavenly Fa- ther knoweth that you have need of all these things.
Quest. 35. W HAT is sanctification .?
A. Sanctification is the worlc of Godtsfree grace^ ivherehy we are renezved in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live imto righteousness.
Q. 1. What are the parts of sanctification ?
A. Dying unto sin, and living unto God; Rom. vi. 11. Like- wise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Q. 2. Who is the Author of sanctification ?
A. God only ; Jude ver. 1. To them that are sanctified by God the Father.
Q. 3. What is the instrument of it ?
A. The word of God; John xvii. 17. sanctify them through thy truth ; thy word is truth.
Q. 4. What part of man is sanctified ?
A. Every part, both of soul and body; 1 Thess. v. 23. And the Tery God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I pray God your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. 5. Is sanctification perfected at once ?
A. No; but by degrees; 2 Pet. iii. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Q. 6. When will it be made perfect ?
A. When we come to heaven, and not before; 1 Cor. xiii. 10, 11. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Q. 7. What are the signs of true sanctification ?
A. When it runs into all parts of our conversation ; 1 Pet. i. 15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Secondly, And continues to the end ; Rev. xxii. 11. Let him that is holy be holy still.
Q. 8. What is the inseparable companion of sanctification ?
A. Righteousness towards men ; Luke i. 74, 75. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our ene- mies, might serve him without fear, in holiness, and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
Q. 9. What is opposite to sanctification ?
A. All filthiness of flesh and spirit; 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having there- fore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
Q. 10. What is the privilege of the sanctified ?
A. They are all elected, and shall be glorified ; 1 Pet. i. 2, 4. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctifi- cation of the Spirit — to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.
Q. 11. What is the case of them who live and die unsanctified ?
A. They shall never see God ; Heb. xii. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness ; without ^vhich no man shall see the Lord.
Q. 12. What difi'erenceth true from pretended sanctification .?
A. True sanctification pargeth the heart from the love of sin ; Rom. vii. 15. For that which I do, I allow not. And the life from the dominion of sin ; Rom. vi. 19. As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness, unto holiness.
Q. 13. May great sinners be sanctified ?
A. Yes ; the Spirit of God can sanctify the vilest heart ; 1 Cor. "vi. 11. And such were some of you ; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified.
Of Assurance, the Fruit of Justification,
Quest. 36. T ▼ HAT are the benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits ivhich hi this life do either accompany, or Jlom Jrom justification, adoption, and sanctification, are assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of gi'ace, and perseverance therein to tlie end.
Q. 1. Is assurance possible to be attained in this life .^
A. Yes ; for some have had it ; Cant. vi. 3. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. And all Christians are commanded to strive for it; % Pet. i. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence, to make your calling and election sure.
Q. 2. How many sorts of assurance are there .^
A. There is an objective assurance ; 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And a subjective or personal assurance; Gal. ii. 20. Who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Q. 3. Is personal assurance perfect in this life "^
A. No; It admits of doubts and fears, which interrupts it, and it is not always at one height; 1 Cor. xiii. 10. When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Q. 4. On what testimony is personal assurance built "^
A. Upon the testimony of God's Spirit v/itnessing with ours ;
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Rom. vili. 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that are the children of God.
Q. 5. Doth the Spirit make use of signs in us to assure us ? A. Yes; ordinarily he doth; 1 John iii. 14. We know that we are passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. And ver. 24. Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Q. 6. How is true assurance discerned from presumption ? A. True assurance humbles the soul ; Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Christ : nevertheless I live : yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And makes the soul afraid of sin; 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthi- ness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Q. 7. What is the usual season of assurance ? A. The time of greatest sufferings for Christ ; 1 Pet. iv. 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye ; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.
Q. 8. Is personal assurance absolutely necessary to salvation ? A. No; a man may be saved, and in Christ, without it ; Isa. 1. 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. Q. 9. What is the fruit of assurance ?