A. Joy unspeakable amidst outward troubles; Rom. v. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Q. 10. What sins usually eclipse our assurance ? A. Negligence in duty starves it ; 2 Pet. i. 10. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure : For if you do these things ye shall never fall. And sinning against light, stabs it ; Psalm li. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Q. 11. What is the first inference from this doctrine ? A. That no unregenerate person can have any assurance ; for it is the fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification. Q. 12. What is the second inference.'^
A. That all the joys of heaven are not to come; but some com- municated in this life ; 1 Pet. i. 8. Whom having not seen ye love ; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Q. 13. What is the third inference ?
A. That assured believers need to be circumspect persons, that they grieve not the Spirit ; Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY S CATECHISM.
Of Peace of Conscience.
Quest. 1. ▼ V HAT doth the word peace signify in scripture ?
A. In the language of the Old Testament it signifies all temporal good ; 1 Sam. xxv. G. Peace be both to thee, and peace be in thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast. And in the New Tes- tament all special good ; as 2 Thess. iii. 16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always.
Q. 2. What are the kinds of special peace .^ A. There is a twofold peace; one without us, by reconciliation ; Rom. V. 1. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God. And peace within us, by -vvay of consolation ; Col. iii. 15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Q. 3. What did our peace cost Christ ?
A. It cost him bloody stripes and sufferings; Isa. liii. 5. The chas- tisement of our peace was upon him ; and by liis stripes we are healed.
Q. 4. Can none have true peace but such as are in him .? A. No; others mav have false peace; Luke xi. 21. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. But believers only have true peace; Rom. v. 1. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Q. 5. Have all believers peace in their consciences at all times .'^ A. No, they are always in a state of peace, but have not always the sense of peace; Isa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, and obeveth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no hght "t Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.
Q. 6. What is that which hinders the sense of peace in believers } A. Their sins against the Lord, and grieving of his Spirit; Isa. lix. % But your iniquities have separated between you and your God ; and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Q. 7. What maintains the state of peace when the sense of peace is lost "^
A. Christ's continual and potent intercession with the Father for us ; 1 John ii. 12. 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.
Q. 8. What is the best way to maintain our peace with God "^ A. Strict walking by gospel rules; Gal. vi. 16. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them.
Q. 9. Doth this peace come and go with outward peace ? A. No ; we may enjoy this when no peace is to be had in the world ; John xvi. 33. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation ; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Q. 10. What is the first instruction fi'oni hence ?
A^ EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBlVs CATECHISM. 203
A. That the wicked are in a sad case at all times, but especially in evil times; Isa. Ivii. 20, 21. But the wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire imd dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Q. 11. AVhat is the second instruction from hence?
J. That the chief care of a Christian should be to keep his peace with God ; Jer. xvii. 17. Be not a terror to me ; thou art my hope in the day of evil.
Q. 12. What is the last instruction from hence ?
A. Let the saints long to be in heaven, the state of full and per- fect peace ; Isa. Ivii. 2. He shall enter into peace ; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
Of Jot/ in the Holy Ghost.
Quest. 1. JHOW many sorts of joy are there among men ?
A. There is a sensitive joy ; Acts xiv. 17. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. A sinful joy; Prov. xv. 21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom. And a spiritual joy ; Rom. v. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. 2. Why is spiritual joy called joy in the Holy Ghost ?
A. Because the Holy Ghost is the author of it ; Gal. v. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, &c.
Q. 3. What is the first thing begets joy in the saints ?
A. The first thing they joy in is, their justification before God ; Isa. Ixi. 10. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord ; my soul shall be joy- ful in my God ; for he hath cloathed me with the garments of sal- vation, he hath covered me with the robes of righteousness. Rom. v. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Q. 4. What is the second thing that breeds this joy ?
A. Hope of glory breeds joy in the saints ; Rom. v. 2. And rejoice, in hope of the glory of God.
Q. 5. What is the instrument by which the Spirit conveys this
A. Faith is the instrument of it; Phil. i. 25. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith.
Q. 6. ^Vhat is the first property of this joy ?
A. It is joy unspeakable, and full of glory ; 1 Pet. i. 8. Believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.
Q. 7. What is the second property of it ?
A. That it is not in the power of men to deprive the saints of it ; John xvi. 22. And your joy no man taketh from you.
Q. 8. What is the third property of it ?
A. It makes the soul free and cheerful in the ways of obedience ;
204f AN EXrOSITIOX OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHI&M.
Psal. cxix. 32. I will run the ways of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Q. 9. What is most destructive to a Christian's joy ?
J, Sin, especially sin against light ; Psal H. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Q. 10. What should be the main care of a Christian in this world?