A. They differ in point of consolation : this way always bears pro- portion to the certainty of it. Hence that day is called the time of refreshing ; when Christ blots out their sins by sentencial justification; Acts iii. 19. Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come froni the presence of the Lord.
Q. 6. Do believers then lie under condemnation till that day ?
A. No; they are truly and fully justified now; John v. 24. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath ever- lasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. But this sentence is not yet published by Christ's own mouth, as it shall be then.
Q. 7. On what account shall they be acquitted in that day .''
A. On the very same account and score they are now, viz. For the imputed righteousness of Christ in the way of free grace ; Eph. i. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
Q. 8. Must the saints be summoned to Christ's bar in that day ?
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J. Yes; they must appear as well as others; 2 Cor. v. 10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. But not to the same end ; John v. 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.
Q. 9. What is the first inference hence ?
A. How sure is a believer's justification, being so ratified privately and publicly in this world, and that to come.
Q. 10. What is the second inference ?
A. Though the day of judgment be awfully solemn, it should not be dreadful to believers : they should look for, and hasten to the coming of the day of God ; 2 Pet. iii. 12. Looking for, and hasten- ing unto the coming of the day of God, &c.
Q. 11. What is the third inference?
A. That faith is a grace of absolute necessity, and unspeakable excellency; Rom. v. 1, 2. Therefore 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.
Q. 12. What is the last inference.?
A. All unbelievers re in a miserable state now; John iii. 18. He that belie veth not, is condemned already. And worse in the world to come; Matth. xxv. 41. Depart from me ye cursed into everlast- ing fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
Of the full etijoyment of God.
Quest. 1. * T HAT doth perfect blessedness suppose and imply ?
A. It supposes the total freedom of believers from all the moral evil of sin ; Eph. v. 27. That he might present you to himself a glorious church, not having spot nor wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. And from all the penal evils of suffering ; Rev. xxi. 1;. 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.
Q. 2. What else is implied in perfect blessedness ?
A. It implies the full and perfect enjoyment of God v 1 Cor. xv. 28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Q. 3. What is it for God to be all in all ?
A. It implies three things in it. Firsts That all the saints shall be filled and satisfied from God alone. Secondly, That there shall be no need of other things out of which they were wont to fetch comfort. Thirdly, That all other things, as heaven, angels, saints, shall be loved and enjoyed in God.
S16 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM.
Q. 4. In what respect shall they enjoy God in heaven?
A. They shall have the glorious and immediate presence of God Tvith theni ; Rev. xxi. 3. God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Q. 5. In what other respects shall they enjoy God ?
A. They shall see him as he is ; 1 John iii. 2. We shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is.
Q. 6. What will such a vision of God produce ?
A. It will produce perfect conformity in them to God ; 1 John iii. 2. When he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And perfect joy will result from hence; Psalm, xvi. 11. In thy presence is fulness of joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Q. 7. Do not the saints enjoy God here ?
A. Yes, they do ; but not so as they shall enjoy him in heaven ;
1 Cor. xiii. 12. 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.
Q. 8. What are the special differences between the saints commu- nion with God here, and that in heaven ?
A. Their communion with God here is clogged with sin ; Rom. vii. 21. I find then a law, that w^hen I would do good, evil is pre- sent with me. Here it is not constant ; Psalm xxii. 1. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? Nor is it satisfying; but in heaven it will be pure, constant, and satisfying.
Q. 9. How long shall they here enjoy God .''
A. Not for days, years, ages, but for ever and ever ; 1 Thess. iv. 17. x\nd so shall we be ever with the Lord.
Q. 10. What is the first instruction from hence.?
A. That the world is not the placeof the saints rest and satisfaction; Heb. iv. 9. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
2 Cor. V. 2, 6. For in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house, which is from heaven : therefore we are al- ways confident, knowing that whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
Q. 11. What is the second instruction from hence.'' A. That death is a singular benefit to the saints ; and though it be an enemy to nature, yet it is the medium to glory ; 2 Cor. v. 4. For -we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened, not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortahty might be swallowed up of life.
Q. 12. What is the third instruction from hence.'' A. The necessity of faith and regeneration in this world. None shall be raised up in glory, acknowledged, acquitted, and made per- fectlv blessed in the full enjoyment of God, but believers; Rom. viii. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called ; and whom he called, them he also justified ; and whom he justified.
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them he also glorified. Heb. xii. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Of Mali's Duty to God.
Quest. 39. ▼ ▼ HAT is the duty that God requireth of man.?
A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his re" vealed will.
Q. 1. Is obedience to God's will the duty of every man ?