Q. 3. But if men be in Christ, and justified from eternity, what need of this ?
A. Though God from eternity decreed, and Christ long since pur- chased the salvation of the elect ; yet have they no union with Christ till they believe; Eph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by failh, that ye being rooted and grounded in love. Nor remission of sin ; Acts iii. 19- That your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. But lie under wrath as others do ; Eph. ii. 3, 12. And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ver. 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Q. 4. If it be God that can only work these graces in us, to what purpose is our striving ?
A. God's working doth not exclude man's striving, but more ex- cites and obliges us to it; Phil. ii. 12, 13. Work out your own sal- vation with fear and trembling : For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure.
Q. 5. To what purpose is it to strive in the use of means, except we knew we were elected ?
A. The knowledge of our election is not antecedent to our diH^ gence, but our diligence is required antecedently to that knowledge; 1 Pet. i. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure, &c.
AN EXPOSITION^ OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM. 261
Q. 6. Is it not legal to put natural men upon striving in the use of means ?
J. No, it is not ; for Christ himself enjoins it ? Luke xiii. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate, &c. And so did the apostles after him ; Acts viii. 22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee. Q. 7. Is' there no escaping of God's wrath and curse without faith and repentance ?
A. No, it is impossible to escape them ; John iii. 18. He that be- lieveth not, is condemned already. Heb. ii. 3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation ?
Q. 8. But if a man reform his life, and live soberly and justly for time to come, may he not that way escape God's wrath and curse ?
A. No; sobriety and reformation are duties, but it is faith and re- generation that puts men into Christ, and out of danger; Matth. v. 20. Except your righteousness shall exceed tiie righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of re- generation, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Q. 9. Do all believing and penitent sinners escape God's wrath and curse ?
A. Yes, they do, and shall for ever escape it; Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, &c. Col. i. 12, 13. Giving thanks unto God the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light ; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath transLited us into the kingdom of his dear Son. John v. 24. He that hearcth my word, and bclieveth on him that sent me, hath ever- lasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed frorn death unto life.
Q. 10. What is the first inference hence.?
A. Hence it appears how false and dangerous the Antinomian doc- trine is, which teaches that our sins are pardoned before they are conmiitted, or we either believe or repent ; contrary to Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgive- ness of sin, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. James v. 20. He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, &c. Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoso- ever beheveth in him shall receive remission of sins. Q. 11. What is the second inference hence.'' A. Hence it follows, that it is dangerous on the one side not to strive in all the ways of duty for Christ and salvation, contrary to
26s AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM.
Luke xili. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate ; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. And as dan- gerous, on the other side, to rest in, and depend on our own works and duties ; Phil. iii. 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.
Q. 12. What is the third inference hence ?
A. Hence we learn the miserable state of all unbelievers, and im- penitent persons ; the curse and wrath of God lies upon them ; Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse, &c. And their mittimus for hell is already made ; John iii. 18. He that belie veth not, is condemned already.
Q. 13. What is the fourth inference hence ?
A. Hence we learn the happy state into which faith and repent- ance bring the souls of men ; Acts xiii. 38, 39. By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Quest. 86. T^^HAT is f\iith in Jesus Christ.?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace^ UDherehy we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
Q. 1. What is the root or cause of faith.?
A. Not the power of man's will ; Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves ; it is the gift of God ; But the Spirit of God. Gal. v. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. 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 on 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. Hov/ doth the Spirit of God ordinarily produce faith ?
A. By the preaching of the word he ordinarily begets it ; Rom. X. 17. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God; though sometimes he doth it immediately.
Q. 3. Who are the proper subjects of faith ?
A. Convinced and sensible sinners are the proper subjects of faith ; John xvi. 8, 9, 10. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Of sin, because they be- lieve not on me : of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more: of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Q. 4. What is the seat or habitation of faith ?
A. Not only the head or understanding, but principally the heart and will ; Rom. x. 10. With the heart man believeth unto righteous-
AX EXPOSITION OF TITE ASSEMBLY S CATECHISM. xbb
ness, &c. Acts viii. 37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou niayest.