A. If our doubts arise from the weakness, and not the total want of grace, such doubts should not hinder us; Rom. xiv. 1. Him that is weak in the faith, receive you, &c.
Q. 10. What is the danger of coming to the Lord's table without these graces ?
A. The danjrer is exceeding great both to soul and body. (1.) To the soul ; 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh un- worthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, &c. And to the body; 1 Cor. xi. 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Q. 11. W^hat are the duties of worthy receivers at the Lord's table ?
A. Their duties at the table are, to discern Christ by the eye of faith, under those signs of his body and blood ; 1 Cor. xi. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. On the discovery of him, to mourn bitterly for sin ; Zech. xii. 10. — And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. And to excite all their graces into vigorous acts for the applying of Christ to themselves; Cant. iv. 16.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMfiLY^S CATECHIWT. 291
Awake, O north-wind, and come, thou south, blow upon my gar- den, that the spices thereof may flow out, &c.
Q. 12. What is the duty of worthy receivers, after the sacra- ment ?
J. Their duty is, heartily to bless God for Christ, and the benefits of his blood, Matth. xxvi. 30. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. To double their care and watchfulness against sin ; Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spi- rit, whereby ye arc sealed to the day of redemption. And to grow more fruitful in all spiritual obedience ; Col. i. 10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing ; being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Q. 13. What is the first inference from hence ?
J. That the abuse and profanation of this ordinance, either by coming to it for carnal ends, or being forced upon it by fear of suffer- ings, or approaclnng to it without due qualifications, is a dreadful sin, which God will terribly avenge : Matt. xxii. 11, 12, 13. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not a wedding-garment. And he saith unto him. Friend, how earnest thou in hither, not having on a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king unto the servants. Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Q. 14. What is the second inference from hence ?
A. That great and manifold are the blessings and advantages which Christians duly prepared may reap by this ordinance.
Quest. 98. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God^for things agreeable to Ms will, in the navie of Christ, zvith confession of our sins, and thankful achnowledgment of his mercies.
Q. 1. Who is the proper and only object of prayer ?
A. God only is the proper object of prayer ; it is a part of his natural worship, therefore it is peculiarly his honour and pre- rogative, and none else can hear and answer them but God ; Psalm Ixv. 9. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
Q. 2. Through whom, or in whose name, are our prayers to be directed to God ?
A. Our prayers are to be directed to God only through Christ, and his name ; and not by the mediation of angels or saints ; Cd. ii. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary humi- lity, and worshipping of angels. For the merit and satisfaction of Christ alone give success and acceptance to our prayers ; Rev. viii. .^» 4. And another angel came, and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints, upon the goldeu altar, which w»s
"29^ AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM.
before the throne. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God, out of the angelV hand. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator be- tween God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
Q. 3. What is the first property or quaHty of acceptable prayer ?
A. No prayer can be acceptable to God, except the matter of it be agreeable to his will ; Jam. iv. 3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts ; 1 John v. 14, 15. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him.
Q. 4. Is it enough to make prayer acceptable, that the matter is agreeable to God's will ?
A. No, it is not ; for the manner, as well as the matter, must be so too ; Psalm Ixvi. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
Q. 5. What is the first qualification of an acceptable prayer, res- pecting the manner of it ?
A. That it be sincere, and flowing from the heart of a regenerate person ; Prov. xv. 29. The Lord is far from the ^vicked ; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Jer. xxix. 13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Q. 6. What is the second qualification of prayer respecting the manner ?
A. It must be performed in the heart of a child of God by the Spirit of adoption ; Gal. \\. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Fa- ther. Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities ; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought ; but the Spi- rit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.
•Q. 7. What is the third qualification of an acceptable prayer, respecting the manner ?
A. It must be fervent and important, not cold and formal, James
V. 16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
.much, Matth. vii. 7. Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Q 8. Wherein doth true importunity with God in prayer con- sist ?
A. Not in the multitude of words : Matth. vi. 7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the Heathen do : for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. But in an holy earnestness of spirit to be heard; Psalm cxliii. 7. Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth ; hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. A prudent choice of prevalent argu-
A^ EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY\s CATECHISM. 293
rnents; Job xxiii. 4. I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. And a resolute persistance in our requests, till they be granted ; Isa. Ixii. 7. And give him no rest, till he esta- blish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.