A. Because we are his creatures, and the most noble instrument of the inferior world ; and therefore we should be willing to be acted bv him, and active for him ; and because this will of providence is always just, good, and true, and for his own glory ; Psalm cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. Psal. cxix. 89- Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Ver. 9L They continue this day according to thine ordinances ; for all are thy servants.
Q. 8. What other will of God is here meant ?
A. The will of his precepts, and this is chiefly intended.
Q. 9. And how is this will of God done in heaven ?
A. By the angels it is done universally, cheerfully, constantly, humbly, thankfully, readily ; Psalm ciii. 20. Bless the Lord, ye hia angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearken- ing unto the voice of his word. And so it is done by the saints in heaven ; Rev. vii. 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple ; And chap. xxii. 3. And his servants shall serve him.
Q. 10. Do we pray then that we may thus do the will of God ?
A, Yes ; for though we cannot perfectly without sin do it, yet that is our duty ; Mat. v. ult. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Fa- ther which is in heaven is perfect. And in all other particulars we may and we must intimate them herein ; Psalm cxix. 6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. Verse 14. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches. Verse 69. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. Verse 112, &c. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always even unto the end.
Q. 11. How must we know God's will.''
A. Not notionally and rationally only ; but spiritually also ; 1 Cor. ii. 14. They are spiritually discerned.
Q. 12. Why is knowing God's will placed here before doing it* &c. .?
A. Because the understanding is the leading faculty, without which it is impossible there should be any obedience ; Prov. xix. 2. Also that the soul be without knowledge it is not good. Jer. v. 4. Therefore I said. Surely these are poor, they are foolish ; for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God.
Q. 13. Why pray we to God for this knowledge ? can we not know it of ourselves ?
A. No, it is the special gift and grace of God ; Gal. i. 15, 16. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Heathen, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Eph. i. 17, 19. That the God of our Lord .Tesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revela- ■tion in the knowledge of him. ■ ■ And what is the exceeding great-
SOi AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSE^fBLY^S CATECHISM.
ness of his power to us-ward who beheve, according to the workino" of his mighty power. Eph. v. 8. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.
Q. 14. AVhy do we pray that we may obey; can we not do it of our own free-will when we know it ?
A. No, for our wills are stubborn and rebellious asrainst God's commands, as well as our minds ignorant of them ; Rom. viii. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean ; from all your filthiness, and from all vour idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also \N-ill I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you ; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Phil.'ii. 13. For it is God that work- eth in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Q. 15. What is meant by submitting to God's will ?
A. (1.) Either a voluntary subjection of soul, and a preparedness actually to do his will : Or, (2.) A voluntary and silent submission to his will of providence in affliction : but in this particular we can- not imitate those in heaven, because no cross ever befals them.
Q. 16. Why is will added in all things ?
A. Because partial obedience is no obedience ; he that does not obey God in every thing, obeys him in nothing; James ii. 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Q. 17. Why do we pray that God by his grace would work this will in us, and by us ?
A. Because it is free grace that determines it ; 2 Tim. i. 9. Who hath saved us. and called us Avith an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began. And efficacious grace that works it in us, and enables us to do it ; Eph. v. 8. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. Verse 10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Q. 18. What is the first inference from hence ?
A. That it is man's glory and felicity to be conformed to the will of God, Prov. xii. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour. Psal. xix. 10, 11. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold ; sweeter also than honey and the honey- comb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Q. 19. What is the second inference.^
J. That we must mortify in ourselves every lust that contradicts God's will, and renounce without ourselves every thing that comes in competition therewith ; 1 Cor. ix. ult. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection ; lest that by any means, Avhen I have preached to other?;, I myself should be a cast-away. Gal. vi. 14. But
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM. 305
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Q. 20. What is the third inference ?
A. That it is in vain, yea, a provocation to pray, if we be not obedient to God's will ; Prov. ii. 8, 9. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity ; yea, every good path.
Q. 21. What is the fourth inference ?
A. That the law still hath the authority of a rule to believers, be- cause it reveals God's will, which they must do. Concerning our daily Bread.
Quest. 104. ▼ ▼ HAT do we pray for in the fourth petition ?
A. In the fourth petition, which is^ [Give us this day our daily bread,] we pray that ofGodCsfree gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life^ and enjoy his blessing with tliem.
Q. 1. Why is this petition placed after the three former?