A. Yes, it does so ; for the Lord Christ, by his life and death, did satisfy Divine Justice, and did merit our forgiveness : But if he did so, we did not so ; our sins cost him dear, but their pardon cost us nothing ; our pardon is perfectly free to us, though due to Christ, for God gave Christ freely for us ; God accepts of his merits, and applies them to us freely ; Rom. iii. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
Q. 9. But is there nothing required from us as the condition of pardon ? and if so, how can it be absolutely free ?
A. There are required repentance from sin, and faith in the Lord Christ ; Luke xiii. 3. But except ye repent, ye shall all likewise per- ish ; John iii. ult. And he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on liim. This is required from us towards our pardon, but yet it is free, (1.) Because God freely ordains thus to pardon. (2.) Because both these are the free gifts of God; Acts xi. 18. Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith ; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Q. 10. When then are our sins forgiven .''
A. Just upon our closure with Christ by faith, in that very mo- ment; Rom. V. 1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
Q. 11. Why do we pray, in the answer, for the forgiveness of all
A. Because if the least guilt should remain upon us, it would ex- clude us from God's favour, and lodge us in everlasting burnings; Rom. vi. ult. For the wages of sin is death.
Q. 12. What are the privileges and blessings that accompany par- don ?
A. Justification is accompanied with adoption ; John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the
AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBTA'Vs CATECHISM. 311
sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. With the Spi- rit and principle of all grace and holiness; 1 Cor. vi. 11. And such were some of you ; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. With an infallible title to eternal glory ; John iii. 16. That whosoever belicveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; Rom. viii. 30. Whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Q. 13. How may we know that we are pardoned and justified.?
A. Ordinarily, by our sanctification, by our loathing of sin, our contempt of the world, our valuing of Christ, our love and thankful- ness to God, &c. 1 Cor. vi. 11. But ye are sanctified. Rom. vii. 24. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? Gal. vi. 14. By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 1 Pet. ii. 7. Unto you therefore which be- lieve, he is precious. Luke vii. 47. Her sins, which are many, are forgiven ; for she loved much.
Q. 14. What is meant by [our ?] Is it only such sins as we have personally and actually committed ?
A. No, but also Adam's sin, which is ours by imputation; Rom. V. 19. By one man's disobedience many were made sinners. And ori- ginal sin, which is ours by inhesion ; Psal. li. 5. Behold, I was sha- pen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. And other men's sins, which we have made ours, by exciting them to them, not hindering of them, silence at them, and other ways ; 2 Sam. xii. 9. Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 1 Tim. v. 22. Neither be partaker of other men's sins.
Q. 15. Wherefore are sins called debts ?
A. Because they are a non-payment of God's dues, a non per- formance of our duty ; which makes us liable to the arrest of death, and to the prison of hell.
Q. 16. Why do we plead our own forgiveness of others?
A. Not as any merit of our own pardon ; but either as an encou- ragement of ourselves to beg pardon ; seeing such evil, envious, and malignant persons, are enabled to forgive others, much more may we hope the good and gracious God will forgive us : or, as a condition, without which we can have no pardon, and with which we shall ; Matth. vi. 14. For if we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Q. 17. How do others trespass against us ?
A. When they injure us, either in our persons, or names, or fami- lies, or estates, or souls, &c. 1 Sam. ii. 25. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him; but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him ?
Q. 18. Can we forgive our neighbour freely, fully^ and perfectly, as God doth forgive us ?
812 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM.
Q. 19. What then is the meaning of God's forgiving us, as we forgive others ?
A. Not as to the quantity and perfection of forgiveness, but as to the sincerity and quality thereof; Mat. xviii. ult. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Q. 20. Are we always bound to manifest outwardly our love and forgiveness to all our enemies, and to behave ourselves towards them as friends ?
A. No, if we have experienced them to be treacherous and false, and see no change, we are not bound to trust them ; if they be, and remain wicked and profane, we must not associate with them ; Psal. xxvi. 5. I have hated the congregation of evil doers, and will not sit with the wdcked. Ver. 4. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
Q. 21. What then must we do to such .?
A. We must heartily forgive them all their injuries, we must love them with the love of benevolence, pray for them, and be ready and willing to do them all good, both of body and soul ; Mat. v. 44, 45. But I say unto you, Love your enemies ; bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite- fully use you and persecute you. That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Q. 22. If we forgive others, shall we be forgiven ourselves ?
A. We shall, if out of obedience to God, and love to Christ, we do it.
Q. 23. What is the first inference from hence ?
A. That except our sins be forgiven, we are lost and undone crea- tures ; and therefore we must never be contented, till we are par- doned.
Q. 24. AVhat is a second inference 't
A. That God is a God of love, goodness, and pardon ; seeing he will not pardon us, if we do not pardon others ; but will, if we do so.
Q. 25. What is a third inference .?