Imatges de pàgina
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of the ill example and ill influence of the fins of the one beyond the other. Kings xiv. 16. And he fhall give Ifrael up, because of Jeroboam, who did fin, and who made Ifrael to fin.' Micah iii. 5. The prophets make my people to err." Thus the fins alfo of profeffors and God's people, are more heinous than the fins of the wicked and ungodly in the fame kind, becaufe the name of God is hereby more blafphemed, and the wicked are hereby more har dened in their fins. Rom. ii. 23, 24. Thou that makest thy boaft of the law, through breaking the law dishonor. eft thou God? For the name of God is blafphemed among the Gentiles, through you.'

Q. 7. What is the fecond aggravation of fin?

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A. The fecond aggravation of fin, is from the place : thus fins committed in a land of light, are more heinous than the fame fins committed in a place of darkness. Ifaiah xxvi. 10. In the land of uprightnefs will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majefty of the Lord. Thus fins committed in a place of great deliverance and mercies, are more heinous than the fame fins committed in another place. Pfal. cvi. 7. They remembered not the multitude of his mercies, but provoked him at the sea, even the red fea.' Thus alfo fins committed in-a-public place, whereby others may be enticed and defiled, are more heinous than the fame fins committed in fecret places. 2 Sam. xvi. 22. They spread Abfalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Abfalom went in unto his father's concubines, in the fight of all Ifrael.'

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Q. 8. What is the third aggravation of fin?

A. The third aggravation of fin is from the time: thus fins committed on the Sabbath-day, are more heinous than the fame fins committed on the week-day. Drunkennefs or adultery is heinous and abominable on any day in the fight of God; but drunkenness or adultery, or any other fuch fins, are more heinous before God on the Sabbath-day. Thus fins committed in, or after the time of trouble and affliction, are more heinous than the fame fin's committed at another time. z Chron. xxviii. 22. ' In the time of his diftrefs did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz.' Ifaiah i. 5. Why fhould ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more,"

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Thus fins committed after repentance and engagements to be the Lord's, are more heinous than the fame fins committed before repentance and fuch engagements; fo also fins committed after admonitions and cenfures, are more heinous than the fame fins committed before fuch admonitions and cenfures.

Q.9. What is the fourth aggravation of fin?

4. The fourth aggravation of fin is from the manner thus fins against knowledge, are more heinous than fins through ignorance: fins through wilfulness and prefumption, are more heinous than fins through weakness and infirmity fins through custom and with deliberation, are more heinous than fins through fudden paffion and the hurry of temptation: fins with delight and greedinefs, are more heinous than fins committed with regret and backwardness: fins committed impudently and with boafting, are more heinous than the fame fins committed with fhame and blushing: fins often repeated and long continued in, are more heinous than fins but once or feldom committed, and which are broken off by repentance.

LXXXIV. Queft. What doth every fin deferve?

Anfw. Every fin deferveth God's wrath and curfe, both in this life, and that which is to come.

1. What is meant by God's wrath and curfe, which every fin doth deferve?

A. By God's wrath and curfe, which every fin doth deferve, is meant all thofe punishments which God in his wrath hath threatened to inflict upon finners for their fins. Q.2. What are thofe punishments which God in his wrath hath threatened to inflict upon finners for their fins?

A. The punishments which God in his wrath hath threatened to inflict upon finners for their fins, are either in this life, fuch as all temporal and spiritual judgments here; or in the life which is to come, fuch as the punishment of hell; of both which we fee before in the explication of the nineteenth anfwer.

Q3. Doth every fin deferve God's wrath and curfe, both in this life and that which is to come?

A. Every fin doth deferve God's wrath and curfe, both in this life and that which is to come, because every fin is committed against an infinitely holy and righteous God,

and his juftice doth require infinite fatisfaction; and if fome finners do efcape fome temporal punishments, they cannot escape the eternal punishments of hell, which is the only fatisfying punishment, unless they have an intereft in the fatisfaction made by Chrift. Gal. iii. 10. 'Curf-* ed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.' Matth. xxv. 41. Then fhall he fay unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye curfed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.'

LXXXV. Queft. What doth God require of us, that we may efcape his wrath and curfe due to us for fin?

Anfw. To efcape the wrath and curfe of God, due to us for fin, God requireth of us faith in Jefus Chrift, repentance unto life, with the diligent ufe of all the outward means whereby Chrift communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.

Q. I. How many things doth God require of us to escape his wrath and curfe due to us for fin?'

A. God requireth three things of us, that we may efcape his wrath and curfe due to us for fin: 1. Faith in Jefus Christ. 2. Repentance unto life. 3. The diligent use of all outward means whereby Chrift communicateth to us the benefits of redemption..

Q.2. Why doth God require of us faith in Jesus Christ, that' we may efcape his wrath and curfe ?

A. God requireth of us faith in Jefus Chrift to escape his wrath and curfe, because by faith in Jefus Chrift, we have an intereft in Jefus Chrift, and his imputed righteousness, and the promise he hath made of remiffion and falvation unto us. Philip. iii. 9. And be found in him not having mine own righteoufnefs, but that which is through the faith of Chrift, the righteoufnefs which is of God by faith.' Acts. x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that, through his name, whofoever be lieveth in him, shall receive remiffion of fins. Eph. ii. 8. By grace we are faved, through faith.'

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Q3. Why doth God require of us repentance unto life, that we may escape his wrath and curfe?

A. God requireth of us repentance unto life, that we may escape his wrath and curfe, because the promise of

forgiveness of fin is made to repentance, as a concomitant of faith; and it is not for God's honor to pardon and fave any that go on still in their trefpaffes. Acts iii. 19. 'Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your fins may be blotted out.' Acts xx. 21. " Teftifying both to the Jews, and alfo to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jefus Chrift.'

Q. 4. Why doth God require of us the diligent ufe of all outward means, that we may escape his wrath and curfe?

A. God doth require of us the diligent ufe of all out ward means to escape his wrath and curse, because although God could fave without means, yet it is his will to appoint means, which having his inftitution, we cannot expect the benefits of redemption and falvation should be communicated to us any other way. I Cor. i. 21. 'It. pleafed God by the foolishness of preaching to fave them. that believe.' Acts viii. 22. Pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.'

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LXXXVI. Queft. What is faith in Jefus Chrift?

Anfw.. Faith in Jefus Chrift is a faving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for falvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Q. 1. How is faith a faving grace?'

A. Faith is a faving grace, not by the act of believing, as an act; for then it would fave as a work: whereas we are faved by faith in opposition to all works: But faith is a faving grace, as an inftrument, apprehending and applying Jefus Chrift and his perfect righteoufnefs, whereby alone we are faved. John iii. 16. For God fo loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whofoever believeth in him fhould not perish, but have everlasting life.' Acts xvi. 31. And they faid, Believe on the Lord Jefus Chrift, and thou fhalt be faved.' Rom. iii. 22. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jefus Chrift unto all, and upon all them that believe.'

Q. 2. Who is the author of faith in Jefus Chrift?

A. The author of faith in Jefus Chrift, is God, whofe gift it is, and who works this grace of faith in the foul by his Spirit. Eph. ii. 8. Ye are faved through faith; and: that not of yourfelves: it is the gift of God.' Col. ii. 121 You are rifen with him through the faith of the opera-tion of God.?!

Q. 3. How doth God work this grace of faith in the fouls of men?

A. God doth work this grace of faith in the fouls of men, ordinarily by hearing of the word preached. Rom. x. 17. So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' 1 Cor. xv. 11. So we preach and fa ye believed.'

Q. 4. What is the object of this grace of faith?

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4. The object of this grace of faith is the Lord Jefus Chrift and his righteousness, and the promises which are made through him in the covenant of grace. John iii. 18. C He, that believeth on him, is not condemned. Rom. i. 17. For therein is the righteousnefs of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The juft fhall live by faith.' Gal. iii. 22. The fcripture hath concluded all under fin, that the promise by faith of Jefus Chrift, might be given to them that believe.'

Q. 5. What is the fubject of faith in Jefus Chrift?

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A. 1. The fubject of denomination, or the perfons in whom alone this grace of faith is to be found, are the cleft only. Titus i. t. According to the faith of God's elect.' Acts xiii. 48. And as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed.' 2. The fubject of inhefion, or the parts of the foul in which faith is placed and doth inhere, is not only the mind and understanding, but also the will and heart.' Heb. vi. 13. Thefe all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having feen them afar off, and were perfuaded of them, and embraced them.' The perfuafion of the truth of the promises, is the act of the understanding; the enbracement of the things promifed, is the act of the will. Rom. x. 10. With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.'

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Q. 6. What are the acts of faith in Jefus Chrift ?

A. The acts of faith in Jefus Chrift are, 1. A receiv ing of Jefus Chrift. John í. 12. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the fons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' 2. A refting upon Chrift alone for falvation: this is implied in all thofe fcriptures which fpeak of believing in Chrift, and believing on his name.

Q. 7. How is Jefus Chrift to be received by faith 2

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