Q. 17. Wherein doth turning to the Lord (the other part of true repentance) confift?

A. Turning to the Lord doth confift, 1. In making application of ourselves unto him, for the pardon of fin and his mercy. Pfal. li. 1. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindnefs; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my tranfgreffions.' 2. In our making choice of him for our God and chief good. Jer. iii. 22. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.' Zech. xiii. 9. They fhall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will fay, It is my people; and they fhall fay, The Lord is my God.' 3. In our delivering up ourfelves unto his obedience. Pfal. cxix. 59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy teftimonies."

Q. 18. What is that obedience which we must deliver our felves up unto, in our returning to the Lord? A. The obedience which muft deliver up ourfelves unto, in our returning to the Lord, is the new obedience of the gospel.

H. The obedience of the to is called weave indi Q. 19. Why is the obedience of the gospel called new obedience?

ence, because it is required in the new covenant, because it must proceed from newnefs of fpirit, the new nature, or new principle of grace and spiritual life, which is put into the foul by the Spirit of God. Rom. vii. 6. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held, that we fhould ferve in newness of fpirit.'

Q. 20. When do we deliver up ourselves unto this new obedience?

A. We deliver up ourfelves unto this new obedience, 1. When we have full refolutions and purposes of it. Pfal. cxix. 106. I have fworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.' Acts xi. 23. And exhorted them all, that with purpofe of heart they would cleave to the Lord.' 2. When we are diligent in our endeavors after it, that we may conftantly walk in the ways of new obedience ce without offence either to God or man. Luke i. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Ir blameless.' Acts xxiv. 16. And herein do I exer

6

cife myself, to have always al confcience void of offence toward God and toward men.'s

Q. 21. Do all that truly repent, fully perform new obedi›

ence?

A. None that truly repent do here in this life perform new obedience fully, without any failure or defect, butt they diligently endeavor to do it; and wherein they fall fhort, it is their grief and troublə. Pfal. xxxviii. 17. For I am ready to halt, and my forrow is continually before

me.'

1

LXXXVIII. Quelt. What are the outward means where- by Chrift communicateth to us the benefits of redemption? Anfw. The outward and ordinary means whereby Chrit communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances; efpecially the word, facraments andil prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for fale vation.

7

i

Qu1. What doth comprehend all the outward and ordinary means whereby Cbrift communicateth to us the benefits of redemp tion ?

A. The ordinances of the Lord do comprehend all the outward and ordinary means whereby Chrift communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.

Q 2. What is meant by the ordinances of the Lord?

A. By the ordinances of the Lord is meant thofe means of grace and falvation, which are of the Lord's inflitution, which he hath appointed and commanded in his word, and no other. Matth. xxvi. 20. Teaching them to obferve all things whatfoever I have commanded you.' 1 Cor. xi. 1,223. Be ye followers of me, even as I alfo am of Chrift. Now I praifel you, brethren, that you keep the ordinances as I delivered them unto you. For I have received of the Lord that which alfo I delivered unto you.'

Q. 3. May we not make use of any ordinances which are of men's appointment only, in order to falvation 202

A. We ought not to make use of any ordinances which are of men's appointment only, in order unto falvation, because this is will-worship, which is both vain and offen- five; and we cannot groundedly expect the blefling of the Lord upon, or to receive any true benefit of any ordi

nances, but by thofe alone which are of his own appointment only. Col. ii. 20. 22, 23. Why are ye fubject to ordinances, after the commandments and doctrines of men? which things have a fhew of wisdom in will-wor fhip,' &c. Matth. xv. 9. But in vain they do worships me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.'

Q. 4. Why are the ordinances called the ordinal means whereby Chrift communicateth to us the benefits of reaemption?... A. The ordinances are called the ordinary means whereby Chrift communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, becaufe the Lord hath not wholly limited and bound up himself unto his ordinances: for he can in an extraordinary way bring fome out of a state of nature into a state of grace; as Paul, who was converted by a light and a voice from heaven But the ordinances are the most ufual way and means of converfion and falvation, without the use of which, we cannot, upon good ground, expect that any benefit of redemption fhould be commu

nicated to us.

Q. 5. What are the chief ordinances of the Lord's appoint-` `

ment ?

A. The chief ordinances of the Lord's appointments. are, the word, facraments, and prayer. Acts ii. 42. 'Andthey continued ftedfaftly in the apoftles doctrine and fellowfhip, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.'

Q. 6. To whom are the ordinances made effectual for falva..

tion ?

A. The ordinances are made effectual for falvation to the elect only. Acts ii.:46, 47. And they continued with one accord in the temple, and breaking of bread, praifing God. And the Lord added to the church daily fuch as fhould be faved.'

LXXXIX. Queft. How is the word made effectual to falvation?

Anfw. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but ef pecially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of. convincing and conventing finners, and of building them. up in holiness and comfort through faith unto falvation.

Q. 1. What is the ordinance or appointment of the Lord, in reference unto the word, that it may be effectual unto falva

tion ?.

A. The ordinance or appointment of the Lord, in reference unto the word, that it may be effectual unto falvation, is, 1. That we read the word. Deut. xvii. 19. 'He fhall read therein all the days of his life. that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of' this law, and thefe ftatutes to do them.' John v. 39. ' Search the fcriptures; for in them ye think ye have

2.

eternal life, and these are they which teftify of me.' That we hear the word preached. Ifaiah lv. 3. Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear and your foul fhall live.' I Cor. i. 21. It pleafed God by the foolishness of preaching to fave them that believe."

Q. 2. How is the word made effectual unto falvation?

A. The word is made effectual unto falvation, First, In reference unto finners and ungodly, as the word is a mean, 1. To convince them of fin, and to affect them with remorfe for it. I Cor. xiv. 24, 25. But if all prophefy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the fecrets of his heart made manifeft; and fo, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.' Heb. iv. 12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper tlian any twoedged fword, piercing even to the dividing afunder of foul and fpirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a difcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.' Acts-ii.' 37. Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts.' 2. To convert them from fin, and join them unto Chrift and his people. Pfal. xix. 7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the foul. Acts ii. 41. Then they, that gladly received his word, were baptized; and there were added unto them about three thoufand fouls.'" Acts iv. 4. Howbeit, many of them which heard the word, believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. Secondly, In reference unto these that are converted, the word is effectual unto falvation, as it is a mean of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto falvation. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are fanctified. Erhiiv

6

6

11, 12; 13. And he gave fome, pa tors and teachers; for the perfecting of the faints, for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Chrift: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the ftature of the filne's of Chrift.'

Q3. How doth the word build up the faints in holiness?

A. 1. The word doth build up the faints in holiness, asi it is a mean to work them into a greater conformity unto. the image of God, and to caufe an increafe of every grace in them. 2 Cor iii. 18. We all with open face, behold ing as in a glafs, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the fame image, from glory to glory.' 1 Peter ii. 2. s new-born babes, defire the fincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.' 2. As it doth reprove, correct, inftruct in righteoufnefs, and thereby perfect them more and more, and fit them for good works.. 2 Tim. i. 16, 17. All fcripture is given by infpiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inAtruction in righteoufnefs; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work.' 3 As it is a mean of pulling down ftrong holds in the foul, and more and more fubduing all thoughts and affections unto the obedience of Chrift. 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of ftrong holds; cafting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itfelf against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chrift. 4. As it is a mean to ftrengthen the faints against the temptations of the devil, and the corruptions of their own hearts. Eph. vi. 13. 17. Take to you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day. Take the fword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' Matth. iv. 1o. Get thee hence, Satan ; for it is written, Thou fhalt worship the Lord thy God,' &c. Pfal. cxix. 9. Wherewith fhall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.' 5. As it is a mean to establish the faints in the truths and ways of God, and to ftrengthen them against error and feduction. Rom. xvi. 25. Now to him that is of power to eftablish you

ac

C

to

a