Q. 38. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God?

A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death; (1) give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession; (2) and to satisfy God's justice, (3) procure his favour, (4) purchase a peculiar people, (5) give his Spirit to them, (6) conquer all their eneHeb. vii. 26. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.

(1) Acts ii. 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Rom. i. 4. Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

(2) Acts xx. 28. To feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Heb. ix. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb. vii. 25, 26, 27, 28. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them, &c.

(3) Rom. iii. 24, 25, 26. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness, for the remission of sins.-That he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

(4) Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved.

(5) Tit. ii. 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(6) John xv 26. But when the Comforter is come,

mies, (1) and bring them to everlasting sal vation. (2)

Q. 39. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be man?

A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be man, that he might advance our nature, (3) perform obedience to the law, (4) suffer and make intercession for us in our nature, (5) have a fellow-feeling of our infirmities; (6) that we might receive the adoption of sons, (7) and

whom I will send unto you from the Father. John xvi. 7; xiv. 26.

(1) Luke i. 69, 71, 74. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us-that we should be saved from our enemies, &c.

(2) Heb. v. 9. He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

13, 14, 15.

(3) Heb. ii. 16. the nature of angels; Abraham.

Chap. ix. 11, 12,

For verily he took not on him but he took on him the seed of

(4) Gal. iv. 4. God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Rom. v. 19. By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

(5) Heb. ii. 14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death. Heb. vii. 24, 25. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath ar unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

(6) Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmi ties; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

(7) Gal. iv. 5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace. (1)

Q. 40. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one person?

A. It was requisite that the Mediator who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person; that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, (2) and relied on by us, as the works of the whole person. (3)

Q. 41. Why was our Mediator called Jesus? A. Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins. (4)

Q. 42. Why was our Mediator called Christ? A. Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure; (5) and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, (6) to

(1) Heb. iv. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

(2) Matt. i. 23. Behold, a virgin shall-bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which, being interpreted, is, God with us. Matt. iii. 17. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

(3) 1 Pet. ii. 6. Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

(4) Matt. i. 21. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.

(5) John iii. 34. God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. Ps. xlv. 7. God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

(6) John vi. 27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto ever

execute the offices of prophet, (1) priest, (2) and king of his church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation. (3)

Q. 43. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the church in all ages, (4) by his Spirit and word, (5) in divers ways of administration, (6) the whole will of God, (7) in

lasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you. for him hath God the Father sealed. Matt. xxviii. 19, 20.

(1) Acts iii. 22. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you. Luke iv. 18, 21.

(2) Heb. v. 5, 6. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high-priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. Heb. iv. 14, 15.

(3) Isa. ix. 6, 7. The government shall be upon his shoulder. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Ps. ii. 6.

(4) John i. 18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

(5) 1 Pet. i. 10, 12. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired, and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.-Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

(6) Heb. i. 1, 2. God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers, by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.

(7) John xv. 15. But I have called you friends; for

all things concerning their edification and sal vation. (1)

Q. 44. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, (2) to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people; (3) and in making continual intercession for them. (4)

Q. 45. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself; (5)

all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.

(1) Eph. iv. 11, 12, 13. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. John xx. 31.

(2) Heb. ix. 14, 28. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience-So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.

(3) Heb. ii. 17. That he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

(4) Heb. vii. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

(5) Isa. lv. 5. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and nations that knew not thee, shall run unto thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Gen. xlix. 10.