Let none be afraid or ashamed to confess the Person, Office, or any Truth of Christ, for any Loss or Danger, that may threaten them, Luke 12:8-9 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before Men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the Angels of God. But he that denieth me before Men, shall be denied before the Angels of God.

Though the Day of Judgment be awfully solemn, it should not be dreadful to Believers. They should look for, and hasten to the coming of the Day of God, 2 Pet 3:12 Looking for, and hastening unto the coming of the Day of God, &c.

What will such a Vision of God produce? A. It will produce perfect Conformity in them to God, 1 John 3:2 When he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And perfect Joy will result from hence, Psa 16:11 In thy Presence is Fulness [sic] of Joy, at thy right Hand there are Pleasures for evermore.

Labels: conformity, day of judgment, joy, profess Christ

How is true Assurance discerned from Presumption? A. True Assurance humbles the Soul, Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And makes the Soul afraid of Sin, 2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these Promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the Fear of God.

What is that which hinders the Sense of Peace in Believers? A. Their Sins against the Lord, and grieving of his Spirit, Isa 59:2 But your Iniquities have separated between you and your God ; and your Sins have hid his Face from you, that he will not hear.

Have not Hypocrites their Joys as well as real Christians? A. Yes, but the Joy of the Hypocrite is not grounded upon Scripture-warrant, and will vanish away, and will come to nothing at last, John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining Light, and ye were willing for a Season to rejoice in his Light.

After saying that true Grace may sometimes decay, the first inference is "To bless God for Gospel Ordinances, Psa 92:13-14 Those that be planted in the House of the Lord, shall flourish in the Courts of our God, they shall still bring forth Fruit in old Age; they shall be fat and flourishing.

Why do not all persevere? Because all Professors have not a good Root and Foundation, Matt 13:20-21

Labels: assurance, grace, joy, ordinary means, peace of conscience

That Catechizing is an ordinance of God, few will doubt, when they consider the Apostles did first lay the Fundamentals of Religion; Heb 6:1 And fed Babes with Milk, teaching them the first Principles of the Oracles of God, Heb 5:12 and questionless taught them in that Manner, which was most suitable to the Capacity of the Learners, which may well be supposed to be by plain and short Questions, and suitable Answers thereunto; and therefore this has been a constant Practice in the Church of God.

Wherein consists the Enjoyment of God? A. It consists, First, in the facial Vision of him in Heaven. Secondly, in full Conformity to him, 1 John 3:2. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Thirdly, in that full Satisfaction which results from both the former, Psalm 17:15 I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness

What is the Holiness of the Scriptures? and how doth that prove them to be God's Word? A. The Holiness of the Scriptures doth appear in two Things. First, In commanding and encouraging whatsoever is pure and holy; Phil. 4:8 Whatsoever Things are pure. Secondly, In forbidding all Unholiness, under Pain of Damnation, 1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not, that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, &c. This shews that they came not from Satan, being cross to his Design; nor from Men, it being against his corrupt Nature; and therefore from God only.

What is their Authority and Efficacy on the Soul? and how doth that prove them divine? A. Their Authority and Efficacy on the Soul, consists in three Things: First, In the Power they have to search and discover the Secrets of Men, Heb 4:12The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit, of the Joints and Marrow; and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart. Secondly, In their converting Efficacy, changing and renewing the Soul, Psalm 19:7 The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul. Thirdly, In their cheering and restoring Efficacy, when the Soul is cast down under any inward or outward Trouble, Psalm 19:8 The Statutes of the Lord are right, rejoycing the Heart. No humane Power can do such Things as these, John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy Truth, thy Word is Truth.

It is our Duty to examine what we hear, by the Word; and not receive any Doctrine, because Men confidently affirm it, but because the Scriptures require it, Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all Readiness of Mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether these Things were so. Secondly, That Christian Religion is not notional, but practical; and that impractical Faith saves no Man, James 2:20 Faith without Works is dead.

Labels: authority, catechism, conversion, efficacy, faith, holiness, joy, obedience, satisfaction, scripture, soul