Q. 63. What are the special privileges of the visible church?

A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under God's special care and government'; of being protected and

; preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies ? ; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the or

; earth shall eat and worship: all they 63. y Isa. iv. 5. And the Lord will that go down to the dust shall bow create upon every dwelling-place of before him; and none can keep alive mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, his own soul. Ver. 30. A seed shall a cloud and smoke by day, and the serve him ; it shall be accounted to the shining of a Aaming fire by night : Lord for a generation. Ver. 31. They for upon all the glory shall be a deshall come, and shall declare his righ- fence. Ver. 6. And there shall be a teousness unto a people that shall

be tabernacle for a shadow in the dayborn, that he hath done this. Psal. time from the heat, and for a place of xly. 17. I will make thy name to be refuge, and for a covert from storm remembered in all generations : there. and from rain. 1 Tim. iv. 10. For fore shall the people praise thee for therefore we both labour, and suffer ever and ever. Mat. xxviii. 19. Go reproach, because we trust in the ye therefore, and teach all nations, living God, who is the Saviour of all baptizing them in the name of the men, especially of those that believe. Father, and of the Son, and of the Ho- 2 Psal. cxv. 1. Not unto us, o ly Ghost : Ver. 20. Teaching them to Lord, not unto us, but-Ver. 2. observe all things whatsoever I have Wherefore should the heathen say, commanded you : and, lo, I am with Where is now their God ? &c. Ver. you alway, even unto the end of the 9. O Israel, trust thou in the Lord : world. Amen. Isa. lix. 21. As for me, he is their help and their shield, &c. this is my covenant with them, saith (See the psalm throughout.] Isa. xxxi. the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, 4. For thus hath the Lord spoken unand my words which I have put in thy to me, Like as the lion and the young mouth, shall not depart out of thy lion roaring on his prey, when a mulmouth, nor out of the mouth of thy titude of shepherds is called forth aseed, nor out of the mouth of thy gainst him, he will not be afraid of seeds "seed, saith the Lord, from their voice, nor abase himself for the henceforth and for ever.

noise of them ; so shall the Lord of * 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the unbeliev- hosts come down to fight for mount ing husband is sanctified by the wife, Zion, and for the hill thereof. Ver. 5. and the unbelieving wife is sanctified As birds Aying, so will the Lord of by the husband : else were your chil. hosts defend Jerusalem; defending, aldren unclean ; but now are they holy. so he will deliver it, and passing over Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unro he will preserve it. Zech: xii. 2. Deyou, and to your children, and to all hold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of that are afar off, even as many as the trembling unto all the people round aLord our God shall call. Rom. xi. 16. bout, when they shall be in the siege, For if the first. fruit be holy, the lump both against Judah and against Jeruis also holy; and if the root be holy, salem. Ver. 3. And in that day will 80 are the branches. Gen. xvij. 7. I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone And I will establish my covenant be for all people : all that burden themtween me and thee, and thy seed af / selves with it shall be cut in pieces, ter thee, in their generations, for an though all the people of the earth be everlasting covenant, to be a God un. 'gathered together against it. Ver. 4. to thee, and to thy seed after thee. In that day, saith the Lord, I will

dinary means of salvation", and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him

Q. 64. What is the invisible church?

A. The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head d.

Q. 65. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?

A. The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory . smite every horse with astonishment, And he said unto them, Go ye into and his rider with madness; and I will all the world, and preach the gospel open mine eyes upon the house of Ju. to every creature. Ver. 16. He that dah, and will smite every horse of the believeth, and is baptized, shall be people with blindness. Ver. 8. In that saved; but he that believeth not shall day shall the Lord defend the inhabi- be damned. tants of Jerusalem : and he that is fee- c John vi. 37. All that the Father ble among them at that day shall be giveth me shall come to me; and him as David ; and the house of David that cometh to me I will in no wise shall be as God, as the angel of the cast out. Lord before them. Ver. 9. And it shall 64. d Eph. i. 10. That in the dis. come to pass in that day, that I will pensation of the fulness of times, he seek to destroy all the nations that might gather together in one all things come against Jerusalem.

in Christ, both which are in heaven, a Acts ii. 39. For the promise is un- and which are on earth, even in him. to you, and to your children, and to Ver. 22. And hath put all things un. all that are afar off, even as many as der his feet, and gave him to be the the Lord our God shall call. Ver. 42. head over all things to the church, And they continued stedfastly in the Ver. 23. Which is his body, the fulapostles' doctrine and fellowship, and ness of him that filleth all in all. John in breaking of bread, and in prayers. x. 16. And other sheep I have, which

6 Psal. cxlvii. 19. He sheweth his are not of this fold ; them also I must word unto Jacob, his statutes and his bring, and they shall hear my voice : judgments unto Israel. Ver. 20. He and there shall be one fold, and one Irath not dealt so with any nation : shepherd. John xi. 52. And not for and as for his judgments, they have that nation only, but that also he not known them. Praise ye the Lord. should gather together in one the Rom. ix. 4. Who are Israelites ; to children of God that were scattered whom pertaineth the adoption, and the abroad. glory, and the covenants, and the giv. 65. e John xvii. 21. That they all ing of the law, and the service of God, may be one ; as, thou, Father, art in and the promises. Eph. iv. 11. And me, and I in thee, that they also may he gave some apostles, and some pro- be one in us : that the world may be. phets, and some evangelists, and some lieve that thou hast sentime. Eph. ii. pastors and teachers ; Ver. 12. For the 5. Even when we were dead in sins, perfecting of the saints, for the work hath quickened us together wih of the ministry, for the edifying of Christ, (by grace ye are saved,) Ver.

body of Christ. Mark xvi. 15. 6. And hath raised us up together,

Q. 66. What is that union which the elect have with Christ?

A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God's gracef, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband 8; which is done in their effectual calling h.

Q. 67. What is effectual calling ?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and gracei, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereuntok) he and made us sit together in heavenly and now is, when the dead shall hear places in Christ Jesus. John xvii. 24. the voice of the Son of God; and they Father, I will that they also whom that hear shall live. Eph. i. 18. The thou hast given me be with me where eyes of your understanding being enI am ; that they may behold my glory lightened ; that ye may know what is which thou hast given me: for thou the hope of his calling, and what the lovedst me before the foundation of riches of the glory of his inheritance the world.

in the saints; Ver. 19. And what is 66. f Eph. i. 22. And hath put all the exceeding greatness of his power things under his feet, and gave him to to us-ward who believe, according to be the head over all things to the the working of his mighty power ; church: Eph. ii. 6. And hath raised Ver. 20. Which he wrought in Christ, us up together, and made us sit to- when he raised him from the dead, gether in heavenly places in Christ Je- and set him at his own right hand in sus; Ver. 7. That in the ages to come the heavenly places. 2 Tim. i. 8. Be he might shiew the exceeding riches not thou therefore ashamed of the tes. of his grace, in his kindness toward timony of our Lord, nor of me his us through Christ Jesus. Ver. 8. For prisoner; but be thou partaker of the by grace are ye saved, through faith ; afflictions of the gospel, according to and that not of yourselves: it is the the power of God: Ver. 9. Who hath gift of God.

and called us with an holy 8

1 Cor. vi. 17. But he that is join- calling, not according to our works, ed unto the Lord is one spirit, John x. but according to his own purpose and 28. And I give unto them eternal life, grace, which was given us in Christ and they shall never perish, neither Jesus before the world began. shall any pluck them out of my hand. k Tit. iii. 4. But after that the kind. Eph. v. 23. For the husband is the ness and love of God our Saviour tohead of the wife, even as Christ is the ward man appeared, Ver. 5. Not by head of the church : and he is the sa. works of righteousness which we have viour of the body. Ver. 30. For we done, but according to his mercy, he are members of his body, of his flesh, saved us, by the washing of regeneraand of his bones.

tion, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. b 1 Pet. v. 10. But the God of all Eph. ii. 4. But God, who is rich in grace, who hath called us unto his eter- mercy, for his great love wherewith nal glory by Christ Jesus, after that he loved us, Ver. 5. Even when we ye have suffered a while, make you were dead in sins, harh quickened us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle together with Christ, (by grace ye are you. I Cor. i. 9. God is faithful, by saved.) Ver. 7. That in the ages to whom ye were called unto the fellow come he might shew the exceeding ship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, riches of his grace, in his kindness

67. i John v. 25. Verily, verily, I toward us through Christ Jesus. Ver. say unto you, The hour is coming, 8. For by grace are ye saved, through

saved us,

:

doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spiric'; savingly enlightening their minds m, renewing and powertully determining their wills", so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein o

Q. 68. Are the elect only effectually called ?

A. All the elect, and they only, are effectually called P; although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the faith ; and that not of yourselves : it his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all is the gift of God. Ver. 9. Not of things, yea, the deep things of God. works, lest any man should boast. Ver. 12 Now we have received, not Rom. ix. 11. For the children being the spirit of the world, but the Spirit not yet born, neither having done any which is of God; that we might know good or evil, that the purpose of God the things that are freely given to us according to election might stand, not of God. of works, but of him that calleth. n Ezek. xi. 19. I will give them one

1 2 Cor. v. 20. Now then we are heart, and I will put a new spirit ambassadors for Christ, as though God within you ; and I will take the stony did beseech you by us : we pray you heart out of their flesh, and will give in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to them an heart of Aesh. Ezek. xxxvi. God. Compared with 2 Cor. vi. 1. We 26. A new heart also will I give you, then, as workers together with him, and a new spirit will I put within you; beseech you also, that ye receive not and I will take away the stony heart the grace of God in vain. Ver. 2: For out of your flesh, and I will give you he saith, I have heard thee in a time an heart of flesh. Ver. 27. And I will accepted, and in the day of salvation put my Spirit within you, and cause have I succoured thee: behold, now is you to walk in my statutes, and ye the accepted time; behold, now is the shall keep my judgments, and do them. day of salvation. John vi. 44. No man John vi. 45. It is written in the procan come to me, except the Father phets, And they shall be all taught of which hath sent me draw him ; and I God. Every man therefore that hath will raise him up at the last day. 2 heard, and hath learned of the Father, Thess. ï. 13. But we are bound to cometh unto me. give thanks alway to God for you, bre. o Eph. ii. 5. Even when we were thren, beloved of the Lord, because dead in sints, hath quickened us toGod hath from the beginning chosen gether with Christ, (by grace ye are you to salvation, through sanctifica. saved.) Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which tion of the Spirit and belief of the worketh in you, both to will and to do truth : Ver. 14. Whereunto he called of his good pleasure. Deut. xxx. 6. you by our gospel, to the obtaining of And the Lord thy God will circumthe glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. cise thine heart, and the heart of thy

m Acts xxvi. 18. To open their seed, to love the Lord thy God with eyes, and to turn them from darkness all thine heart, and with all thy soul, to light, and from the power of Satan that thou mayest live. unto God, that they may receive for. 68. p Acts xiii. 48. And when the giveness of sins, and inheritance a. Gentiles heard this, they were glad, mong them which are sanctified by and glorified the word of the Lord : faith that is in me. 1 Cor. ii. 10. Bät and as many as were ordained to eter. God hath revealed them unto us by nal life believed.

ministry of the word, and have some common operations of the Spirit"; who, for their wilful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ s.

Q. 69. What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ ?

A. The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification, adoption", sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him",

9 Mat. xxii. 14. For many are call- Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias ed, but few are chosen.

the prophet unto our fathers, Ver. 26. Mat. vii. 22. Many will say to Saying, Go unto this people, and say, me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not not prophesied in thy name ? and in understand ; and seeing ye shall see, thy name have cast out devils ? and in and not perceive. Ver. 27. For the thy name done many wonderful works? heart of this people is waxed gross, Mat. xiji. 20. But he that received the and their ears are dull of hearing, and seed into stony places, the same is he their eyes have they closed ; lest they that heareth the word, and anon with should see with their eyes, and hear joy receiveth it: Ver. 21. Yet hath he with their ears, and understand with not root in himself; but dureth for a their heart, and should be converted, while : for when tribulation or perse. and I should heal them. John vi. 64. cution ariseth because of the word, by But there are some of you that believe and by he is offended. Heb. vi. 4. not. For Jesus knew from the beginFor it is impossible for those who ning who they were that believed not, were once enlightened, and have tas- and who should betray him. Ver. 65. fed of the heavenly gift, and were And he said, Therefore said I unto made partakers of the Holy Ghost, you, that no man can come unto me, Ver. 5. And have tasted the good except it were given unto him of my word of God, and the powers of the Father. Psal. lxxxi. 11. But my peoworld to come, * Ver. 6. If they shall ple would not hearken to my voice ; fall away, to renew them again unto and Israel would none of me. Ver. 12. repentance.

So I gave them up unto their own s John xii. 38. That the saying of hearts' lust ; and they walked in their Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, own counsels. which he spake, Lord, who hath be- 69. t Rom. viii. 30. . Moreover, lieved oor report? and to whom hath whom he did predestinate, them he the arm of the Lord been revealed ? also called ; and whom he called, Ver. 39. Therefore they could not be- them he also justified; and whom he lieve ; because that Esaias said again, justified, then he also glorified. Ver. 40. He hath blinded their eyes, u Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated and hardened their heart; that they us unto the adoption of children by should not see with their eyes, nor un- Jesus Christ to himself, according to derstand with their heart, and be con- the good pleasure of his will. verted, and I should heal them. Acts W 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto among themselves, they departed, af. us wisdom, and righteousness, and ter that Paul had spoken one word, sanctification, and redemption.

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