thither, and to prepare a place for us ", where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world!

Q. 54. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?

A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favour with God the Father m, with all fulness of joy", gloryo, and power over all things in heaven and earth P; and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies ; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces ?; and maketh intercession for them.

Q. 55. How doth Christ make intercession ?

A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the

i Col. iii. 1. If ye then be risen church. 1 Pet. iji. 22. Who is gone with Christ, seek those things which into heaven, and is on the right hand are above, where Christ sitteth on the of God; angels, and authorities, and right hand of God Ver. 2. Set your powers, being made subject unto him, affections on things above, not on

9 Eph. iv. 10

He that descended things on the earth.

is the same also that ascended up far de John xiv. 3. And if I go and pre. above all heavens, that he might fill parea place for you, I will come again, all things. Ver. 11. And he gave and receive you unto myself, that some apostles, and some prophets, and where I am, there ye may be also. some evangelists, and some pastors

I Acts jü. 21 Whom the heaven and teachers; Ver. 12. For the pero must receive until the times of resti. fecting of the saints, for the work of tution of all things, which God hath the ministry, for the edifying of the spoken by the mouth of all his holy body of Christ. Psal. cx. i. The' prophets since the world began. LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at

54 m Phil. ii. 9. Wherefore God my right hand, until I make thine ene. also hath highly exalted him, and giv. mies thy footstool, &c. (See the Psalm en him a name, which is above eve- tbroughout.] ry name.

p Rom viji 34. Who is he that n Acts ji 28. Thou hast made condemneth? It is Christ that died, known to me the ways of life ; thou yea, rather, that is risen again, who shalt make me full of joy with thy is even at the right hand of God, who

Compored with Psal. also maketh intercession for us. xvi. 11. Thou wilt shew me the path 55 s Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the of life: in thy presence is fulness of blood of goats and calves, but by his joy, at thy right hand there are plea- own blood, he entered in once into the sures for evermore.

holy place, having obtained eternal o John xvii. 5. And now, O Father, redemption for us. Ver. 24. For Christ glorify thou me with thine own self, is not entered into the holy places with the glory which I had with thee made with hands, which are the before the world was

figures of the true; but into heaven p Eph. i. 22. And hath put all itself, now to appear in the presence things under his feet, and gave him of God for us. to be the head over all things to the

countenance.

3

w

merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers"; answering all accusations against them ", and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings ", access with boldness to the throne of gracey, and acceptance of their persons and services 2.

z Q. 56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world ?

A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great powere, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father's, with all his holy angels , with

+ Heb. i. 3. Who, being the bright- of God.. 1 John ii. 1. My little chilness of his glory, and the express im- dren, these things write I unto you, age of his person, and upholding all that ye sin not. And if any man sin, things by the word of his power, when we have an advocate with the Father, he had by kimself purged our sins, sat Jesus Christ the righteous: Ver. 2. down on the right hand of the Majesty And he is the propitiation for our sins; on high.

and not for ours only, but also for the u John iii. 16. For God so loved the sins of the whole world. world, that he gave his only begotten y Heb. iv. 16. Let us therefore Son, that whosoever believeth in him come boldly unto the throne of grace, should not perish, but have everlasting that we may obtain mercy, and find life. John xvii: 9. I pray for them: grace to help in time of need. I pray not for the world, but for them 2 Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the which thou hast given me, for they glory of his grace, wherein he hath are thine. Ver. 20. Neither pray I made us accepted in the Beloved. for these alone, but for them also a 1 Pet. ii. 5. Ye also, as lively which shall believe on me through stones, are built up a spiritual house, their word. Ver. 24. Father, I will an holy priesthood, to offer up spithat they also whom thou hast given ritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by me, be with me where I am ; that Jesus Christ. they may behold my glory, which thou 56.6 Acts. iii. 14. But ye denied the hasi given me : for thou lovedst me Holy One and the Just, and desired a before the foundation of the world. murderer to be granted unto you;

w Rom. viij. 33. Who shall lay any Ver. 15. And killed the Prince of life, thing to the charge of God's elect: It whom God hath raised from the dead, is God that justifeth: Ver. 34. Who whereof we are witnesses. is he that condemneth? It is Christ c Matt. xxiv. 30. And then shall that died, yea rather, that is risen appear the sign of the Son of man in again, who is even at the right hand heaven: and then shall all the tribes of God, who also makerh interces. of the earth mourn; and they shall see -sion for us.

the Son of man coming in the clouds * Rom. v. 1. Therefore being jus- of heaven, with power and great tified by faith, we have peace with glory. God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. d Luke ix. 26. For whosoever shall Ver. 2. By whom also we have access be ashamed of me and of my words, by faith into this grace wherein we of him shall the Son of man be ashastand, and rejoice in hope of the glory med, when he shall come in his own

a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of Gode, to judge the world in righteouness f. Q.57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his Mediation?

A. Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption 5, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace h.

Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?

A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ nath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost k.

Q. 59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?

A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it'; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel m. glory, and in his Father's, and of the de Tit. iji. 5. Not by works of righholy angels Mat. xxv. 31. When the teousness which we have done, but Son of man shall come in his glory, according to his mercy he saved us, and all the holy angels with him, then by the washing of regeneration, and shall he sit upon the throne of his renewing of the Holy Ghost : Ver. 6. glory.

Which he shed on us abundantly, e 1 Thess. iv. 16. For the Lord through Jesus Christ our Saviour. himself shall descend from heaven 59. 1 Eph. j. 13. In whom ye also with a shout, with the voice of the trusted, after that ye heard the word archangel, and with the trump of of truth, the gospel of your salvation; God; and the dead in Christ shall rise in whom also, after thai ye believed, first.

ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit f Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath of promise, Ver. 14. Which is the appointed a day, in the which he will. earnest of our inheritance, until the judge the world in righteousness by redemption of the purchased possesthat man whom he hath ordained; sion, unto the praise of his glory. whereof he hath gwen assurance unto John vi. 37. All ihat the Farher givall men, in that he hath raised him eth me shall come to me; and him that from the dead.

cometh unto me I will in no wise cast 57. & Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the out. Ver. 39. And this is the Father's blood of goats and calves, but by his will which hath sent me, that of all own blood, he entered in once into which he hath given me I should lose the holy place, having obtained eter: nothing, but should raise it up again mal redemption for us.

at the last day. John x 15. As the h 2 Cor. i. 20. For all the promises Father knoweth me, even so know I of God in him are yea, and in him the Father : and I lay down my life amen, unto the glory of God by us. for the sheep. Ver. 16. And other 58. i John i. 11. He came unto his sheep I have, which are not of this

and his own received him not. fold; them also I must bring, and they Ver. 12. But as many as received him, shall hear my voice ; and there shall to them gave he power to become the be one fold, and one shepherd. sons of God, even to them that be. m Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye sa• lieve on his name.

Yed, through faith; and that not of

own,

Q. 60. Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature ?

A. They who, having never heard the gospel ", know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved P, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature 9, or the laws of that religion which they profess"; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ yourselves : it is the gift of God. 2 made foolish the wisdom of this Cor. iv. 13. We having the same spi. world ? Ver. 21. For after that, in rit of faith, according as it is written, the wisdom of God, the world by wis. I believed, and therefore have I spo. dom knew not God, it pleased God by ken: we also believe, and therefore the foolishness of preaching to save speak.

them that believe. Ver. 22. For the 60. n Rom. x. 14. How then shall Jews require a sign, and the Greeks they call on him in whom they have seek after wisdom: Ver. 23. But we not believed ? and how shall they be- preach Christ crucified, unto the lieve in him of whom they have not Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the heard ? and how shall they hear with Greeks foolishness; Ver. 24. But unout a preacher?

to them which are called, both Jews o 2 Thess. i. 8. In flaming fire, ta- and Greeks, Christ the power of God, king vengeance on them that know and the wisdom of God. not God, and that obey not the gos. Johniv. 22. Ye worship ye know pel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver. not what: we know what we wor. 9. Who shall be punished with ever. ship; for salvation is of the Jews. lasting destruction from the presence Rom. ix. 31. But Israel, which fol. of the Lord, and from the glory of his lowed after the law of righteousness, power. Eph. ii. 12. That at that hath not attained to the law of rightime ye were without Christ, being a- teousness.' Ver. 32. Wherefore? Be. liens from the commonwealth of Is- cause they sought it not by faith, but rael, and strangers from the covenants as it were by the works of the law : of promise, having no hope, and with for they stumbled at that stumblingout God in the world. John i. 10. Phil. jji. 4. Though I might He was in the world, and the world also have confidence in the flesh. If was made by him, and the world any other man thinketh that he hath knew him not. Ver. 11. He came whereof he might trust in the flesh, I onto his own, and his own received

Ver. 5. Circumcised the him not. Ver. 12. But as many as re- eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of ceived him, to them gave he power to the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of become the sons of God, even to them the Hebrews; as touching the law, a that believe on his name.

Pharisee; Ver. 6. Concerning zeal, John viii. 24. I said therefore un- persecuting the church ; touching the to you, that ye shall die in your sins: righteousness which is in the law, for if ye believe not that I am he, ye blameless. Ver. 7. But what things shall die in your sins. Mark xvi. 16. were gain to me, those I counted loss He that believeth, and is baptized, for Christ. Ver. 8. Yea, doubtless, shall be saved; but he that believeth and I count all things but loss for the not shall be damned.

excellency of the knowledge of Christ q 1 Cor. i. 20. Where is the wise? Jesus my Lord: for whom I have sufwhere is the scribe? where is the dis. fered the loss of all things, and do puter of this world? bath not God count them but dung, that I may win

R

stone.

more:

ours.

alone ', who is the Saviour only of his body the church !

Q. 61. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?

A. All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved ; but they only who are true members of the church invisibleu.

Q. 62. What is the visible church?

A. The visible church is a society, made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion ", and of their children %. Christ, Ver. 9. And be found in him, of God which is at Corinth, to them not having mine own righteousness, that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, which is of the law, but that which called to be saints, with all that in ea is through the faith of Christ, the very place call upon the name of Je. righteousness which is of God by sus Christ our Lord, both theirs and faith.

1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spi. $ Acts iv. 12. Neither is there sal. rit are we all baptized into one body, vation in any other : for there is none whether we be Jews or Gentiles, wheother name under heaven given among ther we be bond or free; and have been men, whereby we must be saved. all made todrink into one Spirit. Rom.

* Eph. v. 23. For the husband is xv. 9. And that the Gentiles might the head of the wife, even as Christ is glorify God for his mercy, as it is the head of the church : and he is the written, For this canse I will confess saviour of the body.

to thee among the Gentiles, and sing 61. u John xii. 38. That the saying unto thy name. Ver. 10. And again, of Esaias the prophet might be fulfil. he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with led, which he spake, Lord, who hath his people. Ver. 11. And again, believed our report ? and to whom Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and Irath the arm of the Lord been reveal- laud him, all ye people. Ver. 12. And ed? Ver. 39. Therefore they could again Esaias saith, There shall be a not believe, because that Esaias said root of Jesse, and he that shall rise again, Ver. 40. He hath blinded to reign over the Gentiles, in him their eyes, and hardened their heart; shall the Gentiles trust. Rev. vii. 9. that they should not see with their After this I beheld, and, lo, a great eyes, nor understand with their heart, multitude, which no man could num. and be converted, and I should heal ber, of all nations, and kindreds, and them. Rom. ix. 6. Not as though people, and tongues, stood before the the word of God hath taken none ef. Throne, and before the Lamb, cloth. feci: for they are not all Israel which ed with white robes, and palms in are of Israel. Mat. xxii. 14. For ma. their hands. Psal. ii. 8. Ask of me, ny are called, but few are chosen. and I shall give thee the heathen for Mat. vii. 21. Not every one that saith thine inheritance, and the utterthost unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into parts of the earth for thy possesthe kingdom of heaven; but he that sion. Psal. xxii. 27. All the ends doeth the will of my Father which is of the world shall remember, and in heaven. Rom. xi. 7. What then all the kindreds of the nations shall Israel hath not obtained that which he worship before thee. Ver. 28. For seeketh for; but the election hath ob- the kingdom is the Lord's: and he tained it, and the rest were blinded. is the governor among the nations.

62. w 1 Cor. i. 2. Unto the church Ver. 29. All they that be fat upon