Catechistical Guide to Sinners and Babes in Christ, Part 2 · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. Of God's Work by Jeſus Chriſt, for the ſaving of Sinners.
Q. YOu having thus ſpoken of the Promiſe of Eternal Life, which is the Promiſe of the New Covenant, let us conſider the Work of God for the ſaving of Men by Jeſus Chriſt, which you ſaid is that Work of God, and that Work of Jeſus, the Chriſt of God, that Men may be ſaved: What have you learned in the general concerning this Work?
A. Concerning God's Work for the ſaving of Men (or preparing them for Salvation) by Jeſus Chriſt, I have learned, that this Work doth reſpect, firſt, Thoſe that are the Servants of Sin, and the Children of the Devil. Secondly, Thoſe that are the Servants of Obedience, & the Children of God.
Q. It being ſo, we will ſpeak of this Work accordingly, beginning with that part which reſpecteth the former ſort of Perſons you mentioned: But becauſe it will be needful to know who they are, I therefore ask you, Who are they that are the Servants of Sin, and Children of the Devil?
A. All they who live in Sin, which is the tranſgreſſion of the Law of God, are the Servants of Sin, and Children of the Devil.
[The Law of God is a binding direction from God concerning Duty, forbidding that which is Evil, and commanding that which is needful to be done. Now the Tranſgreſſion of this Law, either in doing what it forbids, or leaving undone what it commands, is ſin, 1 Joh. 3.4. & 5.17. That man, whoever he be, that lives in Sin, or committeth Sin, by loving Sin, and walking in it, is a Servant of Sin, and a Child of the Devil. Joh. 8.34. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, (ſaith Chriſt) Whoſoever committeth Sin, is the Servant of Sin. Rom. 6.2. Such are ſaid to live in Sin. 1 John 3.10. In this the Children of God are manifeſt, and the Children of the Devil: Whoſoever doth not Righteouſneſs is not of God, neither he that loveth not his Brother.
Q. But why are they that live in Sin thus called?
A. They that live in Sin are called the Servants of Sin, becauſe they yield their Members Servants to uncleanneſs, and to iniquity unto iniquity, and may expect the Wages of Sin, which is Death; and they are called the Children of the Devil, becauſe they do the Works of the Devil, and may expect to go into everlaſting Fire with the Devil & his Angels. [Rom. 6.16, 19, 21, 23. Joh. 8.41, 44. 1 Joh. 3.8. Mat. 25.41.
Q. Now tell me, What is the Work of God by Jeſus Chriſt for the ſaving of Sinners?
A. The Work of God by Jeſus Chriſt for the ſaving of Sinners, does reſpect their Repentance, and upon Repentance the forgiveneſs of their Sins, and their becoming the Children of God.
[This Work does reſpect the change of their Hearts by Repentance, whereby of evil Men they become good, like unto good Trees, which are fit to bring forth good Fruit, Mat. 12.33. This Work alſo reſpects the change of their State, in that by Repentance they obtain that Juſtification and Adoption, which are here attainable. Of theſe things ſee afterwards.]
Q. It will be convenient to inquire after the Deſign of this Work, before we ſpeak of the Work it ſelf; and therefore I ſhall firſt ask you this Queſtion; What is Repentance?
A. This Repentance we are ſpeaking of, Is a turning to God with the whole Heart, in order to the ſerving of him all the days of our Life.
[Repentance is declared to be a turning to God, and as that which foregoes our living in his Service. Act. 26.20. I [Paul] ſhewed firſt to them of Damaſcus, and at Jeruſalem, and throughout all the Coaſts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they ſhould repent and turn to God, and do Works meet for Repentance. 1 Theſſ. 1.9. Ye turned to God from Idols, to ſerve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from Heaven, &c. See Acts 15.19. This turning muſt be with the whole Heart. 1 Sam. 12.3. Joel 2.12.]
Q. But wherein does this turning to God with the whole Heart conſist?
A. Turning to God with the whole Heart, does conſiſt in that exerciſe of the Heart, whereby a Man, from a due apprehenſion of his Sins and Danger, alſo of God's Will and Promiſe, and from a due conſideration thereof, does ſuitably thereunto confeſs or acknowledg his Sins unto God, and purpoſe or reſolve to ſerve God, and keep his Commandments.
[This turning to G…d, or this Repentance, does lie in a confeſſion of Sin, and in a reſolution of ſerving God, that is, of forſaking Sin. The Parable of the Prodigal, in Luke 15.17, &c. ſpeaks forth this. Add Prov. 28.13. He that covereth his Sins ſhall not proſper, but whoſo confeſſeth and forſaketh them ſhall have Mercy. See Hoſ. 14.1, 2, 3. Sometimes the whole is ſet forth by one of theſe. Thus it is by this confeſſion and acknowledgment of ſins, 1 John 1.9. Pſal. 32.5. & 5.3. Jer. 3.13. Thus alſo by this reſolution of ſerving God. Jer. 5.24. & 30.21. 2 Chron. 11.16.
This Repentance, or turning to God, ariſeth from that apprehenſion and conſideration mentioned. See for this Prov. 1.23. 1 King. 8.37, 38. Ezek. 18 32. Matth. 13.15. Act. 11.21. 1 King. 8.47. Luk. 15.17. Deut. 32.29. Pſalm. 50.22. Ezek. 12.3. Hoſ. 7.2. Hag. 1.5, 7. Ezek. 18.14, 28. Prov. 2.5.]
Q. When is Confeſſion in Repentance ſuch as it ought to be?
A. This Confeſſion is then ſuch as it ought to be, when in confeſſing we are humbled, abhorring and condemning our ſelves for our Sins, with ſhame and ſorrow; and when we make ſupplication to God with earneſtneſs and hope for Pardon and Acceptance.
[This Confeſſion muſt be with humiliation and ſupplication. 2 Chron. 7.14. & 33.12. Repentance is ſometimes ſet forth by Humiliation, 2 Chron. 33.19. Jam. 4.10. by a contrite, broken, and humble Heart, Pſal. 51.17. Iſa. 57.15.
This Humiliation is an abhorring of our ſelves, and condemning of our ſelves with ſhame and ſorrow for our Sins. Job 42.6. Ezek. 20.43. & 36.31. 1 Cor. 11.31. Ezra 9.13. Luk. 15.19, 21. Jer. 6.15. & 8.12. Rom. 6.21. Iſa. 44.9. Ezek. 16.61, 63. & 43.10, 11. & 36.32. Pſalm 38.18. 2 Cor. 7.9, 10. Jam. 4.9. (Ezra 10.6.) Iſa. 22.12. Mat. 5.4. Iſa. 58.5. There muſt alſo be ſupplication to God for Pardon and Acceptance, and it muſt be done with an earneſt deſire and hope to attain the ſame. 1 King. 8.47, &c. Jer. 14.20, 21. Hoſ. 5.15. & 14.2. 2 Chron. 11.14. & 33.12. Act. 9.11. Luk. 15.19. Epheſ. 1.12.13. Iſa. 55.13.]
Q. When is Reſolution of Amendment ſuch as it ought to be?
A. Reſolution of Amendment, or of ſerving God, is then ſuch as it ought to be, when truſting in God we purpoſe to forſake all Sin, and to obſerve all God's Commandments to the end of our Lives, and that with the utmoſt of Self-denial, in all worldly Pleaſure, Profit, Honour, and Safety.
[The Purpoſe of the Heart in Repentance, muſt be according to the true nature of ſerving God: and therefore ſuch as hath been deſcribed. It muſt be a purpoſe of leaving Sin in the General, and of known Sins in ſpecial, and of doing the Will of God fully. 1 Pet. 4.1, 2. Hoſ. 14.3. Iſa. 1.16, &c. And this muſt be a Purpoſe of ſerving God to the end, with the utmoſt of Self-denial. Mat. 16.24. Then ſaid Jeſus unto his Diſciples, If any Man will come after me, let him deny himſelf, and take up his Croſs and follow me. Read Luke 14.25, to the end of the 33 verſe.
And Men in this purpoſing, muſt hope and truſt in God for help and aſſiſtance, that they may do according to their Intent and Purpoſe. Iſa. 51.5. Mat. 12.21. Rom. 15.12. Pſal. 37.3, 5. Iſa. 57.13.]
Q. You having declar'd what Repentance is, I ſhall next enquire concerning the Privileges which they have that repent, namely, the forgiveneſs of their Sins, and their being the Children of God: Tell me, What is this forgiveneſs?
A. The forgiveneſs of Sin, which they that repent, obtain from God, is that pardon of their Sins, whence they have peace with God, as one who by Promiſe hath delivered them from the Wrath to come. [Rom. 5.1. Heb. 9.12.]
Q. And what is it for theſe repenting Souls to become the Children of God?
A. They become the Children of God, in that they come to be as Children to God, having acceſs into a ſtate of Grace or Favour, wherein they may boaſt in hope of the Glory of God. Rom. 5.2.
Q. But is Repentance neceſſary and ſufficient for obtaining this good and bleſſed condition?
A. It is ſo, as the Holy Scriptures plentifully teach us. See Luke 13.3. Rom. 2.5. Mat. 11.20, &c. Act. 11.18. Mat. 13.15. James 3.20. Ezek. 18.30. Prov. 1.23.
Q. If ſo; How muſt we underſtand thoſe Scriptures which ſhew, that Faith or Believing is neceſſary and ſufficient for obtaining the fore-mentioned Benefits. See Rom. 5.1, 2. Act. 13.39. and elſewhere.
A. In ſuch Scriptures where only Faith, or only Repentance is mentioned, there Faith and Repentance are the ſame: for there Repentance is implied in Faith, or Faith in Repentance.
[Theſe words, Faith and Repentance, or Believing and Repenting in the buſineſs of our Salvation, are uſed in the Holy Scriptures, either alone or together. When alone, they ſignity one and the ſame thing; but when together, as in Act. 20.21. Mark 1.15. Then Repentance hath reſpect only to our Works, and Faith hath reſpect only to our Hope.
It will moreover be for much advantage to know and obſerve concerning the forementioned terms, theſe two things among others.
Firſt, That thoſe Terms, as above-uſed, do ſometimes only ſight, That which God requires for our admittance into a ſtate of Grace. Thus the word Faith, and to believe, is uſed, Rom. 5.1, 2. Act. 15.9. Rom. 10.10. And ſo the word Repentance, and to repent, Mat. 3.8. Act. 26.20. Mat. 11.20. So alſo Repentance, and Faith, or, The Foundation of Repentance and Faith, Heb. 6.1.
Secondly, That the ſame terms uſed alone or together, do oft-times ſignify the whole that God requires for our admittance into a ſtate of Glory. Thus the words Faith, and to believe, are uſed, Acts 26.18. 1 Pet. 1.9. Joh. 3.16. Rom. 10.11. Thus alſo Repentance, and to repent, are uſed, Luke 24.47. Act. 5.31. 1 Pet. 3.9. Mat. 4.17. Act. 17.30. And ſo alſo theſe terms Repentance and Faith, alſo to repent, and to believe, when conjoyn'd, Act. 20.21. Mar. 1.15.]
Q. Now let us return to conſider the Work of God by Chriſt Jeſus for the faving of Sinners. What have you learned concerning this Work?
A. Concerning the Work of God by Jeſus Chriſt for the ſaving of Sinners, I have learned that it conſiſteth in God's making by Jeſus Chriſt a way for Sinners to come to Repentance, and thereby to the forgiveneſs of their Sins, and acceptance with him, and in calling them to Repentance by Jeſus Chriſt, for the pardon of their Sins, and acceptance with him. 2 Cor. 5.18, 19. Luk. 1.79.
Q. How has God made by Jeſus Chriſt this way for Sinners?
A. God hath made this way for Sinners; firſt, By the Death of his Son, who by his Death is made a Propitiation for the Sins of the World, and has open'd a way for the coming of the Word of Reconciliation to them. Rom. 5.8, 10. Epheſ. 2.13, &c. 1 Joh. 4.10. & 2.2. Gal. 3.13. Mat. 26.28.
Q. Wherein does the Work of God appear in the Death of Chriſt for the ſaving of Sinners?
A. The Work of God appears in the Death of Chriſt for the ſaving of Sinners, in that for this end and purpoſe God willed that Chriſt ſhould be obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Croſs, and in that he helped him therein. Heb. 10.5, &c. Pſal. 40.6. Iſa. 49.8. & 50.5, &c. Act. 2.25. Heb. 5.7.
Q. Wherein does the Work of Chriſt appear in his own Death for the ſaving of Sinners?
A. It appears in that he firſt willed to be thus obedient, and afterwards became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Croſs, that Sinners might be ſaved. Heb. 10.5, &c. Pſal. 40.6, &c. Iſa. 50.5, &c. 1 Tim. 2.6. Phil. 2.8.
Q. You having ſhew'd, that God by the Death of Chriſt hath made a way for the ſaving of Sinners, Now tell me how elſe God has done it?
A. God has made for Sinners a way to Repentance and Forgiveneſs, not only by the Death of Chriſt, but alſo by the ſitting down of Chriſt at the right Hand of God, in which eſtate he hath power to give Repentance, and the forgiveneſs of Sins. Act. 5.30, 31.
Q. Wherein does the Work of God for the ſaving of Sinners, appear in Chriſt's ſitting at his right hand?
A. It appears in that God raiſed him from the Dead, took him up into Heaven, and ſet him at his right Hand. Act. 2.24, 32. Mark 16.19. Luk. 24.51. Act. 1.9. Epheſ. 1.20.
Q. Wherein does the Work of Chriſt appear in his ſitting at God's right Hand?
A. It appears in that he obtained this eſtate by being obedient unto the Death, even the Death of the Croſs. Phil. 2.8, 9.
Q. You having declar'd the Work of God by Jeſus Chriſt for the ſaving of Sinners, by making a way for them to Repentance and Pardon, it remains that we ſpeak of God's Work for the ſaving of Sinners, by the calling them to Repentance. What have you learnt concerning this?
A. Concerning God's calling of Sinners by Jeſus Chriſt unto Repentance, I have learned, That God by Jeſus Chriſt through the Goſpel, does command Sinners to repent, and does promiſe upon Repentance the forgiveneſs of their Sins: and that God and Chriſt thus call them with patience and long-ſuffering. Act. 2.38, 39. & 3.26. & 17.30. 2 Theſſ. 2.14. Act. 10.43. 2 Pet. 3.9. Rev. 2.21. Rom. 9.22. 1 Tim. 1.16.
Q. How may God be ſaid to call Sinners by Jeſus Chriſt unto Repentance?
A. God may be ſaid ſo to do, in that he ſent Jeſus Chriſt to call Sinners to Repentance. Act. 3.26.
Q. How may Jeſus Chriſt be ſaid to call Sinners to Repentance?
A. Jeſus Chriſt may be ſaid to call Sinners to Repentance, in that he comes in the Name of God, and commands Sinners to Repent, and promiſeth Pardon to them upon their Repentance. Joh. 5.43. & 10.25.
Q. When did Chriſt come and call Sinners to Repentance?
A. Chriſt did firſt, in the days of his Fleſh, call Sinners to Repentance, and that in his own Perſon, and by his Diſciples. Mat. 4.19. & 9.13. Mark 6.12.
Q. When elſe did Chriſt come and call to Repentance?
A. Chriſt after his Reſurrection from the dead, came and called Sinners to Repentance. Epheſ. 2.17. 1 Pet. 3.19.
Q. How did Chriſt after his Reſurrection come and call Sinners to Repentance?
A. Chriſt came and called by his Apoſtles and others, who in Chriſt's ſtead do teach and intreat Sinners to be reconciled unto God. Act. 13.46, 47. 2 Cor. 5.20. Luk. 24.46, 47.
Q. How may theſe be ſaid to be in Chriſt's ſtead in their preaching the Goſpel?
A. Theſe may be ſaid to be in Chriſt's ſtead; firſt, in that they receive their Commiſſion from Jeſus Chriſt to preach the Goſpel. 1 Cor. 9.17. 1 Tim. 1.11, 12.
Q. What is the Commiſſion Christ gave to his Apoſtles, after his Reſurrection from the Dead?
A. It is this: All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth: Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in [into] the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World. Amen. Matth. 28.18, 19, 20.
Q. How elſe are they in Chriſt's ſtead in preaching the Goſpel?
A. Upon this account alſo they are ſuch, Becauſe Chriſt who enables them for the Work, hath appointed them to be his Miniſters, and in his Name to preach the Goſpel. 1 Tim. 1.12. Luk. 24.47. Act. 4.12. & 9.27. Rom. 1.5. Act. 26.15, &c. Rom. 15.16. 1 Tim. 4.6. 1 Cor. 4.1.
Q. Are none but Miniſters to endeavour the ſaving of Sinners, by bringing them to Repentance?
A. All Chriſtians are to endeavour, by their Words and Works, to ſave Sinners, by bringing them to Repentance. Phil. 2.15, 16. James 5.20. 1 Cor. 7.16. 1 Pet. 3.1.