Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 20 – Question 21
Of the Salvation of God's Elect, and of the Covenant of Grace.
Quest. 20. DID God leave all Mankind to perish in the State of Sin and Misery?
A. God having out of his meer good pleasure from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, di… enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery; and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer.
Q. 1. Are some Persons chosen to salvation, and others left?
A. Yes: God hath chosen some to salvation, and passed by others; as the Scriptures speak. See Rom. 8.30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called. And Jude v. 4. For there are certian men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, &c.
Q 2. Did God chuse some because he foresaw they would be better than others?
A. No: God's choice was not on foreseen works; but meerly of his grace, and good pleasure of his will. Eph. 1.5.6. Having predestinated us into the adoption of children by Iesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace.
Q. 3. Is this Election of God made in time, and that according as men use their free will, or from Eternity?
A. Election is an Eternal act of God before the world was, and depends not on Man's using his free-will; as appears from Eph. 1.4. According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love.
Q. 4. Shall all that be Elected, be called, and saved?
A. Yes, the Scripture is full and plain for it. Acts 13.48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. Rom. 8.30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called, &c.
Q. 5. By whom are the Elect saved?
A. By Christ the only Redeemer. Tit. 3.4, 5, 6. But after that the kindness, and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Iesus Christ our Saviour.
Q. 6. Is there no other way of Salvation but by Christ?
A. No, no other way is revealed in Scripture. Acts 4.12. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Q 7. What learn you from God's Election?
A. What cause we have to admire Free-grace in our choice, who were no better than others. Eph. 2.3. And were by nature children of wrath, even as others.
Q. 8. What is the second Instruct…on?
A It teaches us humility, we made not our selves to differ; but the free grace of God made the difference. 1 Cor. 4.7. For who maketh thee to differ from another?
Q. 9. What is the third Instruction?
A. It teaches us diligence to make our Election sure to our selves, by our calling. 2 Pet. 1.10. Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.
Q. 10. What is the fourth Instruction?
A. It is matter of comfort to God's Elect, amidst all dangers in the world. 2 Tim. 2.19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
Of the Covenant of Grace.
Quest. 1. WHat is the Covenant of Grace?
A. It is a new compact or agreement made with Sinners, out of meer grace, wherein God promiseth to be our God, and that we shall be his people, and to give everlasting life to all that believe in Christ. Ier. 31.33. But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and th…y shall be my people.
Q 2. How doth this covenant differ from the Covenant of works?
A. They differ many ways; but principally in three things. First, The Covenant of works had no Mediator; the Covenant of Grace hath a Mediator. Heb. 12.24 And to Iesus the Mediator of the new Covenant. Secondly, In the former, no place was found for repentance. In the Second, God admits it. Heb. 8.10. For this is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds, and write them in their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. Ver. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins will I remember no more. Thirdly, In their condition▪ the former requires exact Obedience, the latter Faith, and sincere Obedience. Mark 16.16. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved.
Q. 3. May a Sinner that hath no worthiness at all of his own, be taken into the Covenant of Grace?
A. Yes, he may. Isa. 43 25. I, even I, am he, that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. This Covenant is not of Works, but of Grace. Rom. 11.5, 6. And if by grace, then it is no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace; but if it be of works then it is no more grace, otherwise work is no more work.
Q 4. Is this Covenant changeable, or an unchangeable Covenant?
A. No, it is not changeable, but everlasting and unchangeable forever. Isa. 54.10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the L…rd, that hath mercy on thee.
Q. 5. What are the principal things bestowed in this Covenant?
A. God himself, and in and with him pardon and salvation. Ier. 31.33. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Q. 6. Can no Sin be forgiven out of this Covenant?
A. No, God pardons none out of this Covenant. Iob 3.18. But he that believeth not, is condemned already.
Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence?
A. Humbled and believing Sinners have singular support from this New Covenant. 1 Iohn 2.12. I write unto you little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name sake.
Q. 8. What is the second Instruction from hence?
A. That 'tis the great concern of all men to examine whether they be in this Covenant, or no. 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves; know ye not your own selves, how that Iesus Christ is in you, except y… be reprobates.
Q. 9. What is the third Instruction?
A. See here the miserable State of the wicked, which have no interest in it. Psal. 50.16. But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth?
Q. 10. What is the last Instruction?
A. That Christians are obliged to walk as people in Covenant with God 1 Pet. 2.9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Of the only Redeemer.
Quest. 21. WHo is the Redeemer of God's Elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's Elect, is the Lord Iesus Christ, who being the Eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be God and Man, in two distinct natures, and one person for ever.
Q. 1. What doth the name Redeemer signify?
A. It signifies one that frees another out of Captivity and Bondage, as Christ did. Matt. 20.28. And to give his life a ransome for many.
Q. 2. What was the misery from which Christ delivered us?
A. A twofold misery, vis. Sin and Hell. First, Sin. Mat. 1.21. Thou shalt call his name Iesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Secondly, Hell. 1 Thes. 1.10. Even Iesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
Q. 3. How did Christ deliver us from this Misery?
A. First, By Price. Sec…udly, By Power. By Price. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. Ye are not redeemed with silver and gold from your vain conversation, received by tradition from your fathers: but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot. By power. Col. 1.13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear son.
Q. 4. When was the Redemption wrought by Christ?
A. It was decreed from Eternity; it was actually wrought on the Cross. Col. 1.20. And having made peace through the blood of his cross▪ by him to reconcile all things unto him self, by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Q. 5. How then could they be redeemed that died before?
A. Though Christ's Blood was actually shed after the Old-Testament believers died; yet the virtue of Christ's Death extends to them, as well as us. Heb. 11.39, 40. And these all having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Q. 6. Why would not God deliver us without such a Redeemer?
A Because it was not so much for the honour of his Justice. Rom. ….25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness, for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Iesus.
Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence?
A. That all that are out of Christ are in a miserable Bondage, and Captivity. Iohn 8.36. If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Q. 8. What is the second Instruction?
A. Hence see the heinous nature of Sin, which required such a price to satisfy for it. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. VVe were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot.
Q. 9. VVhat is the third Iustruction hence?
A. The wonderful love of Christ in redeeming us at such a rate. Rev. 1.5. Who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.
Q. 10. What is the last Instruction?
A. This strongly obligeth us to an universal holiness. 1 Cor. 6.20. For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.