Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

now removed. 2. In regard of the clearness of the dispensation under the gospel; under the law, Christ was not yet come, but was held forth in types and figures, and dark shadows, and the promises, espe cially of eternal life, were more obscure'; but now the shadows are fled, Christ the substance being come, and life and immortality is brought more clearly to light by the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10. 3. In regard of the power and efficacy, there was weakness in the legal dispensation, and therefore disanulling of it, Heb. vii.. 18. Under the gospel there is a more powerful influ-› ence of the spirit which is promised more plentifully, Acts. ii. 17. 4. In regard of the extent of it: the legal dispensation was confined to the nation of the Jews, whereas the gospel dispensation doth extend to the Gentiles and any nation, Mark xvi. 1. Go ye unto all the world, and preach the gospel unto every creature. 191 21. Q. Who is the redeemer of God's elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God's elect, is the Lord Jesus Christ, who being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continued to be God and ! man, in two distinct natures, and one person forever.

Q.. What is he called that is the Redeemery of de God's elect?

A. The Redeemer of God's elect, is called the Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. 2. Why is he called the Lord?

A. Because of his universal sovereignty and dominion, Acts x. 36. He is the Lord of all.

Q3. Why is he called Jesus?

A. Because he is the Saviour of his people, Mat. viii. 21. Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall saved his people from their sins.

Q. 4. Why is he called Christ?

A. Because he is anointed by his Father unto his c office with the Holy Ghost, which was given to him/ without measure, Acts x. 38. God anointed Jesus of “ Nazareth with the holy Ghost, and with power, John iii. 34. God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. Q. 5. How doth the Lord Jesus Christ redeem the elect of God?

A. The Lord Jesus Christ doth redeem the elect of God. 1. By purchase, paying the price of his blood for them, Pet. i. 18, 19. Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold; but with the bloodof Jesus Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot. 1 Tim. ii. 6. Who gave himself a ransom. 2. By conquest, rescuing them by his Almighty power out of the snare of the devil who before led them captive, Eph. iv. 8. He led captivity captive. Col. ii. 5. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of the same openly, triumphing over them.. Q. 6. Whose Son is the Lord Jesus Christ? .

A. The Lord Jesus Christ, is the eternal son of God. Q. 7. How doth the Lord Jesus Christ differ from other sons of God?

A. 1. Angels are called the sons of God but they are the sons of God by creation, Job xxxviii. 7. All the sons of God shouted for joy. 2. Saints are called the sons of God by adoption and regeneration, Gal. iv. 2. That we might receive the adoption of sons. 1 John iv. 9. Evey one that loveth is born of God. 3. The Lord Jesus Christ is the natural Son of God by eternal generation, Heb. i. 5. Unto which of the angels said he at any time thou art my Son this day have I begotten. thee?

Q.&. What did Christ the eternal Son of God become, that he might redeem the elect?

A. Christ that he might redeem the elect, being the eternal son of God, became man, John i. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten son of the Father) full of grace and truth, Gal. iv. 5. When

the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman, &c.

Q. 9. How was it necessary in order to the redemp tion of the elect, that Christ should become man?

A. It was necessary in order to the redemption of the elect, that Christ should become man. 1. That he might be capable of suffering death for them; which as God he was uncapable of: without such sufferings. of death, there could have been no remission or salva

tion, Heb. ix. 22. Without shedding of blood, there is no remission. 2. That he might be their high priest to reconcile them unto God, Heb. i. 16, 17. For verily he took not upon him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham; wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Q. 10. Was it necessary that the Redeemer of the elect should be God as well as man.

A. Yes: Because if he had not been God, as well as,man: 1. He could not have born up under, nor have got loose from the weight of wrath which was laid upon him for the sins of men. 2. His sufferings would have been but of finite extent; and so could not have made satisfaction to God's infinite justice which was offended by sin?

Q. 11. How is Christ God and man?

A. Christ is God and man by an hypostatical or personal union, both the natures, divine and human, remaining distinct, without composition or confusion, in one and the same person.

Q. 12. Will this union of the divine and human nature in Christ be dissolved?

A. No, for he was and continued to be both God and man, in two distinct natures, and one person for ever. Heb. vii. 24. Because he continueth ever, he hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Q. 13. May the properties of the divine nature be ascribed to the human nature, or the properties of the human nature be ascribed to the divine nature of Christ?

A. Though it be improper to ascribe the properties of the one nature to the other nature, yet by virtue of this near union of both natures in one person, there is a communication of the properties of each nature to the person of Christ.

22. Q. How did Christ being the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ being the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul,

being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.

Q. I. Was it not a voluntary act in Christ the Son of God, to become man?

A. Yes: Because he took to him the human nature, that he might be hereby fitted to be our Redeemer, Heb. x. 6, 7. In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come,' Heb. ii. 6. He took on him the seed of Abuham.

Q. 2. Was Christ the Son of God a real man, like unto other men?

A. Christ the Son of God was a real man, taking to himself the true essential parts of man: 1. He had a real body of flesh and blood, and bones: not a fantastical body, which is a body only in appearance, Luke xxiv. 30. Behold my hands and my feet, handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have. 2./ He had a rational soul, and his divine nature did not supply the place of his soul, Isa. lviii. 10. Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, Mat. xxvi. 38. My soul is exceeding sorrow-> ful, even unto death.

Q. 3. Was the birth of Christ like unto the birth of other men?

A. No: For Christ was born of a virgin: namely, the virgin Mary, Isa. vii. 14. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, Mat. i. 24, 25. And Joseph took unto him Mary, his wife, and knew her not until she had brought forth her first-born son, and he called his name JESUS.

Q. 5. How could Christ be born of a virgin?

A. It was a miraculous conception by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, Luke i. 34, 35. And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? and the angel said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; also that holy thing which shall be born of thee ,shall be called the Son of God.

*

Q. 6. Was Christ born in sin, like unto other men?

G

A. No: For however Christ took upon him the nature of man, and many human infirmities, yet he was perfectly free from sinful infirmities, Heb. iv. 15. We have not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

23. Q. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer ?

A. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

Q. I. What is it to execute an office?

A. To execute an office, is to do or perform what belongeth to the office.

Q. 2. How many offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

A. There are three offices Christ doth execute as our Redeemer, 1. The office of a prophet, Acts iii. 22. Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you. 2. The office of a priest, Heb. v. 6. Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec. 3. The office of a king, Psalm ii. 6. I have set my King upon my holy hill Zion.

Q. 3. In what estate doth Christ execute these offices? A. 1. Christ doth execute these offices in his estate of humiliation here on earth. 2. Christ doth execute these offices in his estate of exaltation, now in heaven.

24. Q. How doth Christ execute the of fice of a prophet?

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing unto us by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

Q. 1. What doth Christ reveal to us as a prophet? A. Christ as a prophet, doth reveal unto us the will of God for our salvation.

Q. 2. What is meant by the will of God which Christ doth reveal?

« AnteriorContinuar »