And thus the redeemed of CHRIST, who is "sanctified by HIS SPIRIT," becomes a NEW MAN."

66

That ye put off, concerning the former conversation, the OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and being renewed in the Spirit of your mind, that ye put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."Eph. iv. 22.-24.-Col. iii. 9. 10.

33. Q.

What does the man become, who, is thus taught and renewed by the SPIRIT of God?

A. The SPIRIT of GOD in him, makes of him a SPIRITUAL MAN;" "who, being strengthened with might by THE SPIRIT," "delights in the law of God, after the inward man."-1 Cor. ii. 15.—Eph. iii. 16. -Rom. vii. 22-25.

34. Q. How does our SAVIOUR explain the way in which the HOLY SPIRIT works in us?

A. By the way in which the sap works in a tree. "I am the vine," said He to His disciples, and ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing."

For in like manner as a branch draws its good sap from the tree, in order to bring forth good fruit, so also, "hereby, know we that we dwell in Him and He in us, because He hath given us of His SPIRIT ;" for "if any man have not the SPIRIT of CHRIST, He is none of His."

1 John iii. 24.-St. Matt. vii. 16-20. xii. 33.1 John iv. 13.-Rom. viii. 9.-St. John xv. 1-8.

35. Q. And by what marks does this spiritual working" of the HOLY GHOST show itself in us? A. It shows itself in us by GOOD works.

As these good works "spring from a lively faith," they are called in Scripture, the "work of Faith." 1 Thess. i. 3.-2 Thess. i. 3.11.— Gal, v. 6.—Jam. ii. 17.

As "they follow after Justification, they are said to be the "fruits of righteousness."-Phil. i. 11. And, being wrought in us by the effectual working of the HOLY GHOST, they are the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT."-Gal. v. 22.-Eph. v. 8.

36. Q. Tell me what fruit that is.

A. "The FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT," which "is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth, proving what is acceptable unto the LORD;" is, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law."-St. John xv. ii.-Eph. v. 9.—Gal. v. 22.

37. Q. How do we obtain from GoD, this precious gift of the HOLY GHOST?

A. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of GOD, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth and it shall be given him; but let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.

not;

For he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed; for let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the LORD." -James i. 5-7.

"If ye abide in Me, says CHRIST, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."

"Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."-St. John xv. 7-16. xvi. 24. xiv. 13. 14.

"GOD shall supply all your need, according to His riches in CHRIST JESUS: " for "He is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

་

"That ye might be filled with the KNOWLEDGE of HIS WILL, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the LORD, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work."-Col. i. 9-13.-Phil. iv. 19.-Eph. iii. 21.

40. Q. Seeing we have such precious promises, what remains for us to do?

A. The Holy Apostle says; "Having, therefore, these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of GOD." For, adds St. John " every man that hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure. ."-2 Cor. viii. 1.-1 John iii. 3. 41. Q. But, seeing, it is "the blood of CHRIST which cleanseth us from all sins," how are we commanded in Scripture to " cleanse ourselves" from all filthiness of the flesh?

A. It is, verily, because CHRIST, first "washed us from our sins in His own Blood," that we are enabled through His Spirit in us, "to KEEP OURSELVES pure,"

by laying aside the sin which doth so easily beset us ;" and thus, "to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness

of the flesh," "perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Rev. i. 5.-Heb. xii. 1.-Is. i. 16.-1 John iii. 3. -1 Tim. v. 22.

42. Q. And, what do you understand by "perfecting holiness in the fear of GOD?"

A. It means what the same Apostle says elsewhere, namely, "to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling."-Phil. ii. 12.

43. Q. But, seeing, CHRIST "hath saved" us, and we are "saved through faith" in Him, how are we

out our own salvation ?"

to work

A. We "work out our own salvation," and we "make our calling and election sure," by good works, which "make our faith perfect;" because they go to prove, that " we believe to the saving of the soul."

For we have been created in CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them;" "GoD having chosen us to salvation, through SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT and belief of the truth."

Phil. ii. 12.-2 Pet. i. 10.-James ü. 22.—Eph. ii. 10.-2 Thess ii. 13.-Tit. ii. 14. iii. 8.-St. Matt. v. 16.-Heb. x. 24. 39.-1 Pet. ii. 12. 44. Q. But, since CHRIST has given us

"confidence

toward GOD," by reconciling Him to us; how does Scripture say, that we are to work out our own salvation "with fear and trembling?"

A. It is "with fear," lest we offend against Him, who is our Father; and with "trembling," lest by our own fault, we grieve His HOLY SPIRIT whereby we

have been sealed unto the day of redemption."

Wherefore, although we have received "boldness of access unto God" by ONE SPIRIT, through JESUS CHRIST, we have yet "to work out our own salvation;" that is, "to continue in well doing," "with fear and trembling," "lest we should fall from the grace of GOD."-Heb. xii. 15.--Eph. iv. 30.

45. Q. But is it possible we can "fall from the grace of God" if so be His gifts are without repentance ?"

A. "GOD indeed is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent;" and all "His promises in CHRIST are yea, and in Him, Amen.” Therefore, He never recalls THE SPIRIT, which He has once given.-1 Sam. xv. 29.-2 Cor. i. 20.

But we are men, and our flesh is weak," and thus liable to change; so that we may "receive the grace of GOD in vain ;" we may "quench THE SPIRIT" which GOD gives us; we may "turn aside unto perdition;" we may "hear the Gospel of our salvation," and yet it may profit us nothing, if it be not mixed with faith and we believe in vain."

in us, "6

Therefore ought we to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."

2 Cor. i. 20.-Heb. ii. 1.-2 Cor. vi, 1.-1 Cor. xv. 2.-1 Thess. v. 19.-Heb. iv. 2.

46. Q. What warnings, to that effect, does the HOLY GHOST give us in Holy Scripture?"

A. He warns us to "WATCH AND PRAY," and to LOOK DILIGENTLY, lest any should fall from the grace of GOD." "For it is impossible for those who were