them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation m. Q. 80. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation? A. Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavour to walk in all good conscience before him ", may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God's promises, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God P, be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation. Q. 81. Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of grace, and that they shall be saved? A. Assurance of grace and salvation not being of the essence of faith", true believers may wait long before they obtain it; and, unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. i Heb. vii. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Luke xxii. 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. k1 John iii. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John ii. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 Jer. xxxii. 40. Aud I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. John x. 28. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. m 1 Pet. i. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. 89. n 1 John ii. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. o 1 Cor. ii. 12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 John iii. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren: he that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Ver. 18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed, and in truth. Ver. 19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. Ver. 21. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. Ver. 24. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 1 John iv. 13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. Ver. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. Heb. vi. 11. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end: Ver. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. p Rom. viii. 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. q 1 John v. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. r 81. Eph. i. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. s Isa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Psal. lxxxviii. throughout. Ver. 1. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee. Ver. 2. Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; Ver. 3. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.Ver. 6. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Ver. 7. Thy Q. 78. Whence ariseth the imperfection of sanctification in believers? A. The imperfection of sanctification in believers ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them, and the perpetual lustings of the flesh against the spirit; whereby they are often foiled with temptations, and fall into many sins, are hindered in all their spiritual services, and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God. Q. 79. May not true believers, by reason of their imperfections, and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the state of grace? A. True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God', and his decree and covenant to give them perseverances, their inseparable union with Christ, his continual intercession for children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. Ver. 13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. Ver. 14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have writte unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Heb. v. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Ver. 13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. Ver. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. a1 John i. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us Ver. 10. If we say that we have not sinne, we make him a liar, and his word is no: in us. b 2 Cor. vi. 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Phil. iii. 12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Ver. 13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Ver. 14. I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 78. Rom. vii. 18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Ver. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Mark xiv. 66. to the end. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest, &c. Gal. ii. 11. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. Ver. 12. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. d Heb. xii. 1. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. e Isa. lxiv. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Exod. xxviii. 38. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. 79. f Jer. xxxi. 3. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; there fore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. g 2 Tim. ii. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Heb. xiii. 20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Ver. 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. h 1 Cor. i. 8. Who shall also confirm του enjoy the sense of God's lovea, peace of conscience, joy in the IIoly Ghost, and hope of glory; as, on the contrary, sense of God's revenging wrath, horror of conscience, and a fearful expectation of judgment, are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death o. Q. 84. Shall all men die? A. Death being threatened as the wages of sind, it is appointed unto all men once to die ; for that all have sinned f. Q. 85. Death, being the wages of sin, why are not the righteous delivered from death, seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ? A. The righteous shall be delivered from death itself at the last day, and even in death are delivered from the sting and curse of it; so that, although they die, yet it is out of God's love 1, to free them perfectly from sin and misery, and to make them capable of further communion with Christ in glory, which they then enter upon. Q. 86. What is the communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death? A. The communion in glory with Christ, which the members of the invisible church enjoy immediately after death, is, in that their souls are then made perfect in holiness', and received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory ", a Rom. v. 5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us. Compared with 2 Cor. i. 22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. b Rom. v. 1. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Rom. xiv. 17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. c Gen. iv. 13. And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Mat. xxvii. 4. Saying, I have sinned, in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us see thou to that. Heb. x. 27. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Rom. ii. 9. Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile. Mark ix. 44. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 84. d Rom. vi. 23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. e Heb. ix. 27. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judg ment. f Rom. v. 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. 85. g 1 Cor. xv. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. * Ver. 55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Ver. 56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. Ver. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Heb. ii. 15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. h Isa. Ivii. 1. The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. Ver. 2. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. 2 Kings xxii. 20. Behold, therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. i Rev. xiv. 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Eph. v. 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. * Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Phil. i. 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. 86. Heb. xii. 23. To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. m 2 Cor. v. 1. For we know, that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dise G waiting for the full redemption of their bodies, which even in death continue united to Christ P, and rest in their graves as in their beds, till at the last day they be again united to their souls". Whereas the souls of the wicked are at their death cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, and their bodies kept in their graves, as in their prisons, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day. Q. 87. What are we to believe concerning the resurrection? A. We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust: when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the self-same bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls for ever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ. The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, solved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Ver. 6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. Ver. 8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Phil. i. 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Compared with Acts iii. 21. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. And with Eph. iv. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. n 1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 Cor. xiii. 12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. o Rom. viii. 23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Psal. xvi. 9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope. P1 Thess. iv. 14. For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. q Isa. lvii. 2. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. Job. xix. 26. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Ver. 27. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. Luke xvi. 23. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Ver. 24. And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Acts i. 25. That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. Jude, ver. 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day. Ver. 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them, in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 87. Acts xxiv. 15. And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. v1 Cor. xv. 51. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, Ver. 52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, (for the trumpet shall sound ;) and the dead shall be raised incorrup tible, and we shall be changed. Ver. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Thess. iv. 15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not preven them which are asleep. Ver. 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Ver. 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. John v. 28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body; and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonour by him, as an offended judge. Q. 88. What shall immediately follow after the resurrection? A. Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the general and final judgment of angels and men; the day and hour whereof no man knoweth, that all may watch and pray, and be ever ready for the coming of the Lord". Q. 89. What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment? A. At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ's left handa, and, upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences, shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them; and thereupon shall be cast out from the favourable presence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, his saints, and all his holy angels, into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil and his angels for ever d. Ver. 29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. w1 Cor. xv. 21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Ver. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Ver. 23. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Ver. 42. So also is the resurrection of the dead; it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption: Ver. 43. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: Ver. 44. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. Phil. iii. 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. John v. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Ver. 28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, Ver. 29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Mat. xxv. 33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 88. y 2 Pet. ii. 4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. Jude, ver. 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day. Ver. 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them, in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Ver. 14. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, Ver. 15. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Mat. xxv. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. z Mat. xxiv. 36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Ver. 42. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Ver. 44. Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Luke xxi. 35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Ver. 36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 89. a Mat. xxv. 33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. b Rom. ii. 15. Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another, Ver 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. c Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Ver. 42. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Ver. 43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. d Luke xvi. 26. And besides all this. be |