Q. 11. What are God's works of providence?
A. God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
11.1. When God had made the world, did he leave it to itself? No: for he upholdeth all things by the word of his power, Heb 1:3. Does he see to the whole creation? Yes: for the eyes of the Lord are in every place, Prov 15:3. Does he condescend to take notice of his creatures? Yes: he humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth, Ps 113:6. Is any thing at a distance from him? No: for he is not far from every one of us, Acts 17:27. Does he look on as one unconcerned? No: for his eyes behold, and his eyelids try, the children of men, Ps 11:4.
11.2. Does God look after the world of angels? Yes: for he maketh peace in his high places, Job 25:2. Does he look after this lower world? Yes: for the eyes of all wait upon him, Ps 145:15. Does he take care of the fowls? Yes: our heavenly Father feedeth them, Matt 6:26. What! even the sparrows? Yes: not one of them shall fall to the ground without our Father, Matt 10:29. What! and the ravens? Yes: he feeds the young ravens which cry, Ps 147:9. Is he the Protector and Benefactor of all the creatures? Yes: Thou preservest them all, Neh 9:6. Is he man's Protector and Benefactor? Yes: for in him we live, and move, and have our being, Acts 17:28. Do we depend upon God for the support of our life? Yes: for he holdeth our soul in life, Ps 66:9. And for the comforts of life? Yes: for he giveth us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness, Acts 14:17. And do we depend upon him for the safety of our life? Yes: he keepeth all our bones, Ps 34:20. And for the continuance of life? Yes: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days, Deut 30:20.
11.3. Does God govern all things? Yes: his kingdom ruleth over all, Ps 103:19. Does he govern the holy angels? Yes: for they do his commandments, Ps 103:20. Does he govern the heavenly bodies? Yes: the stars in their courses fought against Sisera, Judg 5:20. Does he govern the power of the air? Yes: stormy winds fulfil his word, Ps 148:8. Does he order what weather it shall be? Yes: for he saith to the snow, Be thou upon the earth, Job 37:6. And does he govern the inferior creatures? Yes: he spake, and locusts came, Ps 105:34. Can he command them? Yes: I have commanded the ravens to feed thee, 1 Kings 17:4.
Can he control them? Yes: he shut the lions' mouths, Dan 6:22. Has he a sovereign dominion over the whole creation? Yes: for the Lord of hosts is his name, Isa 47:4.
11.4. Does God govern the children of men? Yes: the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, Dan 4:32. Does he govern kings? Yes: for the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Prov 21:1. And does he govern kingdoms? Yes: for he is the Governor among the nations, Ps 22:28. And families too? Yes: for except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it, Ps 127:1. Does he govern great men? Yes: for God is the judge, he puts down one, and sets up another, Ps 75:6-7. And mean men too? Yes: for every man's judgment proceedeth from the Lord, Prov 29:26. Can man make his own fortune? No: for the way of man is not in himself, neither is it in man that walketh, to direct his steps, Jer 10:23. When man purposes, does God dispose? Yes: a man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps, Prov 16:9. Do all comforts and crosses come from God's hand? Yes: for he has said, I make peace, and create evil; I the Lord do all these things, Isa 45:7. Does God's providence extend itself to the smallest things? Yes: the very hairs of your head are all numbered, Matt 10:30.
11.5. Is God's government holy? Yes: he is holy in all his works, Ps 145:17. Is it wise? Yes: he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working, Isa 28:29. Is it powerful? Yes: for when he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble, Job 34:29. Is it rightful? Yes: God is greater than man, Job 33:12. Is it just? Yes: for shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Gen 18:25. Does God sometimes reward and punish in this life? Yes: the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner, Prov 11:31. But does he always? No: for all things come alike to all, Eccles 9:1-2.
11.6. Does God govern the world for the good of his church? Yes: for Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have called thee by thy name, Isa, 45:4. Is the government of the world committed to the Lord Jesus? Yes: for he is head over all things unto the church, Eph 1:22. And is all ordered for God's glory? Yes: for the Lord alone shall be exalted, Isa 2:11. Is it a comfort to good men that God governs the world? Yes: The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice, Ps 97:1. Is it a terror to the wicked? Yes: The Lord reigns, let the people tremble, Ps 99:1. Ought we to give him the praise of it? Yes: Hallelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigns, Rev 19:6.
Q. 12. What special act of providence did God exercise towards man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.
12.1. Did God make man happy as well as holy? Yes: for he put him into the garden of Eden, Gen 2:15. Did he provide comfortably for him? Yes: for he said, I will make him a help meet for him, Gen 2:18. Did he admit him into communion with himself? Yes: for he then blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, Gen 2:3. Was God well pleased in him? Yes: for his delights were with the sons of men, Prov 8:31.
12.2. Did God give him a law? Yes: the Lord God commanded the man, Gen 2:16. Did he give him a command of trial? Yes: Of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it, Gen 2:17. Did he assure him of happiness, if he obeyed? Yes: for of every tree in the garden (even the tree of life,) thou mayest freely eat, Gen 2:16. Did he threaten death upon his disobedience? Yes: for in the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die, Gen 2:17.
12.3. Was this God's covenant with Adam? Yes: for we read of those who, like Adam, transgressed the covenant, Hos 6:7 marg. Was, Do this and live, one branch of that covenant? Yes: for the man that doeth them, shall live in them, Gal 3:12. Was, Fail and die, the other branch of the covenant? Yes:
the soul that sinneth, it shall die, Ezek 18:4. Was this the covenant of innocency? Yes: for the law was not of faith, Gal 3:12. Was there a mediator of this covenant? No: for it is the better covenant that is established in the hands of a Mediator, Heb 8:6.
Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the state wherein they were first created?
A. Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the state wherein they were created, by sinning against God.
13.1. Is man now in the state wherein he was created? No: for God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions, Eccles 7:29. Can we now say we are perfectly holy? No: If I say I am perfect, that shall prove me perverse, Job 9:20. Can we say we are perfectly happy? No: for man is born to trouble, Job 5:7. Are we as we were then? No: man was planted a noble vine, but is turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine, Jer 2:21. Did man continue long in his state of innocence? No: For man being in honour abideth not, Ps 49:12.
13.2. Did God leave man to the freedom of his own will? Yes: For if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it, Prov 9:12. Did God draw Adam to sin? No: for God tempteth no man, James 1:13. Is he any way the Author of sin? No: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, Job 34:10. Did he do what was fit to be done to prevent it? Yes: What could have been done more to my vineyard? Isa 5:4. Was he obliged to do more? No: for may he not do what he will with his own? Matt 20:15. Does all the blame of man's sin lie upon himself then? Yes: O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, Hos 13:9.
13.3. Did man fall by sinning against God? Yes: Thou hast fallen by thine iniquity, Hos 14:1. Was that the beginning of sin in this world? Yes: for by one man sin entered into the world, Rom 5:12.
Q. 14. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
14.1. Is there a moral difference of good and evil? Yes: for we must cease to do evil, and learn to do well, Isa 1:16-17. Is it all alike then what we do? No: for God shall bring every work into judgment, whether it be good, or whether it be evil, Eccles 12:14. Is there such a thing as sin in thought? Yes: for the thought of foolishness is sin, Prov 24:9. May sin be committed in word too? Yes: for in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, Prov 10:19.
14.2. Does sin suppose a law? Yes: for where there is no law, there is no transgression, Rom 4:15 and Rom 5:13. Is sin the breach of a law? Yes: for sin is the transgression of the law, 1 John 3:4. Is it God's law only that can make a thing to be sin? Yes: For against thee, thee only, have I sinned, Ps 51:4. Is every breach of God's law sin? Yes: for all unrighteousness is sin, 1 John 5:17. Are we to judge of sin by the law? Yes: for by the law is the knowledge of sin, Rom 3:20. Could we discover sin without some law? No: For I had not known sin but by the law, Rom 7:7. Is the transgression of the law of nature sin? Yes: for they that have not the written law, show the work of the law written in their hearts, Rom 2:14-15. But does the written law discover the root of sin? Yes: I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet, Rom 7:7.
14.3. Is ignorance of God sin? Yes: He shall take vengeance on them that know not God, 2 Thess 1:8. Is disaffection to God's government sin? Yes: My people would not hearken to my voice, and Israel would none of me, Ps 81:11. Is all disobedience to God's law sin? Yes: For the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience, Col 3:6. Is it a sin to omit the good which God has commanded? Yes: for to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin, James 4:17. Is it a sin to do it negligently? Yes: for if thou doest not well, sin lies at the floor, Gen 4:7. Is it a sin to do the evil which God has forbidden? Yes: for he has said, O do not this abominable thing which I hate, Jer 44:4. Is the inclination to evil sin? Yes: for St. Paul speaks of the sin that dwells in us, Rom 7:17.
14.4. Is sin the worst of evils? Yes: it is an evil thing, and a bitter, to forsake the Lord, Jer 2:19. Is the sinfulness of it the worst thing in it? Yes: for sin by the commandment becomes exceeding sinful, Rom 7:13. Is sin worse than affliction? Yes: for Moses by faith chose rather to suffer affliction than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, Heb 11:25. Is it displeasing to God? Yes: God is angry with the wicked every day, Ps 7:11. Is it destructive to ourselves? Yes: be sure your sin will find you out, Num 32:23.
14.5. Ought we not therefore to take heed of sin? Yes: Stand in awe, and sin not, Ps 4:4. And of all appearances of it? Yes: abstain from all appearances of evil, 1 Thess 5:22. And all approaches towards it? Yes: Touch not the unclean thing, 2 Cor 6:17. And must we hate it? Yes: Ye that love the Lord, hate evil, Ps 97:10. Must little children take heed of sin? My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not, 1 John 2:1. Is it folly to make light of sin? Yes: fools make a mock at sin, Prov 14:9. Will our observing the law of God be the best preservative against sin? Yes: Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee, Ps 119:11. Will an eye to God be the best argument against sin? Yes: How shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against God, Gen 39:9.
Q. 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the state wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the state wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
15.1. Did our first parents eat the forbidden fruit? Yes: Thou hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it, Gen 3:17. Was their doing so disobedience? Yes: for it was by one man's disobedience that many were made sinners, Rom 5:19. Did the woman eat forbidden fruit first? Yes: the woman being deceived was in the transgression, 1 Tim 2:14. Did the serpent tempt her to it? Yes: the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, 2 Cor 11:3. Was that serpent the devil? Yes: The old serpent is the devil and Satan. Rev 20:2. Did he aim to make man as miserable as himself? Yes: he was a murderer from the beginning, John 8:44.
15.2. Did the tempter teach them to question the command? Yes: he said to the woman, Hath God said ye shall not eat? Gen 3:1. Did he promise them safety in sin? Yes: he said, Ye shall not surely die, Gen 3:4. Did he promise them advantage by the sin? Yes: In the day ye eat thereof your eyes shall be opened, Gen 3:5. Did he feed them with high thoughts of themselves? Yes: Ye shall be as gods, Gen 3:5. Did he suggest to them hard thoughts of God? Yes: for he said, God doth know this, Gen 3:5. Did Eve do well to parley with him? No: for we should cease to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge, Prov 19:27.
15.3. Did the devil prevail in the temptation? Yes: for she took of the fruit, and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her, and he did eat, Gen 3:6. Was there in this sin the lust of the flesh? Yes: for she saw that the tree was good for food. Was there in it the lust of the eye? Yes: for she saw that it was pleasant to the eyes. And the pride of life? Yes: for she saw it was a tree to be desired to make one wise. Was unbelief of the word of God at the bottom of it? Yes: It is the evil heart of unbelief that departs from the living God, Heb 3:12. Was there in it an opposition to the divine law? Yes: for sin took occasion by the commandment, Rom 7:8. Was disobedience in a small matter a great provocation? Yes: for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is iniquity and idolatry, 1 Sam 15:23. If Adam fell thus, have we any reason to be secure? No: Wherefore let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall, 1 Cor 10:12.
Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression.
16.1. Are we concerned in our first parents' disobedience? Yes: for by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, Rom 5:18. Were we in their loins when they ate the forbidden fruit? Yes: for Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living, Gen 3:20. Was Adam a common father? Yes: for he was to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, Gen 1:28. Was he a public person? Yes: for he was the figure of him that was to come, Rom 5:14. Was the covenant made with him, and his posterity? Yes: for God always established his covenant with men, and with their seed after them, Gen 9:9.
16.2. Was Adam's sin our ruin then? Yes: for through the offence of one many are dead, Rom 5:15. Was the honour of human nature thereby stained? Yes: for Adam begat a son in his own likeness, Gen 5:3. Was the power of the human nature thereby weakened? Yes: for when we were without strength, Christ died for us, Rom 5:6. Was the purity of it thereby corrupted? Yes: for in us, that is, in our flesh, there dwells no good thing, Rom 7:18. Was Adam himself degenerated? Yes: for God said to him, Dust thou art, Gen 3:19. And are we in like manner degenerated? Yes: for we have all borne the image of the earthy, 1 Cor 15:49.
16.3. Is this degeneracy universal? Yes: for all flesh hath corrupted his way, Gen 6:12. Did our Lord Jesus descend from Adam by ordinary generation? No: for he is the Lord from heaven, 1 Cor 15:47. Did he then sin in Adam? No: for he is undefiled, separate from sinners, Heb 7:26. Did all the rest of mankind sin in Adam? Yes: for how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Job 25:4. Are the ways of the Lord herein equal? Yes: but our ways are unequal, Ezek 18:29.
Q. 17. Into what state did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into a state of sin and misery.
17.1. Is mankind in a state of sin? Yes: for both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin, Rom 3:9. Is a state of sin a sad state? Yes: for they that are in the flesh cannot please God, Rom 8:8. Did the fall bring us into a state of sin? Yes: for by it many were made sinners, Rom 5:19. Does the world continue in that state? Yes: for the whole world lies in wickedness, 1 John 5:19. And are you by nature in that state? Yes: if I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me, Job 9:20.
17.2. Is mankind in a state of misery? Yes: the misery of man is great upon him, Eccles 8:6. Is sin the cause of all that misery? Yes: for death entered by sin, and so death passed upon all men, Rom 5:12. Is misery the consequence of sin? Yes: for evil pursues sinners, Prov 13:21. Do all the creatures share in the sad effects of sin? Yes: cursed is the ground for thy sake, Gen 3:17. And could all this mischief come from that one sin? Yes: for how great a matter does a little fire kindle, James 3:5-6.
17.3. Did the fall bring mankind into a state of apostasy from God? Yes: for they are all gone aside, Ps 14:3. Is that a sinful state? Yes: for it is great whoredom to depart from the Lord, Hos 1:2. And is it a miserable state? Yes: Woe unto them, for they have fled from me, Hos 7:13.
17.4. Did the fall bring mankind into a state of slavery to Satan? Yes: for they are taken captive by him at his will, 2 Tim 2:26. Is that a sinful state? Yes: for the prince of the power of the air works in the children of disobedience, Eph 2:2. Is it a miserable state? Yes: for the God of this world hath blinded their minds, 2 Cor 4:4. Is it like the condition of the prodigal son? Yes: for he went into a far country, wasted his substance, began to be in want, and was sent into the fields to feed swine, Luke 15:13-15.
Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that state whereinto man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that state whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, (which is commonly called original sin,) together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.
18.1. Are we all born under guilt? Yes: for all the world is guilty before God, Rom 3:19. Does the whole race of mankind stand attainted at God's bar? Yes: for the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, Gal 3:22. Is this according to God's rule of judgment? Yes: for he visiteth the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, Exod 20:5. Is not God unrighteous who thus takes vengeance? No: God forbid, for then how shall God judge the world, Rom 3:6.
18.2. Are we all born in sin? Yes: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me, Ps 51:5. Are we of a sinful brood? Yes: for we are a seed of evildoers, Isa 1:4. May we be truly called sinners by nature? Yes: Thou wast called a transgressor from the womb, Isa 48:8.
18.3. Is there in every one of us by nature the want of original righteousness? Yes: there is none righteous, no, not one, Rom 3:10. Is there in us an aversion to that which is good? Yes: for the carnal mind is enmity against God, Rom 8:7. Is there in us a moral impotency to that which is good? Yes: for the carnal mind is not in subjection to the law of God, neither indeed can be, Rom 8:7. Can we of ourselves do any thing that is good? No: for we are not sufficient of ourselves to think any thing of ourselves, 2 Cor 3:5.
18.4. Is there in us a proneness to that which is evil? Yes: my people are bent to backsliding from me, Hos 11:7. Are there the snares of sin in our bodies? Yes: for there is a law in the members warring against the law of the mind, Rom 7:23. And are there the seeds of sin in our souls? Yes: For when I would do good, evil is present with me, Rom 7:21. And is the stain of sin upon both? Yes: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, Rom 3:23.
18.5. Did we all bring sin into the world with us? Yes: for man is born like the wild ass's colt, Job 11:12. Is it in little children? Yes: for foolishness is in the heart of a child, Prov 22:15. As reason improves, does sin grow up with it? Yes: for when the blade is sprung up, then appear the tares also, Matt 13:26. Is it not a wonder of mercy then that we are any of us alive? Yes: it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, Lam 3:22.
18.6. Is the whole nature of man corrupted by the fall? Yes: The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint, Isa 1:5. Is the understanding corrupted? Yes: the understanding is darkened, being alienated from the life of God, Eph 4:18. Is that unapt to admit the rays of divine light? Yes: for they are spiritually discerned, 1 Cor 2:14. Is the will corrupted? Yes: The neck is an iron sinew, Isa 48:4. And is that unapt to submit to the rule of the divine law? Yes: For what is the Almighty (say they) that we should serve him? Job 21:15. Are the thoughts corrupted? Yes: for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, Gen 8:21. Is the fancy full of vanity? Yes: vain thoughts lodge within us, Jer 4:15. Are the affections corrupted? Yes: It is a carnal mind, Rom 8:7. Is conscience itself corrupted? Yes: even the mind and conscience is defiled, Titus 1:15. Is the whole soul corrupted? Yes: the heart is deceitful above all things, Jer 12:9.
18.7. Is this corruption of the mind sin? Yes: for it is enmity against God, Rom 8:7. Have we it from our original? Yes: for that which is born of the flesh is flesh, John 3:6. Do we derive it through our parents? Yes: for who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Job 14:4. Does it render us odious to God's holiness? Yes: for the foolish shall not stand in his sight, Ps 5:5. Does it render us obnoxious to his justice? Yes: for death reigns over them that have not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, Rom 5:14.
18.8. Does this original corruption produce actual transgression? Yes: for a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit, Matt 7:18. Does it produce it betimes? Yes: for the wicked are estranged from the womb, they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies, Ps 58:3. Does it produce it naturally? Yes: as a fountain casteth out her waters, Jer 6:7. Does all sin begin in the heart? Yes: for when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, James 1:15.
Is it not necessary therefore we should have a new nature? Yes: Marvel not that I said unto you, Ye must be born again, John 3:7. Can we get to heaven without it? No: for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor 15:50.
Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.
19.1. When our first parents had eaten the forbidden fruit, did they become as gods? No: they were like the beasts that perish, Ps 49:12. Did the devil make his words good then? No: for he is a liar, and the father of it, John 8:44. Did not he put a cheat upon them? Yes: the woman said, the serpent beguiled me, Gen 3:13. Did shame come in with sin? Yes: for they knew that they were naked, Gen 3:7. Did fear come in with sin? Yes: for they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden, Gen 3:8. Was not that their misery? Yes: for fear hath torment, 1 John 4:18.
19.2. Did they lose communion with God? Yes: for he drove out the man, Gen 3:24. Is fallen man unworthy of communion with God? Yes: for what communion has light with darkness? 2 Cor 2:14. Is he unfit for communion with God? Yes: for can two walk together except they be agreed? Amos 3:3. Could fallen man ever get to heaven by virtue of the covenant of innocency? No: for cherubims and a flaming sword were set to keep that way to the tree of life, Gen 3:24.
19.3. Is fallen man under God's wrath? Yes: for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, Rom 1:18. Are we all so by nature? Yes: we are by nature children of wrath, even as others, Eph 2:2. Are we so by reason of sin? Yes: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience, Eph 5:6. Is there a distance between God and man by reason of sin? Yes: your iniquities have separated between you and your God, Isa 59:2. Is there a quarrel between God and man by reason of sin? Yes: My, soul loathed them, and their soul also it abhorred me, Zech 11:8. Is it not said to lie under God's wrath? Yes: for who knows the power of his anger? Ps 90:11.
19.4. Is fallen man under God's curse? Yes: for cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them, Gal 3:10. Is this curse in force against all wicked people? Yes: the curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked, Prov 3:33. Has sin brought a curse upon the world? Yes: Cursed is the ground for thy sake, Gen 3:17.
19.5. Is mankind by the fall become liable to the miseries of this life? Yes: in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life, Gen 3:17. Are we all by nature liable to these miseries? Yes: for man is born to trouble, Job 5:7. Is all the hurtfulness of the creatures the effect of sin? Yes: Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth, Gen 3:18. Is the toil of business the effect of sin? Yes: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, Gen 3:19. Is pain and sickness the effect of sin? Yes: There is not any rest in my bones, because of my sin, Ps 38:3. Are all our crosses the effect of sin? Yes: our sins have withholden good things from us, Jer 5:25. Should we not therefore bear them patiently? Yes: Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sin? Lam 3:39.
19.6. Is all mankind by the fall become liable to death itself? Yes: for so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Rom 5:12. Was a sentence of death immediately passed upon fallen man? Yes: Dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return, Gen 3:19. Do we all deserve death? Yes: the wages of sin is death, Rom 6:23. Is it the natural consequence of sin? Yes: for sin, when it is finished, brings forth death, James 1:15. Can any avoid it? No: What man is he that liveth and shall not see death? Ps 89:48. Is it determined? Yes: it is appointed to men once to die, Heb 9:27. Do you expect it? Yes: I know that thou wilt bring me to death, Job 30:23.
Is sin the sting of death? Yes: the sting of death is sin, 1 Cor 15:56. Is the amazing fear of death the effect of sin? Yes: there are those who through fear of death are all their lifetime subject to bondage, Heb 2:15. Is the body's rotting in the grave the effect of sin? Yes: as draught and heat consume the snow-waters, so doth the grave those which have sinned, Job 24:19.
19.7. Is mankind by the fall become liable to the pains of hell for ever? Yes: for he that wanders out, of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead, Prov 21:16; Ps 9:17. Can God make a soul for ever miserable? Yes: for after he hath killed he hath power to cast into hell, Luke 12:5. Is there a state of punishment in the other life? Yes: for we are warned to flee from the wrath to come, Matt 3:7. Is it the desert of sin? Yes: for when God renders to every man according to his works, he will render indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, Rom 2:8-9. Will it be the portion of impenitent sinners? Yes: Ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell, Matt 23:33.
19.8. Is hell the wrath of an everlasting God? Yes: for the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it, Isa 30:33. Is it the anguish of an immortal soul? Yes: for their worm dieth not, Mark 9:44. Is any way of relief open to them? No: Betwixt us and you there is a gulf fixed, Luke 16:26. Is their punishment therefore everlasting? Yes: These shall go away into everlasting punishment, Matt 25:46. Should we not every one of us dread it? Yes: for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb 10:31; Isa 33:14.
Q. 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the state of sin and misery?
A. God having out of his mere good pleasure from all eternity elected some to eternal life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of a state of sin and misery, and to bring them into a state of salvation by a Redeemer.
20.1. Might not God justly have left all mankind to perish in their fallen state? Yes: for in his sight shall no man living be justified, Ps 143:2. Would God have been a loser by it, if they had been left to perish? No: for, can a man be profitable to God? Job 22:2. But did he leave them to perish? No: for the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appears, Titus 3:4. Was the case of fallen angels helpless and desperate? Yes: for God spared not them, 2 Pet 2:4. But is the case of fallen man so? No: for he is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, 2 Pet 3:9. Is God's patience a token for good? Yes: the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation, 2 Pet 3:15. Does it appear that God has a good will to man's salvation? Yes: As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that he turn and live, Ezek 33:11. Is this an encouragement to us all to hope in his mercy? Yes: for if the Lord had been pleased to kill us, he would not have showed us such things as these, Judg 13:23.
20.2. Could man help himself out of his state of sin and misery? No: for when we were without strength, Christ died for the ungodly, Rom 5:6. Could any creature help us? No: for none of them can by any means redeem his brother, Ps 49:7. Could God himself only help us? Yes: O Israel! thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help, Hos 13:9. Did God contrive a way for man's recovery? Yes: he hath devised means that his banished may not be expelled from him, 2 Sam 14:14. Was it the contrivance of infinite wisdom? Yes: it is the wisdom of God in a mystery, ordained before the world for our glory, 1 Cor 2:7. Has he provided a way for our recovery? Yes: I have found a ransom, Job 33:24.
20.3. Did God particularly design the salvation of a remnant of mankind? Yes: there is a remnant according to the election of grace, Rom 11:5. Are there some whom God has chosen? Yes: God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thess 2:13. Is there a certain number of such? Yes: for their names are in the book of life, Phil 4:3; Rev 13:8.
Were they chosen from eternity? Yes: he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, Eph 1:4. Were they chosen for the sake of anything in themselves? No: ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, John 15:16. But of his mere good pleasure? Yes: he hath predestinated us according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:5. Were they chosen to salvation, as the end? Yes: God had appointed us to obtain salvation, 1 Thess 5:9. And to sanctification as the means? Yes: he has chosen us that we should be holy, Eph 1:4. Was it for the glory of God? Yes: that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, Rom 9:23.
20.4. Shall the election obtain? Yes: the purpose of God according to election shall stand, Rom 9:11. Does our salvation begin there? Yes: we love him, because he first loved us, 1 John 4:19. Are others passed by? Yes: when the election hath obtained, the rest are blinded, Rom 11:7. Does God know certainly whom he has chosen? Yes: the Lord knows them that are his, 2 Tim 2:19. Do we know it? No: for secret things belong not to us, Deut 29:29. Can we know our own election otherwise than by our being sanctified? No: we must make our calling, and so make our election, sure, 2 Pet 1:10.
20.5. Were the elect given to Christ? Yes: thine they were, and thou gavest them me, John 17:6. Did he undertake their salvation? Yes: for this is the Father's will, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, John 6:39. Was it promised him that he should effect it? Yes: he shall see his seed, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand, Isa 53:10. And was he himself assured of it? Yes: all that the Father giveth me, shall come to me, John 6:37. And does it always prove so? Yes: as many as were ordained to eternal life believed, Acts 13:48. And shall any of them miscarry? No: for it is said of seducers, they shall deceive, if it were possible, the very elect, Matt 24:24.
20.6. Has God entered into a new covenant, pursuant hereto? Yes: for we are not under the law, but under grace, Rom 6:14. Does he insist upon the terms of the first covenant? No: he hath not dealt with us after our sins, Ps 103:10. Is he willing to deal with us upon new terms? Yes: I will make a new covenant with them, Jer 31:31. Is he willing to be ours in covenant? Yes: I will be to them a God, Heb 8:10. Will he accept us as his? Yes: they shall be to me a people. And will he be at peace with us? Yes: God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, 2 Cor 5:19.
20.7. Is this wrought out by a Redeemer? Yes: for there is not salvation in any other, Acts 4:12. Was that Redeemer of God's own providing? Yes: God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, John 3:16. Is the new covenant made with us in Christ? Yes: for he is the Mediator of the better covenant, Heb 8:6. Is it a covenant much for our advantage? Yes: for it is well ordered in all things and sure, 2 Sam 23:5. Is perfect obedience the condition of it? No: for if by grace, then it is no more of works, Rom 11:6. Is faith the condition of it? Yes: for, by grace ye are saved through faith, Eph 2:8. Is sincerity accepted as our gospel perfection? Yes: walk before me, and be thou perfect, Gen 17:1. Is that which is required in the covenant promised in the covenant? Yes: I will cause you to walk in my statutes, Ezek 36:27. Does every transgression in the covenant cast us out of the covenant? No: I will visit their transgression with a rod, but my lovingkindness will I not utterly take away, Ps 89:32-33.
20.8. Will this covenant deliver us out of a state of sin and misery? Yes: Whosoever believes in Christ shall not perish, John 3:16. Will it bring us into a state of salvation? Yes: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, John 3:36. And can we desire any more? No: It is all my salvation, and all my desire, 2 Sam 23:5.
20.9. Was there intimation given to Adam of this way of salvation by a Redeemer? Yes: for it was said to him, That the seed of the woman should break the serpent's head, Gen 3:15. Was it made known to the Old Testament saints? Yes: for
of this salvation have the prophets inquired, and searched diligently, 1 Pet 1:10. But is it brought to a clearer light in the New Testament? Yes: Go preach the gospel to every creature; he that believes shall be saved, and he that believes not shall be damned, Mark 16:15-16. Is this good news to fallen man? Yes: Glory be to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill towards men, Luke 2:14. Does this covenant exclude any that do not exclude themselves? No: Whosoever will let him come, and take of the water of life freely, Rev 22:17.