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thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world'.

Q. 54. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?

A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favour with God the Father, with all fulness of joy", glory o, and power over all things in heaven and earth P; and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces ; and maketh intercession for them ".

Q. 55. How doth Christ make intercession?

A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the

i Col. iii. 1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Ver. 2. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

k John xiv. 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.

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.

54 m Phil. ii. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name, which is above every name.

n Acts ii 28. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Compared with Psal. xvi. 11. Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

o John xvii. 5. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

p Eph. i. 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the

church. 1 Pet. iii. 22. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers, being made subject unto him.

q Eph. iv. 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. Ver. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Psal. cx. 1. The' LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool, &c. [See the Psalm throughout.]

r Rom viii 34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

55 s Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Ver. 24. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers"; answering all accusations against them ", and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons z and services 2.

Q. 56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?

A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father's, with all his holy angels, with

t Heb. i. 3. Who, being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

u John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John xvii. 9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine. Ver. 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. Ver. 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

wRom. viii. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect: It is God that justifieth; Ver. 34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

x 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.. 1 John ii. 1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: Ver. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

y Heb. iv. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

z Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved.

a 1 Pet. ii. 5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

56.6 Acts. iii. 14. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; Ver. 15. And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses.

c Matt. xxiv. 30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

d Luke ix. 26. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own

a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God", to judge the world in righteouness f

Q. 57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his Mediation? A. Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption 5, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace 1.

Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?

A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost *.

Q. 59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?

A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel ".

glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels Mat. xxv. 31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.

e 1 Thess. iv. 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.

f Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

57. g Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

b 2 Cor. i. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us.

58. i John i. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Ver. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

k Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

59. 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, Ver. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. John vi. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out. Ver. 39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. John x 15. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. Ver. 16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

m Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye sa ved, through faith; and that not of

Q. 60. Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?

A. They who, having never heard the gospel", know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved P, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the laws of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ

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yourselves it is the gift of God. 2 Cor. iv. 13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken: we also believe, and therefore speak.

60. n Rom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they be lieve in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

o 2 Thess. i. 8. In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gos pel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. Eph. ii. 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being atiens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. John i. 10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Ver. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received. him not. Ver. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

John viii. 24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Mark xvi. 16. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

q 1 Cor. i. 20. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God

made foolish the wisdom of this world? Ver. 21. For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Ver. 22. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: Ver. 23. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; Ver. 24. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

r John iv. 22. Ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews. Rom. ix. 31. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righ teousness. Ver. 32. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law: for they stumbled at that stumblingstone. Phil. iii. 4. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more : Ver. 5. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Ver. 6. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Ver. 7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Ver. 8. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win

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alone, who is the Saviour only of his body the church. Q. 61. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?

A. All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible".

Q. 62. What is the visible church?

A. The visible church is a society, made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.

Christ, Ver. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

s Acts iv. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

t Eph. v. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

61. u John xii. 38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfil led, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been reveal ed? Ver. 39. Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, Ver. 40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. Rom. ix. 6. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect for they are not all Israel which are of Israel. Mat. xxii. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen. Mat. vii. 21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Rom. xi. 7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

62. w 1 Cor. i. 2. Unto the church

of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 Cor. xii. 13. For by one Spi. rit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made todrink into one Spirit. Rom. xv. 9. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy, as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Ver. 10. And again, he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. Ver. 11. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. Ver. 12. And again Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust. Rev. vii. 9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. Psal. ii. 8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Psal. xxii. 27. All the ends of the world shall remember, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. Ver. 28. For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations. Ver. 29. All they that be fat upón

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