and which after convincing of sin and misery, and enenlightning in the knowledge of Christ, consists in an entire renovation of the heart in all its moral powers, and a partial restoration to it of the image of God. 2 Cor.

V. 17.

Q. 21. By whom is this change wrought and what are the evidences of its existence?

A. Not by the sinner himself for the change Ephes. ii. 8. 10. is described as one in which he is passive-but by the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the word James i 18. 1 Cor iv. 15. who convinces of sin, John xvi. 8. illuminates the mind. Acts xxvi. 17. 18. renovates the heart. John iii. 6. Ezek. xxxvi. 26. and it is a permanent lasting change, Acts xxvi. 18. It is complete 2 Cor. v. 17. Is followed by a turning from sin to holiness and universal, constant and grateful obeIdience to God. Isa. iii. 9.-love to him. Deut. xxx, 6. as well a more distinct and spiritual preception of the nature and extent of sin and holiness and a more clear knowledge of God and divine subjects.

Q. 22. By what considerations is it evident that it is instantaneous, and the work of God's Spirit?

A. 1 Its nature, 1 John iii. 14.-there is no me dium between life and death. 2 It is the result of creative power, Eph. iv. 24, and 3 It is a real change of heart as well as productive of a change of relation, and to this change man is before wholly disinclined, John v. 40. and wholly unqualified to effect it himself do. vi. 44. Q. 23. What is saving repentance?

A. It is that conviction of and deep sorrow for sin, that confession of, loathing, and forsaking of it, which is wrought by the spirit of God. Acts v. 31.-by the instrumentality of his word, and which is the consequence of saving faith, flows from real love to God, and a desire of deliverance from all sin, and is followeed by a total change of heart and life, and attended with deep humility, and fervent prayer, as well as self reproach and abhorrence, and a believing application to God for pardon.

Q. 24. Is repentance absolutely necssary to salva,

tion?

A. It is. The heart of man as well as his life is by nature and practice wrong, and unless he have faith to see the evil, and misery of his ways and turn to God, he cannot "see life but the wrath of God abibeth on him.” Q. 25. What is faith in Christ?

A. "It is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and word of God; whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disa bility in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition, not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.

Q. 26. "What is the object of this grace of faith? A. The object of this grace of faith is the Lord Jesus Christ and his righteousness, and the promises which are made through him in the covenant of grace. John iii. 18. Rom. i. 17.

Q. 27. What is the subject of faith in Jesus Christ? A. 1 "The subject of denomination, or the persons in whom alone this grace of faith is to be found, are the elect only. Titus i. 1. 2 The subject of inhesion, or the parts of the soul in which faith is placed and doth inhere, is not only the mind and understanding, but al so the will and heart. Heb. vi. 13. The persuasion of the truth of the promises, is the act of the understand ing; the embracement of the things promised, is the act of the will." Rom. x. 10.

Q. 28. "What are the acts of faith in Jesus Christ? A. The acts of faith in Jesus Christ are, 1. A receiving of Jesus Christ. John i. 12. 2. A resting upon Christ alone for salvation: this is implied in all those Scriptures which speak of believing in Christ, and believing on his name."

Q. 29. How is Jesus Christ to be received by faith? A. "Jesus Christ is to be received by faith, as he of fered to us in the gospel"

Q. 30. “How is Jesus Christ offered to us in the. gospel?

A. Jesus Christ is offered to us in the gospel, as priest, prophet, and king; and so we must receive him if we would be saved by him."

Q. 31. What are some of the fruits or evidences of faith?

A. Love to God and trust in him. 1 Petcri. 8. Ep. iii. 12. joy and peace in believing. Rom. v. 2. iv. 3. Zeal for the Glory of God. Gal. vi. 9. obedience and purity of heart and conduct, James ii. 18 to 22. 1 John ii. S.-benevolence and charity, victory over sin and the world. 1 John v. 4.

Q. 32. What is justification?

A. Justification is that declaration of God, of the pardon of the sins, and acceptance of the persons of be lievers as righteous according to law, on account of the righteousness of Christ, Acts xiii. 88. 9. imputed to them on the exercise of saving faith, Rom. v. 1. Ephes i. 7, by which, as the instrument, it pleases God to apply unto believers the redemption purchased by Christ, Titus iii. 5, Rom. v. 17, 2 Cor. v. 19 to 21, Acts X. 43, Rom. iii. 24.

Q. 38. Is faith the only ground of justification?

A. It is, Gal. ii. 16, because all deeds of the law are imperfect and cannot become a part of justifying righteousness; faith is itself imperfect and as a work, cannot justify Rom. iv. 5. though it is by their works that believers exhibit to others, James ii. 24, the evidences of their justification; yet if they were justified by God on account of works, Rom. iv. 2, it would no longer be of grace that we are saved. It would be impossible to ascertain the amount of good works essential to justification, and we are informed that it was by faith not works that the fathers were justified, Rom. iv. 2. The righteousness of Christ is sufficient for all the purposes of justification. Sinners are justified before, or when, they have no legal righteousness, Rom. v. 5; and if works were essential in any degree, it could be no more of grace, but of debt.

Q. 34. If works are not essentally connected with justification why are they demanded?'

A. Not as the efficient cause, but as the evidences of justification, 2 Cor. v. 21, Eph. ii. 8, 9.

Q. 35. Does not this view of justification tend to discourage the use and necessity of good works?

A. It does not, since the gospel requires them as the evidences of faith, of our gratitude to God, Psal. cxvi. 12, 13, as the ornaments of our profession, Titus in. 10, and as beneficial to others, do. iii. 8, and because they must flow from faith in Christ, Heb. xi. 4, 6-and are the effect, not the cause of justifying faith. To say that works have no merit in procuring justification, Luke xvii. 10, cannot tend to discourage them when commanded, in those whose obedience flows from the principle of love, and who desire salvation as a deed of grace, not of debt.

Q. 36. What is adoption? A. It is that act of the free and unmerited grace of God by which he receives every believing sinner into his spiritual family, and constitutes him an heir of eternal life; by which the name of God is fixed upon him; by which he is delivered from the power of sin and satan, and has all the blessings useful in this life, and all the treasures of divine grace promised him-particularly communion with God, access to his throne, support in death, and eternal life in heaven. The true and saving reception of any of these spiritual blessings are the evidences of our adoption.

Q. 37. What is sanctification?

A. It is "that work of God's free grace," began in regeneration, 2 Thes. ii. 13, whereby those "whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy are, in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit, applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and alt other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those gra ces so stirred up, increased and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life." The word signifies to set apart, and the morti

fication of sin; vivification, and yielding ourselves as instruments of righteousness unto God, are the several parts, of this change, which is small at first, Mat. xiii. 91, gradual, Prov. iv. 18, but progressive, Psal lxxxiv. 7, and extends in its effects to the will, understanding, conscience, memory and affections.

Q. 38. What are the instruments or means used in sanctification. A. The word of God, John xvii. 17→ all the blessings and adversities of this life, and all the means of grace. 2. Spiritual discoveries of Christ and of God.

Q. 39. Is sanctification ever perfect in this life, and what opinion do some maintain on this subject?

A. Some suppose that sinless perfection according to the gospel is attainable in this life, because some in the scriptures are spoken of as being perfect and because it is both commanded and required. That this opinion is erroneous may appear 1 from the scriptures, 1 John i. 8, Rom. vii. 18 to 23, Heb. xii. 1, 1 Kings viii. 46, Prov xx. 9, James iii. 2. 2. From the Christian war fare, Gal. v. 17, Rom. vii. 21 and 24. 3. From the confessions of believers, Rom. vii. 25, Isa. vi. 5, Job. ix. 20, and even the most ancient. 4. This life is preparatory to a state of perfection; but while here christians must daily need the atoning blood of Christ applied to them. In Isa. xxxviii. 3, Job i. 1. Gen. vi. 9, &c.; the scriptures do not speak of a sinless perfection, as is evident from the subsequent conduct and confessions of the persons spoken of, but a perfection opposed to hypocrisy, and referring to external conduct.Thoug not attainable in this life, it is the duty of all persons, at all times, to be perfectly holy, and hence God requires it, while his word yet says, "there is not a just man that liveth and sinneth not, Eccles. vii. 20.