SECTION VIN.

FBRSEVERANCE, THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE ETERNAL.

Q. 1. How do you prove that those who have been valled and thus partially sanctified, shall invariably continue in a state of grace? A. It is evident from the preeeding answer that any and all believers would invariably fall if they were left to themselves, or if the promise of God was not sure to them; nevertheless it is evident, 1 from the testimony of scripture, Job xvii. 9, Ps. xciv. 14, cxxv. Jerem. xxxii. 40, John x. 28, xvii. 12, 1 Cor. i. 8, 9, 1 Peter i. 5, Prov. iv. 18. 2. From the nature of the covenant of God with believers, which promises life to all who once exercise faith. 3. From their union to Christ, Eph. i. 4 and 23-the fruit of his purchase, Titus ii. 14, and the objects of his intercession, John xvii. 9, 11 and 15. 4. From the faithfulness of God, who has not adopted them on condition of their own perseverance, and who foresaw all the obstacles when he did it-from his everlasting love to them, and 5. From the nature of the change which has been wro't in them, and the promise of grace equal to their day, Phil. i. 6, 2 Cor. i. 21, 22, that none of them can ever perish; and though they may fall into great sin, and need to be exhorted to persevere, and exhibit evidence of grace, yet the promise of God secures the certainty, of the issue.

Q. 2. How then are we to undertand the conditional declarations of the bible?

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A. We are to understand such expressions as that endureth unto the end"-"Be ye faithful"-" He that overcometh," as exhortations suited to believers and to a church in which some are true and some are false; and admonishing us of our duty and reward, if really sincere; and when we hear the scriptures peaking of "drawing back"-"turning away" and "not abiding in the vine," we are to understand them as refers

ring to those who depart from the form and not the power of the gospel.

Q. 3. What is assurance, and how is it attained? A. Assurance is of two kinds, viz. 1. That of faith, which does not respect our own state, but a firm belief of revelation, and an implicit reliance upon Christ, Heb. X. 22. 2. Assurance of hope, or a full belief of our interest in the divine favour, and a firm expectation of life eternal, Heb. vi. 11. It does not consist in a mere persuasion that Christ is ours, or any sudden divine com munication announcing it; but such a persuasion as arises from self-examination, fervent prayer, perseverance in duty, and diligently consulting the word of God, and much christian experience. That it is attainable is evinced from 1 John iii. 14, and ii. 3. 2. From its having been actually obtained, Job. xix. 25, Psal. xvii. 15, 2 Tim. i. 12; and our being exhorted to seek it, 2 Cor. xiii, 5, Heb vi. 11, 1 Thes. v. 21, and the witness of the Spirit, Rom. viii. 16-but it may be lost by falling inte temptation, sin, despondency, &c.

Q4. What are some of the distinguished blessings bestowed upon all true believers in this life and at death?

A. Forgiveness of all their sins Isa. xliii. 25; accep tance of their persons and services for the sake of Christ Mat. xxi. 22; peace of conscience, Rom. xiv. 17; deliverance from the predominant power of sin, Rom. viii. 2; growth in sanctification, Psa. xciii 12, lxxxiv. 7; joy and peace in believing, Isa. xxxiii. 17; deliverance from all enemies, Rom xvi. 20; communion and fellowship with God, Job xxii. 26; support in death-union of the body to Christ in the grave, and the immediate passage of the soul to a state of perfect holiness and happiness in heaven, Psa. lxxiii. 24.

Q. 5. Is it appointed unto all men once to die? A. Yes, Rom. v. 12, Job xxx. 23; but in believers its sting is removed, 1 Cor. xv. 56.

Q. 6. By what arguments do you prove the resurrection of the body?

A. 7. That the substance of which the bodies of men is composed, at death, is to be reunited to the soul, is probable from the consideration that both are necessary to constitute, at the last day, the identical person who is then to be judged; and to man, as he is, composed of soul and body, the promises and threatenings of the gospel are addressed. 2. From the further consideration that this union is natural to man and essential to his perfection; and that there will be a resurrection is certain, 1 from Job xix. 25, 26, and xiv. 14, Ps. xlix. 15, 1 Cor. xv. 15, 1.6, Phil. iii. 11, 1 Thes. iv. 14, Danl. xii. 2, Mat. xxii. 32, and xxiv. 31, Luke xx. 27. 2. From the doctrines of the bible. 3. From the resurrection of Christ, 1 Cor. xv.; and it will be general, Rev. xx. 13, and immediately precede the general judgment.

Q. 8. How do you prove that there will be, after the resurrection, a general judgment?

From the scriptures, Jude 14 15.

A. Eccl. xii. 14 Ps. lviii. 11. Acts xxiv. 25. 2 Cor. v. 10.. 2 Peter iii. 7. Acts xvii. S1. Mat. xii. 36. Rev. xx. 12, 13. The justice of God requires it. 3 The relation in which man stands to God. 4 Conscience seems to anticipate it.

Q. 9. By whom are all to be judged and according to what rule? A. The Lord Jesus, 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2. Cor. v. 10, John v. 22. shall judge all both small and great, Rev. XX. 12. Mat. xxv. 31, 32. Dan. vii. 26. according to the deeds done in the body, Mat. xii.36. Eccl. xii. 14. Rev. xx. 13.

Q. 01. What is to be the punishment of the wicked? A. Mat. xxv. 41, 45. Luke xiii. 27, 28. The place of their punishment is called the bottomless pit, Rev. xx. 3. a prison, 1 Peter iii. 19. second death, Rev. xxi. 8. and is compared to fire, Mat. xiii. 42. an undying worm, Mark ix. 44. and consists in final separation from God-in being confined to the society of devils,

Mat. xxv. 41. in torments of conscience, Job vi. 4. and in the punishment of sense, Rev. xx. 15.

Q. 9. How does it appear that this punishment will be absolutely endless?

A. The state of the wicked as respects its duration is spoken of in the same language as that of the righteous, and that is endless, Mat. xxv. 4. The images used in scripture, Mark ix. 43. It is called the second death, and cannot mean final restoration to life eternal. It is said to be everlasting, Mat. xxv. 41-xxiv. 51.2 Thes. i. 9. God would not threaten as a punishment for their sins, that which would end in their salvation, or annihilation, especially when sin is to be considered as an evil, deserving of an endless punishment, and that the finally impenitent will ever continue to sin, and of eourse ever increase in their desert of punishment.-The mere influence of punishment can never reform the heart.

Q. 10. What do the scriptures teach us concerning angels?

A. That they were created by God, Ps. civ. 4. are not corporeal, but spiritual, are good and wise, 2 Sam xiv. 17, 20. are very numerous, Dan. vii. 10. Mat. xxvi. 53. that they possess superior strength, Ps. ciii. 20. are the ministering spirits of God, Heb. i. 14. and the guardian protectors of his people, Ps. xxxiv. 7. Mat. xviii.

10. and that while the elect 1 Tim. v. 21. angels are confirmed in a state of endless happiness, to whose society all the ransomed of the Lord are to be admitted-some have fallen and are reserved in chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great day, Jude 6. 2 Peter ii. 4. when they are to depart with the wicked into everlasting punishment.

Q. 11. Are the saints to join with Christ in judg ing both reprobate angels and men? A. 1 Cor. vi. 2. Q. 12. What is to be the final destination of the righteous?

A. They are to be placed on the right hand of Christ, and openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment. Mat. x. 32. Jude 24. freed from all sin, 0

misery and sorrow, Eph. v. 27. Rev. xxi. 4. and ad mitted to the immediate vision and fruition of God, I Thes. iv. 17. to a building and mansion of God, 2 Cor. v. 1. a city, Heb. xi. 10. acountry, Heb. xi. 16. a kingdom, Mat. xxv. 34. to glory, Ps. lxxxiv. 12. peace and felicity, Isa. lvii. 2. Heb. iv. 9. 'afore prepared for them by Christ, in which their happiness is to be most. holy, Rev. xxi. 27. Rev. xiv. 13. and everlasting, Mat./ XXV. 46.

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