The Exposition of the Principles

1.

Question.

What is God?

God is a spirit, or a spiritual substance, most wise, most holy, eternal, infinite.

Question: How do you persuade yourself that there is such a God?

Besides the testimony of the Scriptures, plain reason will show it.

Question: What is one reason?

When I consider the wonderful frame of the world, I think the simple creatures that are in it could never make it: neither could it make itself: and therefore besides all these, the maker of it must needs be God. Even as when a man comes into a strange country, and sees fair and sumptuous buildings, and yet finds no living creatures there beside birds and beasts, he will not imagine that either birds or beasts reared those buildings, but he presently conceives that some men either were or have been there.

Question: What other reason do you have?

A man that commits any sin, as murder, fornication, adultery, blasphemy, etc., although he does so conceal the matter, that no man living knows of it, yet oftentimes he has a gripping in his conscience, and feels the very flashings of hell fire: which is a strong reason, to show that there is a God, before whose judgment seat he must answer for his deed.

Question: How many Gods are there?

No more but one.

Question: How do you conceive this one God in your mind?

Not by framing any image of him in my mind (as ignorant folks do, that think him to be an old man sitting in heaven) but I conceive him by his properties and works.

Question: What are his chief properties?

First, he is most wise, understanding all things aright, and knowing the reason of them. Secondly he is most holy, which appears in that he is most just and merciful unto his creatures. Thirdly, he is eternal, without either beginning or end of days. Lastly, he is infinite, both because he is present in all places, and because he is of power sufficient to do whatever he will.

Question: What are the works of God?

The creation of the world, and of everything therein, and the preservation of them being created by his special providence.

Question: How do you know that God governs every particular thing in the world by his special providence?

To omit the Scriptures, I see it by experience: meat, drink, and clothing being void of life, could not preserve the life of man, unless there were a special providence of God to give virtue unto them.

Question: How is this one God distinguished?

Into the Father who begets the Son: into the Son who is begotten of the Father: into the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

2.

Question: Let us now come to ourselves, and first tell me what is the natural estate of man?

Every man is by nature, dead in sin as a loathsome carrion, or as a dead corpse lies rotting and stinking in the grave.

Question: What is sin?

Any breach of the law of God, if it be no more but the least want of that which the law requires.

Question: How many sorts of sin are there?

Sin is either the corruption of nature, or any evil actions that proceed of it as fruits thereof.

Question: In whom is this corruption of nature?

In all men, none excepted.

Question: In what part of man is it?

In every part both of body and soul, like as a leprosy that runs from the crown of the head, to the sole of the foot.

Question: Show me how every part of man is corrupted with sin?

First, in the mind there is nothing but ignorance and blindness concerning heavenly matters. Secondly, the conscience is defiled, being always either benumbed with sin, or else troubled with inward accusations and terrors. Thirdly, the will of man only wills and lusts after evil. Fourthly, the affections of the heart, as love, joy, hope, desire, etc., are moved and stirred to that which is evil to embrace it, and they are never stirred unto that which is good, unless it be to shun it. Lastly, the members of the body are the instruments and tools of the mind for the execution of sin.

Question: What are those evil actions that are the fruits of this corruption?

Evil thoughts in the mind, which come either by a man's own conceiving, or by the suggestion of the devil: evil motions and lusts stirring in the heart, and from these arise evil words and deeds, when any occasion is given.

Question: How comes it to pass that all men are thus defiled with sin?

By Adam's infidelity and disobedience, in eating the forbidden fruit: even as we see great personages by treason do not only hurt themselves but also stain their blood, and disgrace their posterity.

Question: What hurt comes to man by his sin?

He is continually subject to the curse of God in his lifetime, in the end of his life, and after this life.

Question: What is the curse of God in this life?

In the body diseases, aches, pains: in the soul, blindness, hardness of heart, horror of conscience: in goods, hindrances and losses: in name, ignominy and reproach: lastly, in the whole man, bondage under Satan the prince of darkness.

Question: What manner of bondage is this?

This bondage is when a man is the slave of the devil, and has him to reign in his heart as his God.

Question: How may a man know whether Satan is his God or not?

He may know it by this, if he gives obedience to him in his heart, and expresses it in his conversation.

Question: And how shall a man perceive this obedience?

If he takes delight in the evil motions that Satan puts into his heart, and does fulfill the lusts of the devil.

Question: What is the curse due to man in the end of his life?

Death, which is the separation of body and soul.

Question: What is the curse after this life?

Eternal damnation in hell fire, whereof every man is guilty, and is in as great danger of it, as the traitor apprehended is in danger of hanging, drawing, and quartering.

3.

Question: If damnation is the reward of sin, then is a man of all creatures most miserable. A dog or a toad when they die, all their misery is ended: but when a man dies, there is the beginning of his woe.

It were so indeed, if there were no means of deliverance, but God has showed his mercy in giving a Savior to mankind.

Question: How is this Savior called?

Jesus Christ.

Question: What is Jesus Christ?

The eternal Son of God made man in all things, even in his infirmities like other men, save only in sin.

Question: How was he made man void of sin?

He was conceived in the womb of a virgin, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, at his conception.

Question: Why must our Savior be both God and man?

He must be a man: because man has sinned, and therefore a man must die for sin to appease God's wrath: he must be God to sustain and uphold the manhood, to overcome and vanquish death.

Question: What are the offices of Christ to make him an all-sufficient Savior?

He is a priest, a prophet, a king.

Question: Why is he a priest?

To work the means of salvation in the behalf of mankind.

Question: How does he work the means of salvation?

First, by making satisfaction to his Father for the sin of man: secondly, by making intercession.

Question: How does he make satisfaction?

By two means: and the first is by offering a sacrifice.

Question: What is this sacrifice?

Christ himself, as he is man, consisting of body and soul.

Question: What is the altar?

Christ as he is God, is the altar on which he sacrificed himself.

Question: Who was the priest?

None but Christ, and that as he is both God and man.

Question: How often did he sacrifice himself?

Never but once.

Question: What death did he suffer when he sacrificed himself?

A death upon the cross, peculiar to him alone: for besides the separation of body and soul, he felt also the pangs of hell, in that the whole wrath of God due to the sin of man, was poured forth upon him.

Question: What profit comes by this sacrifice?

God's wrath is appeased for sin.

Question: Could the suffering of Christ, which was but for a short time, appease God's wrath?

Yes, for seeing Christ suffered, God suffered: and that is more than if all men in the world had suffered forever.

Question: Now tell me the other means of satisfaction.

It is the perfect fulfilling of the law.

Question: How did he fulfill the law?

By his perfect righteousness: which consists of two parts, the first, the integrity and pureness of his human nature; the other, his obedience in performing all that the law required.

Question: You have showed how Christ does make satisfaction, tell me likewise how he does make intercession?

He alone does continually appear before his Father in heaven, making the faithful and all their prayers acceptable unto him, through the merits of his own perfect satisfaction.

Question: Why is Christ a prophet?

To reveal unto his church the way and means of salvation, and this he does outwardly by the ministry of his word, and inwardly by the teaching of his Holy Spirit.

Question: Why is he also a king?

That he might bountifully bestow upon us, and convey unto us all the foresaid means of salvation.

Question: How does he show himself to be a king?

In that, being dead and buried, he rose from the grave, quickened his dead body, ascended into heaven, and now sits at the right hand of his Father, with full power and glory in heaven.

Question: How else?

In that he does continually inspire and direct his servants by the divine power of his Holy Spirit, according to his holy word.

Question: But to whom will this blessed king communicate all means of salvation?

He offers them to all mankind, and they are sufficient to save all mankind: but all shall not be saved thereby, because by faith they will not receive them.

4.

Question: What is faith?

Faith is a wonderful grace of God, by which a man does apprehend and apply Christ and all his benefits unto himself.

Question: How does a man apply Christ unto himself, seeing we are on earth, and Christ in heaven?

This applying is done by assurance, when a man is truly persuaded by the Holy Spirit, of God's favor towards himself particularly, and of the forgiveness of his own sins.

Question: How does God bring men truly to believe in Christ?

First he prepares their hearts, that they might be capable of faith: and then he works faith in them.

Question: How does God prepare men's hearts?

By bruising them, as if one would break a hard stone to powder: and this is done by humbling them.

Question: How does God humble a man?

By working in him a sight of his sins, and a sorrow for them.

Question: How is the sight of sin wrought?

By the moral law: the sum whereof is the ten commandments.

Question: What sins may I find in myself by them?

Ten.

Question: What is the first?

To make something your God which is not God, by fearing it, loving it, so trusting in it more than in the true God.

Question: What is the second?

To worship false gods or the true God in a false manner.

Question: What is the third?

To dishonor God in abusing his titles, words, and works.

Question: What is the fourth?

To break the Sabbath in doing the works of their calling and of the flesh: and in leaving undone the works of the spirit.

Question: What are the six latter?

To do anything that may hinder your neighbor's dignity, life, chastity, wealth, good name; though it be but in the secret thoughts and motions of your heart, unto which you give no liking nor consent.

Question: What is sorrow for sin?

It is when a man's conscience is touched with a lively feeling of God's displeasure for any of these sins: in such wise, that he is wholly out of heart with himself, acknowledging that he has deserved shame, and confusion eternally.

Question: How does God work this sorrow?

By the terrible curse of the law.

Question: What is that?

He who breaks but one of the commandments of God, though it be but once in all his lifetime; and that only in one thought, is in danger of eternal damnation thereby.

Question: When men's hearts are thus prepared, how does God ingraft faith in them?

By working certain inward motions in the heart, which are the seeds of faith, out of which it breeds.

Question: What is the first of them?

When a man humbled under the burden of his sins, does acknowledge and feel that he stands in great need of Christ.

Question: What is the second?

A hungering desire and a longing to be made partakers of Christ and all his merits.

Question: What is the third?

A flying to the throne of grace, from the sentence of the law, pricking the conscience.

Question: How is this done?

By praying, with sending up loud cries for God's favor in Christ in the pardoning of sin: and with fervent perseverance herein, till the desire of the heart be granted.

Question: What follows after all this?

God then, according to his merciful promise, lets the poor sinner feel the assurance of his love wherewith he loves him in Christ; which assurance is a lively faith.

Question: Are there diverse degrees and measures of true faith?

Yes.

Question: What is the least measure of true faith that any man can have?

When a man of a humble spirit by reason of the littleness of his faith, does not yet feel the assurance of the forgiveness of his sins, and yet he is persuaded that they are pardonable, and therefore desires that they should be pardoned, and with his heart prays to God to pardon them.

Question: How do you know that such a man has faith?

These desires and prayers are testimony of the spirit, whose property it is to stir up a longing and a lusting after heavenly things, with sighs and groans for God's favor and mercy in Christ. Now where the spirit of Christ is, there is Christ dwelling: and where Christ dwells, there is true faith however weak it may be.

Question: What is the greatest measure of faith?

When a man is fully persuaded of God's love in Christ towards himself particularly, and of the forgiveness of his own sins.

Question: When shall a Christian heart come to this full assurance?

Not at the first, but in some continuance of time, when he has been well practiced in repentance, and has had diverse experiences of God's love unto him in Christ: then after them will appear in his heart the fullness of persuasion: which is the ripeness and strength of faith.

Question: What benefits does a man receive by his faith in Christ?

Hereby he is justified before God and sanctified.

Question: What is this to be justified before God?

It comprehends two things: the first, to be cleared from the guiltiness and punishment of sin: the second, to be accepted as perfectly righteous before God.

Question: How is a man cleared from the guiltiness and punishment of his sin?

By Christ's sufferings and death upon the cross.

Question: How is he accepted righteous before God?

By the righteousness of Christ imputed to him.

Question: What profit comes by being thus justified?

Hereby and by no other means in the world, the believer shall be accepted before God's judgment seat, as worthy of eternal life by the merits of the same righteousness of Christ.

Question: Do not good works then make us worthy of eternal life?

No: for God who is perfect righteousness itself, will find in the best works we do, more matter of damnation than of salvation: and therefore we must rather condemn ourselves for our good works, than look to be justified before God thereby.

Question: How may a man know, that he is justified before God?

He need not ascend into heaven to search the secret counsel of God: but rather descend into his own heart to search whether he is sanctified or not.

Question: What is it to be sanctified?

It comprehends two things: the first to be purged from the corruption of his own nature: the second to be endued with inward righteousness.

Question: How is the corruption of sin purged?

By the merits and power of Christ's death, which being by faith applied, is as a corrosive to abate, consume, and weaken the power of all sin.

Question: How is a man endued with inherent righteousness?

Through the virtue of Christ's resurrection, which being applied by faith, is as a restorative to revive a man that is dead in sin to newness of life.

Question: In what part of man is sanctification wrought?

In every part of body and soul.

Question: In what time is it wrought?

It is begun in this life, in which the faithful receive only the first fruits of the spirit, and it is not finished before the end of this life.

Question: What graces of the spirit do usually show themselves in the heart of a man sanctified?

The hatred of sin, and the love of righteousness.

Question: What proceeds of them?

Repentance, which is a settled purpose in the heart, with a careful endeavor to leave all his sins, and to live a Christian life.

Question: What goes with repentance?

A continual fighting and struggling against the assaults of a man's own flesh, against the motions of the devil, and the enticements of the world.

Question: What follows after a man has gotten the victory in any temptation or affliction?

Experience of God's love in Christ and so increase of peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Question: What follows, if in any temptation he is overcome, and through infirmity falls?

After a while there will arise a godly sorrow, which is, when a man is grieved for no other cause in the world but for this only, that by his sin he has displeased God, who has been unto him a most merciful and loving Father.

Question: What sign is there of this sorrow?

The true sign of it is this, when a man can be grieved for the very disobedience to God in his evil word or deed, though he should never be punished, and though there were neither heaven nor hell.

Question: What follows after this sorrow?

Repentance renewed afresh.

Question: By what signs will this repentance appear?

There are seven: 1. A care to leave the sin into which he is fallen. 2. An utter condemning of himself for it, with a craving of pardon. 3. A great anger against himself for his carelessness. 4. A fear lest he should fall into the same sin again. 5. A desire ever after to please God. 6. Zeal of the same. 7. Revenge upon himself for his former offense.

5.

Question: What outward means must we use to obtain faith and all blessings of God which come by faith?

The preaching of God's word and the administration of the sacraments, and prayer.

Question: Where is the word of God to be found?

The whole word of God needful to salvation is set down in the holy Scriptures.

Question: How do you know that the Scriptures are the word of God and not men's policies?

I am assured of it. First, because the Holy Ghost persuades my conscience that it is so. Secondly, I see it by experience: for the preaching of the Scriptures has the power of God in them to humble a man when they are preached, and to cast him down to hell: and afterward to restore and raise him up again.

Question: What is the use of the word of God preached?

First it breeds and then it increases faith in them who are chosen to salvation: but unto them that perish it is by reason of their corruption an occasion of their further damnation.

Question: How must we hear God's word, that it may be effectual to our salvation?

We must come unto it with hunger-bitten hearts, having an appetite to the word; we must mark it with attention, receive it by faith, submit ourselves unto it with fear and trembling, even then when our faults are reproved: lastly, we must hide it in the corners of our hearts, that we may frame our lives and conversations by it.

Question: What is a sacrament?

A sign to represent, a seal to confirm, an instrument to convey Christ and all his benefits to them that do believe in him.

Question: Why must a sacrament represent the mercies of God before our eyes?

Because we are dull to conceive and to remember them.

Question: Why does the sacrament seal unto us the mercies of God?

Because we are full of unbelief and doubting of them.

Question: Why is the sacrament the instrument of the spirit to convey the mercies of God into our hearts?

Because we are like Thomas, we will not believe till we feel them in some measure in our hearts.

Question: How many sacraments are there?

Two and no more. Baptism, by which we have our admission into the true church of God: and the Lord's supper, by which we are nourished and preserved in the church after our admission.

Question: What is done in baptism?

Solemnly in the assembly of the church a covenant is made between the Lord and the party baptized.

Question: In the making of this covenant what does God promise to the party baptized?

Christ with all blessings that come by him.

Question: To what condition is the party baptized, bound?

To receive Christ, and to repent of his sin.

Question: What does the sprinkling or dipping in water mean?

The covenant being solemnly made, is thereby sealed and confirmed.

Question: How comes it to pass that many after their baptism for a long time feel not the effect and fruit of it, and some never?

The fault is not in God, who keeps his covenants; but the fault is in themselves, in that they do not keep the condition of the covenant to receive Christ by faith, and to repent of all their sins.

Question: When shall a man then see the effect of his baptism?

At whatsoever time he does receive Christ by faith, though it be a hundred years after, he shall then feel the power of God to regenerate him, and to work all things in him, which he offered in baptism.

Question: How if a man never keeps the condition, to which he bound himself in baptism?

His damnation shall be the greater, because he breaks his vow made to God.

Question: What is done in the Lord's supper?

The former covenant made in baptism, is renewed in the Lord's supper, between the Lord himself and the receiver.

Question: What is the receiver?

Every one that has been baptized, and after his baptism has truly believed in Christ: and repented of his sin from his heart.

Question: What does the bread and wine, the eating of the bread, and drinking of the wine mean?

These outward actions are a second seal, set by the Lord's own hand unto his covenant. And they do give every receiver to understand, that as God does bless the bread and wine, to preserve and strengthen the body of the receiver: so Christ received by faith, shall nourish him, and preserve both body and soul unto eternal life.

Question: What shall a true receiver feel in himself after the receiving of the sacrament?

The increase of his faith in Christ, the increase of sanctification, a greater measure of dying to sin, a greater care to live in newness of life.

Question: What if a man after the receiving of the sacrament, never finds any such thing in himself?

He may well suspect himself, whether he did ever repent or not.

Question: What is another means of increasing faith?

Prayer.

Question: What is prayer?

A familiar speech with God: in which either we crave things needful, or give thanks for things received.

Question: In asking things needful, what is required?

Two things, an earnest desire, and faith.

Question: What things must a Christian man's heart desire?

Six things especially.

Question: What are they?

1. That he may glorify God: 2. That God may reign in his heart and not sin: 3. That he may do God's will, and not the lusts of his flesh: 4. That he may rely himself on God's providence for all the means of this temporal life: 5. That he may be justified, and be at peace with God: 6. That by the power of God he may be strengthened against all temptations.

Question: What is faith?

A persuasion, that these things which we truly desire, God will grant them for Christ's sake.

6.

Question: After a man has led a short life in this world, what follows?

Death, which is the parting asunder of body and soul.

Question: Why do wicked men and unbelievers die?

That their bodies may go to the earth, and their souls may be cast into hell fire.

Question: Why do the godly die?

That their bodies may rest for a while in the earth, and their souls may enter into heaven immediately.

Question: What follows after death?

The day of judgment.

Question: What sign is there to know this day from other days?

Heaven and earth shall be consumed with fire immediately before the coming of the Judge.

Question: Who shall be the Judge?

Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Question: What shall the coming to judgment be?

He shall come in the clouds in great majesty and glory with infinite company of angels.

Question: How shall all men be cited to judgment?

At the sound of a trumpet, the living shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the dead shall rise again every one with his own body, and all shall be gathered together before Christ: and after this, the good shall be severed from the bad, these standing on the left hand of Christ, the other on the right.

Question: How will Christ try and examine every man's cause?

The books of all men's doings shall be laid open, and every man shall be tried by the works which he did in his lifetime, because they are open and manifest signs of faith or unbelief.

Question: What sentence will he give?

He will give sentence of salvation to the elect and godly, but he will pronounce sentence of damnation against unbelievers and reprobates.

Question: What state shall the godly be in after the day of judgment?

They shall continue forever in the highest heaven in the presence of God having full fellowship with Christ Jesus, and reigning with him forever.

Question: What state shall the wicked be in after the day of judgment?

In eternal perdition and destruction in hell fire.

Question: What is that?

It stands in three things especially: 1. a perpetual separation from God's comfortable presence, 2. fellowship with the devil and his angels, 3. a horrible pang and torment both of body and soul, arising from the feeling of the whole wrath of God, poured forth on the wicked, forever, world without end.

1.

Question.

What is God?

God is a spirit — a spiritual being — who is perfectly wise, perfectly holy, eternal, and infinite.

Question: How do you convince yourself that such a God exists?

Apart from the testimony of Scripture, plain reason demonstrates it.

Question: What is one reason?

When I consider the remarkable design of the world, I recognize that the simple creatures within it could never have made it, and it could not have made itself. Therefore, beyond all created things, there must be a maker — and that maker can only be God. It is like a man who enters a foreign land and finds magnificent buildings but no intelligent beings — only birds and beasts. He would never suppose that birds or beasts built those structures. He would immediately conclude that men either were there or had been there.

Question: What other reason do you have?

When a man commits a sin — such as murder, sexual immorality, adultery, or blasphemy — and hides it so completely that no living person knows of it, he still often feels a gripping in his conscience and senses what feels like the very flames of hell. This is strong evidence that there is a God before whose judgment seat he must answer for what he has done.

Question: How many Gods are there?

No more than one.

Question: How do you understand this one God in your mind?

Not by forming any image of Him in my mind — as ignorant people do who picture Him as an old man sitting in heaven — but by understanding Him through His attributes and His works.

Question: What are His chief attributes?

First, He is perfectly wise, understanding all things rightly and knowing the reason behind them. Second, He is perfectly holy, which is shown in that He is perfectly just and merciful to His creatures. Third, He is eternal, with neither beginning nor end. Finally, He is infinite, both because He is present in all places and because His power is sufficient to do whatever He wills.

Question: What are the works of God?

The creation of the world and everything in it, and the preservation of all created things through His special providence.

Question: How do you know that God governs every particular thing in the world through His special providence?

Setting aside Scripture, I see it by experience. Food, drink, and clothing have no life of their own and could not preserve human life unless God's special providence gave them their power to do so.

Question: How is this one God distinguished?

Into the Father, who begets the Son; the Son, who is begotten of the Father; and the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

2.

Question: Let us now consider ourselves. First, tell me — what is the natural condition of mankind?

By nature, every person is dead in sin — like a rotting corpse lying and decaying in the grave.

Question: What is sin?

Any violation of God's law — even the slightest failure to do what the law requires.

Question: How many kinds of sin are there?

Sin is either the corruption of our nature itself, or the evil actions that flow out of that corruption as its fruit.

Question: In whom does this corruption of nature exist?

In all people, without exception.

Question: What part of a person does it affect?

Every part of both body and soul — like a disease that spreads from the top of the head to the bottom of the foot.

Question: Show me how every part of a person is corrupted by sin.

First, in the mind there is nothing but ignorance and blindness regarding heavenly things. Second, the conscience is defiled, being always either deadened by sin or troubled by inward accusations and terror. Third, the will of man only desires and craves what is evil. Fourth, the emotions of the heart — love, joy, hope, desire, and so on — are moved and stirred toward evil things to embrace them, and are never stirred toward good things except to avoid them. Finally, the members of the body serve as the tools and instruments of the mind for carrying out sin.

Question: What are the evil actions that are the fruit of this corruption?

Evil thoughts in the mind, which arise either from a person's own imagination or from the devil's suggestion; evil impulses and desires stirring in the heart; and from these arise evil words and deeds whenever an occasion presents itself.

Question: How does it come about that all people are defiled with sin?

Through Adam's unfaithfulness and disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit. It is like how great men who commit treason do not only harm themselves — they also stain the blood and bring disgrace upon all their descendants.

Question: What harm does sin bring to a person?

He is continually subject to God's curse during his lifetime, at the end of his life, and after this life.

Question: What is God's curse in this life?

In the body: diseases, aches, and pains. In the soul: blindness, hardness of heart, and terror of conscience. In possessions: setbacks and losses. In reputation: shame and disgrace. And over the whole person: bondage under Satan, the prince of darkness.

Question: What kind of bondage is this?

It is when a person becomes a slave of the devil, who reigns in his heart as his god.

Question: How can a person know whether Satan is his god or not?

He can know it by this: if he gives obedience to Satan in his heart and expresses it in his daily life.

Question: And how can a person recognize this obedience?

If he takes pleasure in the evil impulses that Satan puts into his heart and carries out the devil's desires.

Question: What is the curse due to a person at the end of his life?

Death, which is the separation of body and soul.

Question: What is the curse after this life?

Eternal damnation in hell fire. Every person is guilty of this and stands in danger of it — as surely as a captured traitor faces hanging, disemboweling, and being cut into pieces.

3.

Question: If damnation is the reward of sin, then man is the most miserable of all creatures. A dog or a toad, when it dies, has its misery ended. But when a man dies, his misery is only beginning.

That would be true if there were no means of rescue. But God has shown His mercy by giving a Savior to mankind.

Question: What is this Savior called?

Jesus Christ.

Question: What is Jesus Christ?

The eternal Son of God made man — like other people in every way, including human weaknesses, except He had no sin.

Question: How was He made man without sin?

He was conceived in the womb of a virgin and was sanctified by the Holy Spirit at His conception.

Question: Why must our Savior be both God and man?

He had to be a man because man had sinned, and so a man had to die for sin to satisfy God's wrath. He had to be God to sustain and uphold His human nature, and to overcome and conquer death.

Question: What are the offices of Christ that make Him an all-sufficient Savior?

He is a priest, a prophet, and a king.

Question: Why is He a priest?

To accomplish the means of salvation on behalf of mankind.

Question: How does He accomplish the means of salvation?

First, by making satisfaction to His Father for the sin of man. Second, by making intercession.

Question: How does He make satisfaction?

By two means, the first of which is by offering a sacrifice.

Question: What is this sacrifice?

Christ Himself, as He is man — consisting of both body and soul.

Question: What is the altar?

Christ as He is God serves as the altar on which He sacrificed Himself.

Question: Who was the priest?

Christ alone, and that as He is both God and man.

Question: How many times did He sacrifice Himself?

Only once.

Question: What kind of death did He suffer when He sacrificed Himself?

A death on the cross, unique to Him alone. Beyond the separation of body and soul, He also endured the torments of hell, in that the full wrath of God — due for the sin of man — was poured out upon Him.

Question: What benefit comes from this sacrifice?

God's wrath is appeased for sin.

Question: Could the suffering of Christ, which lasted only a short time, truly appease God's wrath?

Yes. Because Christ suffered, God suffered — and that is more than if all the people who have ever lived had suffered forever.

Question: Now tell me the other means of satisfaction.

It is the perfect fulfilling of the law.

Question: How did He fulfill the law?

Through His perfect righteousness, which consists of two parts: first, the wholeness and purity of His human nature; and second, His obedience in doing everything the law required.

Question: You have shown how Christ makes satisfaction — now tell me how He makes intercession.

He alone continually appears before His Father in heaven, making the prayers of believers and all their worship acceptable to God through the merits of His own perfect satisfaction.

Question: Why is Christ a prophet?

To reveal to His church the way and means of salvation. He does this outwardly through the ministry of His word and inwardly through the teaching of His Holy Spirit.

Question: Why is He also a king?

So that He might generously bestow on us and deliver to us all the means of salvation described above.

Question: How does He show Himself to be a king?

By dying and being buried, then rising from the grave — raising His dead body to life, ascending into heaven, and now sitting at the right hand of His Father with full power and glory in heaven.

Question: How else?

By continually guiding and directing His servants through the divine power of His Holy Spirit, in accordance with His holy word.

Question: But to whom will this blessed King deliver all the means of salvation?

He offers them to all mankind, and they are sufficient to save all mankind. But not all will be saved by them, because not all will receive them through faith.

4.

Question: What is faith?

Faith is a remarkable grace of God by which a person grasps and applies Christ and all His benefits to himself.

Question: How does a person apply Christ to himself, since we are on earth and Christ is in heaven?

This applying is done through assurance — when a person is truly persuaded by the Holy Spirit of God's favor toward him personally and of the forgiveness of his own sins.

Question: How does God bring people to truly believe in Christ?

First He prepares their hearts so they become capable of receiving faith, and then He works faith in them.

Question: How does God prepare people's hearts?

By breaking them down, as if one were crushing a hard stone to powder. This is done by humbling them.

Question: How does God humble a person?

By producing in him an awareness of his sins and a sorrow for them.

Question: How is awareness of sin produced?

Through the moral law, the summary of which is the Ten Commandments.

Question: What sins can I find in myself through them?

Ten.

Question: What is the first?

Making something your god that is not God — by fearing it, loving it, or trusting in it more than in the true God.

Question: What is the second?

Worshipping false gods, or worshipping the true God in a false manner.

Question: What is the third?

Dishonoring God by misusing His titles, His words, and His works.

Question: What is the fourth?

Breaking the Sabbath by doing work that belongs to your everyday calling or to the flesh, and by neglecting the works of the Spirit.

Question: What are the last six?

Doing anything that harms your neighbor's dignity, life, purity, wealth, or reputation — even in the secret thoughts and impulses of your heart, to which you give no approval or consent.

Question: What is sorrow for sin?

It is when a person's conscience is pierced with a vivid sense of God's displeasure at any of these sins, so that he is completely undone in himself, acknowledging that he deserves shame and eternal disgrace.

Question: How does God produce this sorrow?

Through the terrible curse of the law.

Question: What is that?

Anyone who breaks even one of God's commandments — even once in his entire life, and even only in a single thought — is in danger of eternal damnation because of it.

Question: When people's hearts are prepared in this way, how does God plant faith in them?

By producing certain inward movements in the heart, which are the seeds of faith and from which faith grows.

Question: What is the first of these?

When a person, humbled under the weight of his sins, recognizes and feels that he has great need of Christ.

Question: What is the second?

A deep, hungry longing to become a partaker of Christ and all His merits.

Question: What is the third?

A fleeing to the throne of grace, away from the condemnation of the law that pierces the conscience.

Question: How is this done?

By praying — crying out earnestly to God for His favor in Christ and for the forgiveness of sin — and by persevering fervently in this until the heart's desire is granted.

Question: What follows after all this?

God then, according to His merciful promise, allows the poor sinner to experience the assurance of His love — the love with which He loves him in Christ. This assurance is a living faith.

Question: Are there different degrees and measures of true faith?

Yes.

Question: What is the least measure of true faith that any person can have?

When a person with a humble spirit, because his faith is so small, does not yet feel the assurance of the forgiveness of his sins — and yet he is persuaded that they can be pardoned, and therefore desires that they would be pardoned, and prays from his heart that God would pardon them.

Question: How do you know that such a person has faith?

These desires and prayers are the testimony of the Spirit, whose work it is to stir up a longing and craving for heavenly things, along with sighs and groans for God's favor and mercy in Christ. And where the Spirit of Christ is, there Christ dwells. Where Christ dwells, there is true faith — however weak it may be.

Question: What is the greatest measure of faith?

When a person is fully persuaded of God's love in Christ toward him personally, and of the forgiveness of his own sins.

Question: When will a Christian heart come to this full assurance?

Not at first, but over time — after he has been well practiced in repentance and has had various experiences of God's love toward him in Christ. After these, full persuasion will appear in his heart, which is the maturity and strength of faith.

Question: What benefits does a person receive through his faith in Christ?

By faith he is justified before God and sanctified.

Question: What does it mean to be justified before God?

It encompasses two things: first, to be cleared of the guilt and punishment of sin; and second, to be accepted as perfectly righteous before God.

Question: How is a person cleared of the guilt and punishment of his sin?

Through Christ's suffering and death on the cross.

Question: How is he accepted as righteous before God?

Through the righteousness of Christ imputed to him.

Question: What benefit comes from being thus justified?

By this means — and by no other means in the world — the believer will be accepted before God's judgment seat as worthy of eternal life, on the basis of the same righteousness of Christ.

Question: Do good works not make us worthy of eternal life?

No. God, who is perfect righteousness itself, will find in the best works we do more grounds for condemnation than for salvation. We must therefore condemn ourselves even for our good works, rather than look to be justified before God by them.

Question: How can a person know that he is justified before God?

He need not ascend into heaven to search out God's secret counsel. Instead, he should look into his own heart to examine whether he is sanctified or not.

Question: What does it mean to be sanctified?

It encompasses two things: first, to be cleansed from the corruption of one's own nature; and second, to be given inward righteousness.

Question: How is the corruption of sin cleansed?

Through the merits and power of Christ's death. When applied by faith, it works like a strong medicine to weaken, diminish, and consume the power of all sin.

Question: How is a person given inherent righteousness?

Through the power of Christ's resurrection. When applied by faith, it works like a restorative medicine to revive a person who is dead in sin to a new life.

Question: In what part of a person is sanctification worked?

In every part of body and soul.

Question: Over what span of time is it worked?

It begins in this life, in which believers receive only the first fruits of the Spirit, and it is not completed until the end of this life.

Question: What graces of the Spirit typically show themselves in the heart of a sanctified person?

Hatred of sin and love of righteousness.

Question: What comes from these?

Repentance — a settled purpose in the heart, with a sincere effort to forsake all sin and to live a Christian life.

Question: What accompanies repentance?

A continual fighting and struggling against the attacks of a person's own flesh, against the impulses of the devil, and against the temptations of the world.

Question: What follows after a person has won the victory in any temptation or affliction?

Experience of God's love in Christ, and from that, greater peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Question: What follows if in any temptation he is overcome and falls through weakness?

After a time, a godly sorrow will arise — a grief for no other reason in the world but this one: that by his sin he has displeased God, who has been to him a most merciful and loving Father.

Question: What is the sign of this sorrow?

The true sign is this: when a person can grieve over his very disobedience to God in an evil word or deed — even if he were never to be punished for it, and even if there were no heaven or hell.

Question: What follows after this sorrow?

Repentance renewed fresh.

Question: By what signs will this repentance show itself?

There are seven: 1. A determination to leave the sin into which he has fallen. 2. An outright condemning of himself for it, with a plea for pardon. 3. Deep anger at himself for his carelessness. 4. A fear of falling into the same sin again. 5. A desire to please God from that point on. 6. Zeal for that desire. 7. Turning against himself for his former offense.

5.

Question: What outward means must we use to obtain faith and all the blessings of God that come through faith?

The preaching of God's word, the administration of the sacraments, and prayer.

Question: Where is the word of God to be found?

The entire word of God necessary for salvation is contained in the holy Scriptures.

Question: How do you know that the Scriptures are the word of God and not merely human invention?

I am assured of it. First, because the Holy Spirit persuades my conscience that it is so. Second, I see it by experience: the preaching of the Scriptures carries the power of God to humble a person when proclaimed, to bring him low to the point of despair — and afterward to restore and lift him up again.

Question: What is the purpose of the preached word of God?

First, it produces and then it strengthens faith in those chosen for salvation. But for those who are perishing, it becomes — because of their own corruption — an occasion for their deeper condemnation.

Question: How must we hear God's word for it to be effective for our salvation?

We must come to it with hungry hearts, with a genuine appetite for the word. We must listen to it with attention, receive it by faith, and submit ourselves to it with reverence and trembling — even when our faults are rebuked. Finally, we must store it in our hearts so that we can shape our lives and conduct by it.

Question: What is a sacrament?

A sign to represent, a seal to confirm, and an instrument to convey Christ and all His benefits to those who believe in Him.

Question: Why must a sacrament represent God's mercies before our eyes?

Because we are slow to understand and remember them.

Question: Why does the sacrament seal God's mercies to us?

Because we are full of unbelief and doubt about them.

Question: Why is the sacrament the instrument of the Spirit to convey God's mercies into our hearts?

Because we are like Thomas — we will not believe until we feel them to some degree in our own hearts.

Question: How many sacraments are there?

Two and no more. Baptism, by which we are admitted into the true church of God; and the Lord's Supper, by which we are nourished and sustained in the church after our admission.

Question: What takes place in baptism?

In the solemn assembly of the church, a covenant is made between the Lord and the person being baptized.

Question: In the making of this covenant, what does God promise to the person being baptized?

Christ, along with all the blessings that come through Him.

Question: To what condition is the person being baptized bound?

To receive Christ and to repent of his sin.

Question: What does the sprinkling or dipping in water signify?

It seals and confirms the covenant that has been solemnly made.

Question: How does it happen that many people, long after their baptism, do not feel its effect or fruit — and some never do?

The fault is not with God, who keeps His covenants. The fault is their own, in that they do not keep the condition of the covenant — to receive Christ by faith and to repent of all their sins.

Question: When will a person then experience the effect of his baptism?

At whatever point he receives Christ by faith — even if it is a hundred years after his baptism — he will feel God's power to regenerate him and to work everything in him that God offered in baptism.

Question: What if a person never keeps the condition to which he committed himself in baptism?

His condemnation will be greater, because he has broken the vow he made to God.

Question: What takes place in the Lord's Supper?

The covenant made in baptism is renewed in the Lord's Supper, between the Lord Himself and the one receiving it.

Question: Who is the receiver?

Everyone who has been baptized and who, after his baptism, has truly believed in Christ and repented of his sin from his heart.

Question: What do the bread and wine — the eating of the bread and the drinking of the wine — signify?

These outward actions are a second seal, set by the Lord's own hand to His covenant. They give every receiver to understand that just as God blesses bread and wine to sustain and strengthen the body of the receiver, so Christ, received by faith, will nourish him and preserve both body and soul to eternal life.

Question: What should a true receiver feel in himself after receiving the sacrament?

Growth in his faith in Christ, growth in sanctification, a deeper dying to sin, and a greater commitment to live in newness of life.

Question: What if a person, after receiving the sacrament, never finds any of these things in himself?

He has good reason to question whether he ever truly repented.

Question: What is another means of increasing faith?

Prayer.

Question: What is prayer?

A personal conversation with God, in which we either ask for what we need or give thanks for what we have received.

Question: When asking for what we need, what is required?

Two things: earnest desire, and faith.

Question: What things must a Christian's heart desire?

Six things especially.

Question: What are they?

1. That he may glorify God. 2. That God may reign in his heart and not sin. 3. That he may do God's will and not the desires of his flesh. 4. That he may trust God's providence for all the needs of this present life. 5. That he may be justified and at peace with God. 6. That by the power of God he may be strengthened against all temptations.

Question: What is faith?

A confident belief that God will grant the things we truly desire, for Christ's sake.

6.

Question: After a person has lived a brief life in this world, what follows?

Death, which is the separation of body and soul.

Question: Why do wicked people and unbelievers die?

So that their bodies may return to the earth and their souls may be cast into hell fire.

Question: Why do the godly die?

So that their bodies may rest for a time in the earth, while their souls enter heaven immediately.

Question: What follows after death?

The day of judgment.

Question: What sign will distinguish that day from all other days?

Heaven and earth will be consumed by fire immediately before the coming of the Judge.

Question: Who will be the Judge?

Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Question: What will His coming to judgment be like?

He will come in the clouds with great majesty and glory, accompanied by an vast company of angels.

Question: How will all people be summoned to judgment?

At the sound of a trumpet, the living will be transformed in the blink of an eye, and the dead will rise again — each with his own body. All will be gathered together before Christ. After this, the good will be separated from the bad, with the wicked standing on Christ's left hand and the righteous on His right.

Question: How will Christ examine and judge every person's case?

The records of all people's deeds will be opened, and every person will be judged by the works he did in his lifetime, because they are clear and visible evidence of faith or unbelief.

Question: What sentence will He pronounce?

He will pronounce a sentence of salvation over the elect and godly, and a sentence of damnation against unbelievers and reprobates.

Question: What state will the godly be in after the day of judgment?

They will dwell forever in the highest heaven, in the presence of God, enjoying full fellowship with Christ Jesus and reigning with Him forever.

Question: What state will the wicked be in after the day of judgment?

In eternal ruin and destruction in hell fire.

Question: What does that consist of?

It consists of three things especially: 1. A permanent separation from God's comforting presence. 2. Fellowship with the devil and his angels. 3. A dreadful anguish and torment of both body and soul, arising from the full wrath of God poured out on the wicked — forever, without end.