Q1. What weighty argument or motive (among many others,) does the scripture afford, for essaying the practice of what God requires of us?

A. That though we are enjoined, to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; yet, we are at the same time assured, that "it is God which worketh in us, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure," Phil. 2:12, 13.

Q2. Does God require any thing of us in point of duty, without promising suitable furniture, for the performance of it?

A. No; for he has said, "I will cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them," Ezek. 36:27.

Q3. Can we escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, by any thing we can do of ourselves?

A. No, surely; for "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags," Isaiah 64:6; and, "by the works of the law, shall no flesh be justified," Gal. 2:16.

Q4. Why then does the answer say, that to escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requires of us, faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, and a diligent use of all the outward means?

A. Because, though these duties, as performed by us, can neither give a title to, nor possession of eternal life; yet God appoints and requires them, both as they are MEANS of conveying and improving the salvation purchased, 1 Cor. 1:21, and likewise, as they are EVIDENCES of our interest in it, when conveyed, John 6:47.

Q5. Why does God require faith in Jesus Christ as the sovereign means of escaping his wrath and curse?

A. Because there is salvation in no other; there being "none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts 4:12.

Q6. What encouragement have we to essay believing in Jesus Christ?

A. There cannot be a greater encouragement than this, that faith "is the gift of God," Eph; 2:8; and accordingly the promise runs, "I will say, It is my people, and they shall say, The Lord is my God," Zech. 13:9.

Q7. Why is repentance unto life required?

A. Because it is the inseparable fruit and effect of faith or believing, Zech. 12:10 - "They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him."

Q8. What encouragement have sinners of mankind, privileged with gospel light, to look for, or expect this blessing of repentance unto life, which God requires of them?

A. They are warranted to expect it on this ground, that as Christ has "received gifts for men," Psalm 68:18, so "him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel," Acts 5:31.

Q9. Why does God require of us the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?

A. Because a neglect or contempt of the means of divine appointment, for communicating the benefits of redemption, is, in the sight of God, the same thing as a neglect or contempt of these inestimable benefits themselves, Luke 10:16 - "He that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me."

Q10. Can our believing, repenting, and diligent use of means, as they are acts of ours, be the procuring cause of our escaping wrath, or found our title to life and salvation?

A. No; for, "by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight," Rom. 3:20. Our security from wrath and title to heaven, are founded on the imputation of the surety righteousness alone, Isaiah 45:25.

Q11. What would be the consequence of making our faith, repentance, and good works, the procuring cause of our escaping the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin?

A. This would be setting aside the satisfaction of Christ, and making a saviour of our duties, than which nothing could nail us more effectually down under the curse, Gal. 3:10 - "As many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse."

Q12. Have unbelieving and impenitent sinners any warrant to conclude, that they have escaped the wrath and curse of God, due to them for sin?

A. No, surely; for "he that believeth not, is condemned already," John 3:18; and our Lord says, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish," Luke 13:3.

Q13. Is our escaping the wrath and curse of God suspended on the condition of our faith, repentance, and diligent use of the outward means?

A. No; for, if any promised blessing were suspended upon the condition of our personal obedience, it would be the very form of the covenant of works, Rom. 10:5 - "Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doth these things, shall live by them."

Q14. When do carnal and unregenerate men turn the dispensation of the covenant of grace into the form of the covenant of works?

A. When they separate the duties of faith, repentance, and the diligent use of the means, from the promises of the Covenant, and hope to make themselves accepted with God by their personal performance of these duties, Rom. 10:3.

Q15. What CONNEXION have faith, repentance, and the use of outward means, with salvation?

A. They have the connexion of APPOINTED MEANS prescribed by God himself, which, by his blessing, are subservient for such a valuable end; being themselves a part of salvation, and evidences of it, 2 Thess. 2:13.

Q16. How are the means of salvation usually distinguished?

A. Into internal and external.

Q17. What are the internal means?

A. Faith and repentance, with the other graces that accompany or flow from them.

Q18. Why called internal, or inward?

A. Because they are wrought in the hearts of the elect, by the Spirit of God, as the fruits and effects of Christ's purchase and mediation, Zech. 12:10.

Q19. What are the external or outward means?

A. They are the ordinances of Divine institution, and appointment; such as, the word, sacraments, and prayer.

Q20. How is faith in Jesus Christ connected with salvation?

A. As it is the hand that receives Christ and his righteousness, as the all of our salvation, Psalm 68:31; John. 1:12.

Q21. How is repentance unto life connected with salvation?

A. As it consists in that godly sorrow for sin, flowing from faith, which is both the exercise and ornament (in some measure) of all the travellers Zion-ward, while in this world, Jer. 50:4; 2 Cor. 7:11.

Q22. How is the diligent use of outward means connected with salvation?

A. As it is by them that Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption, Proverbs 2:1-16.

Q23. Could he not communicate the benefits of redemption, without the outward means?

A. Whatever he could do, yet his ordinary method is to honour his own ordinances, as the means of communicating these benefits to us, which we are not to expect but in the use of them, Proverbs 8:34; Rom. 10:17.

Q24. What USE does God require us to make of the outward means?

A. He requires us to make a diligent use of them.

Q25. What is a diligent use of the outward means?

A. It is an embracing every opportunity offered in providence, for attending upon God in them, looking earnestly for his blessing upon them, by which alone they become efficacious for our spiritual benefit, 1 Cor. 3:6, 7.

Q1. What are the things required of us to escape God's wrath and curse due to us for sin?

A. The things required of us are, (1.) Faith in Jesus Christ; Acts 16:31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house. (2.) Repentance for sin; Acts 3:19. Repent you, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, etc. (3.) Diligent striving in the use of all God's appointed means; Luke 13:24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: For many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Q2. Are these things in man's power to perform, that God requires of him?

A. Though they are our duties, yet we have no power in ourselves by nature to perform them, but the power is of God; 2 Corinthians 3:5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.

Q3. But if men be in Christ, and justified from eternity, what need of this?

A. Though God from eternity decreed, and Christ long since purchased the salvation of the elect; yet have they no union with Christ until they believe; Ephesians 3:17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you being rooted and grounded in love. Nor remission of sin; Acts 3:19. That your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. But lie under wrath as others do; Ephesians 2:3, 12. And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Verse 12. That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

Q4. If it be God that can only work these graces in us, to what purpose is our striving?

A. God's working does not exclude man's striving, but more excites and obliges us to it; Philippians 2:12, 13. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: For it is God which works in you, both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure.

Q5. To what purpose is it to strive in the use of means, except we knew we were elected?

A. The knowledge of our election is not antecedent to our diligence, but our diligence is required antecedently to that knowledge; 1 Peter 1:10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure, etc.

Q6. Is it not legal to put natural men upon striving in the use of means?

A. No, it is not; for Christ himself enjoins it? Luke 13:24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate, etc. And so did the apostles after him; Acts 8:22. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Q7. Is there no escaping of God's wrath and curse without faith and repentance?

A. No, it is impossible to escape them; John 3:18. He who believes not, is condemned already. Hebrews 2:3. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?

Q8. But if a man reform his life, and live soberly and justly for time to come, may he not that way escape God's wrath and curse?

A. No; sobriety and reformation are duties, but it is faith and regeneration that puts men into Christ, and out of danger; Matthew 5:20. Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Titus 3:5. 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 Spirit.

Q9. Do all believing and penitent sinners escape God's wrath and curse?

A. Yes, they do, and shall forever escape it; Romans 8:1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, etc. Colossians 1:12, 13. Giving thanks unto God the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. John 5:24. He who hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Q10. What is the first inference hence?

A. Hence it appears how false and dangerous the Antinomian doctrine is, which teaches that our sins are pardoned before they are committed, or we either believe or repent; contrary to Acts 26:18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sin, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. James 5:20. He which converts the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, etc. Acts 10:43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.

Q11. What is the second inference hence?

A. Hence it follows, that it is dangerous on the one side not to strive in all the ways of duty for Christ and salvation, contrary to Luke 13:24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. And as dangerous, on the other side, to rest in, and depend on our own works and duties; Philippians 3:9. And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Q12. What is the third inference hence?

A. Hence we learn the miserable state of all unbelievers, and impenitent persons; the curse and wrath of God lies upon them; Galatians 3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse, etc. And their warrant for Hell is already made; John 3:18. He who believes not, is condemned already.

Q13. What is the fourth inference hence?

A. Hence we learn the happy state into which faith and repentance bring the souls of men; Acts 13:38, 39. By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Of saving Faith

Q1. Is the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin?

A. Yes: We are by nature children of wrath, Eph. 2:3.

Q2. Has God provided a way of escape from that wrath?

A. Yes: I have found a ransom, Job 33:24.

Q3. Does the gospel show us that way?

A. Yes: He shall tell thee words whereby thou mayest be saved, Acts 11:14.

Q4. Is it through Christ that we may escape this wrath?

A. Yes: It is Jesus that delivereth us from the wrath to come, 1 Thess. 1:10.

Q5. Is anything to be done by us in order to our escape?

A. Yes: Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in you, Phil. 2:12,13.

Q6. Are we concerned to inquire what is to be done by us in order to our escape?

A. Yes: Wherewithal shall I come before the Lord? Mic. 6:6.

Q7. Will a convinced conscience put us upon this inquiry?

A. Yes: When they were pricked to the heart they said, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37.

Q8. Must we be serious and solicitous in this inquiry?

A. Yes: As the gaoler that came trembling and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Acts 16:30.

Q9. Must we be speedy in this inquiry?

A. Yes: The morning cometh, and also the night, if ye will inquire, inquire ye, Isa. 21:12.

Q10. Must we make this inquiry with resolution?

A. Yes: They shall ask their way to Zion with their faces thitherward, Jer. 50:5.

Q11. Must we apply ourselves to Christ with this inquiry?

A. Yes: Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? Matt. 19:16.

Q12. Is that which is to be done by us for our salvation required of us?

A. Yes: This is his commandment, That we believe, 1 John 3:23.

Q13. And are we called upon to do it?

A. Yes: Turn ye, turn ye: why will ye die, 0 house of Israel? Ezek. 33:11.

Q14. Is faith in Jesus Christ required that we may escape this wrath?

A. Yes: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, Acts 16:31.

Q15. Is repentance required?

A. Yes: Repent, and be converted, that our sins may be blotted out, Acts 3:19.

Q16. Did our Lord Jesus preach these as the two great commandments of the gospel?

A. Yes: The kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel, Mark 1:15.

Q17. Did the apostles preach them?

A. Yes: Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, aud faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 20:21.

Q18. And is it required that we diligently use the means of grace?

A. Yes: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Matt. 28:20.