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and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations (q).

Q. 36. Who is the Mediator of the covenant of grace? A. The only Mediator of the covenant of grace is the Lord Jesus Christ (r), who being the eternal Son of God, of one substance and equal with the Father (s), in the fulness of time became man (t), and so was and continues to be God and man, in two entire distinct natures and one person for ever (v).

Q. 37. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become

man?

A. Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul (w), being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb

i

and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. v. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

(9) Heb. 8. 6. 10, 11. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them, &c.

(r) 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

(8) John 1. 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Phil. 2. 6. Who being in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God.

(t) Galatians 4. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law.

() Rom. 9. 5. Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Col. 2. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Heb. 7. 24. But this man, because he continu, eth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

(w) John 1. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only be gotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. Mat. 26. 38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me

of the Virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her (x), yet without sin (y).

Q. 38. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God?

A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death (z); give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession (a); and so satisfy God's justice (b), procure his favour (c), purchase a peculiar people (d), give his Spirit to them (e, conquer all their

(x) Luke 1. 27, 31, 35. To a virgin espoused to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.

(y) Heb. 7. 26. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.

(z) Acts 2. 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

(a) Heb. 9. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb. 7. 25, 26, 27. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became

us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

(b) Rom. 3. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ: v. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; v. 26. To declare, I say, at this time, his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

(c) Eph. 1. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Mat. 3. 17. And lo, a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

(d) Tit. 2. 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; v. 14, Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(e) Gal. 4. 6. And because

moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods (o); a provident care and study to get (p), keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition (q): a lawful calling (”), and diligence in it (s); frugality (t); avoiding unnecessary lawsuits (v), and suretiship, or other like engagements (w); and an endeavour by all just and lawful means to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own (x).

we have therefore opportunity, Jet us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

(o) 1 Tim. 6. 6. 8. But godliness with contentment is great gain. And having food and raiment, let us be there with content.

(p) 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

(q) Eccl. 3. 12. 13. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also, that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 1 Tim. 6. 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

(r) 1 Cor. 7. 20. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Gen. 2. 15. And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it. Gen. 3. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground.

(s) Eph. 4. 28. Let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good,

that he may have to give him that needeth. Prov. 10. 4. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

John 6. 12. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Prov. 21. 20. There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise: but a foolish man spendeth it up.

(v) 1 Cor. 6. from verse 1 to 9. Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?"&c.

(w) Prov. 6. from verse 1 to 6. My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, &c. Prov. 11. 15. He that is surety for a stranger, shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship, is sure.

(x) Lev. 25. 35. And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Phil. 2. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Mat. 22. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Q. 142. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, beside the neglect of the duties required (y), are theft (z), robbery (a), man-stealing (h), and receiving any thing that is stolen (c); fraudulent dealing (d), false weights and measures (e), removing land-marks (f), injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man (g), or in matters of trust (h); oppression (i), extortion (k), usury (1), bribery (m), vexatious law-suits (n), unjust in

(y) 1 John 3. 17. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

(z) Eph. 4. 28. Let him that stole, steal no more.

(a) Psal. 62. 10. Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery.

(b) 1 Tim. 1. 10. (The law was made) for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.

(c) Prov. 29. 24. Whoso is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not. Psal. 50. 18. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him.

(d) 1 Thess. 4. 6. That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you, and testified.

(e) Prov. 11. 1. A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. Prov. 20. 10. Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.

(f) Deut. 19. 14. Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time

have set in thine inheritanceProv. 23. 10. Remove not the old land-mark; and enter not in the fields of the fatherless.

(g) Amos 8. 5. Saying, When will the new-moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? Psal. 37. 21. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again.

(h) Luke 16. 10. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.

(i) Ezek. 22. 29. The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. Lev. 25. 17. Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God.

(k) Mat. 23. 25. Wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

(1) Psal. 15. 5. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the in

nocent.

(m) Job 15. 34. For the con

closures and depopulations (o); ingrossing compaolities to enhance the price (p), unlawful callings (q); and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbour what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves (r); covetousness (8), inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods (t); distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them (v); envying at the prosperity of others (w); as likewise idleness (x), prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate (y), and defrauding ourselves of the due use and com

gregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

(n) 1 Cor. 6. 6-8. But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another: why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong and defraud, and that your brethren. Prov. 3. 29, 30. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

(o) Isa, 5. 8. Wo unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth.

(P) Prov. 11. 26. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall ourse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

(9) Acts 19. 19. 25. Many also of them which used curious arts, brought their books together and burned them before all men ; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth,

(r) Prov. 21. 6. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue, is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

(8) Luke 12. 15. And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abund ance of the things which he possesseth.

(t) 1 Tim. 6. 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

(v) Mat. 6. 25. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on: is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment ?

(w) Psal. 73. 3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

(x) 2 Thes. 3. 11. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy-bodies. Prov. 18. 9. He also that is slothful in his word, is brother to him that is a great waster.

(y) Prov. 21. 17. He that loveth pleasure shall be a,oor man : he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. Prov. 28. 19. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that fol

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