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A. Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned should itself make a recompense for sin; 8 but he that is himself a sinner cannot make a recompense for others.h

17. Q. Why must he also be very God?

A. That he might, by the power of his divine nature, sustain in his flesh the burden of God's wrath,k and might recover and restore unto us that righteousness and life which we lost.1

8 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham, wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Heb. ii. 14—17.

h For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Pet. iii. 18. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Isa. liii. 11.

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. ii. 9. Isa. lxiii. 3.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isa. liii. 4.

The Lord thy God is a consuming fire. Deut. iv. 24. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who, O Lord, shall stand? Ps. cxxx. 3.

1 He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. Isa. liii. 5. To finish the

18. Q. But who is that mediator who is together both very God, and very man," perfectly just and holy? o

A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.¶

19. Q. Whence do you know this?

A. From the gospel, which God first revealed in

transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness. Dan. ix. 24. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Rom. v. 17.

m We are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ; this is the true God, &c. 1 John v. 20. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. John i. 1. I and my Father are one. John x. 30.

n The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. John i. 14. It behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. Heb. ii. 17.

• The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God, Luke i. 35. For we have not an High-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. iv. 15. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. 1 Pet. ii. 22.

P For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. ii. 5. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Heb. ii. 9.

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor. i. 30.

paradise, and afterwards propagated it by the patriarchss and prophets, and shadowed it out by sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law," and lastly completed it by his only begotten Son.▾

20. Q. Is then salvation through Christ vouchsafed to all men who have died in Adam?

A. Not to all; but only to those who by a true faith are grafted into him, and receive his benefits.*

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Gen. iii. 15.

› To Abraham it was said-In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Gen. xxii. 18. Jacob also prophesied, That the sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Gen. xlix. 10.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts x. 43. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures. Rom. i. 1, 2.

u Let no man judge you in meat or drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days, which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Col. ii. 16, 17. Lo I come, (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O Lord. Heb. x. 7. John v. 46.

▾ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Rom. x. 4. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith. Gal iii. 24. Col. ii. 17. Gal. iv. 4.

w He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John iii. 36. For many are called but few are chosen. Matt. xxii. 14.

* For without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb. xi. 6. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become

21. Q. What is true faith?

A. It is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I firmly assent to all things which God hath revealed unto us in his word,y but also an assured trust, kindled in my heart by the Holy Ghost,a through the Gospel, whereby I repose on God, firmly assuring myself that remission of sins, everlasting righteousness, and eternal life, is granted

the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John i. 12. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark xvi. 16. Ps. ii. 12. Rom. xi. 20.

y Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well; the devils also believe and tremble. James ii. 19.

z Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. xi. 1. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Eph. iii. 12. Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. James i. 6. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was also able to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Rom. iv. 20-22.

But the fruit of the Spirit is joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Gal. v. 22. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. 2 Cor. iv. 13. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Eph. ii. 8. John vi. 29. Acts xvi. 14. Phil. i. 19.

b For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Rom. i. 16. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. x. 17. Acts xvi. 14. x. 44. 1 Cor. i. 21.

not only to others, but also to me, and that freely of God's mercy, for the merits of Christ alone.d

22. Q. What are those things that are necessary for a Christian to believe?

A. All things that are promised us in the gospel; the sum whereof is briefly comprised in the apostles' creed, or in the articles of the catholic and undoubted faith of all Christians.

23. Q. What is the apostles' creed?

A. 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

2. And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord: 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary :

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,

dead, and buried; he descended into hell; 5. The third day he rose again from the dead; 6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

• For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Rom. i. 17. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through Jesus Christ. Rom. v. 1. Gal. iii. 11. Gal. ii. 16.

d Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Rom. iii. 24. Rom. v. 19.

eThese are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John xx. 31. Repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark i. 15. Matt. xxviii. 20.

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