Q. 72. What is justifying faith?

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A. Justifying faith is a saving grace,* wrought in the heart of a sinner, by the Spirit' and word of God; whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition," not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness therein held forth, for pardon of sin," and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation."

his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace.

* Heb. x. 39. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

12 Cor. iv. 13. We having the same spirit of faith. Eph. i. 17, 18, 19. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, &c.

m Rom. x. 14, 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. i. 16.

John xvi. 8, 9. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me. Acts xvi. 30.Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Acts ii. 37. Eph. ii. 1. Acts iv. 12. Rom. vii. 9.

Eph. i. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

P Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that, through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts xvi. 31. John i. 12.

Phil. iii. 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of

Q. 73. How doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God?

A. Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other graces which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it; nor as if the grace of faith, or any act thereof, were imputed to him for justification; but only as it is an instrument, by which he receiveth and applieth Christ and his righteousness.*

Q. 74. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of the free grace of God," in and for his only Son Jesus Christ," whereby all those that are justified are received

God by faith. Acts xv. 11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, even as they.

Gal. iii. 11. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Rom. iii. 28. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Rom. iv. 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Compared with Rom. x. 10.

↑ John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. Phil. iii. 9.

a 1 John iii. 1. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!

Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Gal. iv. 4, 5. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

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into the number of his children," have his name put upon them, the Spirit of his Son given to them, are under his fatherly care and dispensations, admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory."

Q. 75. What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is a work of God's grace, whereby they, whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are, in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit, applying the death and resurrection of

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John i. 12. gave he power to Rev. iii. 12.

2 Cor. vi. 18.

But as many as received him, to them
become the sons of God.
And I will write upon him my new name.

Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Psa. ciii. 13. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Prov. xiv. 26. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge. Matt. vi. 32. -For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

a Rom. viii. 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Heb. vi. 12.

Eph. i. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 1 Cor. vi. 11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the be

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Christ unto them," renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving gra ces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.

ginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.

e Rom. vi. 4, 5, 6. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection, &c. Phil. iii. 10.

Eph. iv. 23, 24. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

• Acts xi. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 1 John iii. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin; because he is born of God.

Jude 20. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Eph. iii. 16, 17, 18. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, &c. Col. i. 10, 11. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.

Rom. vi. 4, 6, 14. Even so we also should walk in newness of life. Knowing this, that our old man is

Q. 76. What is repentance unto life?

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A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit' and word of God, whereby out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins,1 and upon the apprehension of God's mercy in

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crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.-For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

h 2 Tim. ii. 25. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.

i Zech. xii. 10. I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him.

Acts xi. 18, 20, 21. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Psa. xix. 7-14. Acts ii. 37.

How

Ezek. xviii. 30, 32. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Turn-and live ye. Luke xv. 17, 18. many hired servants of my father's have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger: &c. Hos. ii. 6, 7.

Ezek. xxxvi. 31. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings, that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities, and for your abominations. Ezek. xvi. 61, 63. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed.-That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame. Isa. XXX. 22.