The Westminster Assembly's Shorter Catechism Explained; By Way of Question and Answer (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831 Excerpt: ...Surety righteousness, Gal. iii. 24. Q. 25. In what respects were unbelievers among them, under these two covenants of works and grace? A. They were only externally, and by profession, in respect of their visible church state, under the covenant of grace, Rom. ix. 4; but internally, and really, in respect of the state of their souls before the Lord, they were under the covenant of works, chap. iv. 14, 15. Q, 26. Which of the two covenants were the principal part of the Sinai transaction? A. The covenant of grace was both in itself, and in God's intention, the principal part thereof; nevertheless, the covenant of works was the most conspicuous part of it, and lay most obvious to the view of the people; for they Saw.the thunderings and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, Exod. xx. 18. And so terrible was the sight, thai Moses said, 1 exceedingly fear and quake, Heb. xii. 21. Q. 27. What effect had this tremcndous display of the covenant of works upon the Israelites? A. It tended to beat them off in some measure, from that self-confidence which they had expressed before the publication of the law, Exod. xix. 8; and to discover the necessity of a Mediator, and of faith in him as the sole foundation of all acceptable obedience, Rom. xvi. 25, 26. Q. 28. How doth it appear that it tiad this effect? A. From their own words o Moses, after the terrible sight which they saw, Deut. v. 27.--"Speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will HEin that is, believe and Do." On which account the Lord commends them, ?er. 28.--"They have well said all that they have spoken: O that there were such an heart in them " Q. 9. In what respect had they said well in what they had spoken? A. In as much...