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Q. 63. What are the special privileges of the visible church?

A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under God's special care and government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies 2; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the or

earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him; and none can keep alive his own soul. Ver. 30. A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. Ver. 31. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. Psal. xlv. 17. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Isa. lix. 21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.

x 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Rom. xi. 16. For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Gen. xvii. 7. And I will establish my covenant be. tween me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

63. y Isa. iv. 5. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. Ver. 6. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. 1 Tim. iv. 10. For therefore we both labour, and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe.

2 Psal. cxv. 1. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but-Ver. 2. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? &c. Ver. 9. O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield, &c. [See the psalm throughout.] Isa. xxxi. 4. For thus hath the Lord spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them; so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. Ver. 5. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending, also he will deliver it, and passing over he will preserve it. Zech. xii. 2. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege, both against Judah and against Jerusalem. Ver. 3. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Ver. 4. In that day, saith the Lord, I will

dinary means of salvation a, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him ".

Q. 64. What is the invisible church?

A. The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head d.

Q. 65. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ?

A. The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory e.

smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness; and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. Ver. 8. In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. Ver. 9. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

a Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Ver. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. b Psal. cxlvii. 19. He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. Ver. 20. He hrath not dealt so with any nation : and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. Rom. ix. 4. Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giv. ing of the law, and the service of God, and the promises. Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of body of Christ. Mark xvi. 15.

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And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Ver. 16. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

c John vi. 37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

64. d Eph. i. 10. That in the dis pensation of the fulness of times, hẹ might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. Ver. 22. And hath put all things un der his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Ver. 23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. John x. 16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John xi. 52. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

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Q. 66. What is that union which the elect have with Christ? A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God's grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling h. Q. 67. What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto ) he

and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. John xvii. 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

66. f Eph. i. 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church Eph. ii. 6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; Ver. 7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ver. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

g 1 Cor. vi. 17. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit, John x. 28. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Eph. v. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Ver. 30. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

b 1 Pet. v. 10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Cor. i. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellow ship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 67. i John v. 25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming,

and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. Eph. i. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; Ver. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power; Ver. 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. 2 Tim. i. 8. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God: Ver. 9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Tit. iii. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Ver. 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 Ghost. Eph. ii. 4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Ver. 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) Ver. 7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ver. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through

doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit'; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills", so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein ". Q. 68. Are the elect only effectually called?

A. All the elect, and they only, are effectually called P ; although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the

faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ver. 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Rom ix. 11. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.

12 Cor. v. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Compared with 2 Cor. vi. 1. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. Ver. 2; For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. John vi. 44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 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 beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Ver. 14. Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

m Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive for. giveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 1 Cor. ii. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by

his Spirit! for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Ver. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

n Ezek. xi. 19. I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh. Ezek. xxxvi. 26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ver. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. John vi. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

o Eph. ii. 5. Even when we were dead in sin's, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Deut. xxx. 6. And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

68. p Acts xiii. 48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

ministry of the word, and have some common operations of the Spirit; who, for their wilful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ".

Q. 69. What is the communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?

A. The communion in grace which the members of the invisible church have with Christ, is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification, adoption ", sanctification, and whatever else, in this life, manifests their union with him ",

q Mat. xxii. 14. For many are called, but few are chosen.

r Mat. vii. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat. xiii. 20. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it: Ver. 21. Yet hath he not root in himself; but dureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Heb. vi. 4. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, Ver. 5. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Ver. 6. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.

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's John xii. 38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Ver. 39. Therefore they could not be lieve; because that Esaias said again, Ver. 40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word,

Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Ver. 26. Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive. Ver. 27. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. John vi. 64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. Ver. 65. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. Psal. lxxxi. 11. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. Ver. 12. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust; and they walked in their own counsels.

69. t Rom. viii. 30. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

u Eph. i. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

w1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

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