gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

1 John iv. 9. God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Rev. v. 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Heb. ii. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren; that he might be a merciful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

49th Q. Why did man stand in need of such a propitiation?

A.-Sin, which separates from God, having been introduced into the world by the disobedience of Adam, (as already stated) fallen man possessed no power to regain the divine image, and restore the harmony of the first creation: therefore Christ, who had all power, came, that he might destroy sin, and repair the breach it had made in the creation of God.

See the Proofs to the next Answer.

50th Q.-How did Christ effect this all-important object?

A. He successfully withstood every temptation of the devil, and offered up his life

on the cross, as a sacrifice for sin; by which sacrifice, as he triumphed over death, hell, and the grave, in his own person, so he enables his followers to obtain the like victory, by which they are reconciled and reunited to God, from whom they were before sepa rated by their sins.

Heb. ii. 14. 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.

1 Peter ii. 24. Who in his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

I John iii. 8. He that committeth sin, is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Matt. iv. I. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11. Then the devil leaveth him, and behold angels came and ministred to him.

Isaiah xxv. 8. He will swallow up death in victory. Hosea xiii. 14. I will ransom them from the power of the grave: I will redeem them from death: O Death, I will be thy plagues; O Grave, I will be thy destruc. tion.

Rom. vi. 9. Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Rev. i. 18. I am he that liveth and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death,

Eph. ii. 13. But now in Christ Jesus, ye, who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 18. For through him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

Eph. vi. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1 Cor. xv. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom. xvi. 20. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

51st Q.-How did Christ prove his victory over sin and death?

A. By his resurrection from the grave. As this afforded an indubitable and illustrious proof of his being the Messiah, so it confirms our faith in his power to destroy sin, which had been the means of introducing death; and also to raise up our bodies like unto his glorious body.

Rom. vi. 4. 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. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death; we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

1 Cor. vi. 14. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 2 Cor. iv. 14. Knowing that he which raised up the

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Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

1 Cor. xv. 13. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. 41. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: 44. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him.

52d Q.-Do all men partake of the benefit of Christ's coming and mediation ?

A.-Christ died for all men; for, by his death, all are put in a capacity for salvation; but those only receive the full benefit of Christ's death and mediation, who, accepting his offer of salvation, "live not unto them-selves, but unto him who died for them."

Heb. ii. 9. 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.

1 John ii. 2. And he [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 T.m. ii. 1. 1 exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men: 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

John iii. 14. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Rom. v. 18. Therefore as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation: even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

John xi. 25. Jesus saith unto her, [Martha], I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; 26. And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die.

us,

2 Cor. v. 14. For the love of Christ constraineth because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15. And that he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Gal. ii. 20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.

§. II.

53d Q.-How does Christ offer himself to mankind as a Saviour from sin?

A. He offers himself immediately and universally to mankind by his Spirit. He also offers himself by the Scriptures; and by his servants whom he commissions to preach the gospel of life and salvation; and both these direct men to his Spirit within them which if they resist not, but receive into their hearts in living faith, he redeems them from their fallen state of death and