John Owen, Two Short Catechisms
(... continued from file 3)
Q. 10. How did the oblation of Christ redeem from death and hell?
A.
First, by paying a ransom to Matt. 20: 28; John 6: 51;
God, the judge and lawgiver, Mark 10: 45; Rom. 3: 25; 1
who had condemned us; Cor. 6: 20; Gal. 3: 13; Eph
1: 7; 1 Tim. 2: 6; Heb. 10:
9.
We are freed from the anger
of God, by a perfect
rendering to the full value
of what he required, - from
the power of Satan, by
absolute conquest on our
behalf.
secondly, by overcoming and John 5: 24; Col. 2: 13-15; 1
spoiling Satan, death, and Thess. 1: 10; Heb. 2: 14; 1
the powers of hell, that Pet. 1: 18, 19.
detained us captives.
Q. 11. What was the ransom that Christ paid for us?
A.
His own precious blood. Acts 20: 28; 1 Pet. 1: 19.
Q. 12. How was the new covenant ratified in his blood?
A.
By being accompanied with his Gen. 22: 18; Heb. 9: 16, 8:
death; for that, as all other 10-12.
testaments, was to be The new covenant is Christ's
ratified by the death of the legacy, in his last will unto
testator. his people, - the eternal
inheritance of glory being
conveyed thereby.
Q. 13. What is this new covenant?
A.
The gracious, free, immutable Gen. 3: 15; Jer. 31: 31-34,
promise of God, made unto all 32: 40; Heb. 8: 10-12.
his elect fallen in Adam,
to give them Jesus Christ, Gal. 3: 8, 16; Gen. 12: 3.
and in him mercy, pardon, Rom. 8: 32; Eph. 1: 3, 4.
grace, and glory,
with a re-stipulation of Mark 16: 16; John 1: 12, 10:
faith from them unto this 27, 28.
promise, and new obedience.
Q. 14. How did Christ procure for us grace, faith, and glory?
A.
By the way of purchase and Isa. 53: 11, 12; John 17: 2;
merit; for the death of Acts 20: 28; Rom. 5: 17, 18;
Christ deservedly procured of Eph. 2: 15, 16, 1: 4; Phil.
God that he should bless us 1: 29; Tit. 2: 14; Rev. 1: 5,
with all spiritual blessings 6.
needful for our coming unto The death of Christ was
him. satisfactory in respect of
the strict justice of God,
meritorious in respect of the
covenant between him and his
Father.
All these holy truths are
directly denied by the
blasphemous Socinians; and by
the Papists, with their
merits, masses, penance, and
purgatory, by consequent,
overthrown.
Q. 15. What is the intercession of Christ?
A.
His continual soliciting of Ps. 2: 8; Rom. 8: 34; Heb. 7:
God on our behalf, begun here 25, 9: 24, 10: 19-21; 1 John
in fervent prayers, continued 2: 1, 2; John 17.
in heaven by appearing as our To make saints our
advocate at the throne of intercessors, is to renounce
grace. Jesus Christ from being a
sufficient Saviour.
Chap. 13. - Of Christ's Prophetical Office.
Q. 1. Wherein does the prophetical office of Christ consist?
A.
In his embassage from God to Matt. 5; John 1: 18, 3: 32,
man, revealing from the bosom 9, 14, 14: 5, 6, 17: 8, 18:
of his Father the whole 37.
mystery of godliness, the way Christ differed from all
and truth whereby we must other prophets; first, in his
come unto God. sending, which was
immediately from the bosom of
his Father; secondly, his
assistance, which was the
fulness of the Spirit;
thirdly, his manner of
teaching, - with authority.
Q. 2. Mow does he exercise this office towards us?
A.
By making known the whole Deut. 18: 18; Isa. 42: 6;
doctrine of truth unto us in Heb. 3: 1.
a saving and spiritual To accuse his Word of
manner. imperfection, in doctrine or
discipline, is to deny him a
perfect prophet, or to have
borne witness unto all truth.
Q. 3. By what means does he perform all this?
A.
Divers; as,
first, internally and Jer. 31: 31-34; 2 Cor. 3: 3;
effectually, by his Spirit 1 Thess. 4: 9; Heb. 8: 10.
writing his law in our
hearts;
secondly, outwardly and John 20: 31; 1 Cor. 12: 28;
instrumentally, by the Word Eph. 4: 8-13; 2 Pet. 1:21.
preached.
Chap. 14. - Of the Two-fold Estate of Christ.
Q. 1. In what estate or condition does Christ exercise these
offices?
A.
In a two-fold estate; first, Phil. 2: 8-10.
of humiliation or abasement; The humiliation of Christ
secondly, of exaltation or shows us what we must here do
glory. and suffer, his exaltation,
what we may hope for.
The first of these holds
forth his mighty love to us;
the other his mighty power in
himself
The only way to heaven is by
the cross.
Q. 2. Wherein consisteth the state of Christ's humiliation?
A.
In three things;
first, in his incarnation, or Luke 1: 35; John 1: 14; Rom.
being born of woman; 1: 3; Gal. 4: 4; Heb. 2: 9,
14.
secondly, this obedience, or Matt. 3: 15, 5: 17; Luke 2:
fulfilling the whole law, 21; John 8: 46; 2 Cor. 5: 21;
moral and ceremonial; 1 Pet. 1: 19; 1 John 3: 5.
thirdly, in his passion, or Isa. 53: 6; Heb. 2: 9; 1 Pet.
enduring all sorts of 2: 21.
miseries, even death itself.
Q. 3. Wherein consists his exaltation?
A.
In, first, his resurrection; Matt. 28: 18; Rom. 1: 4, 6:
secondly, ascension; thirdly, 4; Eph. 4: 9; Phil. 2: 9, 10;
sitting at the right hand of 1 Tim. 3: 16.
God; - by all which he was
declared to be the Son of God
with power.
Chap. 15. - Of the Persons to whom the Benefits of Christ's Offices
do belong.
Q. 1. Unto whom do the saving benefits of what Christ performeth, in
the execution of his offices, belong?
A.
Only to his elect. John 17: 9; Isa. 63: 9; Heb.
3: 6, 10: 21.
Christ giveth life to all
that world for whom he gave
his life.
None that he died for shall
ever die.
To say that Christ died for
every man universally, is to
affirm that he did no more
for the elect than the
reprobates, - for them that
are saved than for them. that
are damned; which is the
Arminian blasphemy.
Q. 2. Died he for no other?
A.
None, in respect of his Acts 20: 28; Matt. 20:28,
Father's eternal purpose, and 26:28; Heb. 9: 28; John 11:
his own intention of removing 51,52; Isa. 53:12; John 3:l6,
wrath from them, and 10:11-13,15; Eph. 5:25; Rom.
procuring grace and glory for 8: 32, 34; Gal. 3: 13; John
them. 6: 37, 39; Rom. 4: 25; 2 Cor.
5: 19, 20.
Q. 3. What shall become of them for whom Christ died not?
A.
Everlasting torments for Mark 16: 16; John 3: 36;
their sins; their portion in Matt. 25: 41; Acts 1: 25.
their own place.
Q. 4. For whom does he make intercession?
A.
Only for those who from John 17; Heb. 7: 24, 25.
eternity were given him by
his Father.
Chap. 16. - Of the Church.
Q. 1. How are the elect called, in respect of their obedience unto
Christ, and union with him?
A.
His church. Acts 20: 28; Eph. 5: 32.
Q. 2. What is the church of Christ?
A.
The whole company of God's The elect angels belong to
elect, this church.
No distance of time or place
breaks the unity of this
church: heaven and earth,
from the beginning of the
world unto the end, are
comprised in it.
No mention in Scripture of
any church in purgatory.
This is the catholic church;
- though that term be not to
be found in the Word in this
sense, the thing itself is
obvious.
The pope, challenging unto
himself the title of the head
of the catholic church, is
blasphemously rebellious
against Jesus Christ.
called Acts 2: 47; 1 Tim. 5: 21;
Heb. 12: 22-24.
of God, Rom. 1: 5, 6, 9:11,24; 1 Cor.
4: 15; 2 Tim. 1: 9.
by the Word and Spirit, Acts 16: 14; John 3: 8; 1
Cor. 4: 15; 1 Pet. 1: 23;
Heb. 8: 10.
out of their natural Eph. 2: 11-13; Col. 1: 13;
condition, to the dignity of Heb. 2: 14, 15; 1 Pet. 2: 9.
his children,
and united unto Christ their John 17: 21; Eph. 2: 18-22.
head, by faith, in the bond
of the Spirit.
Q. 3. Is this whole church always in the same state?
A.
No; one part of it is militant, the other triumphant.
Q. 4. What is the church militant?
A.
That portion of God's elect Eph. 6: 11, 12; Heb. 11: 13,
which, in their generation, 14, 12: 1, 4.
cleaveth unto Christ by
faith, and fighteth against
the world, flesh, and devil.
Q5. What is the church triumphant?
A.
That portion of God's people Eph. 5: 27; Rev. 3: 21, 14:
who, having fought their 13.
fight and kept the faith, are
now in heaven, resting from
their labours.
Q. 6. Are not the church of the Jews before the birth of Christ, and
the church of the Christians since, two churches?
A.
No; essentially they are but Eph. 2: 11-16; 1 Cor. 10: 3;
one, differing only in some Gal. 4: 26, 27; Heb. 11: 16,
outward administrations. 26, 40.
This is that ark out of which
whosoever is shall surely
perish.
Q. 7. Can this church be wholly overthrown on the earth?
A.
No; unless the decree of God Matt. 16:18, 28:20; John
may be changed, and the 14:16; John 17; 1 Tim. 3: 15;
promise of Christ fail. 2 Tim. 2: 19.
Chap. 17. - Of Faith.
Q. 1. By what means do we become actual members of this church of
God?
A.
By a lively justifying faith, Acts 2:47, 13:48; Heb. 11:6,
whereby we are united unto 12:22,23, 4:2; Rom. 5:1,2;
Christ, the head thereof. Eph. 2:13,14.
Of this faith the Holy Spirit
is the efficient cause, the
Word, the instrumental; - the
Law indirectly, by
discovering our misery; the
Gospel immediately, by
holding forth a Saviour.
Q. 2. What is a justifying faith?
A.
A gracious resting upon the 1 Tim. 1: 16; Job 13: 15,
free promises of God in Jesus 19:25; Rom. 4: 5.
Christ for mercy, Faith is in the
understanding, in respect of
its being and subsistence, -
in the will and heart, in
respect of its effectual
working.
with a firm persuasion of Heb. 4:16; Rom. 8: 38,39;
heart that God is a Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5: 20,21.
reconciled Father unto us in
the Son of his love.
Q. 3. Have all this faith?
A.
None but the elect of God. Tit. 1: l; John 10: 26; Matt.
13: 11; Acts 13: 48; Rom. 8:
30.
Q4. Do not, then, others believe that make profession?
A.
Yes; with, first, historical James 2: 19.
faith, or a persuasion that
the things written in the
Word are true;
secondly, temporary faith, Matt. 13: 20; Mark 6: 20;
which has some joy of the John 2: 23,24; Acts 8: 13.
affections, upon unspiritual
grounds, in the things
believed.
Chap. 18. - Of our Vocation, or God's Calling us.
Q. 1. How come we to have this saving faith?
A.
It is freely bestowed upon us John 6: 29,44; Eph. 2: 8, 9;
and wrought in us by the Phil. 1: 29; 2 Thess. 1: 11.
Spirit of God, in our
vocation or calling.
Q2. What is our vocation, or this calling of God?
A.
The free, gracious act of Col. 1:12,13; 2 Tim. 1:9;
Almighty God, whereby in Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:26;
Jesus Christ he calleth and Matt. 11:25, 26; John 1:13,
translateth us from the state 3:3, 8; Eph. 1: 19; Col. 2:
of nature, sin, wrath, and 12; 1 Cor. 4: 7; James 1: 18;
corruption, into the state of 2 Pet. 2: 20; Acts 16: 14.
grace and union with Christ, Our effectual calling is the
by the mighty, effectual first effect of our
working of his Spirit in the everlasting election.
preaching of the Word. We have no actual interest in
nor right unto Christ, until
we are thus called.
Q. 3. What do we ourselves perform in this change, or work of our
conversion?
A.
Nothing at all, being merely Matt. 7: 18, 10: 20; John 1:
wrought upon by the free 13, 15:5; 1 Cor. 12:3, 2:5; 2
grace and Spirit of God, when Cor. 3:5; Eph 2:1,8; Rom.
in ourselves we have no 8:26; Phil. 1:6.
ability to any thing that is They who so boast of the
spiritually good. strength of free-will in the
work of our conversion are
themselves an example what it
is being given up to so vile
an error, - destitute of the
grace of God.
Q. 4. Does God thus call all and every one?
A.
All within the pale of the Matt. 22: 14; Rom. 8: 30.
church are outwardly called
by the Word, none effectually
but the elect.
Chap. 19. - Of Justification.
Q. 1. Are we accounted righteous and saved for our faith, when we
are thus freely called?
A.
No, but merely by the Isa. 43: 25; Rom. 3:23-26,
imputation of the 4:5.
righteousness of Christ, Legal and evangelical
apprehended and applied by justification differ; first,
faith; for which alone the on the part of the persons to
Lord accepts us as holy and be justified, - the one
righteous. requiring a person legally
and perfectly righteous, -
the other a believing sinner;
secondly, on the part of God,
who in the one is a severe,
righteous judge, - in the
other, a merciful, reconciled
Father; thirdly, in the
sentence, which in the one
acquitteth, as having done
nothing amiss, - in the
other, as having all amiss
pardoned.
Q. 2. What, then, is our justification or righteousness before God?
A.
The gracious, free act of Gen. 15: 6; Acts 13: 38, 39;
God, imputing the Luke 18: 14; Rom. 3:
righteousness of Christ to a 24,26,28, 4:4-8; Gal. 2: 16.
believing sinner, and for
that speaking peace unto his
conscience, in the pardon of
his sin,
pronouncing him to be just
and accepted before him.
Q. 3. Are we not, then, righteous before God by our own works?
A.
No; for of themselves they Ps. 130:3,4, 143:2; Isa. 64:
can neither satisfy his 6; Luke 17:10.
justice, fulfil his law, nor
endure his trial.
Chap. 20. - Of Sanctification.
Q. 1. Is there nothing, then, required of us but faith only?
A.
Yes;
repentance, Acts 20: 21; Matt. 3: 2; Luke
13: 3.
and holiness or new 2 Tim. 2: 19; 1 Thess. 4: 7;
obedience. Heb. 12: 14.
Q. 2. What is repentance?
A.
Godly sorrow for every known 2 Cor. 7: 9-11; Acts 2: 37;
sin committed against God, Ps. 51: 17.
Repentance includeth, first,
alteration of the mind into a
hatred of sin, before loved;
secondly, sorrow of the
affections for sin committed;
thirdly, change of the
actions arising from both.
Repentance is either legal,
servile, and terrifying, from
the spirit of bondage; or
evangelical, filial, and
comforting, from the spirit
of free grace and liberty,
which only is available.
with a firm purpose of heart Ps. 34: 14; Isa. 1: 16, 17;
to cleave unto him for the Ezek. 18:27,28; Acts 14: 15.
future,
in the killing of sin, the Eph. 4: 21-24; Rom. 6:12,13,
quickening of all graces, to 18,19, 8:l; 2 Cor. 5: 17;
walk before him in newness of Gal. 6: 15.
life.
Q. 3. Can we do this of ourselves?
A.
No; it is a special gift and Lev. 20:8; Deut. 30:6; Ezek.
grace of God, which he 11:19,20; 2 Tim. 2:25; Acts
bestoweth on whom he pleaseth 11:18.
Q. 4. Wherein does the being of true repentance consist, without
which it is not acceptable?
A.
In its performance according Ps. 51; 1 John 2:1,2; 2 Cor.
to the Gospel rule, with 7:10,11; Acts 2:38; Matt.
faith and assured hope of 26:75.
divine mercy. Every part of Popish
repentance - viz.,
contrition, confession, and
satisfaction - was performed
by Judas.
Q. 5. What is that holiness which is required of us?
A.
That universal, sincere Ps. 119:9; 1 Sam. 15: 22;
obedience to the whole will John 14: 15; Rom. 6: 19; Heb.
of God, 12: 14; Tit. 2: 12; 2 Pet. 1:
5-7; Isa. 1:16,17.
All faith and profession,
without this holiness, is
vain and of no effect.
True faith can no more be
without true holiness than
true fire without heat.
in our hearts, minds, wills, l Chron. 28:9; Deut. 6: 5;
and actions, Matt. 22:37.
whereby we are in some Rom. 8: 29; 1 Cor. 11: l;
measure made conformable to Eph. 2:21; Col. 3:1-3; 2 Tim.
Christ, our head. 2:11, 12.
John Owen, Two Short Catechisms
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