8
The Shorter Catechism,
He turns our will d, and makes us to embrace
Christ willingly, with all his offer'd grace e.
a 2 Tim. i. 9. b Acts ii. 37. c Acts xxvi. 18. d Ezek. xxxvi. 26.
c John vi. 44, 45.
Q. When men, effectually call'd, believe,32
What profit do they in this life receive?
A. Justification a first in order flows,
Adoption b next, and following on those,
Sanctification, with all other gain,
That doth by those unto the just pertain c.
a Rom. i. b 30. Eph. i. 5. c 1 Cor. i. 30.
Q. Justification, what doth it comprise ?33
A. A gracious act of Him who is most wise,
By which he freely all our sins forgives a,
And us, as righteous, in his sight receives b,
For nothing meritorious of our own,
But for the righteousness of Christ alone c,
To us imputed, when in him we trust,———.
For only faith can make the sinner just d.
a Eph. 1. 7. b 2 Cor. v. 21. c Rom. v. 19. d Gal. ii. 16.
Q. What is adoption? A. 'Tis an act of grace a,34
By which we are receiv'd, and have a place,
Among the children of Almighty God,
To share the benefits on them bestow'd b.
a 1 John iii. 1. b John i. 12. Rom. viii. 17.
Q. Sanctification, what doth it include ?35,
A. A work of grace a, by which we are renew'd b,
Enabled more and more from sin to cease,
To grow in righteousness, and live in peace b.
a 2 Thess. ii. 13. b Eph. iv. 24. c Rom. viii. 1.
Q. What benefits accompany or flow36
From all these blessings to the saints below?
A. Assurance of God's love, of conscience peace,
The Spirit's gladness a, and of faith increase b;
All these the sanctified of God attend,
With perseverance therein to the end c.
a Rom, v. 1, 2, 5. b Prov. iv. 18. c 1 John v. 13.
