Christian Classics
‹ Two Short Catechisms
Contents
Two Short Catechisms wherein the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ are Unfolded and ExplainedPrefatory NoteThe Epistle DedicatoryThe Lesser CatechismChapter I — Of the ScriptureChapter II — Of GodChapter III — Of the Holy TrinityChapter IV — Of the Works of God; and, First, of those that are Internal and ImmanentChapter V — Of the Works of God that outwardly are of HimChapter VI — Of God’s actual ProvidenceChapter VII — Of the Law of GodChapter VIII — Of the State of Corrupted NatureChapter IX — Of the Incarnation of ChristChapter X — Of the Person of Jesus ChristChapter XI — Of the Offices of Christ; and, First, of His KinglyChapter XII — Of Christ’s Priestly OfficeChapter XIII — Of Christ’s Prophetical OfficeChapter XIV — Of the Two-fold Estate of ChristChapter XV — Of the Persons to whom the Benefits of Christ’s Offices do belongChapter XVI — Of the ChurchChapter XVII — Of FaithChapter XVIII — Of our Vocation, or God’s Calling usChapter XIX — Of JustificationChapter XX — Of SanctificationChapter XXI — Of the Privileges of BelieversChapter XXII — Of the Sacraments of the New Covenant in particulalr, — a holy right whereunto is the Fourth Privilege of BelieversChapter XXIII — Of BaptismChapter XXIV — Of the Lord’s SupperChapter XXV — Of the Communion of Saints, — the Fifth Privilege of BelieversChapter XXVI — Of Particular ChurchesChapter XXVII — Of the Last Privilege of Believers, — being the Door of Entrance into Glory

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Chapter XXI — Of the Privileges of Believers

Chap. XXI. — Of the Privileges of Believers.

Q. 1. What are the privileges of those that thus believe and ?

A. First, union with Christ; secondly, of children; thirdly, Christian liberty; fourthly, a spiritual, holy right to the seals of the new ; fifthly, communion with all ; sixthly, resurrection of the body unto life eternal.

Q. 2. What is our union with Christ?

A. An aholy, spiritual conjunction unto him, as our bhead, chusband, and dfoundation, ewhereby we are made partakers of the same Spirit with him, fand derive all good things from him. a1 Cor. xii. 12; John xv. 1, 2, 5–7, xvii. 23. bEph. iv. 15, v. 23; Col. i. 18. c2 Cor. xi. 2; Eph. v. 25–27; Rev. xxi. 9. dMatt. xvi. 18; Eph. ii. 20–22; 1 Pet. ii. 4–7. eRom. viii. 9, 11; Gal. iv. 6; Phil. i. 19. fJohn i. 12, 16; Eph. i. 3.

Q. 3. What is our ?

A. Our gracious reception into the family of God, as his children, and co-heirs with Christ. John i. 12; Rom. viii. 15, 17; Gal. iv. 5; Eph. i. 5.

Q. 4. How come we to know this?

A. By the especial working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, sealing unto us the promises of God, and raising up our souls to an assured expectation of the promised inheritance. Rom. viii. 15, 17; Eph. iv. 30; 1 John iii. 1; Rom. viii. 19, 23; Tit. ii. 13.

Q. 5. What is our Christian liberty?

A. An holy and spiritual afreedom from the bslavery of sin, the cbondage of death and hell, the dcurse of the law, eJewish ceremonies, and fthraldom of conscience, purchased for us by Jesus Christ, and grevealed to us by the Holy Spirit. aGal. v. 1. bJohn viii. 32, 34, 36; Rom. vi. 17, 18; Isa. lxi. 1; 1 John i. 7; 2 Cor. v. 21. cRom. viii. 15; Heb. ii. 15; 1 Cor. xv. 55, 57. dGal. iii. 13; Eph. ii. 15, 16; Gal. iv. 5; Rom. viii. 1. eActs xv. 10, 11; Gal. 3, 4, 5. f2 Cor. i. 24; 1 Cor. vii. 23; 1 Pet. ii. 16. g1 Cor. ii. 12.

Q. 6. Are we, then, wholly freed from the moral law?

A. Yes, as aa , or as it hath any thing in it bringing into bondage, — as the curse, power, dominion, and rigid exaction of obedience; bbut not as it is a rule of life and . aJer. xxxi. 31–33; Rom. vii. 1–3, vi. 14; Gal. iii. 19, 24; Rom. viii. 2; Gal. v. 18. bMatt. v. 17; Rom. iii. 31, vii. 13, 22, 25.

Q. 7. Are we not freed by Christ from the magistrate’s power and human authority?

A. No; being ordained of God, and commanding for him, we owe them all lawful obedience. Rom. xiii. 1–4; 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2; 1 Pet. ii. 13–15.