Creeds of the Dutch Reformed ChurchApostles' Creed..................................................................................................................................... 1Nicene Creed.......................................................................................................................................... 2Athanasian Creed................................................................................................................................. 3The Belgic Confession (1561).........................................................................................................4Heidelberg Catechism......................................................................................................................20The Canons of Dordt........................................................................................................................ 53

Apostles' CreedThe Symbolum Apostolorum was developed between the second and ninth centuries. It is the most popular creed used in worship by Western Christians. Its central doctrines are those of the Trinity and God the Creator. It has been called the Creed of Creeds.Legend has it that the Apostles wrote this creed on the tenth day after Christ's ascension into heaven. That is not the case, though the name stuck. However, each of the doctrines found in the creed can be traced to statements current in the apostolic period. The earliest written version of the creed is perhaps the Interrogatory Creed of Hippolytus (ca. A.D. 215). The current form is first found in the writings of Caesarius of Arles (d 542).The creed was apparently used as a summary of Christian doctrine for baptismal candidates in the churches of Rome. Hence it is also known as The Roman Symbol. As in Hippolytus' version it was given in question and answer format with the baptismal candidates answering in the affirmative that they believed each statement.

Article 1: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.Article 2: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. Article 3: Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Article 4: He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.Article 5: He descended into hell. The third day he arose again from the dead. Article 6: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Article 7: He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Article 8: I believe in the Holy Spirit, Article 9: the holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, Article 10: the forgiveness of sins, Article 11: the resurrection of the body, Article 12: And in life everlasting.

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Nicene CreedUsually associated with the Council of Constantinople this symbol is an expansion and revision of the earlier Creed of Nicaea with which it is often confused. This is the creed recited in churches. The council met to refute Apollinarianism. Apollinarius taught that Jesus was a combination of the divine Logos spirit, a sensitive human soul and a human body. He taught that Jesus did not have a human spirit. His views were based on the platonic tripartite view of human nature. The council condemned this view in order to show that Christ, as truly human, could redeem the whole person.The symbol emphasizes the Trinitarian faith.The symbol is very suitable for liturgical use and was used as an early baptismal and eucharistic creed. It goes beyond the Creed of Nicaea in its affirmation of the full deity of the Spirit though it uses biblical rather than philosophical terms to do so. The filioque clause found in the Western version of this creed is one of the major disagreements between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity. This clause was not accepted even by the Western Church until the turn of the first millennium.

I believe in one God the Father Almighty,Maker of heaven and earth,And of all things visible and invisible:And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,Begotten of his Father before all worlds,God of God, Light of Light,Very God of very God,Begotten, not made,Being of one substance with the Father,By whom all things were made;Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven,And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary,And was made man,And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.He suffered and was buried,And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,And ascended into heaven,And sitteth on the right hand of the Father.And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead:Whose kingdom shall have no end.And I believe in the Holy Ghost,The Lord and giver of life,Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,Who spake by the Prophets.And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church.I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.And I look for the Resurrection of the dead,And the life of the world to come.Amen.

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Athanasian Creed

The Athanasian Creed is also know as the "Quicumque vult". While the Creed has always been attributed to St. Athanasius (d 373 AD), it was unknown in the Eastern Churches until the 12th century and thus it is unlikely he is the author. St. Ambrose is one suggested author, but many authors have been proposed with no conclusive agreements reached. Current theory suggests it was composed in southern France in the 5th century. In 1940, the lost 'Excerpta' of St. Vincent of Lerins (flourished in 440: "quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus creditum est") was discovered, and this work contains much of the language of the Creed. Thus, either St. Vincent, or an admirer have been suggested as the author. The earliest known copy of the creed was included in a prefix to a collection of homilies by Caesarius of Arles (died 542).

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled; without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Essence of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Essence of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his

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Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood by God. One altogether; not by confusion of Essence; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living[16] and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.

The Belgic Confession (1561)The Belgic Confession, is the English following the seventeenth-century Latin designation "Confessio Belgica." "Belgica" referred to the whole of the Netherlands, both north and south, which today is divided into the Netherlands and Belgium. The confession's chief author was Guido de Bräs, a preacher of the Reformed churches of the Netherlands, who died a martyr to the faith in the year 1567. He was aided by Adrien de Savaria (Professor of theology in Leyden and Cambridge), H. Modetus (chaplain to William of Orange), and G. Wingen.During the sixteenth century the churches in this country were exposed to the most terrible persecution by the Roman Catholic government. To protest against this cruel oppression, and to prove to the persecutors that the adherents of the Reformed faith were not rebels, as was laid to their charge, but law-abiding citizens who professed the true Christian doctrine according to the Holy Scriptures, de Bräs prepared this confession in the year 1561. In the following year a copy was sent to King Philip II, together with an address in which the petitioners declared that they were ready to obey the government in all lawful things, but that they would "offer their backs to stripes, their tongues to knives, their mouths to gags, and their whole bodies to the fire," rather than deny the truth expressed in this confession. Although the immediate purpose of securing freedom from persecution was not attained, and de Bräs himself fell as one of the many thousands who sealed their faith with their lives, his work has endured and will continue to endure. In its composition the author availed himself to some extent of a confession of the Reformed churches in France, written chiefly by John Calvin, published two years earlier.The work of de Bräs, however, is not a mere revision of Calvin's work, but an independent composition. In 1566 the text of this confession was revised at a synod held at Antwerp. In the Netherlands it was at once gladly received by the churches, and it was adopted by national synods held during the last three decades of the sixteenth century. The text, not the contents, was revised again at the Synod of Dort in 1618-19 and adopted as one of the doctrinal standards to which all office bearers in the Reformed churches were required to subscribe. The confession stands as one of the best symbolical statements of Reformed doctrine.The Belgic Confession (1561)

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1. That there is One Only GodWe all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God; and that he is eternal, incomprehensible invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good. 

 2. By what means God is made known unto usWe know him by two means; first, by the creation, preservation and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many characters leading us to contemplate the invisible things of God, namely His power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says, Rom. 1:20. All which things are sufficient to convince men, and leave them without excuse. Secondly, he makes himself more clearly fully known to us by his holy and divine Word, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to his glory and our salvation. 

 3. Of the written Word of GodWe confess that this Word of God was not sent, nor delivered by the will of man, but that holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, as the apostle Peter says. And that afterwards God, from a special care, which he has for us and our salvation, commanded his servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit his revealed word to writing; and he himself wrote with his own finger, the two tables of the law. Therefore we call such writings holy and divine Scriptures. 

 4. Canonical Books of the Holy ScriptureWe believe that the Holy Scriptures are contained in two books, namely, the Old and New Testament, which are canonical, against which nothing can be alleged. These are thus named in the Church of God. The books of the Old Testament are, the five books of Moses, viz.: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; the books of Joshua, Ruth, Judges, the two books of Samuel, the two of the Kings, two books of the Chronicles, commonly called Paralipomenon, the first of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, the Psalms of David, the three books of Solomon, namely, the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs; the four great prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel; and the twelve lesser prophets, namely, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.Those of the New Testament are the four evangelists, viz.: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; the Acts of the Apostles; the fourteen epistles of the apostle Paul, viz.: one to the Romans, two to the Corinthians, one to the Galatians, one to the Ephesians, one to the Philippians, one to the Colossians, two to the Thessalonians, two to Timothy, one to Titus, one to Philemon, and one to the Hebrews; the seven epistles of the other apostles, namely, one of James, two of Peter, three of John, one of Jude; and the Revelation of the apostle John.  5. From whence the Holy Scriptures derive their dignity and authority.

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We receive all these books, and these only, as holy and canonical, for the regulation, foundation, and conformation of our faith; believing without any doubt, all things contained in them, not so much because the Church receives and approves them as such, but more especially because the Holy Ghost witnesses in our hearts, that they are from God, whereof they carry the evidence in themselves. For the very blind are able to perceive that the things foretold in them are fulfilling. 

 6. The difference between the canonical and apocryphal booksWe distinguish those sacred books from the apocryphal, viz.: the third book of Esdras, the books of Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Jesus Syrach, Baruch, the appendix to the book of Esther, the Song of the three Children in the Furnace, the history of Susannah, of Bell and the Dragon, the prayer of Manasses, and the two books of the Maccabees. All of which the Church may read and take instruction from, so far as they agree with the canonical books; but they are far from having such power and efficacy, as that we may from their testimony confirm any point of faith, or of the christian religion; much less detract from the authority of the other sacred books. 

 7. The sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures, to be the only rule of faith.We believe that those Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe, unto salvation, is sufficiently taught therein. For, since the whole manner of worship, which God requires of us, is written in them at large, it is unlawful for any one, though an apostle, to teach otherwise than we are now taught in the Holy Scriptures: nay, though it were an angel from heaven, as the apostle Paul says. For, since it is forbidden, to add unto or take away anything from the word of God, it does thereby evidently appear, that the doctrine thereof is most perfect and complete in all respects. Neither do we consider of equal value any writing of men, however holy these men may have been, with those divine Scriptures, nor ought we to consider custom, or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God, for the truth is above all; for all men are of themselves liars, and more vain than vanity itself. Therefore, we reject with all our hearts, whatsoever does not agree with this infallible rule, which the apostles have taught us, saying, Try the spirits whether they are of God. Likewise, if there come any unto you; and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house. 

 8. That God is one in Essence, yet nevertheless distinguished in three PersonsAccording to this truth and this Word of God, we believe in one only God, who is the one single essence, in which are three persons, really, truly, and eternally distinct, according to their incommunicable properties; namely, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The Father is the cause, origin and beginning of all things visible and invisible; the Son is the word, wisdom, and image of the Father; the Holy Ghost is the eternal power and might, proceeding from the

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Father and the Son. Nevertheless God is not by this distinction divided into three, since the Holy Scriptures teach us, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, have each his personality, distinguished by their properties; but in such wise that these three persons are but one only God. Hence then, it is evident, that the Father is not the Son, nor the Son the Father, and likewise the Holy Ghost is neither the Father nor the Son. Nevertheless these persons thus distinguished are not divided, nor intermixed: for the Father has not assumed the flesh, nor has the Holy Ghost, but the Son only. The Father has never been without his Son, or without his Holy Ghost. For they are all three coeternal and co-essential. There is neither first nor last: for they are all three one, in truth, in power, in goodness, and in mercy. 

 9. The proof of the foregoing article of the Trinity of persons in one God.All this we know, as well from the testimonies of holy writ, as from their operations, and chiefly by those we feel in ourselves. The testimonies of the Holy Scriptures, that teach us to believe this Holy Trinity are written in many places of the Old Testament, which are not so necessary to enumerate, as to choose them out with discretion and judgment. In Genesis, chap. 1:26, 27, God says: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, etc. So God created man in his own image, male and female created he them. And Gen. 3:22. Behold the man is become as one of us. From this saying, let us make man in our image, it appears that there are more persons than one in the Godhead; and when he says, God created, he signifies the unity. It is true he does not say how many persons there are, but that, which appears to us somewhat obscure in the Old Testament, is very plain in the New. For when our Lord was baptized in Jordan, the voice of the Father was heard, saying, This is my beloved Son: the Son was seen in the water, and the Holy Ghost appeared in the shape of a dove. This form is also instituted by Christ in the baptism of all believers. Baptize all nations, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. In the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel thus addressed Mary, the mother of our Lord, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God: likewise, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you. And there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. In all which places we are fully taught, that there are three persons in one only divine essence. And although this doctrine far surpasses all human understanding, nevertheless, we now believe it by means of the Word of God, but expect hereafter to enjoy the perfect knowledge and benefit thereof in Heaven. Moreover, we must observe the particular offices and operations of these three persons towards us. The Father is called our Creator, by his power; the Son is our Saviour and Redeemer, by his blood; the Holy Ghost is our Sanctifier, by his dwelling in our hearts. This doctrine of the Holy Trinity, has always been defended and maintained by the true Church, since the time of the apostles, to this very day, against the Jews, Mohammedans, and some false christians and heretics, as Marcion, Manes, Praxeas, Sabellius, Samosatenus, Arius, and such like, who have been justly condemned by the orthodox fathers. Therefore, in this point, we do willingly receive the three creeds, namely, that of the Apostles, of

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Nice, and of Athanasius: likewise that, which, conformable thereunto, is agreed upon by the ancient fathers. 

 10. That Jesus Christ is true and eternal GodWe believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only begotten Son of God, begotten from eternity, not made nor created (for then he should be a creature), but co-essential and coeternal with the Father, the express image of his person, and the brightness of his glory, equal unto him in all things. He is the Son of God, not only from the time that he assumed our nature, but from all eternity, as these testimonies, when compared together, teach us. Moses says, that God created the world; and John says, that all things were made by that Word, which he calls God. And the apostle says, that God made the worlds by his Son; likewise, that God created all things by Jesus Christ. Therefore it must needs follow, that he, who is called God, the Word, the Son, and Jesus Christ, did exist at that time, when all things were created by him. Therefore the prophet Micah says, His goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. And the apostle: He has neither beginning of days, nor end of life. He therefore is that true, eternal, and almighty God, whom we invoke, worship and serve. 

 11. That the Holy Ghost is true and eternal GodWe believe and confess also, that the Holy Ghost, from eternity, proceeds from the Father and Son; and therefore neither is made, created, nor begotten, but only proceeds from both; who in order is the third person of the Holy Trinity; of one and the same essence, majesty and glory with the Father, and the Son: and therefore, is the true and eternal God, as the Holy Scriptures teach us. 

 12. Of the CreationWe believe that the Father, by the Word, that is, by his Son, has created of nothing, the heaven, the earth, and all creatures, as it seemed good unto him, giving unto every creature its being, shape, form, and several offices to serve its Creator. That he does also still uphold and govern them by his eternal providence, and infinite power, for the service of mankind, to the end that man may serve his God. He also created the angels good, to be his messengers and to serve his elect; some of whom are fallen from that excellency, in which God created them, into everlasting perdition; and the others have, by the grace of God, remained steadfast and continued in their primitive state. The devils and evil spirits are so depraved, that they are enemies of God and every good thing, to the utmost of their power, as murderers, watching to ruin the Church and every member thereof, and by their wicked stratagems to destroy all; and are, therefore, by their own wickedness, adjudged to eternal damnation, daily expecting their horrible torments. Therefore we reject and abhor the error of the Sadducees, who deny the existence of spirits and angels: and also that of the Manichees, who assert that the devils have their origin of themselves, and that they are wicked of their own nature, without having been corrupted. 

 

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13. Of Divine ProvidenceWe believe that the same God, after he had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that he rules and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his appointment: nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that he orders and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even then, when devils and wicked men act unjustly. And, as to what he does surpassing human understanding, we will not curiously inquire into, farther than our capacity will admit of; but with the greatest humility and reverence adore the righteous judgments of God, which are hid from us, contenting ourselves that we are disciples of Christ, to learn only those things which he has revealed to us in his Word, without transgressing these limits. This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, since we are taught thereby that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father; who watches over us with a paternal care, keeping all creatures so under his power, that not a hair of our head (for they are all numbered), nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, without the will of our Father, in whom we do entirely trust; being persuaded, that he so restrains the devil and all our enemies, that without his will and permission, they cannot hurt us. And therefore we reject that damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God regards nothing, but leaves all things to chance. 

 14. Of the Creation and Fall of man, and his Incapacity to perform what is truly goodWe believe that God created man out of the dust of the earth, and made and formed him after his own image and likeness, good, righteous, and holy, capable in all things to will, agreeably to the will of God. But being in honour, he understood it not, neither knew his excellency, but willfully subjected himself to sin, and consequently to death, and the curse, giving ear to the words of the devil. For the commandment of life, which he had received, he transgressed; and by sin separated himself from God, who was his true life, having corrupted his whole nature; whereby he made himself liable to corporal and spiritual death. And being thus become wicked, perverse, and corrupt in all his ways, he has lost all his excellent gifts, which he had received from God, and only retained a few remains thereof, which, however, are sufficient to leave man without excuse; for all the light which is in us is changed into darkness, as the Scriptures teach us, saying: The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not: where St. John calls men darkness. Therefore we reject all that is taught repugnant to this, concerning the free will of man, since man is but a slave to sin, and has nothing of himself, unless it is given from heaven. For who may presume to boast, that he of himself can do any good, since Christ says, No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him? Who will glory in his own will, who understands, that to be carnally minded is enmity against God? Who can speak of his knowledge, since the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God? In short, who dare suggest any thought, since he knows that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but that our sufficiency is of God? And therefore what the apostle says ought justly to be held

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sure and firm, that God worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. For there is no will nor understanding, conformable to the divine will and understanding, but that Christ has wrought in man; which he teaches us, when he says, Without me ye can do nothing. 

 15. Of Original SinWe believe that, through the disobedience of Adam, original sin is extended to all mankind; which is a corruption of the whole nature, and a hereditary disease, wherewith infants themselves are infected even in their mother's womb, and which produces in man all sorts of sin, being in him as a root thereof; and therefore is so vile and abominable in the sight of God, that it is sufficient to condemn all mankind. Nor is it by any means abolished or done away by baptism; since sin always issues forth from this woeful source, as water from a fountain; notwithstanding it is not imputed to the children of God unto condemnation, but by his grace and mercy is forgiven them. Not that they should rest securely in sin, but that a sense of this corruption should make believers often to sigh, desiring to be delivered from this body of death. Wherefore we reject the error of the Pelagians, who assert that sin proceeds only from imitation. 

 16. Of Eternal ElectionWe believe that all the posterity of Adam being thus fallen into perdition and ruin, by the sin of our first parents, God then did manifest himself such as he is; that is to say, merciful and just: Merciful, since he delivers and preserves from this perdition all, whom he, in his eternal and unchangeable counsel of mere goodness, has elected in Christ Jesus our Lord, without any respect to their works: Just, in leaving others in the fall and perdition wherein they have involved themselves. 

 17. Of the Recovery of Fallen ManWe believe that our most gracious God, in his admirable wisdom and goodness, seeing that man had thus thrown himself into temporal and eternal death, and made himself wholly miserable, was pleased to seek and comfort him, when he trembling fled from his presence, promising him that he would give his Son, who should be made of a woman, to bruise the head of the serpent, and would make him happy. 

 18. Of the Incarnation of Jesus ChristWe confess, therefore, that God did fulfill the promise, which he made to the fathers, by the mouth of his holy prophets, when he sent into the world, at the time appointed by him, his own, only-begotten and eternal Son, who took upon him the form of a servant, and became like unto man, really assuming the true human nature, with all its infirmities, sin excepted, being conceived in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Ghost, without the means of man, and did not only assume human nature as to the body, but also a true

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human soul, that he might be a real man. For since the soul was lost as well as the body, it was necessary that he should take both upon him, to save both. Therefore we confess (in opposition to the heresy of the Anabaptists, who deny that Christ assumed human flesh of his mother) that Christ is become a partaker of the flesh and blood of the children; that he is a fruit of the loins of David after the flesh; made of the seed of David according to the flesh; a fruit of the womb of the Virgin Mary, made of a woman, a branch of David; a shoot of the root of Jesse; sprung from the tribe of Judah; descended from the Jews according to the flesh; of the seed of Abraham, since he took on him the seed of Abraham, and became like unto his brethren in all things, sin excepted, so that in truth he is our Immanuel, that is to say, God with us. 

 19. Of the union and distinction of the two Natures in the person of Christ.We believe that by this conception, the person of the Son is inseparably united and connected with the human nature; so that there are not two Sons of God, nor two persons, but two natures united in one single person: yet, that each nature retains its own distinct properties. As then the divine nature has always remained untreated, without beginning of days or end of life, filling heaven and earth: so also has the human nature not lost its properties, but remained a creature, having beginning of days, being a finite nature, and retaining all the properties of a real body. And though he has by his resurrection given immortality to the same, nevertheless he has not changed the reality of his human nature; forasmuch as our salvation and resurrection also depend on the reality of his body. But these two natures are so closely united in one person, that they were not separated even by his death. Therefore that which he, when dying, commended into the hands of his Father, was a real human spirit, departing from his body. But in the meantime the divine nature always remained united with the human, even when he lay in the grave. And the Godhead did not cease to be in him, any more than it did when he was an infant, though it did not so clearly manifest itself for a while. Wherefore we confess, that he is very God, and very Man: very God by his power to conquer death; and very man that he might die for us according to the infirmity of his flesh. 

 20. That God has manifested his justice and mercy in ChristWe believe that God, who is perfectly merciful and just, sent his Son to assume that nature, in which the disobedience was committed, to make satisfaction in the same, and to bear the punishment of sin by his most bitter passion and death. God therefore manifested his justice against his Son, when he laid our iniquities upon him; and poured forth his mercy and goodness on us, who were guilty and worthy of damnation, out of mere and perfect love, giving his Son unto death for us, and raising him for our justification, that through him we might obtain immortality and life eternal. 

 21 Of the satisfaction of Christ, our only High Priest, for us.We believe that Jesus Christ is ordained with an oath to be an everlasting High Priest, after the order of Melchisedec; and that he has presented himself in our

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behalf before the Father, to appease his wrath by his full satisfaction, by offering himself on the tree of the cross, and pouring out his precious blood to purge away our sins; as the prophets had foretold. For it is written: He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and numbered with the transgressors, and condemned by Pontius Pilate as a malefactor, though he had first declared him innocent. Therefore: he restored that which he took not away, and suffered, the just for the unjust, as well in his body as in his soul, feeling the terrible punishment which our sins had merited; insomuch that his sweat became like unto drops of blood falling on the ground. He called out, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? and has suffered all this for the remission of our sins. Wherefore we justly say with the apostle Paul: that we know nothing, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified; we count all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose wounds we find all manner of consolation. Neither is it necessary to seek or invent any other means of being reconciled to God, than this only sacrifice, once offered, by which believers are made perfect forever. This is also the reason why he was called by the angel of God, Jesus, that is to say, Saviour, because he should save his people from their sins. 

 22. Of Faith in Jesus ChristWe believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindles in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him. For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ. or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him. Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy: for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Saviour. Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits, and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness. And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins. 

 23. Of JustificationWe believe that our salvation consists in the remission of our sins for Jesus Christ's sake, sad that therein our righteousness before God is implied: as David and Paul teach us, declaring this to be the happiness of man, that God imputes righteousness to him without works. And the same apostle says, that we are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ. And therefore we always hold fast this foundation, ascribing all the glory to God, humbling ourselves before him, and acknowledging ourselves to be such as we really are, without presuming to trust in any thing in ourselves, or in any merit of

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ours, relying and resting upon the obedience of Christ crucified alone, which becomes ours, when we believe in him. This is sufficient to cover all our iniquities, and to give us confidence in approving to God; freeing the conscience of fear, terror and dread, without following the example of our first father, Adam, who, trembling, attempted to cover himself with fig-leaves. And verily if we should appear before God, relying on ourselves, or on any other creature, though ever so little, we should, alas! be consumed. And therefore every one must pray with David: O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. 

 24. Of man's Sanctification and God WorksWe believe that this true faith being wrought in man by the hearing of the Word of God, and the operation of the Holy Ghost, does regenerate and make him a new man, causing him to live a new life, and freeing him from the bondage of sin. Therefore it is so far from being true, that this justifying faith makes men remiss in a pious and holy life, that on the contrary without it they would never do anything out of love to God, but only out of self-love or fear of damnation. Therefore it is impossible that this holy faith can be unfruitful in man: for we do not speak of a vain faith, but of such a faith, which is called in Scripture, a faith that worketh by love, which excites man to the practice of those works, which God has commended in his Word. Which works, as they proceed from the good root of faith, are good and acceptable in the sight of God, forasmuch as they are all sanctified by his grace: howbeit they are of no account towards our justification. For it is by faith in Christ that we are justified, even before we do good works; otherwise they could not be good works, any more than the fruit of a tree can be good, before the tree itself is good. Therefore we do good works, but not to merit by them, (for what can we merit?) nay, we are beholden to God for the good works we do, and not he to us, since it is he that works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Let us therefore attend to what is written: when ye shall have done all those things which are commended you, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do. In the meantime, we not deny that God rewards our good works, but it is through his grace that he crowns his gifts. Moreover, though we do good works, we do not found our salvation upon them; for we do no work but what is polluted by our flesh, and also punishable; and at though we could perform such works, still the remembrance of one sin is sufficient to make God reject them. Thus then we would always be in doubt, tossed to and fro without any certainty, and our poor consciences continually vexed, if they relied not on the merits of the suffering and death of our Saviour. 

 25. Of the abolishing of the Ceremonial LawWe believe, that the ceremonies and figures of the law ceased at the coming of Christ, and that all the shadows are accomplished; so that the use of them must be abolished amongst Christian; yet the truth and substance of them remain with us in Jesus Christ, in whom they have their completion. In the meantime, we still use the testimonies taken out of the law and the prophets, to confirm us in the doctrine of the gospel, and to regulate our life in all honesty, to the glory of God,

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according to his will. 

 26. Of Christ's IntercessionWe believe that we have no access unto God, but alone through the only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, who therefore became man, having united in one person the divine and human natures, that we men might have access to the divine majesty, which access would otherwise be barred against us. But this Mediator, whom the Father has appointed between him and us, ought in no wise to affright us by his majesty, or cause us to seek another according to our infancy. For there is no creature either in heaven or on earth who loveth us more than Jesus Christ; who, though he was in the form of God, yet made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a man, and of a servant for us, and was made like unto his brethren in all things. If then we should seek for another Mediator, who would be well affected towards us, whom could we find, who loved us more than he, who laid down his life for us, even when we were his enemies? And if we seek for one who has power and majesty, who is there that has so much of both as he who sits at the right hand of his Father, and who has all power in heaven and on earth? And who will sooner be heard than the own well beloved Son of God? Therefore it was only through distrust that this practice of dishonouring, instead of honouring the saints, was introduced, doing that, which they never have done, nor required, but have on the contrary steadfastly rejected according to their bounden duty, as appears by their writings. Neither must we plead here our unworthiness; for the meaning is not that we should offer our prayers to God on the ground of our own worthiness but only on the ground of the excellency and worthiness of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is become ours by faith. Therefore the apostle, to remove this foolish fear, or rather mistrust from us, justly says, that Jesus Christ was made like unto his brethren in all things, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted; and further to encourage us, he adds, seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The same apostle says, having boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, etc. Likewise, Christ has an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore he is able also to same them to the utter most, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. What more can be required? since Christ himself says, I am the way and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. To what purpose should we then seek another advocate, since it has pleased God, to give us his own Son as an advocate? Let us not for sake him to take another, or rather to seek after another, without ever being able to find him; for God well knew, when he gave him to us, that we were sinners. Therefore according to the command of Christ, we call upon the heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our own Mediator, as we are taught in the Lord's prayer; being assured that whatever we ask of the Father in

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his name, will be granted us. 

 27. Of the Catholic Christian ChurchWe believe and profess, one catholic or universal Church, which is a holy congregation, of true Christian believers, all expecting their salvation in Jesus Christ, being washed by his blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Ghost. This Church has been from the beginning of the world, and will be to the end thereof; which is evident from this, that Christ is an eternal King, which, without subjects, cannot be. And this holy Church is preserved or supported by God, against the rage of the whole world; though she sometimes (for a while) appears very small, and in the eyes of men, to be reduced to nothing; s during the perilous reign of Ahab, the Lord reserved unto him seven thousand men, who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Furthermore, this holy Church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or to certain persons, but is spread and dispersed over the whole world; and yet is joined and united with heart and will, by the power of faith, in one and the same spirit. 

 28. That every one is bound to join himself to the true ChurchWe believe, since this holy congregation is an assembly of those who are saved, and that out of it there is no salvation, that no person of whatsoever state or condition he may be, ought to withdraw himself, to live in a separate state from it; but that all men are in duty bound to join and unite themselves with it; maintaining the unity of the Church; submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof; bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ; and as mutual members of the same body, serving to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents God has given them. And that this may be the more effectually observed, it is the duty of all believers, according to the word of God, to separate themselves from all those who do not belong to the Church, and to join themselves to this congregation, wheresoever God has established it, even though the magistrates and edicts of princes were against it, yea, though they should suffer death or any other corporal punishment. Therefore all those, who separate themselves from the same, or do not join themselves to it, act contrary to the ordinance of God. 

 29. Of the marks of the true Church, and wherein she differs from the false ChurchWe believe, that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church. But we speak not here of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it; but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects, who call themselves the Church. The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these: if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin: in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary

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thereto corrected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. Hereby the true Church may certainly be known from which no man has a right to separate himself. With respect to those, who are members of the Church, they may be known by the marks of Christians: namely, by faith; and when they have received Jesus Christ the only Saviour, they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the true God and their neighbour, neither turn aside to the right or left, and crucify the flesh with the works thereof. But this is not to be understood, as if there did not remain in them great infirmities; but they fight against them through the Spirit, all the days of their life, continually taking their refuge in the blood, death, passion and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, "in whom they have remission of sins, through faith in him." As for the false Church, she ascribes more power and authority to herself and her ordinances than to the Word of God, and will not submit herself to the yoke of Christ. Neither does she administer the sacraments as appointed by Christ in his Word, but adds to and takes from them, as she thinks proper; she relies more upon men than upon Christ; and persecutes those, who live holily according to the Word of God, and rebuke her for her errors, covetousness, and idolatry. These two Churches are easily known and distinguished from each other. 

 30. Concerning the Government of, and Offices in the ChurchWe believe, that this true Church must be governed by that spiritual policy which our Lord has taught us in his Word; namely, that there must be ministers or pastors to preach the Word of God, and to administer the sacraments; also elders and deacons, who, together with the pastors, form the council of the Church: that by these means the true religion may be preserved, and the true doctrine everywhere propagated, likewise transgressors punished and restrained by spiritual means: also that the poor and distressed may be relieved and comforted, according to their necessities. By these means everything will be carried on in the Church with good order and decency, when faithful men are chosen, according to the rule prescribed by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. 

 31. Of the Ministers, Elders, and DeaconsWe believe, that the ministers of God's Word, and the elders and deacons, ought to be chosen to their respective offices by a lawful election by the Church, with calling upon the name of the Lord, and in that order which the Word of God teaches. Therefore every one must take heed, not to intrude himself by indecent means, but is bound to wait till it shall please God to call him; that he may have testimony of his calling, and be certain and assured that it is of the Lord. As for the ministers of God's Word, they have equally the same power and authority wheresoever they are, as they are all ministers of Christ, the only universal Bishop, and the only Head of the Church. Moreover, that this holy ordinance of God may not be violated or slighted, we say that every one ought to esteem the ministers of God's Word, and the elders of the Church, very highly for their work's sake, and be at peace with them without murmuring, strife or contention, as much as possible. 

 

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32. Of the Order and Discipline of the ChurchIn the meantime we believe, though it is useful and beneficial, that those, who are rulers of the Church, institute and establish certain ordinances among themselves for maintaining the body of the Church; yet they ought studiously to take care, that they do not depart from those things which Christ, our only Master, has instituted. And therefore, we reject all human inventions, and all laws, which man would introduce into the worship of God, thereby to bind and compel the conscience in any manner whatever. Therefore we admit only of that which tends to nourish and preserve concord, and unity, and to keep all men in obedience to God. For this purpose, excommunication or church discipline is requisite, with the several circumstances belonging to it, according to the Word of God. 

 33. Of the SacramentsWe believe, that our gracious God, on account of our weakness and infirmities has ordained the sacraments for us, thereby to seal unto us his promises, and to be pledges of the good will and grace of God toward us, and also to nourish and strengthen our faith; which he has joined to the Word of the gospel, the better to present to our senses, both that which he signifies to us by his Word, and that which he works inwardly in our hearts, thereby assuring and confirming in us the salvation which he imparts to us. For they are visible signs and seals of an inward and invisible thing, by means whereof God works in us by the power of the Holy Ghost. Therefore the signs are not in vain or insignificant, so as to deceive us. For Jesus Christ is the true object presented by them, without whom they would be of no moment. Moreover, we are satisfied with the number of sacraments which Christ our Lord has instituted, which are two only, namely, the sacrament of baptism, and the holy supper of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 34. Of Holy BaptismWe believe and confess that Jesus Christ, who is the end of the law, has made an end, by the shedding of his blood, of all other sheddings of blood which men could or would make as a propitiation or satisfaction for sin and that he, having abolished circumcision, which was done with blood has instituted the sacrament of baptism instead thereof; by which we are received into the Church of God, and separated from all other people and strange religions, that we may wholly belong to him, whose ensign and banner we bear: and which serves as a testimony to us, that he will forever be our gracious God and Father. Therefore he has commanded all those, who are his, to be baptized with pure water, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost": thereby signifying to us, that as water washes away the filth of the body, when poured upon it, and is seen on the body of the baptized, when sprinkled upon him; so does the blood of Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost, internally sprinkle the soul, cleanse it from its sins, and regenerate us from children of wrath, unto children of God. Not that this is effected by the external water, but by the sprinkling of the precious blood of the Son of God; who is our Red Sea, through which we must pass, to escape the tyranny of Pharaoh, that is, the devil, and to enter into the spiritual land of Canaan. Therefore the ministers, on their part, administer the sacrament, and

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that which is visible, but our Lord gives that which is signified by the sacrament, namely, the gifts and invisible grace; washing, cleansing and purging our souls of all filth and unrighteousness; renewing our hearts, and filling them with all comfort; giving unto us a true assurance of his fatherly goodness; putting on us the new man, and putting off the old man with all his deeds. Therefore we believe, that every man, who is earnestly studious of obtaining life eternal, ought to be but once baptized with this only baptism, without ever repeating the same: since we cannot be born twice. Neither does this baptism only avail us, at the time when the water is poured upon us, and received by us but also through the whole course of our life; therefore we detest the error of the Anabaptists, who are not content with the one only baptism they have once received, and moreover condemn the baptism of the infants of believers, whom we believe ought to be baptized and sealed with the sign of the covenant, as the children in Israel formerly were circumcised, upon the same promises which are made unto our children. And indeed Christ shed his blood no less for the washing of the children of the faithful, than for adult persons; and therefore they ought to receive the sign and sacrament of that, which Christ has done for them; as the Lord commanded in the law, that they should be made partakers of the sacrament of Christ's suffering and death, shortly after they were born, by offering for them a lamb, which was a sacrament of Jesus Christ. Moreover, what circumcision was to the Jews, that baptism is to our children. And for this reason Paul calls baptism the circumcision of Christ. 

 35. Of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus ChristWe believe and confess, that our Saviour Jesus Christ did ordain and institute the sacrament of the holy supper, to nourish and support those whom he has already regenerated, and incorporated into his family, which is his Church. Now those, who are regenerated, have in them a twofold life, the one corporal and temporal, which they have from the first birth, and is common to all men: the other spiritual and heavenly, which is given them in their second birth, which is effected by the word of the gospel, in the communion of the body of Christ; and this life is not common, but is peculiar to God's elect. In like manner God has given us, for the support of the bodily and earthly life, earthly and common bread, which is subservient thereto, and is common to all men, even to life itself. But for the support of the spiritual and heavenly life, which believers have, he has sent us living bread, which descended from heaven, namely, Jesus Christ, who nourishes and strengthens the spiritual life of believers, when they eat him, that is to say, when they apply and receive him by faith in the spirit. Christ, that he might represent unto us this spiritual and heavenly bread, has instituted an earthly and visible bread, as a sacrament of his body, and wine as a sacrament of his blood, to testify by them unto us, that, as certainly as we receive and hold this sacrament in our hands, and eat and drink the same with our mouths, by which our life is afterwards nourished, we also do as certainly receive by faith (which is the hand and mouth of our soul) the true body and blood of Christ our only Saviour in our souls, for the support of our spiritual life. Now, as it is certain and beyond all doubt, that, that Jesus Christ has not enjoined to us the use of his sacraments in vain, so he works in us all that he represents to us by these holy signs, though the manner surpasses our understanding, and cannot be

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comprehended by us, as the operations of the Holy Ghost are hidden and incomprehensible. In the meantime we err not, when we say, that what is eaten and drunk by us is the proper and natural body, and the proper blood of Christ. But the manner of our partaking of the same, is not by the mouth, but by the spirit through faith. Thus then, though Christ always sits at the right hand of his Father in the heavens, yet does he not therefore cease to make us partakers of himself by faith. This feast is a spiritual table, at which Christ communicates himself with all his benefits to us, and gives us there to enjoy both himself, and the merits of his sufferings and death, nourishing, strengthening and comforting our poor comfortless souls by the eating of his flesh, quickening and refreshing them by the drinking of his blood. Further, though the sacraments are connected with the thing signified nevertheless both are not received by all men: the ungodly indeed receives the sacrament to his condemnation but he does not receive the truth of the sacrament. As Judas, and Simon the sorcerer, both indeed received the sacrament, but not Christ, who was signified by it, of whom believers only are made partakers. Lastly, we receive this holy sacrament in the assembly of the people of God with humility and reverence, keeping up amongst us the death of Christ our Saviour, with thanksgiving: making there confession of our faith, and of the Christian religion. Therefore no one ought to come to this table without having previously rightly examined himself; lest by eating of this bread and drinking of this cup, he eat and drink judgment to himself. In a word, we are excited by the use of this holy sacrament, to a fervent love towards God and our neighbour. Therefore we reject all mixtures and damnable inventions, which men have added unto, and blended with the sacraments, as profanations of them: and affirm that we ought to rest satisfied with the ordinance which Christ and his apostles have taught us, and that we must speak of them in the same manner as they have spoken. 

 36. Of MagistratesWe believe that our gracious God, because of the depravity of mankind, has appointed kings, princes and magistrates, willing that the world should be governed by certain laws and policies; to the end that the dissoluteness of men might be restrained and all things carried on among them with good order and decency. For this purpose he has invested the magistracy with the sword, for the punishment of evildoers, and for the protection of them that do well. And their office is, not only to have regard unto, and watch for the welfare of the civil state; but also that they protect the sacred ministry; and thus may remove and prevent all idolatry and false worship; that the kingdom of antichrist may be thus destroyed and the kingdom of Christ promoted. They must therefore countenance the preaching of the Word of the gospel everywhere, that God may be honoured and worshipped by every one, as he commands in his Word. Moreover, it is the bounden duty of every one, of what state, quality, or condition soever he may be, to subject himself to the magistrates; to pay tribute, to show due honour and respect to them, and to obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the Word of God; to supplicate for them in their prayers, that God may rule and guide them in all their ways, and that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Wherefore we detest the Anabaptists and other seditious people, and in general all those who reject the higher powers

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and magistrates, and would subvert justice, introduce community of goods, and confound that decency and good order, which God has established among men. 

 37. Of the Last JudgmentFinally we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as he ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare himself judge of the quick and the dead; burning this old world with fire and flame, to cleanse it. And then all men will personally appear before this great judge, both men and women and children, that have been from the beginning of the world to the end thereof, being summoned by the voice of the archangel, and by the sound of the trumpet of God. For all the dead shall be raised out of the earth, and their souls joined and united with their proper bodies, in which they formerly lived. As for those who shall then be living, they shall not die as the others, but be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and from corruptible, become incorruptible. Then the books (that is to say the consciences) shall be opened, and the dead judged according to what they shall have done in this world, whether it be good or evil. Nay, all men shall give an account of every idle word they have spoken, which the world only counts amusement and jest; and then the secrets and hypocrisy of men shall be disclosed and laid open before all. And therefore the consideration of this judgment, is justly terrible and dreadful to the wicked and ungodly, but most desirable and comfortable to the righteous and elect: because then their full deliverance shall be perfected, and there they shall receive the fruits of their labour and trouble which they have borne. Their innocence shall be known to all, and they shall see the terrible vengeance which God shall execute on the wicked, who most cruelly persecuted, oppressed and tormented them in this world; and who shall be convicted by the testimony of their own consciences, and being immortal, shall be tormented in that everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. But on the contrary, the faithful and elect shall be crowned with glory and honour; and the Son of God will confess their names before God his Father, and his elect angels; all tears shall be wiped from their eyes; and their cause which is now condemned by many judges and magistrates, as heretical and impious, will then be known to be the cause of the Son of God. And for a gracious reward, the Lord will cause them to possess such a glory, as never entered into the heart of man to conceive. Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." - Rev.22:20.

Heidelberg CatechismThe Reformation was not a singular movement. Soon after Luther posted his ninety-five theses, reform movements sprang up throughout Europe. As Lutheran thought moved down the Neckar River, Reformed thought traveled up the Rhine from Switzerland. They met at Heidelberg, seat of the oldest university in Germany and capital of the province known as the Palatinate. Tension between Lutherans and Reformed Christians was intense. Because the Reformed

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did not believe in the real, bodily presence of Christ in the bread and wine, Lutherans believed they were desecrating the Lord's Supper.Acting to end the controversy, Frederick the Pious, ruler of the Palatinate, asked two young men of Heidelberg--Zacharias Ursinus, professor of theology, and Kaspar Olevianus, preacher to the city--to prepare a catechism acceptable to both sides. Olevianus & Ursinus revised an earlier catechism that Ursinus had written, using its outline and some ninety of its questions and answers. Completed in 1562, the Heidelberg Catechism was published in January of the following year.The Heidelberg Catechism opens with two questions concerning our comfort in life and death. The knowledge that our only comfort in Jesus Christ frames the remainder of the catechism. Each of its three parts corresponds to a line of Romans 7:24-25 (NRSV), where Paul cries: "Wretched man that I am; Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord;" Thus, questions 3-11 deal with our sin and guilt, questions 12-85 with the way in which God in Jesus Christ frees us, and questions 86-129 with the manner in which we express gratitude to God for redemption.Each question of the catechism is personal, addressed to "you." Each answer draws as much as possible on biblical language. The catechism's tone is irenic, showing nothing of the controversy that called it forth. Its theology is both catholic, universal in appeal, and evangelical, setting forth the gospel of Jesus Christ. Providing a basis for peaceful coexistence between Lutheran and Reformed Christians, the catechism denied that the bread and wine become the very body and blood of Christ but affirmed that "by this visible sign and pledge . . . we come to share in his true body and blood through the working of the Holy Spirit . . . ." (Paragraph 4.079)The influence of the Heidelberg Catechism in the church's preaching and teaching continues to be felt in Germany, Austria, Holland, Hungary, parts of Eastern Europe, Scotland, Canada, and the United States.

1. Lord's DayQuestion 1.What is thy only comfort in life and death?Answer.That I with body and soul, both in life and death, (a)am not my own, (b)but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; (c)who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, (d)and delivered me from all the power of the devil; (e)and so preserves me (f)that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; (g)yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, (h)and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, (i)and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. (j)(a) Rom.14:7,8. (b) 1 Cor.6:19. (c) 1 Cor.3:23; Tit.2:14. (d) 1Pet.1:18,19; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:2,12. (e) Heb.2:14; 1 John 3:8; John8:34-36. (f) John 6:39; John 10:28; 2 Thess.3:3; 1 Pet.1:5. (g)

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Matt.10:29-31; Luke 21:18. (h) Rom.8:28. (i) 2 Cor.1:20-22; 2 Cor.5:5;Eph.1:13,14; Rom.8:16. (j) Rom.8:14; 1 John 3:3.

Q. 2.How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort, mayest live and die happily?A.Three; (a)the first, how great my sins and miseries are; (b)the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; (c)the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for suchdeliverance. (d)(a) Matt.11:28-30; Luke 24:46-48; 1 Cor.6:11; Tit.3:3-7. (b) John9:41; John 15:22. (c) John 17:3; Acts 4:12; Acts 10:43. (d) Eph.5:8-11; 1 Pet.2:9,10; Rom.6:1,2,12,13.The First Part - Of The Misery Of Man2. Lord's DayQ. 3.Whence knowest thou thy misery?A.Out of the law of God. (a)(a) Rom.3:20.

Q. 4.What does the law of God require of us?A.Christ teaches us that briefly, Matt. 22:37-40, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and the great commandment; and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (a)(a) Deut.6:5; Lev.19:18; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27.

Q. 5.Canst thou keep all these things perfectly?A.In no wise; (a)for I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbour.(b)(a) Rom.3:10,20,23; 1 John 1:8,10. (b) Rom.8:7; Eph.2:3; Tit.3:3;Gen.6:5; Gen.8:21; Jer.17:9; Rom.7:23.3. Lord's DayQ. 6.Did God then create man so wicked and perverse?A.By no means;but God created man good, (a)and after his own image, (b)

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in true righteousness and holiness, that he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love him and live with him in eternal happiness to glorify and praise him. (c)(a) Gen.1:31. (b) Gen.1:26,27. (c) Col.3:9,10; Eph.4:23,24; 2Cor.3:18.

Q. 7.Whence then proceeds this depravity of human nature?A.From the fall and disobedience of our first parents,Adam and Eve, in Paradise; (a)hence our nature is become so corrupt, that we are all conceived and born in sin. (b)(a) Gen.3; Rom.5:12,18,19. (b) Ps.51:5; Gen.5:3.

Q. 8.Are we then so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any good, and inclined to all wickedness?A.Indeed we are; (a)except we are regenerated by the Spirit of God. (b)(a) Gen.8:21; John 3:6; Gen.6:5; Job 14:4; Job 15:14,16,36; Isa.53:6.(b) John 3:3,5; 1 Cor.12:3; 2 Cor.3:5.4. Lord's DayQ. 9.Does not God then do injustice to man, by requiring from him in his law, that which he cannot perform?A.Not at all; (a)for God made man capable of performing it;but man, by the instigation of the devil, (b)and his own wilful disobedience, (c)deprived himself and all his posterity of those divine gifts.(a) Eph.4:24; Eccl.7:29. (b) John 8:44; 2 Cor.11:3; Gen.3:4. (c)Gen.3:6; Rom.5:12; Gen.3:13; 1 Tim.2:13,14.

Q. 10.Will God suffer such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished?A.By no means;but is terribly displeased (a)with our original as well as actual sins; and will punish them in his just judgment temporally and eternally, (b)as he has declared, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to do them." (c)(a) Gen.2:17; Rom.5:12. (b) Ps.5:5; Ps.50:21; Nah.1:2; Exod.20:5;Exod.34:7; Rom.1:18; Eph.5:6; Heb.9:27. (c) Deut.27:26; Gal.3:10.

Q. 11.

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Is not God then also merciful?A.God is indeed merciful, (a)but also just; (b)therefore his justice requires, that sin which is committed against the most high majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment of body and soul.(a) Exod.34:6,7; Exod.20:6. (b) Ps.7:9; Exod.20:5; Exod.23:7;Exod.34:7; Ps.5:5,6; Nah.1:2,3.The Second Part - Of Man's Deliverance5. Lord's DayQ. 12.Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be again received into favour?A.God will have his justice satisfied: (a)and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another. (b)(a) Gen.2:17; Exod.20:5; Exod.23:7; Ezek.18:4; Matt.5:26; 2 Thess.1:6;Luke 16:2. (b) Rom.8:3,4.

Q. 13.Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?A.By no means;but on the contrary we daily increase our debt. (a)(a). Job 9:2,3; Job 15:15,16; Job 4:18,19; Ps.130:3; Matt.6:12;Matt.18:25; Matt.16:26.

Q. 14.Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?A.None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed; (a)and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it. (b)(a) Ezek.18:4; Gen.3:17; Heb.2:14-17. (b) Nah.1:6; Ps.130:3.

Q. 15.What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?A.For one who is very man, and perfectly (a)righteous; (b)and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God. (c)(a) 1 Cor.15:21; Jer.33:16; Isa.53:9; 2 Cor.5:21. (b) Heb.7:16,26. (c)Isa.7:14; Isa.9:6; Rom.9:5; Jer.23:5,6; Jer.23:6; Luke 11:22.6. Lord's dayQ. 16.

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Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?A.Because the justice of God requires that the same human naturewhich has sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin; (a)and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others. (b)(a) Ezek.18:4,20; Rom.5:12,15,18; 1 Cor.15:21; Heb.2:14-16; 1Pet.3:18; Isa.53:3-5,10,11. (b) Heb.7:26,27; Ps.49:7,8; 1 Pet.3:18.

Q. 17.Why must he in one person be also very God?A.That he might,by the power of his Godhead (a)sustain in his human nature, (b)the burden of God's wrath; (c)and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life. (d)(a) Isa.9:6; Isa.63:3. (b) Isa.53:4,11. (c) Deut.4:24; Nah.1:6;Ps.130:3. (d) Isa.53:5,11; Acts 2:24; 1 Pet.3:18; John 3:16; Acts20:28; John 1:4.

Q. 18.Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God, (a)and a real (b)righteous man? (c)A.Our Lord Jesus Christ: (d)"who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (e)(a) 1 John 5:20; Rom.9:5; Rom.8:3; Gal.4:4; Isa.9:6; Jer.23:6;Mal.3:1. (b) Luke 1:42; Luke 2:6,7; Rom.1:3; Rom.9:5; Philip.2:7;Heb.2:14,16,17; Heb.4:15. (c) Isa.53:9,11; Jer.23:5; Luke 1:35; John8:46; Heb.4:15; Heb.7:26; 1 Pet.1:19; 1 Pet.2:22; 1 Pet.3:18. (d)1 Tim.2:5; Heb.2:9; Matt.1:23; 1 Tim.3:16; Luke 2:11. (e) 1 Cor.1:30.

Q. 19.Whence knowest thou this?A.From the holy gospel, which God himself first revealed in Paradise; (a)and afterwards published by the patriarchs (b)and prophets, (c)and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; (d)and lastly, has fulfilled it by his only begotten Son. (e)(a) Gen.3:15. (b) Gen.22:18; Gen.12:3; Gen.49:10,11. (c) Isa.53;Isa.42:1-4; Isa.43:25; Isa.49:5,6,22,23; Jer.23:5,6; Jer.31:32,33;Jer.32:39-41; Mic.7:18-20; Acts 10:43; Rom.1:2; Heb.1:1; Acts 3:22-24;Acts 10:43; John 5:46. (d) Heb.10:1,7; Col.2:7; John 5:46. (e)Rom.10:4; Gal.4:4,5; Gal.3:24; Col.2:17.7. Lord's DayQ. 20.

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Are all men then, as they perished in Adam, saved by Christ?A.No; (a)only those who are ingrafted into him, and, receive all his benefits, by a true faith. (b)(a) Matt.7:14; Matt.22:14. (b) Mark 16:16; John 1:12; John 3:16,18,36;Isa.53:11; Ps.2:12; Rom.11:17,19,20; Rom.3:22; Heb.4:2,3; Heb.5:9;Heb.10:39; Heb.11:6.

Q. 21.What is true faith?A.True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word, (a)but also an assured confidence, (b)which the Holy Ghost (c)works by the gospel in my heart; (d)that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, (e)are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits. (f)(a) James 2:19. (b) 2 Cor.4:13; Eph.2:7-9; Eph.3:12; Gal.2:16;Heb.11:1,7-10; Heb.4:16; James 1:6; Matt.16:17; Philip.1:19;Rom.4:16-21; Rom.5:1; Rom.1:16; Rom.10:10,17; Rom.3:24.25. (c)Gal.5:22; Matt.16:17; 2 Cor.4:13; John 6:29; Eph.2:8; Philip.1:19;Acts 16:14. (d) Rom.1:16; Rom.10:17; 1 Cor.1:21; Acts 10:44; Acts16:14. (e) Rom.1:17; Gal.3:11; Heb.10:10,38; Gal.2:16. (f) Eph.2:8;Rom.3:24; Rom.5:19; Luke 1:77,78.

Q. 22.What is then necessary for a christian to believe?A.All things promised us in the gospel, (a)which the articles of our catholic undoubted christian faith briefly teach us.(a) John 20:31; Matt.28:19; Mark 1:15.

Q. 23.What are these articles?A.1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell:5. The third day he rose again from the dead:6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:9. I believe a holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

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10. The forgiveness of sins:11. The resurrection of the body:12. And the life everlasting.8. Lord's DayQ. 24.How are these articles divided?A.Into three parts;the first is of God the Father, and our creation;the second of God the Son, and our redemption;the third of God the Holy Ghost, and our sanctification.

Q. 25.Since there is but one only divine essence, (a)why speakest thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?A.Because God has so revealed himself in his word, (b)that these three distinct persons are the one only true and eternal God.(a) Deut.6:4; Eph.4:6; Isa.44:6; Isa.45:5; 1 Cor.8:4,6. (b) Isa.61:1;Luke 4:18; Gen.1:2,3; Ps.33:6; Isa.48:16; Ps.110:1; Matt.3:16,17;Matt.28:19; 1 John 5:7; Isa.6:1,3; John 14:26; John 15:26; 2Cor.13:13; Gal.4:6; Eph.2:18; Tit.3:5,6.Of God The Father9. Lord's DayQ. 26.What believest thou when thou sayest, "I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"?A.That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; (a)who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence) (b)is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father; (c)on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body (d)and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage; (e)for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, (f)and willing, being a faithful Father. (g)(a) Gen.1,2; Job 33:4; Job 38,39; Ps.33:6; Acts 4:24; Acts 14:15;Isa.45:7. (b) Matt.10:29; Heb.1:3; Ps.104:27-30; Ps.115:3; Matt.10:29;Eph.1:11. (c) John 1:12; Rom.8:15; Gal.4:5-7; Eph.1:5. (d) Ps.55:23;Matt.6:25,26; Luke 12:22. (e) Rom.8:28. (f) Rom.10:12; Luke 12:22;Rom.8:23; Isa.46:4; Rom.10:12. (g) Matt.6:25-34; Matt.7:9-11.10. Lord's DayQ. 27.What dost thou mean by the providence of God?A.The almighty and everywhere present power of God; (a)

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whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs (b)heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, (c)fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, (d)riches and poverty, (e)yea, and all things come, not by chance, but be his fatherly hand. (f)(a) Acts 17:25-28; Jer.23:23,24; Isa.29:15,16; Ezek.8:12. (b)Heb.1:3. (c) Jer.5:24; Acts 14:17. (d) John 9:3. (e) Prov.22:2. (f)Matt.10:20; Prov.16:33.

Q. 28.What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by his providence does still uphold all things?A.That we may be patient in adversity; (a)thankful in prosperity; (b)and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, (c)that nothing shall separate us from his love; (d)since all creatures are so in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move. (e)(a) Rom.5:3; James 1:3; Ps.39:9; Job 1:21,22. (b) Deut.8:10;1 Thess.5:18. (c) Ps.55:22; Rom.5:4. (d) Rom.8:38,39. (e) Job 1:12;Job 2:6; Acts 17:25,28; Prov.21:1.Of God The Son11. Lord's DayQ. 29.Why is the Son of God called "Jesus", that is a Saviour?A.Because he saveth us,and delivereth us from our sins; (a)and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other. (b)(a) Matt.1:21; Heb.7:24,25. (b) Acts 4:12; John 15:4,5; 1 Tim.2:5;Isa.43:11; 1 John 5:11.

Q. 30.Do such then believe in Jesus the only Saviour, who seek their salvation and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?A.They do not;for though they boast of him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Saviour; (a)for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Saviour; or that they, who by a true faith receive this Saviour, must find all things in him necessary to their salvation. (b)(a) 1 Cor.1:13,30,31; Gal.5:4. (b) Heb.12:2; Isa.9:6; Col.1:19,20;Col.2:10; 1 John 1:7,16.12. Lord's DayQ. 31.

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Why is he called "Christ", that is anointed?A.Because he is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, (a)to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, (b)who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption; (c)and to be our only High Priest, (d)who by the one sacrifice of his body, has redeemed us, (e)and makes continual intercession with the Father for us; (f)and also to be our eternal King, who governs us by his word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in that salvation, he has purchased for us. (g)(a) Heb.1:9; Ps.45:8; Isa.61:1; Luke 4:18. (b) Deut.18:15; Acts 3:22;Acts 7:37; Isa.55:4. (c) John 1:18; John 15:15. (d) Ps.110:4. (e)Heb.10:12,14; Heb.9:12,14,28. (f) Rom.8:34; Heb.9:24; 1 John 2:1;Rom.5:9,10. (g) Ps.2:6; Zech.9:9; Matt.21:5; Luke 1:33; Matt.28:18;John 10:28; Rev.12:10,11.

Q. 32.But why art thou called a Christian? (a)A.Because I am a member of Christ by faith, (b)and thus am partaker of his anointing; (c)that so I may confess his name, (d)and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him: (e)and also that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life (f)and afterwards I reign with him eternally, over all creatures. (g)(a) Acts 11:26. (b) 1 Cor.6:15. (c) 1 John 2:27; Acts 2:17. (d)Matt.10:32; Rom.10:10; Mark 8:38. (e) Rom.12:1; 1 Pet.2:5,9;Rev.5:8,10; Rev.1:6. (f) 1 Pet.2:11; Rom.6:12,13; Gal.5:16,17;Eph.6:11; 1 Tim.1:18,19. (g) 2 Tim.2:12; Matt.25:34.13. Lord's DayQ. 33.Why is Christ called the "only begotten Son" of God, since we are also the children of God?A.Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God; (a)but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for his sake. (b)(a) John 1:1-3,14,18; Heb.1:1,2; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9; Rom.8:32. (b)Rom.8:15-17; John 1:12; Gal.4:6; Eph.1:5,6.

Q. 34.Wherefore callest thou him "our Lord"?A.Because he hath redeemed us, both soul and body, from all our sins,not with silver or gold, but with his precious blood, and has delivered us from all the power of the devil; and thus has made us his own property. (a)(a) 1 Pet.1:18,19; 1 Pet.2:9; 1 Cor.6:20; 1 Cor.7:23; 1 Tim.2:6; John20:28.

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14. Lord's DayQ. 35.What is the meaning of these words "He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary"?A.That God's eternal Son, who is, and continues (a)true and eternal God, (b)took upon him the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, (c)by the operation of the Holy Ghost; (d)that he might also be the true seed of David, (e)like unto his brethren in all things, (f)sin excepted. (g)(a) Rom.1:4; Rom.9:5. (b) 1 John 5:20; John 1:1; John 17:3; Rom.1:3;Col.1:15. (c) Gal.4:4; Luke 1:31,42,43. (d) John 1:14; Matt.1:18,20;Luke 1:32,35. (e) Ps.132:11; Rom.1:3; 2 Sam.7:12; Acts 2:30. (f)Philip.2:7; Heb.2:14,17. (g) Heb.4:15.

Q. 36.What profit dost thou receive by Christ's holy conception and nativity?A.That he is our Mediator; (a)and with His innocence and perfect holiness, covers in the sight of God, my sins, wherein I was conceived and brought forth. (b)(a) Heb.7:26,27; Heb.2:17. (b) 1 Pet.1:18,19; 1 Pet.3:18; 1Cor.1:30,31; Rom.8:3,4; Isa.53:11; Ps.32:1.15. Lord's DayQ. 37.What dost thou understand by the words, "He suffered"?A.That he, all the time that he lived on earth, but especially at the end of his life, sustained in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sins of all mankind: (a)that so by his passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice, (b)he might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation, (c)and obtain for us the favour of God, righteousness and eternal life. (d)(a) Isa.53:4; 1 Pet.2:24; 1 Pet.3:18; 1 Tim.2:6. (b) Isa.53:10,12;Eph.5:2; 1 Cor.5:7; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10; Rom.3:25; Heb.9:28;Heb.10:14. (c) Gal.3:13; Col.1:13; Heb.9:12; 1 Pet.1:18,19. (d)Rom.3:25; 2 Cor.5:21; John 3:16; John 6:51; Heb.9:15; Heb.10:19.

Q. 38.Why did he suffer "under Pontius Pilate, as judge"?A.That he, being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge, (a)might thereby free us from the severe judgement of God to which we were exposed. (b)(a) John 18:38; Matt.27:24; Acts 4:27,28; Luke 23:14,15; John 19:4.(b) Ps.69:4; Isa.53:4,5; 2 Cor.5:21; Gal.3:13.

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Q. 39.Is there anything more in his being "crucified", than if he had died some other death?A.Yes there is; for thereby I am assured, that he took on him the curse which lay upon me; (a)for the death of the cross was accursed of God. (b)(a) Gal.3:13. (b) Deut.21:23.16. Lord's DayQ. 40.Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even "unto death"?A.Because with respect to the justice and truth of God, (a)satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God. (b)(a) Gen.2:17. (b) Rom.8:3,4; Heb.2:9,14,15.

Q. 41.Why was he also "buried"?A.Thereby to prove that he was really dead. (a)(a) Matt.27:59,60; Luke 23:52,53; John 19:38-42; Acts 13:29.

Q. 42.Since then Christ died for us, why must we also die?A.Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, (a)but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life. (b)(a) Mark 8:37; Ps.49:7. (b) John 5:24; Philip.1:23; Rom.7:24.

Q. 43.What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?A.That by virtue thereof, our old man is crucified, dead and buried with him; (a)that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us; (b)but that we may offer ourselves unto him a sacrifice of thanksgiving. (c)(a) Rom.6:6. (b) Rom.6:6-8,11,12; Col.2:12. (c) Rom.12:1.

Q. 44.Why is there added, "he descended into hell"?A.That in my greatest temptations, I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself in this, that my Lord Jesus Christ, by his inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agonies, in which he was plunged during all his sufferings, (a)but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell. (b)(a) Ps.18:5,6; Ps.116:3; Matt.26:38; Heb.5:7; Isa.53:10; Matt.27:46.(b) Isa.53:5.

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17. Lord's DayQ. 45.What does the "resurrection" of Christ profit us?A.First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, that he might make us partakers of that righteousness which he had purchased for us by his death; (a)secondly, we are also by his power raised up to a new life; (b)and lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection. (c)(a) 1 Cor.15:16; Rom.4:25; 1 Pet.1:3. (b) Rom.6:4; Col.3:1,3;Eph.2:5,6. (c) 1 Cor.15:12,20,21; Rom.8:11.18. Lord's DayQ. 46.How dost thou understand these words, "he ascended into heaven"?A.That Christ, in sight of his disciples, was taken up from earth into heaven; (a)and that he continues there for our interest, (b)until he comes again to judge the quick and the dead. (c)(a) Acts 1:9; Matt.26:64; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51. (b) Heb.7:25;Heb.4:14; Heb.9:24; Rom.8:34; Eph.4:10; Col.3:1. (c) Acts 1:11;Matt.24:30.

Q. 47.Is not Christ then with us even to the end of the world, as he has promised? (a)A.Christ is very man and very God; with respect to his human nature, he is no more on earth; (b)but with respect to his Godhead, majesty, grace and spirit, he is at no time absent from us. (c)(a) Matt.28:20. (b) Heb.8:4; Matt.26:11; John 16:28; John 17:11; Acts3:21. (c) John 14:17-19; John 16:13; Matt.28:20; Eph.4:8,12.

Q. 48.But if his human nature is not present, wherever his Godhead is, are not then these two natures in Christ separated from one another?A.Not as all, for since the Godhead is illimitable and omnipresent, (a)it must necessarily follow that the same is beyond the limits of the human nature he assumed, (b)and yet is nevertheless in this human nature, and remains personally united to it.(a) Acts 7:49; Jer.23:24. (b) Col.2:9; John 3:13; John 11:15;Matt.28:6.

Q. 49.Of what advantage to us is Christ's ascension into heaven?A.First, that he is our advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven; (a)secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that he, as the head, will also take up to himself, us, his members; (b)

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thirdly, that he sends us his Spirit as an earnest, (c)by whose power we "seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and not things on earth." (d)(a) 1 John 2:1; Rom.8:34. (b) John 14:2; John 17:24; John 20:17;Eph.2:6. (c) John 14:16,7; Acts 2:1-4,33; 2 Cor.1:22; 2 Cor.5:5. (d)Col.3:1; Philip.3:14.19. Lord's DayQ. 50.Why is it added,"and sitteth at the right hand of God"?A.Because Christ is ascended into heaven for this end, that he might appear as head of his church, (a)by whom the Father governs all things. (b)(a) Eph.1:20,21,23; Col.1:18. (b) Matt.28:18; John 5:22.

Q. 51.What profit is this glory of Christ, our head, unto us?A.First, that by his Holy Spirit he pours out heavenly graces upon us his members; (a)and then that by his power he defends and preserves us against all enemies. (b)(a) Acts 2:33; Eph.4:8. (b) Ps.2:9; Ps.110:1,2; John 10:28; Eph.4:8.

Q. 52.What comfort is it to thee that "Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead"?A.That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person, who before offered himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven: (a)who shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, (b)but shall translate me with all his chosen ones to himself, into heavenly joys and glory. (c)(a) Luke 21:28; Rom.8:23; Philip.3:20; Tit.2:13; 1 Thess.4:16. (b) 2Thess.1:6,8-10; Matt.25:41-43. (c) Matt.25:34; 2 Thess.1:7.Of God The Holy Ghost20. Lord's DayQ. 53.What dost thou believe concerning the Holy Ghost?A.First, that he is true and coeternal God with the Father and the Son; (a)secondly, that he is also given me, (b)to make me by a true faith, partaker of Christ and all his benefits, (c)that he may comfort me (d)and abide with me for ever. (e)(a) 1 John 5:7; Gen.1:2; Isa.48:16; 1 Cor.3:16; 1 Cor.6:19; Acts5:3,4. (b) Gal.4:6; Matt.28:19,20; 2 Cor.1:21,22; Eph.1:13. (c)Gal.3:14; 1 Pet.1:2; 1 Cor.6:17. (d) Acts 9:31; John 15:26. (e) John

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14:16; 1 Pet.4:14.21. Lord's DayQ. 54.What believest thou concerning the "holy catholic church" of Christ?A.That the Son of God (a)from the beginning to the end of the world, (b)gathers, defends, and preserves (c)to himself by his Spirit and word, (d)out of the whole human race, (e)a church chosen to everlasting life, (f)agreeing in true faith; (g)and that I am and forever shall remain, (h)a living member thereof. (i)(a) Eph.5:26; John 10:11; Acts 20:28; Eph.4:11-13. (b) Ps.71:17,18;Isa.59:21; 1 Cor.11:26. (c) Matt.16:18; John 10:28-30; Ps.129:1-5. (d)Isa.59:21; Rom.1:16; Rom.10:14-17; Eph.5:26. (e) Gen.26:4; Rev.5:9.(f) Rom.8:29,30; Eph.1:10-13. (g) Acts 2:46; Eph.4:3-6. (h) Ps.23:6; 1Cor.1:8,9; John 10:28; 1 John 2:19; 1 Pet.1:5. (i) 1 John 3:14,19-21;2 Cor.13:5; Rom.8:10.

Q. 55.What do you understand by "the communion of saints"?A.First, that all and every one, who believes, being members of Christ, are in common, partakers of him, and of all his riches and gifts; (a)secondly, that every one must know it to be his duty, readily and cheerfully to employ his gifts, for the advantage and salvation of other members. (b)(a) 1 John 1:3; 1 Cor.1:9; Rom.8:32; 1 Cor.12:12,13; 1 Cor.6:17. (b) 1Cor.12:21; 1 Cor.13:1,5; Philip.2:4-8.

Q. 56.What believest thou concerning "the forgiveness of sins"?A.That God, for the sake of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, neither my corrupt nature, against which I have to struggle all my life long; (a)but will graciously impute to me the righteousness of Christ, (b)that I may never be condemned before the tribunal of God. (c)(a) 1 John 2:2; 1 John 1:7; 2 Cor.5:19,21. (b) Jer.31:34; Ps.103:3,4;Ps.103:10,12; Mic.7:19,23-25. (c) Rom.8:1-4; John 3:18; John 5:24.22. Lord's DayQ. 57.What comfort does the "resurrection of the body" afford thee?A.That not only my soul after this life shall be immediately taken up to Christ its head; (a)but also, that this my body, being raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and made like unto the glorious body of Christ. (b)(a) Luke 16:22; Luke 23:43; Philip.1:21,23. (b) 1 Cor.15:53,54; Job

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19:25,26; 1 John 3:2; Philip.3:21.

Q. 58.What comfort takest thou from the article of "life everlasting"?A.Thatsince I now feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, (a)after this life, I shall inherit perfect salvation, which "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man" to conceive, and that to praise God therein for ever. (b)(a) 2 Cor.5:2,3. (b) 1 Cor.2:9; John 17:3.23. Lord's DayQ. 59.But what does it profit thee now that thou believest all this?A.That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life. (a)(a) Hab.2:4; Rom.1:17; John 3:36.

Q. 60.How are thou righteous before God?A.Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; (a)so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, (b)and am still inclined to all evil; (c)notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, (d)but only of mere grace, (e)grants and imputes to me, (f)the perfect satisfaction, (g)righteousness and holiness of Christ; (h)even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; (i)inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart. (j)(a) Rom.3:21-25,28; Rom.5:1,2; Gal.2:16; Eph.2:8,9; Philip.3:9. (b)Rom.3:9. (c) Rom.7:23. (d) Tit.3:5; Deut.9:6; Ezek.36:22. (e)Rom.3:24; Eph.2:8. (f) Rom.4:4,5; 2 Cor.5:19. (g) 1 John 2:2. (h)1 John 2:1. (i) 2 Cor.5:21. (j) Rom.3:22; John 3:18.

Q. 61.Why sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?A.Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the worthiness of my faith; but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, is my righteousness before God; (a)and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only. (b)(a) 1 Cor.1:30; 1 Cor.2:2. (b) 1 John 5:10.24. Lord's DayQ. 62.

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But why cannot our good works be the whole, or part of our righteousness before God?A.Because, that the righteousness, which can be approved of before the tribunal of God, must be absolutely perfect, (a)and in all respects conformable to the divine law; and also, that our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin. (b)(a) Gal.3:10; Deut.27:26. (b) Isa.64:6.

Q. 63.What! do not our good works merit, which yet God will reward in this and in a future life?A.This reward is not of merit, but of grace. (a)(a) Luke 17:10.

Q. 64.But does not this doctrine make men careless and profane?A.By no means: for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into Christ by a true faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness. (a)(a) Matt.7:18; John 15:5.Of The Sacraments25. Lord's DayQ. 65.Since then we are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits by faith only, whence does this faith proceed?A.From the Holy Ghost, (a)who works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, and confirms it by the use of the sacraments. (b)(a) Eph.2:8,9; Eph.6:23; John 3:5; Philip.1:29. (b) Matt.28:19,20; 1Pet.1:22,23.

Q. 66.What are the sacraments?A.The sacraments are holy visible signs and seals, appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof, he may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel, viz., that he grants us freely the remission of sin, and life eternal, for the sake of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross. (a)(a) Gen.17:11; Rom.4:11; Deut.30:6; Lev.6:25; Heb.9:7-9,24;Ezek.20:12; Isa.6:6,7; Isa.54:9.

Q. 67.Are both word and sacraments, then, ordained and appointed for this end, that they may direct our faith to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, as the only ground of our salvation? (a)A.

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Yes, indeed: for the Holy Ghost teaches us in the gospel, and assures us by the sacraments, that the whole of our salvation depends upon that one sacrifice of Christ which he offered for us on the cross.(a) Rom.6:3; Gal.3:27.

Q. 68.How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the new covenant, or testament?A.Two: namely, holy baptism, and the holy supper.Of Holy Baptism26. Lord's DayQ. 69.How art thou admonished and assured by holy baptism, that the one sacrifice of Christ upon the cross is of real advantage to thee?A.Thus: That Christ appointed this external washing with water, (a)adding thereto this promise, (b)that I am as certainly washed by his blood and Spirit from all the pollution of my soul, that is, from all my sins, (c)as I am washed externally with water, by which the filthiness of the body is commonly washed away.(a) Matt.28:19. (b) Matt.28:19; Acts 2:38; Matt.3:11; Mark 16:16; John1:33; Rom.6:3,4. (c) 1 Pet.3:21; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3

Q. 70.What is it to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?A.It is to receive of God the remission of sins, freely, for the sake of Christ's blood, which he shed for us by his sacrifice upon the cross; (a)and also to be renewed by the Holy Ghost, and sanctified to be members of Christ, that so we may more and more die unto sin, and lead holy and unblamable lives. (b)(a) Heb.12:24; 1 Pet.1:2; Rev.1:5; Rev.7:14; Zech.13:1; Ezek.36:25.(b) John 1:33; John 3:5; 1 Cor.6:11; 1 Cor.12:13; Rom.6:4; Col.2:12.

Q. 71.Where has Christ promised us, that he will as certainly wash us by his blood and Spirit, as we are washed with the water of baptism?A.In the institution of baptism, which is thus expressed: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost", Matt.28:19.And "he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned.", Mark 16:16.This promise is also repeated, where the scripture calls baptism "the washing of regenerations" and the washing away of sins. Tit.3:5,Acts 22:16. (a)(a) Tit.3:5; Acts 22:16.27. Lord's Day

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Q. 72.Is then the external baptism with water the washing away of sin itself?A.Not at all: (a)for the blood of Jesus Christ only, and the Holy Ghost cleanse us from all sin. (b)(a) Matt.3:11; 1 Pet.3:21; Eph.5:26,27. (b) 1 John 1:7; 1 Cor.6:11.

Q. 73.Why then does the Holy Ghost call baptism "the washing of regeneration," and "the washing away of sins"?A.God speaks thus not without great cause, to-wit, not only thereby to teach us, that as the filth of the body is purged away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ; (a)but especially that by this divine pledge and sign he may assure us, that we are spiritually cleansed from our sins as really, as we are externally washed with water. (b)(a) Rev.1:5; Rev.7:14; 1 Cor.6:11. (b) Mark 16:16; Gal.3:27.

Q. 74.Are infants also to be baptized?A.Yes:for since they, as well as the adult, are included in the covenant and church of God; (a)and since redemption from sin (b)by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the author of faith, is promised to them no less than to the adult; (c)they must therefore by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be also admitted into the christian church; and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers (d)as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision, (e)instead of which baptism is instituted (f)in the new covenant.(a) Gen.17:7. (b) Matt.19:14. (c) Luke 1:15; Ps.22:10; Isa.44:1-3;Acts 2:39. (d) Acts 10:47. (e) Gen.17:14. (f) Col.2:11-13.Of The Holy Supper Of Our Lord Jesus Christ28 Lord's DayQ. 75.How art thou admonished and assured in the Lord's Supper, that thou art a partaker of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross, and of all his benefits?A.Thus: That Christ has commanded me and all believers, to eat of this broken bread, and to drink of this cup, in remembrance of him, adding these promises: (a)first, that his body was offered and broken on the cross for me, and his blood shed for me, as certainly as I see with my eyes, the bread of the Lord broken for me, and the cup communicated to me; and further, that he feeds and nourishes my soul to everlasting life, with his crucified body and shed blood, as assuredly

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as I receive from the hands of the minister, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, as certain signs of the body and blood of Christ.(a) Matt.26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19,20; 1 Cor.10:16,17;1 Cor.11:23-25; 1 Cor.12:13.

Q. 76.What is it then to eat the crucified body, and drink the shed blood of Christ?A.It is not only to embrace with believing heart all the sufferings and death of Christ and thereby to obtain the pardon of sin, and life eternal; (a)but also, besides that, to become more and more united to his sacred body, (b)by the Holy Ghost, who dwells both in Christ and in us; so that we, though Christ is in heaven (c)and we on earth, are notwithstanding "flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone" (d)and that we live, and are governed forever by one spirit, (e)as members of the same body are by one soul.(a) John 6:35,40,47-54. (b) John 6:55,56. (c) Col.3:1; Acts 3:21;1 Cor.11:26. (d) Eph.3:16; Eph.5:29,30,32; 1 Cor.6:15,17,19; 1 John3:24; 1 John 4:13; John 14:23. (e) John 6:56-58; John 15:1-6;Eph.4:15,16.

Q. 77.      Where has Christ promised that he will as certainly feed and nourish believers with his body and bleed, as they eat of this broken bread, and drink of this cup?A.In the institution of the supper, which is thus expressed: (a)      "The Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and: said: eat, this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying: this cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.     For, as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come." 1 Cor.11:23-26.     This promise is repeated by the holy apostle Paul, where he says "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." 1 Cor.10:16,17.(a) 1 Cor.11:23-25; Matt.26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19,20;1 Cor.10:16,17.29 Lord's DayQ. 78.Do then the bread and wine become the very body and blood of Christ?A.Not at all: (a)but as the water in baptism is not changed into the blood of Christ, neither is the washing away of sin itself, being only the sign and confirmation thereof appointed of God; (b)so the bread in the Lord's supper is not changed into the very body of Christ; (c)

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though agreeably to the nature and properties of sacraments, (d)it is called the body of Christ Jesus.(a) Matt.26:29. (b) Eph.5:26; Tit.3:5. (c) Mark 14:24; 1Cor.10:16,17,26-28. (d) Gen.17:10,11,14,19; Exod.12:11,13,27,43,48;Exod.13:9; 1 Pet.3:21; 1 Cor.10:1-4.

Q. 79.Why then doth Christ call the bread "his body", and the cup "his blood", or "the new covenant in his blood"; and Paul the "communion of body and blood of Christ"?A.      Christ speaks thus, not without great reason, namely, not only thereby to teach us, that as bread and wine support this temporal life, so his crucified body and shed blood are the true meat and drink, whereby our souls are fed to eternal life; (a)     but more especially by these visible signs and pledges to assure us, that we are as really partakers of his true body and blood by the operation of the Holy Ghost as we receive by the mouths of our bodies these holy signs in remembrance of him; (b)     and that all his sufferings and obedience are as certainly ours, as if we had in our own persons suffered and made satisfaction for our sins to God.(a) John 6:51,55. (b) 1 Cor.10:16,17.30. Lord's DayQ. 80.What difference is there between the Lord's supper and the popish mass?A.The Lord's supper testifies to us, that we have a full pardon of all sin by the only sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he himself has once accomplished on the cross; (a)and, that we by the Holy Ghost are ingrafted into Christ, (b)who, according to his human nature is now not on earth, but in heaven, at the right hand of God his Father, (c)and will there be worshipped by us. (d)But the mass teaches, that the living and dead have not the pardon of sins through the sufferings of Christ, unless Christ is also daily offered for them by the priests; and further, that Christ is bodily under the form of bread and wine, and therefore is to be worshipped in them; so that the mass, at bottom, is nothing else than a denial of the one sacrifice and sufferings of Jesus Christ, and an accursed idolatry. (e)(a) Heb.7:27; Heb.9:12,25-28; Heb.10:10,12-14; John 19:30; Matt.26:28;Luke 22:19,20. (b) 1 Cor.6:17; 1 Cor.10:16. (c) Heb.1:3; Heb.8:1,2;John 20:17. (d) Matt.6:20,21; John 4:21-24; Luke 24:52; Acts 7:55,56;Col.3:1; Philip.3:20,21; 1 Thess.1:10; Heb.9:6-10. (e) Heb.9:26;Heb.10:12,14,19-31.

Q. 81.For whom is the Lord's supper instituted?A.

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For those who are truly sorrowful for their sins, and yet trust that these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ; and that their remaining infirmities are covered by his passion and death; and who also earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and drink judgment to themselves. (a)(a) 1 Cor.10:19-22; 1 Cor.11:28,29.

Q. 82.Are they also to be admitted to this supper, who, by confession and life, declare themselves unbelieving and ungodly?A.No; for by this, the covenant of God would be profaned, and his wrath kindled against the whole congregation; (a)therefore it is the duty of the christian church, according to the appointment of Christ and his apostles, to exclude such persons, by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, till they show amendment of life.(a) 1 Cor.11:20,34; Isa.1:11-15; Isa.66:3; Jer.7:21-23; Ps.50:16.31. Lord's DayQ. 83.What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven?A.The preaching of the holy gospel, and christian discipline, or excommunication out of the christian church; by these two, the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers, and shut against unbelievers.

Q. 84.How is the kingdom of heaven opened and shut by the preaching of the holy gospel?A.Thus: when according to the command of Christ, it is declared and publicly testified to all and every believer, that, whenever they receive the promise of the gospel by a true faith, all their sins are really forgiven them of God, for the sake of Christ's merits; and on the contrary, when it is declared and testified to all unbelievers, and such as do not sincerely repent, that they stand exposed to the wrath of God, and eternal condemnation, so long as they are unconverted: (a) according to which testimony of the gospel, God will judge them, both in this, and in the life to come.(a) Matt.16:18,19; Matt.18:15-19; John 20:21-23.

Q. 85.How is the kingdom of heaven shut and opened by christian discipline?A.Thus: when according to the command of Christ, those, who under the name of christians, maintain doctrines, or practices inconsistent therewith, and will not, after having been often brotherly admonished, renounce their errors and wicked course of life, are complained of to the church, or to those, who are thereunto appointed by the church; and if they despise their admonition, are by them forbidden the use of the sacraments; whereby they are excluded from the

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christian church, and by God himself from the kingdom of Christ; and when they promise and show real amendment, are again received as members of Christ and his church. (a)(a) Matt.18:15-18; 1 Cor.5:2-5,11; 2 Thess.3:14,15; 2 Cor.2:6-8.The Third Part - Of Thankfulness32. Lord's DayQ. 86.Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?A.Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for his blessings, (a)and that he may be praised by us; (b)also, that every one may be assured in himself of his faith, (c)by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation others may be gained to Christ. (d)(a) Rom.6:13; Rom.12:1,2; 1 Pet.2:5,9,10; 1 Cor.6:20. (b) Matt.5:16;1 Pet.2:12; 1 Pet.1:6,7. (c) 2 Pet.1:10; Matt.7:17; Gal.5:6,22,23. (d)1 Pet.3:1,2; Rom.14:19.

Q. 87.Cannot they then be saved, who, continuing in their wicked and ungrateful lives, are not converted to God?A.By no means; for the holy scripture declares that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or any such like, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (a)(a) 1 Cor.6:9,10; Eph.5:5,6; 1 John 3:14.33. Lord's DayQ. 88.Of how many parts does the true conversion of man consist?A.Of two parts; of the mortification of the old, and the quickening of the new man. (a)(a) Rom.6:1,4-6; Eph.4:22-24; Col.3:5-10; 1 Cor.5:7; 2 Cor.7:10.

Q. 89.What is the mortification of the old man?A.It is a sincere sorrow of heart, that we have provoked God by our sins; and more and more to hate and flee from them. (a)(a) Rom.8:13; Joel 2:13; Hos.6:1.

Q. 90.What is the quickening of the new man?A.It is a sincere joy of heart in God, through Christ, (a)

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and with love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works. (b)(a) Rom.5:1; Rom.14:17; Isa.57:15. (b) Rom.6:10,11; Gal.2:20.

Q. 91.But what are good works?A.Only those which proceed from a true faith, (a)are performed according to the law of God, (b)and to his glory; (c)and not such as are founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men. (d)(a) Rom.14:23. (b) Lev.18:4; 1 Sam.15:22; Eph.2:10. (c) 1 Cor.10:31.(d) Deut.12:32; Ezek.20:18,19; Isa.29:13; Matt.15:7-9.34. Lord's DayQ. 92.What is the law of God?A.God spake all these words, Exodus 20:1-17 and Denteronomy 5:6-21, saying: I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.1st commandment:Thou shalt have no other gods before me.2nd commandment:Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.3rd commandment:Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.4th commandment:Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.5th commandment:Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.6th commandment:Thou shalt not kill.7th commandment:Thou shalt not commit adultery.8th commandment:Thou shalt not steal.9th commandment:

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Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.10th commandment:Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Q. 93.How are these commandments divided?A.Into two tables; (a)the first of which teaches us how we must behave towards God; the second, what duties we owe to our neighbour. (b)(a) Exod.34:28; Deut.4:13; Deut.10:3,4. (b) Matt.22:37-40.

Q. 94.What does God enjoin in the first commandment?A.That I, as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul, avoid and flee from all idolatry, (a)sorcery, soothsaying, superstition, (b)invocation of saints, or any other creatures; (c)and learn rightly to know the only true God; (d)trust in him alone, (e)with humility (f)and patience submit to him; (g)expect all good things from him only; (h)love, (i)fear, (j)and glorify him with my whole heart; (k)so that I renounce and forsake all creatures, rather than commit even the least thing contrary to his will. (l)(a) 1 John 5:21; 1 Cor.6:9,10; 1 Cor.10:7,14. (b) Lev.19:31; Deut.18:9-12. (c) Matt.4:10; Rev.19:10; Rev.22:8,9. (d) John 17:3. (e)Jer.17:5,7. (f) 1 Pet.5:5,6. (g) Heb.10:36; Col.1:11; Rom.5:3,4;1 Cor.10:10; Philip.2:14. (h) Ps.104:27-30; Isa.45:7; James 1:17. (i)Deut.6:5; Matt.22:37. (j) Deut.6:2; Ps.111:10; Prov.1:7; Prov.9:10;Matt.10:28. (k) Matt.4:10; Deut.10:20,21. (l) Matt.5:29,30;Matt.10:37; Acts 5:29.

Q. 95.What is idolatry?A.Idolatry is, instead of, or besides that one true God, who has manifested himself in his word, to contrive, or have any other object, in which men place their trust. (a)(a) Eph.5:5; 1 Chron.16:26; Philip.3:19; Gal.4:8; Eph.2:12; 1 John2:23; 2 John 1:9; John 5:23.35. Lord's DayQ. 96.

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What does God require in the second commandment?A.That we in no wise represent God by images, (a)nor worship him in any other way than he has commanded in his word. (b)(a) Deut.4:15-19; Isa.40:18-25; Rom.1:23,24; Acts 17:29. (b)1 Sam.15:23; Deut.12:30-32; Matt.15:9.

Q. 97.Are images then not at all to be made?A.God neither can, nor may be represented by any means: (a)but as to creatures; though they may be represented, yet God forbids to make, or have any resemblance of them, either in order to worship them or to serve God by them. (b)(a) Isa.40:25. (b) Exod.23:24,25; Exod.34:13,14,17; Num.33:52;Deut.7:5; Deut.12:3; Deut.16:21; 2 Kin.18:3,4.

Q. 98.But may not images be tolerated in the churches, as books to the laity?A.No: for we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have his people taught, not by dumb images, (a)but by the lively preaching of his word. (b)(a) Jer.10:8; Hab.2:18,19. (b) Rom.10:14,15,17; 2 Pet.1:19; 2Tim.3:16,17.36. Lord's DayQ. 99.What is required in the third commandment?A.That we, not only by cursing (a)or perjury, (b)but also by rash swearing, (c)must not profane or abuse the name of God; nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others; (d)and, briefly, that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence; (e)so that he may be rightly confessed (f)and worshipped by us, (g)and be glorified in all our words and works. (h)(a) Lev.24:11-16. (b) Lev.19:12. (c) Matt.5:37; James 5:12. (d)Lev.5:1; Prov.29:24. (e) Jer.4:2; Isa.45:23. (f) Rom.10:9,10;Matt.10:32. (g) Ps.50:15; 1 Tim.2:8. (h) Rom.2:24; 1 Tim.6:1;Col.3:16,17.

Q. 100.Is then the profaning of God's name, by swearing and cursing, so heinous a sin, that his wrath is kindled against those who do not endeavour, as much as in them lies, to prevent and forbid such cursing and swearing?A.

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It undoubtedly is, (a)for there is no sin greater or more provoking to God, than the profaning of his name; and therefore he has commanded this sin to be punished with death. (b)(a) Prov.29:24; Lev.5:1. (b) Lev.24:15,16.37. Lord's DayQ. 101.May we then swear religiously by the name of God?A.Yes: either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects; or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm a fidelity and truth to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbour: for such an oath is founded on God's word, (a)and therefore was justly used by the saints, both in the Old and New Testament. (b)(a) Deut.6:13; Deut.10:20; Isa.48:1; Heb.6:16. (b) Gen.21:24;Gen.31:53,54; Jos.9:15,19; 1 Sam.24:22; 2 Sam.3:35; 1 Kin.1:28-30;Rom.1:9; 2 Cor.1:23.

Q. 102.May we also swear by saints or any other creatures?A.No; for a lawful oath is calling upon God, as the only one who knows the heart, that he will bear witness to the truth, and punish me if I swear falsely; (a)which honour is due to no creature. (b)(a) 2 Cor.1:23; Rom.9:1. (b) Matt.5:34-36; James 5:12.38. Lord's DayQ. 103.What does God require in the fourth commandment?A.First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained; (a)and that I, especially on the sabbath, that is, on the day of rest, diligently frequent the church of God, (b)to hear his word, (c)to use the sacraments, (d)publicly to call upon the Lord, (e)and contribute to the relief of the poor. (f)Secondly, that all the days of my life I cease from my evil works, and yield myself to the Lord, to work by his Holy Spirit in me: and thus begin in this life the eternal sabbath. (g)(a) Tit.1:5; 2 Tim.3:14,15; 1 Tim.5:17; 1 Cor.9:11,13,14; 2 Tim.2:2.(b) Ps.40:10,11; Ps.68:27; Acts 2:42,46. (c) 1 Tim.4:13,19;1 Cor.14:29,31. (d) 1 Cor.11:33. (e) 1 Tim.2:1-3,8-11; 1 Cor.14:16.(f) 1 Cor.16:2. (g) Isa.66:23.39. Lord's DayQ. 104.What does God require in the fifth commandment?A.That I show all honour, love and fidelity, to my father and mother, and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction, with due obedience; (a)

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and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, (b)since it pleases God to govern us by their hand. (c)(a) Eph.5:22; Eph.6:1-5; Col.3:18,20-24; Prov.1:8; Prov.4:1;Prov.15:20; Prov.20:20; Exod.21:17; Rom.13:1-7. (b) Prov.23:22;Gen.9:24,25; 1 Pet.2:18. (c) Eph.6:4,9; Col.3:19-21; Rom.13:2,3;Matt.22:21.40. Lord's DayQ. 105.What does God require in the sixth commandment?A.That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonour, hate, wound, or kill my neighbour, by myself or by another: (a)but that I lay aside all desire of revenge: (b)also, that I hurt not myself, nor wilfully expose myself to any danger. (c)Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder. (d)(a) Matt.5:21,22; Matt.26:52; Gen.9:6. (b) Eph.4:26; Rom.12:19;Matt.5:25; Matt.18:35. (c) Rom.13:14; Col.2:23; Matt.4:7. (d) Gen.9:6;Exod.21:14; Matt.26:52; Rom.13:4.

Q. 106.But this commandment seems only to speak of murder?A.In forbidding murder, God teaches us, that he abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, (a)hatred, (b)anger, (c)and desire of revenge; and that he accounts all these as murder. (d)(a) Prov.14:30; Rom.1:29. (b) 1 John 2:9,11. (c) James 1:20;Gal.5:19,21. (d) 1 John 3:15.

Q. 107.But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above?A.No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, he commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves; (a)to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness, towards him, (b)and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies; (c)and that we do good, even to our enemies. (d)(a) Matt.7:12; Matt.22:39; Rom.12:10. (b) Eph.4:2; Gal.6:1,2;Matt.5:5,7,9; Rom.12:18; Luke 6:36; 1 Pet.3:8; Col.3:12; Rom.12:10,15.(c) Exod.23:5. (d) Matt.5:44,45; Rom.12:20,21.41. Lord's DayQ. 108.What does the seventh commandment teach us?A.That all uncleanness is accursed of God: (a)and that therefore we must with all our hearts detest the same, (b)and live chastely and temperately, (c)whether in holy wedlock, or in single life. (d)

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(a) Lev.18:27,28. (b) Jude 1:23. (c) 1 Thess.4:3-5. (d) Heb.13:4;1 Cor.7:7-9,27.

Q. 109.Does God forbid in this commandment, only adultery, and such like gross sins?A.Since both our body and soul are temples of the holy Ghost, he commands us to preserve them pure and holy: therefore he forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, (a)thoughts, desires, (b)and whatever can entice men thereto. (c)(a) Eph.5:3,4; 1 Cor.6:18-20. (b) Matt.5:27,28. (c) Eph.5:18;1 Cor.15:33.42. Lord's DayQ. 110.What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?A.God forbids not only those thefts, (a)and robberies, (b)which are punishable by the magistrate; but he comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbour: (c)whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, (d)false coins, usury, (e)or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness, (f)all abuse and waste of his gifts. (g)(a) 1 Cor.6:10. (b) 1 Cor.5:10; Isa.33:1. (c) Luke 3:14; 1 Thess.4:6.(d) Prov.11:1; Prov.16:11; Ezek.45:9-12; Deut.25:13-16. (e) Ps.15:5;Luke 6:35. (f) 1 Cor.6:10. (g) Prov.23:20,21; Prov.21:20.

Q. 111.But what does God require in this commandment?A.That I promote the advantage of my neighbour in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others: (a)further also that I faithfully labour, so that I may be able to relieve the needy. (b)(a) Matt.7:12. (b) Eph.4:28.43. Lord's DayQ. 112.What is required in the ninth commandment?A.That I bear false witness against no man, (a)nor falsify any man's words; (b)that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer; (c)that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly, or unheard; (d)but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works of the devil, (e)unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; (f)

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likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly and confess it; (g)also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the horror and good character of my neighbour. (h)(a) Prov.19:5,9; Prov.21:28. (b) Ps.15:3; Ps.50:19,20. (c)Rom.1:29,30. (d) Matt.7:1,2; Luke 6:37. (e) John 8:44. (f) Prov.12:22;Prov.13:5. (g) 1 Cor.13:6; Eph.4:25. (h) 1 Pet.4:8.44. Lord's DayQ. 113.What does the tenth commandment require of us?A.That even the smallest inclination or thought, contrary to any of God's commandments, never rise in our hearts; but that at all times we hate all sin with our whole heart, and delight in all righteousness. (a)(a) Rom.7:7.

Q. 114.But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments?A.No: but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience; (a)yet so, that with a sincere resolution they begin to live, not only according to some, but all the commandments of God. (b)(a) 1 John 1:8-10; Rom.7:14,15; Eccl.7:20; 1 Cor.13:9. (b) Rom.7:22;Ps.1:2; James 2:10.

Q. 115.Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?A.First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know (a)our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ; (b)likewise, that we constantly endeavour and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come. (c)(a) Rom.3:20; 1 John 1:9; Ps.32:5. (b) Matt.5:6; Rom.7:24,25. (c)1 Cor.9:24; Philip.3:11-14.Of Prayer45. Lord's DayQ. 116.Why is prayer necessary for christians?A.Because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us: (a)and also, because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only,who with sincere desires continually ask them of him, and are thankful for them. (b)(a) Ps.50:14,15. (b) Matt.7:7,8; Luke 11:9,10,13; 1 Thess.5:17.

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Q. 117.What are the requisites of that prayer, which is acceptable to God, and which he will hear?A.First, that we from the heart pray (a)to the one true God only, who has manifested himself in his word, (b)for all things, he has commanded us to ask of him; (c)secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know our need and misery, (d)that so we may deeply humble ourselves in the presence of his divine majesty; (e)thirdly, that we be fully persuaded that he, notwithstanding that we are unworthy of it, will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, (f)as he has promised us in his word. (g)(a) John 4:24; Ps.145:18. (b) Rev.19:10; John 4:22-24. (c) Rom.8:26;1 John 5:14; James 1:5. (d) 2 Chron.20:12. (e) Ps.2:11; Ps.34:19;Isa.66:2. (f) Rom.10:14; James 1:6. (g) John 14:13,14; John 16:23;Dan.9:17,18. (h) Matt.7:8; Ps.27:8.

Q. 118.What has God commanded us to ask of him?A.All things necessary for soul and body; (a)which Christ our Lord has comprised in that prayer he himself has taught us.(a) James 1:17; Matt.6:33.

Q. 119.What are the words of that prayer? (a)A.Our Father which art in heaven,1 Hallowed be thy name.2 Thy kingdom come.3 Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.4 Give us this day our daily bread.5 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.6 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.Amen.(a) Matt.6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4.46. Lord's DayQ. 120.Why has Christ commanded us to address God thus: "Our Father"?A.That immediately, in the very beginning of our prayer, he might excite in us a childlike reverence for, and confidence in God, which are the foundation of our prayer: namely, that God is become our Father in Christ, and will much less deny us what we ask of him in true faith, than our parents will refuse us earthly things. (a)(a) Matt.7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13.

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Q. 121.Why is it here added, "Which art in heaven"?A.Lest we should form any earthly conceptions of God's heavenly majesty, (a)and that we may expect from his almighty power all things necessary for soul and body. (b)(a) Jer.23:23,24; Acts 17:24,25,27. (b) Rom.10:12.47. Lord's DayQ. 122.Which is the first petition?A."Hallowed be thy name"; that is, grant us, first, rightly to know thee, (a)and to sanctify, glorify and praise thee, (b)in all thy works, in which thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth, are clearly displayed; and further also, that we may so order and direct our whole lives, our thoughts, words and actions, that thy name may never be blasphemed, but rather honoured and praised on our account. (c)(a) John 17:3; Jer.9:24; Jer.31:33,34; Matt.16:17; James 1:5;Ps.119:105. (b) Ps.119:137; Luke 1:46,47,68,69; Rom.11:33-36. (c)Ps.71:8; Ps.115:1.48. Lord's DayQ. 123.Which is the second petition?A."Thy kingdom come"; that is, rule us so by thy word and Spirit, that we may submit ourselves more and more to thee; (a)preserve and increase thy church; (b)destroy the works of the devil, and all violence which would exalt itself against thee; and also all wicked counsels devised against thy holy word; (c)till the full perfection of thy kingdom take place, (d)wherein thou shalt be all in all. (e)(a) Matt.6:33; Ps.119:5; Ps.143:10. (b) Ps.51:18; Ps.122:6-9. (c)1 John 3:8; Rom.16:20. (d) Rev.22:17,20; Rom.8:22,23. (e) 1 Cor.15:28.49. Lord's DayQ. 124.Which is the third petition?A."Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"; that is, grant that we and all men may renounce our own will, (a)and without murmuring obey thy will, which is only good; (b)that every one may attend to, and perform the duties of his station and calling, (c)as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven. (d)(a) Matt.16:24; Tit.2:11,12. (b) Luke 22:42; Eph.5:10; Rom.12:2. (c)1 Cor.7:24. (d) Ps.103:20,21.50. Lord's DayQ. 125.Which is the fourth petition?A.

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"Give us this day our daily bread"; that is, be pleased to provide us with all things necessary for the body, (a)that we may thereby acknowledge thee to be the only fountain of all good, (b)and that neither our care nor industry, nor even thy gifts, can profit us without thy blessing; (c)and therefore that we may withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in thee. (d)(a) Ps.104:27,28; Ps.145:15,16; Matt.6:25,26. (b) James 1:17; Acts14:17; Acts 17:27,28. (c) 1 Cor.15:58; Deut.8:3; Ps.37:3-5,16;Ps.127:1,2. (d) Ps.55:23; Ps.62:11; Ps.146:3; Jer.17:5,7.51. Lord's DayQ. 126.Which is the fifth petition?A."And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"; that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ's blood, not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions, nor that depravity, which always cleaves to us; (a)even as we feel this evidence of thy grace in us, that it is our firm resolution from the heart to forgive our neighbour. (b)(a) Ps.51:1-7; Ps.143:2; 1 John 2:1,2; Rom.8:1. (b) Matt.6:14,15.52. Lord's DayQ. 127.Which is the sixth petition?A."And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"; that is, since we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot stand a moment; (a)and besides this, since our mortal enemies, the devil, (b)the world, (c)and our own flesh, (d)cease not to assault us,do thou therefore preserve and strengthen us by the power of thy Holy Spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare, (e)but constantly and strenuously may resist our foes, till at last we obtain a complete victory. (f)(a) John 15:5; Ps.103:14. (b) 1 Pet.5:8; Eph.6:12. (c) John 15:19. (d)Rom.7:23; Gal.5:17. (e) Matt.26:41; Mark 13:33. (f) 1 Thess.3:13;1 Thess.5:23.Q. 128.How dost thou conclude thy prayer?A."For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever"; that is, all these we ask of thee, because thou, being our King and almighty, art willing and able to give us all good; (a)and all this we pray for, that thereby not we, but thy holy name, may be glorified for ever. (b)(a) Rom.10:11,12; 2 Pet.2:9. (b) John 14:13; Jer.33:8,9; Ps.115:1.Q. 129.What does the word "Amen" signify?A.

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"Amen" signifies, it shall truly and certainly be: for my prayer is more assuredly heard of God, than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of him. (a)(a) 2 Cor.1:20; 2 Tim.2:13.End of the Catechism

The Canons of DordtFormally Titled:The Decision of the Synod of Dordt on the Five Main Points of Doctrine in Dispute in the Netherlands

IntroductionThe Decision of the Synod of Dordt on the Five Main Points of Doctrine in Dispute in the Netherlands is popularly known as the Canons of Dordt. It consists of statements of doctrine adopted by the great Synod of Dordt which met in the city of Dordrecht in 1618-19. Although this was a national synod of the Reformed churches of the Netherlands, it had an international character, since it was composed not only of Dutch delegates but also of twenty-six delegates from eight foreign countries.The Synod of Dordt was held in order to settle a serious controversy in the Dutch churches initiated by the rise of Arminianism. Jacob Arminius, a theological professor at Leiden University, questioned the teaching of Calvin and his followers on a number of important points. After Arminius's death, his own followers presented their views on five of these points in the Remonstrance of 1610. In this document or in later more explicit writings, the Arminians taught election based on foreseen faith, universal atonement, partial depravity, resistible grace, and the possibility of a lapse from grace. In the Canons the Synod of Dordt rejected these views and set forth the Reformed doctrine on these points, namely, unconditional election, limited atonement, total depravity, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of saints.The Canons have a special character because of their original purpose as a judicial decision on the doctrinal points in dispute during the Arminian controversy. The original preface called them a "judgment, in which both the true view, agreeing with God's Word, concerning the aforesaid five points of doctrine is explained, and the false view, disagreeing with God's Word, is rejected." The Canons also have a limited character in that they do not cover the whole range of doctrine, but focus on the five points of doctrine in dispute.Each of the main points consists of a positive and a negative part, the former being an exposition of the Reformed doctrine on the subject, the latter a repudiation of the corresponding errors. Each of the errors being rejected is shown in bold red type. Although in form there are only four points, we speak properly of five points, because the Canons were structured to correspond to the five articles of the 1610 Remonstrance. Main Points 3 and 4 were combined into one, always designated as Main Point III/IV.This translation of the Canons, based on the only extant Latin manuscript among those signed at the Synod of Dordt, was adopted by the 1986 Synod of the Christian Reformed Church. The biblical quotations are translations from the original Latin and so do not always correspond to current versions. Though not

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in the original text, subheadings have been added to the positive articles and to the conclusion in order to facilitate study of the Canons.

The First Main Point of Doctrine: Divine Election and Reprobation The Judgment Concerning Divine Predestination Which the Synod Declares to Be in Agreement with the Word of God and Accepted Till Now in the Reformed Churches, Set Forth in Several ArticlesArticle 1: God's Right to Condemn All PeopleSince all people have sinned in Adam and have come under the sentence of the curse and eternal death, God would have done no one an injustice if it had been his will to leave the entire human race in sin and under the curse, and to condemn them on account of their sin. As the apostle says: The whole world is liable to the condemnation of God (Rom. 3:19), All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), and The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).*--*All quotations from Scripture are translations of the original Latin manuscript.--Article 2: The Manifestation of God's LoveBut this is how God showed his love: he sent his only begotten Son into the world, so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.Article 3: The Preaching of the GospelIn order that people may be brought to faith, God mercifully sends proclaimers of this very joyful message to the people he wishes and at the time he wishes. By this ministry people are called to repentance and faith in Christ crucified. For how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without someone preaching? And how shall they preach unless they have been sent? (Rom. 10:14-15).Article 4: A Twofold Response to the GospelGod's anger remains on those who do not believe this gospel. But those who do accept it and embrace Jesus the Savior with a true and living faith are delivered through him from God's anger and from destruction, and receive the gift of eternal life.Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of FaithThe cause or blame for this unbelief, as well as for all other sins, is not at all in God, but in man. Faith in Jesus Christ, however, and salvation through him is a free gift of God. As Scripture says, It is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8). Likewise: It has been freely given to you to believe in Christ (Phil. 1:29).Article 6: God's Eternal DecisionThe fact that some receive from God the gift of faith within time, and that others do not, stems from his eternal decision. For all his works are known to God from eternity (Acts 15:18; Eph. 1:11). In accordance with this decision he graciously softens the hearts, however hard, of his chosen ones and inclines them to believe, but by his just judgment he leaves in their wickedness and hardness of heart those who have not been chosen. And in this especially is disclosed to us his act--unfathomable, and as merciful as it is just--of distinguishing between people equally lost. This is the well-known decision of election and reprobation revealed in God's Word. This decision the wicked, impure, and unstable distort to their own ruin, but it provides holy and godly souls with comfort beyond words.

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Article 7: ElectionElection [or choosing] is God's unchangeable purpose by which he did the following:Before the foundation of the world, by sheer grace, according to the free good pleasure of his will, he chose in Christ to salvation a definite number of particular people out of the entire human race, which had fallen by its own fault from its original innocence into sin and ruin. Those chosen were neither better nor more deserving than the others, but lay with them in the common misery. He did this in Christ, whom he also appointed from eternity to be the mediator, the head of all those chosen, and the foundation of their salvation. And so he decided to give the chosen ones to Christ to be saved, and to call and draw them effectively into Christ's fellowship through his Word and Spirit. In other words, he decided to grant them true faith in Christ, to justify them, to sanctify them, and finally, after powerfully preserving them in the fellowship of his Son, to glorify them.God did all this in order to demonstrate his mercy, to the praise of the riches of his glorious grace.As Scripture says, God chose us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, so that we should be holy and blameless before him with love; he predestined us whom he adopted as his children through Jesus Christ, in himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, by which he freely made us pleasing to himself in his beloved (Eph. 1:4-6). And elsewhere, Those whom he predestined, he also called; and those whom he called, he also justified; and those whom he justified, he also glorified (Rom. 8:30).Article 8: A Single Decision of ElectionThis election is not of many kinds; it is one and the same election for all who were to be saved in the Old and the New Testament. For Scripture declares that there is a single good pleasure, purpose, and plan of God's will, by which he chose us from eternity both to grace and to glory, both to salvation and to the way of salvation, which he prepared in advance for us to walk in.Article 9: Election Not Based on Foreseen FaithThis same election took place, not on the basis of foreseen faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, or of any other good quality and disposition, as though it were based on a prerequisite cause or condition in the person to be chosen, but rather for the purpose of faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, and so on. Accordingly, election is the source of each of the benefits of salvation. Faith, holiness, and the other saving gifts, and at last eternal life itself, flow forth from election as its fruits and effects. As the apostle says, He chose us (not because we were, but) so that we should be holy and blameless before him in love (Eph. 1:4).Article 10: Election Based on God's Good PleasureBut the cause of this undeserved election is exclusively the good pleasure of God. This does not involve his choosing certain human qualities or actions from among all those possible as a condition of salvation, but rather involves his adopting certain particular persons from among the common mass of sinners as his own possession. As Scripture says, When the children were not yet born, and had done nothing either good or bad..., she (Rebecca) was told, "The older will serve the younger." As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" (Rom. 9:11-13). Also, All who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48).Article 11: Election Unchangeable

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Just as God himself is most wise, unchangeable, all-knowing, and almighty, so the election made by him can neither be suspended nor altered, revoked, or annulled; neither can his chosen ones be cast off, nor their number reduced.Article 12: The Assurance of ElectionAssurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election to salvation is given to the chosen in due time, though by various stages and in differing measure. Such assurance comes not by inquisitive searching into the hidden and deep things of God, but by noticing within themselves, with spiritual joy and holy delight, the unmistakable fruits of election pointed out in God's Word-- such as a true faith in Christ, a childlike fear of God, a godly sorrow for their sins, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and so on.Article 13: The Fruit of This AssuranceIn their awareness and assurance of this election God's children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God, to adore the fathomless depth of his mercies, to cleanse themselves, and to give fervent love in return to him who first so greatly loved them. This is far from saying that this teaching concerning election, and reflection upon it, make God's children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured. By God's just judgment this does usually happen to those who casually take for granted the grace of election or engage in idle and brazen talk about it but are unwilling to walk in the ways of the chosen.Article 14: Teaching Election ProperlyJust as, by God's wise plan, this teaching concerning divine election has been proclaimed through the prophets, Christ himself, and the apostles, in Old and New Testament times, and has subsequently been committed to writing in the Holy Scriptures, so also today in God's church, for which it was specifically intended, this teaching must be set forth--with a spirit of discretion, in a godly and holy manner, at the appropriate time and place, without inquisitive searching into the ways of the Most High. This must be done for the glory of God's most holy name, and for the lively comfort of his people.Article 15: ReprobationMoreover, Holy Scripture most especially highlights this eternal and undeserved grace of our election and brings it out more clearly for us, in that it further bears witness that not all people have been chosen but that some have not been chosen or have been passed by in God's eternal election-- those, that is, concerning whom God, on the basis of his entirely free, most just, irreproachable, and unchangeable good pleasure, made the following decision: to leave them in the common misery into which, by their own fault, they have plunged themselves; not to grant them saving faith and the grace of conversion; but finally to condemn and eternally punish them (having been left in their own ways and under his just judgment), not only for their unbelief but also for all their other sins, in order to display his justice. And this is the decision of reprobation, which does not at all make God the author of sin (a blasphemous thought!) but rather its fearful, irreproachable, just judge and avenger.Article 16: Responses to the Teaching of ReprobationThose who do not yet actively experience within themselves a living faith in Christ or an assured confidence of heart, peace of conscience, a zeal for childlike obedience, and a glorying in God through Christ, but who nevertheless use the means by which God has promised to work these things in us--such people ought

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not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to count themselves among the reprobate; rather they ought to continue diligently in the use of the means, to desire fervently a time of more abundant grace, and to wait for it in reverence and humility. On the other hand, those who seriously desire to turn to God, to be pleasing to him alone, and to be delivered from the body of death, but are not yet able to make such progress along the way of godliness and faith as they would like--such people ought much less to stand in fear of the teaching concerning reprobation, since our merciful God has promised that he will not snuff out a smoldering wick and that he will not break a bruised reed. However, those who have forgotten God and their Savior Jesus Christ and have abandoned themselves wholly to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh--such people have every reason to stand in fear of this teaching, as long as they do not seriously turn to God.Article 17: The Salvation of the Infants of BelieversSince we must make judgments about God's will from his Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy, not by nature but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included, godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God calls out of this life in infancy.Article 18: The Proper Attitude Toward Election and ReprobationTo those who complain about this grace of an undeserved election and about the severity of a just reprobation, we reply with the words of the apostle, Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? (Rom. 9:20), and with the words of our Savior, Have I no right to do what I want with my own? (Matt. 20:15). We, however, with reverent adoration of these secret things, cry out with the apostle: Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways beyond tracing out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Rom. 11:33-36).

Rejection of the Errorsby Which the Dutch Churches Have for Some Time Been DisturbedHaving set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of thoseI. Who teach that the will of God to save those who would believe and persevere in faith and in the obedience of faith is the whole and entire decision of election to salvation, and that nothing else concerning this decision has been revealed in God's Word.For they deceive the simple and plainly contradict Holy Scripture in its testimony that God does not only wish to save those who would believe, but that he has also from eternity chosen certain particular people to whom, rather than to others, he would within time grant faith in Christ and perseverance. As Scripture says, I have revealed your name to those whom you gave me (John 17:6). Likewise, All who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48), and He chose us before the foundation of the world so that we should be holy... (Eph. 1:4).II. Who teach that God's election to eternal life is of many kinds: one general and indefinite, the other particular and definite; and the latter in turn either incomplete, revocable, nonperemptory (or conditional), or else complete,

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irrevocable, and peremptory (or absolute). Likewise, who teach that there is one election to faith and another to salvation, so that there can be an election to justifying faith apart from a peremptory election to salvation.For this is an invention of the human brain, devised apart from the Scriptures, which distorts the teaching concerning election and breaks up this golden chain of salvation: Those whom he predestined, he also called; and those whom he called, he also justified; and those whom he justified, he also glorified (Rom. 8:30).III. Who teach that God's good pleasure and purpose, which Scripture mentions in its teaching of election, does not involve God's choosing certain particular people rather than others, but involves God's choosing, out of all possible conditions (including the works of the law) or out of the whole order of things, the intrinsically unworthy act of faith, as well as the imperfect obedience of faith, to be a condition of salvation; and it involves his graciously wishing to count this as perfect obedience and to look upon it as worthy of the reward of eternal life.For by this pernicious error the good pleasure of God and the merit of Christ are robbed of their effectiveness and people are drawn away, by unprofitable inquiries, from the truth of undeserved justification and from the simplicity of the Scriptures. It also gives the lie to these words of the apostle: God called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of works, but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (2 Tim. 1:9).IV. Who teach that in election to faith a prerequisite condition is that man should rightly use the light of nature, be upright, unassuming, humble, and disposed to eternal life, as though election depended to some extent on these factors.For this smacks of Pelagius, and it clearly calls into question the words of the apostle: We lived at one time in the passions of our flesh, following the will of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive with Christ, by whose grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with him and seated us with him in heaven in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages we might show the surpassing riches of his grace, according to his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God) not by works, so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:3-9).V. Who teach that the incomplete and nonperemptory election of particular persons to salvation occurred on the basis of a foreseen faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness, which has just begun or continued for some time; but that complete and peremptory election occurred on the basis of a foreseen perseverance to the end in faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness. And that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness, on account of which the one who is chosen is more worthy than the one who is not chosen. And therefore that faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness, and perseverance are not fruits or effects of an unchangeable election to glory, but indispensable conditions and causes, which are prerequisite in those who are to be chosen in the complete election, and which are foreseen as achieved in them.This runs counter to the entire Scripture, which throughout impresses upon our ears and hearts these sayings among others: Election is not by works, but by him

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who calls (Rom. 9:11-12); All who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48); He chose us in himself so that we should be holy (Eph. 1:4); You did not choose me, but I chose you (John 15:16); If by grace, not by works (Rom. 11:6); In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son (1 John 4:10).VI. Who teach that not every election to salvation is unchangeable, but that some of the chosen can perish and do in fact perish eternally, with no decision of God to prevent it.By this gross error they make God changeable, destroy the comfort of the godly concerning the steadfastness of their election, and contradict the Holy Scriptures, which teach that the elect cannot be led astray (Matt. 24:24), that Christ does not lose those given to him by the Father (John 6:39), and that those whom God predestined, called, and justified, he also glorifies (Rom. 8:30).VII. Who teach that in this life there is no fruit, no awareness, and no assurance of one's unchangeable election to glory, except as conditional upon something changeable and contingent.For not only is it absurd to speak of an uncertain assurance, but these things also militate against the experience of the saints, who with the apostle rejoice from an awareness of their election and sing the praises of this gift of God; who, as Christ urged, rejoice with his disciples that their names have been written in heaven (Luke 10:20); and finally who hold up against the flaming arrows of the devil's temptations the awareness of their election, with the question Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? (Rom. 8:33).VIII. Who teach that it was not on the basis of his just will alone that God decided to leave anyone in the fall of Adam and in the common state of sin and condemnation or to pass anyone by in the imparting of grace necessary for faith and conversion.For these words stand fast: He has mercy on whom he wishes, and he hardens whom he wishes (Rom. 9:18). And also: To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given (Matt. 13:11). Likewise: I give glory to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to little children; yes, Father, because that was your pleasure (Matt. 11:25-26).IX. Who teach that the cause for God's sending the gospel to one people rather than to another is not merely and solely God's good pleasure, but rather that one people is better and worthier than the other to whom the gospel is not communicated.For Moses contradicts this when he addresses the people of Israel as follows: Behold, to Jehovah your God belong the heavens and the highest heavens, the earth and whatever is in it. But Jehovah was inclined in his affection to love your ancestors alone, and chose out their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as at this day (Deut. 10:14-15). And also Christ: Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! for if those mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes (Matt. 11:21).

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