| Question | Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? |
|---|---|
| Answer | God having out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, 1 did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer. 2 |
The Baptist Catechism Set to Music
Benjamin Beddome’s Exposition
Shall any of the human race be recovered from the ruins of the fall?
Yes.
A remnant shall be saved,
Romans 9:27
Are all others left to perish in their sins?
Yes.
The rest were blinded,
Romans 11:7
But is God’s decree the impulsive cause of their ruin?
No.
For when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death,
James 1:15
Are all the saints the objects of God’s eternal choice?
Yes.
God hath from the beginning chosen you,
2 Thessalonians 2:13
And are they chosen to happiness as the end?
Yes.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation,
1 Thessalonians 5:9
And to sanctification as the means?
Yes.
Ye are chosen to salvation through sanctification,
2 Thessalonians 2:13
Are they chosen in Christ?
Yes.
According as he hath chosen us in him,
Ephesians 1:4
And is it a certain number that is thus chosen?
Yes.
The Lord knoweth them that are his,
2 Timothy 2:19
Doth the decree of election extend but to a few comparatively?
Yes.
Few are chosen,
Matthew 20:16
But does it extend to some of all nations?
Yes.
Thou hast redeemed us to God out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation,
Revelation 5:9
And to some of the chief of sinners?
Yes.
Paul was a chosen vessel, yet the chief of sinners,
Acts 9:15
And to all that are willing to come to Christ?
Yes.
Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out,
John 6:37
Is this then an encouragement to use the means?
Yes.
Strive to enter in at the strait gate,
Luke 13:24
Is the decree of election founded upon God’s sovereign pleasure?
Yes.
I will have mercy upon whom I will have mercy,
Romans 9:15
And upon nothing in the creature?
No.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,
John 15:16
Is it secret?
Yes.
It is called the mystery of his will,
Ephesians 1:9
And firm and irrevocable?
Yes.
The foundation of God standeth sure,
2 Timothy 2:19
Doth God exercise all special grace through Christ?
Yes.
We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ,
Ephesians 1:3
Were there mutual engagements for this purpose between the Father and Son?
Yes.
The counsel of peace shall be between them both,
Zechariah 6:13
Were all the promises of the covenant primarily made to Christ?
Yes.
Hence they are called the sure mercies of David,
Isaiah 55:3
Were all the conditions of it exacted from him?
Yes.
The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,
Isaiah 53:6
Did Christ freely undertake the work of our redemption?
Yes.
Lo, I come to do thy will, O God,
Hebrews 10:7
And did the Father engage for the success of his undertaking?
Yes.
He shall see the travail of his soul and be satisfied,
Isaiah 53:11
Are the saints in covenant given to Christ?
Yes.
Thine they were, and thou gavest them me,
John 17:6
Are they given to him to be redeemed?
Yes.
To redeem them that were under the law,
Galatians 4:5
And to be called?
Yes.
Them I must bring,
John 10:16
And to be preserved?
Yes.
Those that thou gavest me I have kept,
John 17:12
And to be finally glorified?
Yes.
Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him,
John 17:2
And shall all this be certainly accomplished?
Yes.
The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand,
Isaiah 53:10
Could we be saved by the first covenant?
No.
For if there had been a law which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law,
Galatians 5:21
Is the new covenant then a great privilege?
Yes.
It is good tidings of great joy,
Luke 2:10
And should we embrace it as such?
Yes.
It should be all our salvation, and all our desire,
2 Samuel 23:5
The Westminster Larger Catechism
| Question | Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? |
|---|---|
| Answer | God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, 1 into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the Covenant of Works; 2 but of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the Covenant of Grace. 3 |
| Question | With whom was the covenant of grace made? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed. 1 |
| Question | How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator, 1 and life and salvation by him; 2 and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him, promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit 3 to all his elect, to work in them that faith, 4 with all other saving graces; 5 and to enable them unto all holy obedience, 6 as the evidence of the truth of their faith 7 and thankfulness to God, 8 and as the way which he hath appointed them to salvation. 9 |
| Question | Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New. 1 |
| Question | How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, 1 prophecies, 2 sacrifices, 3 circumcision, 4 the passover, 5 and other types and ordinances, which did all foresignify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, 6 by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation. 7 |
| Question | How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament? |
|---|---|
| Answer | Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word, 1 and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism 2 and the Lord's Supper; 3 in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations. 4 |