What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?

1. How do any of mankind [escape the wrath and curse of God] due to them for sin?

Only by the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, for their pardon and acceptance with God.

2. Why then doth the answer say, that to escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, [God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means]?

He requires these, not to give a right and title to, or possession of eternal life, (which is entirely the gift of God); Romans 6:23 but as they are both the MEANS of conveying and improving the salvation purchased, 1 Corinthians 1:21 and the EVIDENCES of our interest therein. John 6:47

3. What encouragement have we, for essaying the practice of what [God requireth of us]?

That he requires nothing in point of duty, without promising suitable furniture for the performance thereof.

4. What encouragement have we to essay [faith in Jesus Christ], a thing utterly above our power?

Because it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8 and he hath promised, that we SHALL look upon him whom we have pierced. Zechariah 12:10

5. What encouragement have we to aim at [repentance unto life], when we are naturally quite impenitent?

Because God hath exalted Christ to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel.

6. What encouragement have we to endeavour [the diligent use of all the outward means], seeing we are, by nature, unto every good work reprobate, Tit. i. 16.?

Because his promise is, “I WILL cause you to walk in my statutes, and YE SHALL keep my judgments, and do them,”

7. What would be the consequence of making our faith, repentance, and good works, the procuring cause of our escaping the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin?

This would be a setting aside the satisfaction of Christ, and making a saviour of our duties; than which, nothing could be more foolish and dangerous; “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified,”

8. Have unbelieving and impenitent sinners any warrant to conclude, that they have escaped the wrath and curse of God due to them for sin?

No surely; for, “he that believeth not, is condemned already,” John 3:18 and Christ says, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,” Luke 13:3

9. Is our escaping the wrath and curse of God, suspended on the condition of our faith, repentance, and diligent use of the means?

No: for if any promised blessing were suspended upon condition of obedience, it would be the very form of the covenant of works, “Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doth those things, shall live by them.”

10. When do carnal and unregenerate men turn the dispensation of the covenant of grace, into the form of the covenant of works?

When they separate the duties of faith, repentance, and the diligent use of the means, from the promises of the covenant, and hope to make themselves accepted with God, by their performing these duties.

11. Is it lawful and warrantable for them to seek life by their performance of these duties, as milder and lower terms, on which they may hope to obtain it?

No: it is utterly unlawful ever to seek life that way; for, by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.

12. Is it possible then that our believing, repenting, and diligent using the means, can be the procuring cause of our escaping wrath; or, that they can found our title to life and salvation?

No: for though there be an established connection betwixt them and eternal salvation, yet our security from wrath, and title to heaven, are founded only in the surety-righteousness alone.

13. What CONNECTION have faith, repentance, and the use of outward means, with salvation?

They have the connection of MEANS of God’s appointment, which, by his blessing, are subservient for such an end; being themselves a part of salvation, and an evidence thereof.

14. How are the means of salvation usually distinguished?

Into internal and external.

15. What are the internal means?

Faith and repentance, with the other graces that accompany or flow from them.

16. Why called internal, or inward?

Because they are wrought in the hearts of the elect, by the Spirit of God, as the fruits and effects of Christ’s purchase and mediation.

17. What are the external, or outward means?

They are the ordinances of divine institution and appointment.

18. How is faith in Jesus Christ connected with salvation?

As it is the hand that receives Christ and his righteousness, as the all of our salvation.

19. How is repentance unto life connected with salvation?

As it consists in that godly sorrow for sin, flowing from faith, which is both the exercise and ornament, (in some measure), of all the travellers Zion-wards, while in this world.

20. How is the diligent use of outward means connected with salvation?

As it is by them that [Christ communicates unto us the benefits of redemption].

21. Could he not communicate the benefits of redemption, without the outward means?

Whatever he could do, yet his ordinary method is to honour his own ordinances, as the means of communicating these benefits to us, which we are not to expect, but in the use of them.

22. What USE doth God require us to make of the outward means?

He requires us to make [a diligent use] of them.

23. What is a diligent use of the outward means?

It is an embracing every opportunity offered, in providence, for attending upon God in them, looking earnestly for his blessing upon them, by which only, they will be efficacious for our spiritual benefit.