Two Short Catetchisms

Q. 1. Is there nothing, then, required of us but faith only? A. Yes; arepentance, and bholiness or new obedience. aActs xx. 21; Matt. iii. 2; Luke xiii. 3. b2 Tim. ii. 19; 1 Thess. iv. 7; Heb. xii. 14. Q. 2. What is repentance? A. Godly asorrow for every known80 81 sin committed against God, 488bwith a firm purpose of heart to cleave unto him for the future, cin the killing of sin, the quickening of all graces, to walk before him in newness of life. a2 Cor. vii. 9–11; Acts ii. 37; Ps. li. 17. bPs. xxxiv. 14; Isa. i. 16, 17; Ezek. xviii. 27, 28; Acts xiv. 15. cEph. iv. 21–24; Rom. vi. 12, 13, 18, 19, viii. 1; 2 Cor. v. 17; Gal. vi. 15. Q. 3. Can we do this of ourselves? A. No; it is a special gift and grace of God, which he bestoweth on whom he pleaseth. Lev. xx. 8; Deut. xxx. 6; Ezek. xi. 19, 20; 2 Tim. ii. 25; Acts xi. 18. Q. 4. Wherein doth the being of true repentance consist, without which it is not acceptable? A. In its82 performance according to the Gospel rule, with faith and assured hope of divine mercy. Ps. li.; 1 John ii. 1, 2; 2 Cor. vii. 10, 11; Acts ii. 38; Matt. xxvi. 75. Q. 5. What is that holiness which is required of us? A. That auniversal,83 84 sincere obedience to the whole will of God, bin our hearts, minds, wills, and actions, cwhereby we are in some measure made conformable to Christ, our head. aPs. cxix. 9; 1 Sam. xv. 22; John xiv. 15; Rom. vi. 19; Heb. xii. 14; Tit. ii. 12; 2 Pet. i. 5–7; Isa. i. 16, 17. b1 Chron. xxviii. 9; Deut. vi. 5; Matt. xxii. 37. cRom. viii. 29; 1 Cor. xi. 1; Eph. ii. 21; Col. iii. 1–3; 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12. Q. 6. Is this holiness or obedience in us perfect? A. Yes, ain respect85 of all the parts of it, but bnot in respect of the degrees wherein God requires it. a2 Kings xx. 3; Job i. 1; Matt. v. 48; Luke i. 6; 2 Cor. vii. 1; Eph. iv. 24; Tit. ii. 12. bIsa lxiv. 6; Ps. cxxx. 3; Exod. xxviii. 38; Phil. iii. 12. Q. 7. Will God accept of that obedience which falls so short of what he requireth? A. Yes, from them86 whose persons he accepteth and justifieth freely in Jesus Christ. Rom. xii. 1; Phil. iv. 18; Heb. xiii. 16; 1 John iii. 22; Eph. i. 6. Q. 8. What are the parts of this holiness? A. aInternal, in the quickening of all graces, purging all sins; band external, in fervent and frequent prayers, alms, and all manner of righteousness. Particular precepts are innumerable. aHeb. ix. 14; Eph. iii. 16, 17; Rom. ii. 29, vi. 12. bMatt. v. 20; Rom. viii. 1, 2; Eph iv. 22, 23; Tit. ii. 12. 489Q. 9. May not others perform these duties acceptably, as well as those that believe? A. No;87 all their performances in this kind are but abominable sins before the Lord. Prov. xv. 8; John ix. 31; Tit. i. 15; Heb. xi. 6.