21. Which of these graces are first after Regeneration? 145 22. What are the consequences of Regeneration? 25. Can no evidences be given by which we may know whether we have been regenerated? Page 146 146 147 148 SECTION X. Natural Ability, Q. 1. Has the sinner by nature power to comply with the terms of life? 148 2. If men are able to obey, why do they need a Saviour? 153 3. If men are able to obey, why is the agency of the Spirit necessary to their salvation? 152 154 154 SECTION XI. Election, Q. 1. What is meant by the doctrine of Election? 158 2. What evidence have we of the truth of this doctrine? 155 3. Is not the purpose of God in Election arbitrary? 4. Does not Eelection make God a respecter of persons? 158 5. If the doctrine of Election be true, how can salvation be sincerely offered to all ? 6. Does not this doctrine represent God as unjust? 7. Does not this doctrine destroy the agency of men? SECTION XII. Perseverance of the Saints, 160 162 163 163 Q. 1. what is meant by the Perseverance of the Saints? 163 2. What evidence have we of the truth of this doctrine? 165 3. Do not some passages imply danger of final opostacy? 171 4. If it be morally impossible for saints to fall away, why should they be admonished as though they were in danger? 5. Does not this doctrine encourage sloth? SECTION XIII. Means of Grace, Q. 1. What are the Means of Grace? 2. What evidence have we that God works by means? 4. What evidence have we that family religion is the duty of all parents? 172 173 174 174 174 175 179 SECTION XIV. Consequences of Death, Page 183 Q. 1. What are the immediate Consequences of Death? 183 2. Do the souls of men exist after death, previous to the resurrection? 187 3. Does the soul, after death, go immediately to its eternal state? 190 190 4. If the righteous and wicked pass immediately to their eternal state, will not the day of judgment occasion a suspension in their happiness or misery? 5. What evidence have we of the general resurrection? 191 6. Will men be raised with the same bodies with which they leave the world? 193 194 196 196 200 201 7. What evidence have we of a judgment day? SECTION XV. Future Punishment, Q. 1. Will sinners be punished in the future world? 2. Will the punishment of the wicked be endless? 3. Can a finite being deserve an infinite punishment ? 4. Do the words everlasting, eternal, &c. mean endless? 203 5. Will the wicked be restored from the prison of hell? 212 6. Do not some passages indicate that all will be saved? 215 7. Is it not painful for a parent to punish a child for a moment? Can we believe that God will punish eternally?. 8. Christians would save all if they could;-is not the SECTION XVI. Institutions of the Gospel.- 221 222 223 Q. 1. What do we understand by the Sabbath? 223 223 229 230 234 6. Why is it not expressly enjoined in the New Testament? 236 7. If the Sabbath remain the same under the Jewish and Christian dispensations, why is not a violation of it to receive the same punishments? 237 8. What evidence have we of the change of the day which is observed for the Sabbath? 238 9. In what manner is the Sabbath to be observed ? 241 10. What is meant by works of necessity? 11. Is it right to employ week days for religious pur Page 242 2. For what object was Baptism appointed? 3. Is Baptism to be continued in the Church? 4. Who are the proper subjects of Baptism? 243 244 244 244 244 245 5. Is not something required of the subject in order to Baptism, of which infants are not capable? 256 6. Is it right to baptize children without express command? 257 7. If Baptism take the place of circumcision, what right have we for baptising females? 258 8. Did not the Abrahamic covenant refer to temporal blessings only? 259 9. If it be right to baptize children, should they not be 11. If the covenant made with Abraham be of grace, 266 266 13. What is the scriptural mode of Baptism? 268 14. Is not Baptism represented as a burial? SECTION XVIII. The Lord's Supper, 5. Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance ? 6. Was this ordinance designed to be perpetual ? 277 279 281 282 282 7. What are the scriptural grounds for Christian fellowship in the reception of this ordinance? 283 Q. 1. What is a Church? SECTION XIX. Christian Church, 2. What are the proper officers of a Church? 286 286 286 273 274 276 277 277 Page 3. Was Timothy Bishop of Ephesus, &c. ? 290 4. What is the testimony of the fathers concerning teach- ers of the Christian Church? 292 5. What are the duties assigned to Deacons ? 293 6. How are Deacons to be inducted into their office? 293 294 8. What is the proper course to be pursued in disci- 295 296 9. Ought the Church ever to demand publick confes- 10. Have we scripture authority for councils? Q. What is a call to preach the gospel? SECTION XXI. Conformity to the World, 2. Is it wrong for such as do not profess to be Chris. 298 298 301 301 310 310 312 ERRATA. Page 36 line 20 from top, for put out read put it out, &c. 53 ref. e for verse 16 read 20. 59 ref. b for 1 Cor v read 1 Cor xv. 60 ref. a for 1 Tim. i read 1 Tim, iii. 62. ref. b for verse 31 read 3, 4. 92 ref. a for ee read see, and for verse 23 read 3. 93 ref. d for 1 John i read 1 John ii. &c. 96 ref a for Ezek xxi read Ezek. xviii. &c. 110 ref c for 2 Tim read 1 Tim, &c. 151 ref a for 1 John read John. 158 ref. a for 1 Tim read 2 Tim &c. 162 line 2 from top, for before mind read before the mind. 204 in a few copies for aionos read aioon. 229 line 11 from top, insert the at the end. 293 ref a for Acts vi 12, read Acts vi, 1, 2. Most of the above errors are found in but few copies. THE CHRISTIAN'S INSTRUCTER. SECTION I. Natural Religion. QUESTION 1. What are we to understand by natural religion? Answer. That knowledge of the divine character, and of our duty, which may be derived from the light of nature, without the aid of revelation. Q. 2. In what respect is this religion deficient? A. 1. It does not give us, with sufficient clearness, the moral character of God. Every reflecting mind must be anxious to know distinctly, something of his moral character, whose natural perfections, such as wisdom and power, we see in every object around us. 2. We cannot, from the light of nature, ascertain the scrvice with which God will be pleased. We may determine that we are dependant, and from this we may infer the existence of obligation; but what returns, or what service, will be most acceptable to him, it is impossible to decide. 3. We can derive from the light of nature, no satisfactory explanation of divine providence. Why the present life should be short and uncertain, and why our course through it should be so often beset with trials and afflictions, is a ques |