and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord."

Q. 238. How does it appear that it is the duty of Christians to advance in Sanctification?

A. The Scriptures command us to grow in grace. The apostle Paul by his example teaches us, to press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God; and the blessed Savior himself exhorts us, be ye perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Q. 239. Are believers perfectly sanctified in this life? A. No; they are sanctified but in part, the flesh still lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, and there remains a law in their members warring against the law of their mind. Accordingly we all fall short of our duty, and our best services are imperfect before God.

Q. 240. When are believers perfectly delivered from sin?

A. As this work is not completed in this life, and

Q. 238. 2 Pet. iii. 18: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. Philip. iii. 12, 14: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Luke ix. 62. Heb. vi. 1; xii. 1. Matth. v. 48.

Q. 239. Gal. v. 17. Rom. vii. 18, 23: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Is. lxiv. 6. Exod. xxviii. 38. Philip. iii. 12: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Q. 240. Luke xxiii, 43: And Jesus said unto him, Verily

believers are represented as being with Christ, awaking in his image and entering paradise immediately after death, it must be in death that this work is accom. plished.

§ XIX. THE CHURCH.

Q. 241. What society did Christ establish among his followers, in order to aid them in working out their salvation, and in promoting his kingdom upon earth?

A. He established the visible church, which is therefore a divinely appointed institution, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.

Q. 242. Of whom does the visible church consist?

A. The visible church in general embraces all those in every age and country, who profess to have accepted the invitations or call of the gospel, and who publicly avow their allegiance to Christ, according to the faith and practice of the gospel, together with their baptized children.

Q. 243. What is a particular or local church?

A. A particular or local church consists of all

I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Phil. i. 23: For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Psalm xvii. 15. Rev. xiv. 13. Heb. xii. 14: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Q. 241. Eph. ii. 20, 21, 22.

Q. 242. Matth. xxviii. 19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Acts ii. 39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Q. 243. 1 Cor. i. 2: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon

those members of the visible church, who, living near together, have formed themselves into one society under some form of government and discipline, for the better attainment of the objects of the Christian institution, such as the churches as Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, etc.

Q. 244. What are the purposes for which members of the church are associated?

A. The objects which. Christians aim at by church association, are to strengthen each other by the ordinances of God's house, and to watch over one another's spiritual welfare by kind, but faithful church discipline, as well as to extend the kingdom of Christ and promote his glory by letting their light shine before men.

Q. 245. What public ordinances has the Savior appointed for the edification of his church?

A. Preaching and reading the word, singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, prayer and the sacraments.

the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. Rev. ii. 7.

Q. 244. Matth. v. 14, 15, 16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Gal. vi. 1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted., 2 Thess. iii. 6, 14, 15. Rom. xiv. 19.

Q. 245. Mark xvi. 15, 16: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Luke iv. 43. Ps. ix. 11. Matth. xxvi. 30: And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 1 Cor. xiv. 15. Col. iii. 16. Eph. vi. 18. 1 Thess. iii. 10. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2, 3, 8. 1 Cor. xi. 23, etc.: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread, etc.

Q. 246. What benefits may those expect, who are faithful members of his church?

A. If we are faithful members of his church we have the promise of him that cannot lie, that he wil direct and sustain us by his grace through life, will support us in death, and in eternity admit us into that rest which remaineth for the people of God.

Q. 247. But may not those also be saved, who neglect to connect themselves with the church, if they lead a moral life and attend to some of the outward duties of a Christian?

A. To profess Christ before the world is an essential duty of a Christian; and ordinarily no one can be saved, who denies the Savior, by persisting either in the willful neglect of baptism, or of a public personal profession of religion by stated sacramental communion, and the habitual discharge of the other public as well as private duties of church members.

Q. 248. Do all the members of the visible church belong to the true body of Christ; that is, to his invisible church?

A. No. Those who merely say, Lord, Lord, and do not the will of our heavenly Father, are hypocrites, and can never enter into the kingdom of heaven; but shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone.

Q. 246. Mark xvi. 16. Acts ii, 47: And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Q. 247. Matth. x. 32: Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Matth. xxvi. 27: And he took the cup. and gave thanks, and gave it to them, say ing drink ye all of it. Mark viii. 38.

Q. 248. Matt. vii. 21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Rev. xxi. 8. Matt. iii. 12: Whose fan is in his haud, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather

Q. 249. Who are the members of the invisible church? A. The true or invisible church of Christ is the collective body of all those throughout the world who are united to Christ by a living faith, together with their children.

Q. 250. What do you understand by the Catholic church?

A. The word Catholic signifies universal, and it has been employed from the earlier centuries to denote the church universal, embracing all the different churches in the world which hold the essential doctrines and ordinances of Christianity.

Q. 251. Has the Romish or Papal church any exclusive right to the name Catholic?

A. No. She never was any thing more than a part of the Catholic church, and has, in many respects, and for many centuries past, boen a very corrupt one.

Q. 252. Who is the head of the church?

A. Jesus Christ is the only head of the church, nor has he delegated his authority either to the Pope of Rome, or to any king or civil ruler.

his wheat into the garner; but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Luke iii. 17.

Q. 249. Mark xvi. 16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Rom. iii. 30. Gal. iii. 8. Eph. ii. 8; vi. 24. I' Pet. i. 5. Matt. xix. 14: But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Q. 250. 1 Cor. i. 2: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.

Q. 252. Col. i. 18: And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. Matt, xxiii. 8. Eph. L 22.