by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ, according to the gospel. (1)

Q. 60. Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living ac cording to the light of nature?

A. They who having never heard the gospel, (2) know not Jesus Christ, (3) and believe not in him, cannot be saved, (4) be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, (5) or the laws of that religion which they profess; (6) neither is there salva tion in any other, but in Christ alone, (7) who is the Saviour only of his body the church. (8)

other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice. Eph. i. 13, 14.

(1) Eph. ii. 8. For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. John iii. 36.

(2) Rom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

(3) 2 Thess. i. 8, 9. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.

(4) John viii. 24.—If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Mark xvi. 16. He that believeth not, shall be damned.

·(5) 1 Cor. i. 20 to 25.

(6) John iv. 22. Phil. iii. 4 to 10.

(7) Acts iv. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

(8) Eph. v. 23.-Even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the Saviour of the body.

Q. 61. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?

A. All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but only they who are true members of the church invisible. (1)

Q. 62. What is the visible church?

A. The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, (2) and of their children. (3)

Q. 63. What are the special privileges of the visible church?

A. The visible church hath the privilege of being under God's special care and government; (4) of being protected and preserved in

(1) Rom. ix. 6.-They are not all Israel which are of Israel. 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. Matt. xxii. 14. John xii. 38, 39, 40.

(2) 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. 1 Cor. xii: 13. Rom. xv. 9 to 13. Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. (3) Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to 1 Cor. vii. 14. Rom. xi. 16. Gen.

your children.

xvii. 7.

(4) Isa. iv. 5, 6. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. 1 Tim. iv. 10.

all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies; (1) and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, (2) and offers of grace by Christ, to all members of it, in the ministry of the gospel, testifying that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, (3) and excluding none that will come unto him. (4)

Q. 64. What is the invisible church?

A. The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head. (5)

(1) Matt. xvi. 18. And upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Isa. xxxi. 4, 5. Zech. xii. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9. Ex. iii. 2, 3. Ps. cxv. throughout.

(2) Acts ii. 42. They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

(3) Ps. cxlvii. 19, 20. He showeth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judg ments, they have not known them. Rom. ix. 4. xvi. 15, 16.-Preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved. Acts xvi, 31. Isa. xlv. 22. Rev. xxii. 17.

in

Mark

(4) John vi. 37.—And him that cometh to me, I will no wise cast out.

(5) Eph. i. 10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. John xi. 52. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. John x. 16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Eph. i 22, 23.

Q. 65. What special benefits do the members of the invisible church enjoy by Christ? A. The members of the invisible church, by Christ, enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory. (1)

Q. 66. What is that union which the elect have with Christ?

A. The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God's grace, (2) whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; (3) which is done in their effectual calling. (4)

Q. 67. What is effectual calling?

A Effectual calling is the work of God's almighty power and grace, (5) whereby (out

(1) John xvii. 21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. Eph. ii. 5, 6. 1 John i. 3.-And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. John xvii. 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory.

(2) Eph. ii. 6, 7, 8.-For by grace are ye saved, through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

(3) 1 Cor. vi. 17. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. John x. 28. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Eph. v. 23, 30.-Even as Christ is the head of the church.-For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

(4) 1 Cor. i. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Pet. v. 10.

(5) Eph. i. 18, 19, 20.-That ye may know what is the hope of his calling,-and what is the exceeding great

of his free and especial love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) (1) he doth in his accepted time invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his word and Spirit; (2) savingly enlightening their minds, (3) renewing and powerfully determin

ness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. 2 Tim. i. 8, 9.-Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began.

(1) Tit. iii. 4, 5. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Eph. ii. 4 to 10. God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; (by grace ye are saved)— Not of works, lest any man should boast. Rom. ix. 11. -According to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.

(2) 2 Cor. v. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. vi. 2. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. John vi. 44. No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth; where unto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(3) Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn