4. From circumstances of time, (1) and place: (2) if on the Lord's day, (3) or other times of divine worship; (4) or immediately before, (5) or after these, (6) or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages: (7) if in

(1) Isa. xxii. 12, 13, 14. And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth and behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine.-Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you, till ye die, saith the Lord God of hosts. 2 Kings v. 26.

(2) Jer. vii. 10, 11. And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?

(3) Ezek. xxiii. 38.-They have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my Sabbaths.

(4) Isa. lviii. 3, 4.-Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness.

(5) 1 Cor. xi. 20, 21. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. Jer.. vii. 9, 10. Will ye steal, murder-and come and stand before me in this house?

(6) Prov. vii. 14, 15. I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows: therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face; and I have found thee.

(7) Neh. ix. 13, 14, 15, 16. Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai—and madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath-and gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst-but they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments. 2 Chron. xxxvi, 15, 16.

public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled. (1)

Q. 152. What doth every sin deserve at the hands of God?

A. Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty, (2) goodness, (3) and holiness of God, (4) and against his righteous law, (5) deserveth his wrath and curse, (6) both in this life, (7) and that which is to

(1) Isa. iii. 9.-They declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Wo unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. 1 Sam. ii. 22, 23, 24.

(2) James ii. 10, 11.-Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery; said also, Do not kill.

(3) Deut. xxxii. 6. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

(4) Hab. i. 13. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously? 1 Pet. i. 15, 16. As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation: because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Lev. xi. 45.

(5) 1 John iii. 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Rom. vii. 12.-The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

(6) Gal. iii. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Eph. v. 6.

(7) Deut. xxviii. 15, to the end. But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his

come; (1) and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ. (2)

Q. 153. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the law?

A. That we may escape the wrath and curse of God due to us by reason of the transgression of the law, he requireth of us repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, (3) and the diligent use of the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of his mediation. (4)

statutes, which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, &c. Prov. xiii. 21.

(1) Matt. xxv. 41.-Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Rom. vi. 21, 23.-The end of those things is death.— The wages of sin is death.

(2) Heb. ix. 22. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 1 John i. 7.-And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 Pet. i. 18, 19.

(3) Acts xx. 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Mark i. 15.-Repent ye, and believe the gospel. John iii. 18. He that believeth on him, is not condemned; but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.

(4) Prov. viii. 33, 34, 35. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Luke xiii. 24. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Q. 154. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation?

A. The outward and ordinary means, whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation. (1)

Q. 155. How is the word made effectual to salvation?

A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening, (2) convincing and humbling sinners, (3) of driving them out

(1) Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Acts ii. 42, 46. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. 1 Tim. iv. 16. 1 Cor. i. 21. Eph. v. 19, 20, and vi. 17, 18.

(2) Ps. xix. 8.-The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Acts xxvi. 18. To oper their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.

(3) Jer. xxiii. 28, 29. And he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully.-Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Heb. iv. 12.-The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged

of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ;(1) of conforming them to his image, (2) and subduing them to his will; (3) of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; (4) of building them up in grace, (5) and establish

sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Rom. viii. 16.

(1) Acts ii. 37, 41. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts viii. 27 to 38.

(2) 2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Col. i. 27.

(3) 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Rom. vi. 17.

(4) Ps. xix. 11.—Moreover, by them is thy servant warned. Col. i. 28. Whom we preach, warning every man. Eph. vi. 16, 17. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Matt. iv. 7, 10.

(5) Eph. iv. 11, 12. And he gave some, apostlesand some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, &c. Acts xx. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up. 2 Tim. iii. 15, 16. I Cor. iii. 9, 10, 11.