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 Heidelberg catechism : 
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HEIDELBERG 
 
 CATECHISM 
 
 * 
 
 A Short History of the Heidelberg Catechism, 
 Introduction, Tercentenary Text, Selected Bible Passages, 
 Suitable- Hymns and Selections from the ~ 
 Scriptures. 
 
 25 
 
 * 
 
 ■ 
 
 r*v 
 
 CENTRAL PUBLISHING HOUSK 
 CLEVELANa O. 
 
REVISED EDITION. 
 Copyrighted 1907. 
 
A Short History of the Heidelberg 
 Catechism. 
 
 Tn the year 1559 Frederic III, surnamed the 
 ■"■ Pious, became elector of the Palatinate, a coun- 
 try on the upper Rhine. He found, on his acces- 
 sion, great confusion and excitement on account 
 of the doctrine of the holy Communion; one 
 party was inclined to the Lutheran, the other, to 
 the Reformed view. In fact the doctrine of the 
 Lord's Supper gave rise, at that time, to violent 
 contentions throughout Germany. For after Lu- 
 ther's death (1546) a large number of evangelical 
 theologians would recognize only those doctrines 
 as Lutheran, which Luther had delivered against 
 Reformed doctrine, but ignored what he had 
 taught before and besides in a milder spirit. They 
 considered themselves the true Lutherans and 
 contended sharply against all who differed in 
 doctrine. Melanchthon, who lived to 1560, and 
 the theologians in touch with him, did not ap- 
 prove of this, and so a controversy arose, which 
 led many to more diligent research and convinced 
 them that according to the Scriptures the Re- 
 formed was the true doctrine. 
 
 This was true of the Palatinate also. Elector 
 Frederic, who took the greatest inheres* in mat- 
 3 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 ters pertaining to God's kingdom, had experi- 
 enced the power of the Gospel in his heart. He 
 diligently studied the Bible and theological writ- 
 ings, and after a public disputation of five days, 
 which took place in Heidelberg in 1560, he de- 
 clared himself in favor of the Reformed doc- 
 trine. 
 
 He introduced the Reformed order of worship 
 throughout his country and abolished the pic- 
 tures, crucifixes, candles and altars from the 
 churches. He also introduced a simple and sober 
 form of worship in place of unbiblical pomp and 
 substituted German psalms for the still custom- 
 ary Latin hymns. 
 
 Then he directed his attention to the doctrine, 
 for he knew very well, that much depended upon 
 pure doctrine, even more than upon pure worship. 
 He, therefore, instructed two pious theologians to 
 prepare a catechism that could be understood by 
 the people; that would be free from human 
 opinions and an alive and clear witness to true 
 Christianity. These two men were Olevianus 
 and Ursinus. 
 
 Caspar Olevianus was born at Treves and 
 had studied in the law-schools of France. When 
 on a pleasure trip in a boat, he met with an acci- 
 dent and was in great danger of drowning. He 
 was awakened and made a solemn vow that he 
 would make a full surrender to the Lord if he 
 should be saved. The Lord helped him, and 
 4 
 
A Short History. 
 
 Olevianus kept his vow. He went to Switzerland 
 and studied in Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich. 
 When twenty-three years old he returned to 
 Treves and was appointed a teacher of Latin. 
 As he found the whole city still in Roman Catho- 
 lic superstition, he could not remain quiet but 
 preached the Gospel with great power. A perse- 
 cution arose against him and the authorities put 
 him into prison. 
 
 Elector Frederick III released him from prison 
 and appointed him court-preacher in Heidelberg. 
 His trustful faith is disclosed in his last words 
 which he spoke in the hour of his death. When 
 asked by his associates, whether he was certain 
 of his salvation as he bad taught others that they 
 must be, he replied : "Certissimus," that is, most 
 certainly, and then expired. 
 
 Zacharias Ursinus was born at Breslau. He 
 had studied at Wittenberg with Melanchthon and 
 completed his studies under Calvin in Switzer- 
 land. He was so thorough in his studies, that, 
 when doubts as to the doctrine of election had 
 arisen in his mind, he immediately began to read 
 the Bible from the beginning to the end for the 
 purpose of gaining a firm conviction. The Lord 
 permitted him to gain a thorough understanding 
 of this doctrine, which he taught to the end of 
 his life. 
 
 After the completion of his studies he was 
 first called to Breslau, his native city, as teacher 
 5 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 of theology. He fell into disfavor, however, 
 when it was found that he adhered to the teach- 
 ings of Calvin. In the year 1560 Elector Frederic 
 called him to Heidelberg as professor of theol- 
 ogy. 
 
 In a letter he once gave the following clear 
 testimony as to his faith. "If you think that it 
 cannot be said definitely of anyone that he will 
 be saved, you are right if you speak of others. 
 But in reference to oneself or one's own con- 
 science and one's own conviction concerning 
 himself, this is horrible, godless, devilish, blas- 
 phemous; it subverts the whole ground of sal- 
 vation. 
 
 "Whoever taught you this, taught you like a 
 devil, even if he had come from heaven. Yes, I 
 will tell you more: If you are not certain before 
 the end of your life, that you will be an heir of 
 life eternal, you will not be after this life, which 
 God forbid!" 
 
 With the aid of these two men Elector Fred- 
 eric prepared the Heidelberg Catechism. The 
 first edition was published in the spring of the 
 year 1563. 
 
 The catechism shows on the face of it that it 
 is no dry schoolbook written by learned men and 
 philosophers who stake everything on their meth- 
 ods and forms, but a book of the heart and exper- 
 ience. 
 
 It, therefore, has no philosophical introduction 
 
A Short History. 
 
 but begins with the clear and simple testimony 
 of a pardoned soul, of the only comfort in life 
 and in death and then presents the truths of sal- 
 vation in the order in which the children of God 
 experience them in life, namely first the misery 
 of the awakened sinner; then the believer's sal- 
 vation in Christ and finally the thankfulness of 
 the redeemed Christian in works and prayer. 
 
 This is not an arbitrary order, but is taken 
 from that epistle of the New Testament, which 
 embodies the whole doctrine of salvation, the 
 epistle to the Romans. 
 
 The epistle to the Romans follows the same 
 threefold division of man's misery, to chapter 
 3:21; of redemption, to chapter 12, and then of 
 thankfulness. 
 
 The following questions are especially cele- 
 brated on account of their precious contents : 
 questian 1, of our only comfort; question 21, 
 of faith; question 60, of justification; question 
 81, who is worthy to come to the Lord's Sup- 
 per, and question 114, the imperfection of the 
 saints. 
 
 Immediately after its appearance, the catechism 
 was assailed most violently in many writings of 
 the strict Lutherans; they even hastened to re- 
 port Elector Frederic to the Emperor as an in- 
 novator who must be excluded from the protec- 
 tion promised them by treaty. 
 
 At the Diet of Augsburg, in the year 1566, a 
 7 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 formal complaint was lodged against him on May 
 14th. The motion was made that he be required 
 to abolish all his ecclesiastical arrangements to- 
 gether with his new catechism, otherwise he was 
 to be dealt with most severely. 
 
 Elector Frederic then arose, followed by his 
 son, who carried a Bible, and delivered a speech. 
 This speech was remarkable for its joyous faith 
 and fearlessness and made a lasting impression. 
 He closed with the following words : 
 
 "As to religion, that I should change or abolish 
 the same, I announce, that in matters of con- 
 science or faith I recognize only one Lord, the 
 King of kings, and therefore am not concerned 
 for a capful of flesh*), but for my soul and its 
 salvation, the care of which my Lord and Saviour 
 Christ has'given me. Am also bound and ready 
 to keep the same for Him. 
 
 "I, therefore, cannot concede jurisdiction over 
 the same to your Imperial Majesty but to God 
 only, who created you. 
 
 "As to my catechism, I acknowledge the same. 
 Its margin is fortified with reasons from the 
 Holy Scriptures that it shall not be subverted 
 but, as I hope, remain unsubverted. 
 
 "Moreover, I confidently hope that my Lord 
 and Saviour Christ Jesus has given me and all 
 
 *) That is, I am ready to lose my head for it. 
 
A Short History. 
 
 His believers His sure promise, that in the world 
 beyond He will restore to me a hundredfold 
 whatever I shall lose for His glory's and His 
 name's sake. I herewith humbly commend myself 
 to your Imperial Majesty." 
 
 After this testimony, the Elector and the 
 Heidelberg Catechism were preserved by the 
 grace of God, in spite of their enemies. The 
 Elector was permitted to rule his country till he 
 peacefully passed away in 1576. His motto was 
 engraved on his tombstone : Lord, according to 
 Thy will ! 
 
 The Catechism was gradually introduced into 
 all Reformed countries of Germany, into Hol- 
 land, several Swiss Cantons, Hungary and Po- 
 land. 
 
 In the year 1618, at the Synod of Dort, which 
 was composed of Reformed delegates from all 
 countries, it was recognized as a confession of 
 faith of the whole Reformed Church of all 
 tongues. 
 
 Immigrants from Holland and Germany 
 brought the catechism to America where it re- 
 mains to this day the confession of faith of the 
 Reformed Church and its only lawfully recog- 
 nized book of instruction for its youth. 
 
Introduction. 
 
 The Books of the Bible. 
 
 The Bible, which is also called the Word of 
 God, Holy Scriptures, Testament, is divided into 
 the Old and New Testaments. 
 
 The Old and New Testaments are divided into 
 historical, doctrinal and prophetic books. 
 
 THE OLD TESTAMENT. 
 The seventeen historical books are 
 
 Genesis, 
 
 Exodus, 
 
 Leviticus, 
 
 Numbers, 
 
 Deuteronomy, 
 
 Joshua, 
 
 Judges, 
 
 2§- 
 
 Ruth, 
 
 Samuel, (2 books), 
 
 Kings (2 books), 
 
 Chronicles (2 books), 
 
 Ezra, 
 
 Nehemiah, 
 
 Esther. 
 
 The five doctrinal books are 
 
 Job, The Proverbs of Solomon, 
 
 The Psalms, Ecclesiastes (Solomon), 
 
 Canticles, or Song of Songs (Solomon). 
 
 The sixteen prophetic books are 
 
 The Four Major Prophets. 
 Isaiah, Lamentations (Jeremiah), 
 
 Jeremiah, 
 
 Ezekiel, 
 
 Daniel. 
 10 
 
Introduction. 
 
 The Twelve Minor Prophets. 
 
 Hosea, Nahum, 
 
 Joel, Habakkuk, 
 
 Amos, Zephaniah, 
 
 Obadiah, Haggai, 
 
 Jonah, Zechariah, 
 
 Micah, Malachi. 
 
 THE NEW TESTAMENT. 
 
 The five historical books are 
 
 The Gospel according to St. 
 
 Matthew, 
 The Gospel according to St. 
 Mark, 
 
 The Gospel according to St 
 
 Luke, 
 The Gospel according to St. 
 
 John, 
 
 The Acts of the Apostles, by St. Luke. 
 The twenty-one doctrinal books are 
 
 The Epistle of St. Paul to 
 
 the Romans, 
 Two Epistles of St. Paul to 
 
 the Corinthians, 
 The Epistle of St. Paul to 
 
 the Galatians, 
 The Epistle of St. Paul to 
 
 the Ephesians, 
 The Epistle of St. Paul to 
 
 the Philippians, 
 The Epistle of St. Paul to 
 
 the Colossians. 
 
 The Epistle 
 
 Two Epistles of St. Paul to 
 
 the Thessalonians. 
 Two Epistles of St. Paul to 
 
 Timotheus, 
 The Epistle of St. Paul to 
 
 Titus, 
 The Epistle of St. Paul to 
 
 Philemon, 
 The Epistle to the Hebrews. 
 The Epistle of St. James- 
 Two Epistles of St. Peter, 
 Three Epistles of St. John, 
 of St. Jude. 
 
 The only prophetic book is 
 
 The Revelation of St. John the Divine. 
 
 11 
 
The Holy Scriptures. 
 
 i. The whole decree of God for our salvation 
 is revealed in the Bible or the collection of 
 sacred writings of the Old and New Testaments. 
 The writings of the Old Covenant contain the 
 revelation of God to the fathers of antiquity and 
 to the people of Israel, through Moses and the 
 prophets. They relate how sin entered the 
 world, and give the promises of God of a com- 
 ing redemption, and the preparation for this re- 
 demption. The writings of the New Covenant 
 contain the revelation of the Son of God to the 
 whole human race, how God Himself fulfilled 
 our redemption in Christ, and how we participate 
 therein. These writings as a whole (or Scrip- 
 tures), are called the Canon or rule of faith and 
 life. 
 
 2. God accredited His prophets and apostles 
 before the world, 
 
 a) Through miracles : works of omnipotence 
 which no one can do, except God be with him. 
 
 b) Through prophecies : fortelling future 
 things, which no one can know beforehand, un- 
 less God Omniscient reveals them to him. 
 
 12 
 
Introduction. 
 
 3. The Bible differs from all other books in 
 this that it is the Word of God. 
 
 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 
 and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for 
 correction, for instruction in righteousness : that 
 the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly fur- 
 nished unto all good works. — 2 Tim. 3 : 16, 17. 
 
 The certainty that the whole of the Holy 
 Scriptures is the Word of God, is attested 
 
 a) By the testimony of the Son of God as to 
 the divinity of the Old Testament: 
 
 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, 
 or the prophets : I am not come to destroy, but 
 to fulfill. Matt. 5 : 17-19- 
 
 b) By the testimony of the apostles: 
 
 That from a child thou hast known the Holy 
 Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise 
 unto salvation through faith which is in Christ 
 Jesus. 2 Tim. 3: 15. 
 
 c) By the testimony of the Church of the Old 
 and the New Testament. 
 
 d) By the continued experience of the be- 
 lievers, of the divine power of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 If any man will do His will, he shall know of 
 the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I 
 speak of myself. John 7: 17. 
 13 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 4. The divine glory of the Holy Scriptures is 
 disclosed as follows : 
 
 a) They are living and powerful, a seed of 
 regeneration : 
 
 Is not my word like a fire? saith the Lord; 
 and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in 
 pieces? Jer. 23 : 29. 
 
 b) They form a whole, beginning with the 
 creation, Gen. 1 : 1, and closing with the coming 
 of Christ, Rev. 22: 20. 
 
 c) They are many-sided in this unity. 
 
 d) Christ is their Alpha and Omega. 
 
 e) They are arranged for all times, for every 
 station, for every age. They satisfy our deepest 
 needs, and no one is able to exhaust them. 
 
 f) Their divinity is proven by the prophecies 
 that have been fulfilled, 
 
 a) as to Christ. 
 
 b) as to the descendants of Shem, Japhet 
 
 and Ham, 
 
 c) as to Jerusalem and the lot of the Jews, 
 
 d) as to Tyre, 
 
 e) as to Nineveh, 
 
 f) as to Babylon. 
 
 14 
 
Introduction. 
 
 5. In the Holy Scriptures we accordingly pos- 
 sess the pure source of divine instruction and the 
 only rule of our faith and life, in accordance 
 with which all dissensions in the Church are to 
 be decided and the teachers of the Word to be 
 examined : 
 
 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light 
 unto my path. Ps. 119. 105. 
 
 This is done in our Reformed Church which 
 holds to the Word of God, neither adding to, nor 
 taking from it. 
 
 The principle rules for profitable Bible-read- 
 ing : read 
 
 a) humbly and reverently, 
 
 b) believingly, 
 
 c) devoutly, intent upon salvation, 
 
 d) prayerfully, 
 
 e) with proper application to oneself, 
 
 f) with the earnest resolution, to be guided 
 thereby in all things. 
 
 GENERAL VIEW. 
 
 God created man to live in communion with 
 Him in righteousness and holiness : to be wise in 
 God, holy in God, blessed in God. 
 
 Through the temptation of Satan man fell into 
 15 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 a sinful state and now continues to walk in 
 sin, 
 
 unwise, unholy, unblessed, 
 
 separated from God and under the power of Sa- 
 tan. In order to restore the communion which 
 was destroyed, God becomes man to be 
 
 our Mediator, 
 
 our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, re- 
 demption, our Prophet, High Priest and King. 
 
 CHRIST OUR LORD, 
 
 those whom He purchased with His blood, His 
 own. 
 
 In order to impute this communion restored by 
 Christ, to the individual, the Father and the Son 
 send their Holy Spirit. 
 
 The Spirit of wisdom, peace, power, glory, rev- 
 elation, discipline, and blessedness. Through the 
 Word of God the Holy Spirit gives light, peace, 
 power, and blessedness. 
 
 The order in which this is wrought in those 
 who are called, is as follows : 
 
 Illumination, justification, sanctification and 
 preservation. 
 
 In this wise man is regenerated to the image 
 of God, in true righteousness and holiness ; 
 16 
 
Introduction. 
 
 A child of light, just, holy, blessed in hope. 
 
 The same Holy Spirit confirms through the use 
 of the holy sacraments, the forgiveness of sins, 
 the power for a holy life. 
 
 Good works are then the fruits of thankful- 
 ness. Converse with God in prayer is the life of 
 the 
 
 COMMUNION WITH GOD. 
 
HEIDELBERG CATECHISM. 
 * 
 
 i. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: John 10: 12-16; 27-29. 
 Hymn No. 183. Jesus, Thy boundless love. 
 
 Question i. What is thy only comfort in life 
 and in death ? 
 
 That I, with body and soul, both in life 
 and in death, am not my own, but belong to 
 my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who with 
 His precious blood has fully satisfied for 
 all my sins, and redeemed me from all the 
 power of the devil; and so preserves me, 
 that without the will of my Father in heaven 
 not a hair can fall from my head ; yea, that 
 all things must work together for my salva- 
 tion. Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He 
 also assures me of eternal life, and makes 
 me heartily willing and ready henceforth 
 to live unto Him. 
 
 This question and answer form the introduction or r>v e f a ce 
 to the catechism. It presents in Bible words the sum oi salva- 
 tion in Christ: redemption through the blood of Christ, pres- 
 ervation through the love of God, assurance and sanctification 
 through the Spirit. Only few children and young people pos- 
 sess this comfort in full, but they are to strive for it. The in- 
 19 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 struction in the catechism Is to help to attain it. Many a one has 
 joyfully confessed this only comfort on his death-bed, as in- 
 deed, this question and answer is praised frequently as a 
 precious word. 
 
 Rom. 14: 7, 8. For none of us liveth to him- 
 self, and no man dieth to himself. For whether 
 we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we 
 die, we die unto the Lord : whether we live there- 
 fore, or die, we are the Lord's. 
 
 1 Cor. 6 : 19. What ! know ye not that your 
 body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is 
 in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not 
 your own? 
 
 Tit. 2: 14. Our Saviour Jesus Christ; who 
 gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us 
 from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a 
 peculiar people, zealous of good works. 
 
 1 Pet. 1 : 18, 19. Forasmuch as ye know that 
 ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, 
 as silver and gold, from your vain conversation 
 received by tradition from your fathers ; but with 
 the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without 
 blemish and without spot. 
 
 Heb. 2: 14, 15. Forasmuch then as the children 
 are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Him- 
 self likewise took part of the same; that through 
 death He might destroy him that had the power 
 of death, that is, the devil ; and deliver them who 
 through fear of death were all their lifetime 
 subject to bondage. 
 
 1 Pet. 1 : 5. Who are kept by the power of 
 God through faith unto salvation, ready to be 
 revealed in the last time. 
 
 Matt. 10: 29, 30. Are not two sparrows sold 
 for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on 
 the ground without your Father. But the very 
 hairs of your head are numbered. 
 20 
 
The Only Comfort. 
 
 Rom. 8 : 28. We know that all things work to- 
 gether for good, to them that love God, to them 
 who are the called according to His purpose. 
 
 1 John 4 : 13. Hereby know we that we dwell 
 in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us 
 of His Spirit. 
 
 Ezek. 36: 27. I will put my Spirit within you, 
 and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall 
 keep my judgments, and do them. 
 
 Examples: Mary, one thing is needful, Luke 10: 38—42. 
 Dan. 3, preservation in the fiery furnace. Luke 19: 15—23, 
 shows what it means to live unto Him. 
 
 Question 2. How many things are necessary 
 for thee to know, that thou in this comfort may- 
 est live and die happily? 
 
 Three things : First, the greatness of my 
 sin and misery. Second, how I am re- 
 deemed from all my sins and misery. Third, 
 how I am to be thankful to God for such re- 
 demption. 
 
 In accordance with this question and answer the whole 
 catechism is divided into three parts: of man's misery, of man's 
 redemption, of thankfulness. The epistle to the Romans is 
 divided in the same manner, treating in chapters 1 to 3 verse 20 
 of man's misery, to chapter 12 of man's redemption, and from 
 there to the end, of thankfulness and good works. The spirit- 
 ual life of every true Christian likewise consists of these three 
 parts, for example the misery of the jailer at Philippi, Acts 16: 
 27—30, his redemption, verses 31 and 32, his thankfulness, 
 verses 33 and 34. 
 
 Rom. 7: 24, 25. O wretched man that I am? 
 who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 
 I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
FIRST PART. 
 
 Of Man's Misery. 
 2. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Rom. 7. 
 
 Hymn No. 175. My sins, my sins, my Saviour. 
 
 Question 3. Whence knowest thou thy misery? 
 Out of the Law of God. 
 
 Rom. 3: 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law, 
 there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for 
 by the law is the knowledge of sin. 
 
 Rom. 7: 7. 
 
 Question 4. What does the Law of God re- 
 quire of us? 
 
 This Christ teaches us in sum, Matt. 22 : 
 Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God with 
 all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with 
 all thy mind, and with all thy strength. 
 This is the first and great commandment; 
 and the second is like unto it: Thou shalt 
 love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two 
 commandments hang all the law and the 
 prophets. 
 
 Rom. 13 : 10. Love is the fulfilling of the law. 
 22 
 
Of Man's Misery. 
 
 Deut. 6:5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
 with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and 
 with all thy might. 
 
 Lev. 19: 18. T*hou shalt not avenge, nor bear 
 any grudge against the children of thy people, but 
 thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 
 
 "Neighbor" illustrated Luke 10, the good Samaritan. 
 
 Question 5. Canst thou keep all this perfectly? 
 
 No : for I am by nature prone to hate God 
 and my neighbor. 
 
 Rom. 3 : 10-12. There is none righteous, no, 
 not one : there is none that understandeth, there 
 is none that seeketh after God. They are all 
 gone out of the way, they are together become 
 unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, 
 not one. 
 
 Rom. 8: 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity 
 against God: for it is not subject to the law of 
 God, neither indeed can be. 
 
 Perfect, Jas. 2: 10. The rich young man, Mark 10: 17—22. 
 
 3. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: John 3: 1-15. 
 Hymn No. 163. Lord, I am vile. 
 
 Question 6. Did God create man thus wicked 
 and perverse? 
 
 No, but God created man good, and after 
 His own image, that is, in righteousness and 
 true holiness; that he might rightly know 
 
 23 
 
Heidelberg Jpatechism. 
 
 God his Creator, heartily love Him, and live 
 with Him in eternal blessedness, to praise 
 and glorify Him. 
 
 Gen. i : 27. So God created man in His own 
 image, in the image of God created He him; 
 male and female created He them. 
 
 Gen. 1 : 31. And God saw everything that He 
 had made : and behold, it was very good. 
 
 Eph. 4: 24. And that ye put on the new man, 
 which after God is created in righteousness and 
 true holiness. 
 
 Rightly know, Col. 3: 10. Glorify, Prov. 16: 4. 
 
 Question 7. Whence then comes this depraved 
 nature of man? 
 
 From the fall and disobedience of our 
 first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise, 
 whereby our nature became so corrupt, that 
 we are all conceived and born in sin. 
 
 THE FALL. 
 
 Rom. S : 12. Wherefore as by one man sin en- 
 tered into the world, and death by sin; and so 
 death passed upon all men, for that all have 
 sinned. 
 
 Ps. 51: 5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; 
 and in sin did my mother conceive me. 
 
 Gen. 5: 3. John 3: 6. 1 Cor. 8: 46. Gen. 3: 
 The whole chapter. 
 
 24 
 
Of Man's Misery. 
 
 Question 8. But are we so far depraved, that 
 we are wholly unapt to any good and prone to 
 all evil? 
 
 Yes; unless we are bom again by the 
 Spirit of God. 
 
 REGENERATION. 
 
 Gen. 8: 21. The imagination of man's heart is 
 evil from his youth. 
 
 2 Cor. 3: 5. Not that we are sufficient of our- 
 selves to think anything as of ourselves ; but our 
 sufficiency is of God. 
 
 John 3 : 3. Except a man be born again, he 
 cannot see the kingdom of God. 
 
 4. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Acts 5: 1-11. 
 Hymn No. 17. Day of wrath. 
 
 Question 9. Does not God then wrong man, 
 by requiring of Him in His law that which he 
 cannot perform? 
 
 No : for God so made man, that he could 
 perform it ; but man, through the instigation 
 of the devil, by wilful disobedience de- 
 prived himself and all his posterity of this 
 power. 
 
 Ps. 51 : 4. Against Thee only have I sinned, 
 and done that which is evil in Thy sight : that 
 Thou mayest be justified when Thou speakest, 
 and be clear when Thou judgest. 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Gen. 3 : 6. And when the woman saw that the 
 tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant 
 to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one 
 wise; she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; 
 and gave also unto her husband with her, and 
 he did eat. 
 
 John 8: 14. Who was the serpent ? Rev. 12: 9. 
 
 Question io. Will God suffer such disobedi- 
 ence and apostasy to go unpunished? 
 
 By no means ; but He is terribly displeased 
 with our inborn as well as actual sins, and 
 will punish them in just judgment in time 
 and eternity, as He has declared : Cursed is 
 every one that continueth not in all things 
 which are written in the book of the law, to 
 do them. Deut. 27: 26. 
 
 ACTUAL SINS MAY BE DONE \ 
 
 I. Knowingly and unknowingly; 
 
 Ps. 19: 12. Who can discern his errors? Clean 
 Thou me from hidden faults. 
 
 Ps. 40: 12. Mine iniquities have overtaken me, 
 so that I am not able to look; they are more than 
 the hairs of my head. 
 
 2. In thoughts, words, and deeds; 
 
 Matt. 15 : 19. Out of the heart proceed evil 
 thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, 
 false witness, blasphemies. 
 
 Matt. 12 : 36. But I say unto you, that every 
 26 
 
Of Man's Misery. 
 
 idle word that men shall speak, they shall give 
 account thereof in the day of judgment. 
 
 3. By the omission of good and the commission 
 of evil. 
 
 James 4 : 17. To him that knoweth to do good, 
 and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 
 
 James 3 : 2. For in many things we offend all. 
 
 THE PUNISHMENT OF SIN IS 
 
 I. Temporal. 
 
 Rom. 5 : 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin 
 entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so 
 death passed upon all men, for that all have 
 sinned. 
 
 Rom. 1 : 18. The wrath of God is revealed 
 from heaven against all ungodliness and un- 
 righteousness of men, who hold the truth in un- 
 righteousness. 
 
 2. Eternal. 
 
 Matt. 25 : 41. Then He shall say also unto 
 them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye 
 cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the 
 devil and his angels. 
 
 Question ii. Is then God not merciful? 
 
 God is indeed merciful, but He is likewise 
 just; wherefore His justice requires that 
 sin, which is committed against the most 
 high majesty of God, be also punished with 
 
 27 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 extreme, that is, with everlasting punish- 
 ment both of body and soul. 
 
 Ex. 34: 6, 7. The Lord, the Lord, a God full 
 of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and 
 plenteous in mercy and truth; keeping mercy for 
 thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression 
 and sin : and that will by no means clear the 
 guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon 
 the children, and upon the children's children, 
 upon the third and upon the fourth generation. 
 
 Rom. 2: 5, 6. But (thou) after thy hardness 
 and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself 
 wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of 
 the righteous judgment of God; who will render 
 to every man according to his deeds. 
 
 Gen. 6: the Deluge. Gen. 19: Sodom. II. Sam. 12: 1—12: 
 Nathan's Sermon. Dan. 5: 18—30: mene, tekel upharsin. 
 
SECOND PART. 
 
 Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 * 
 5. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Is. 53. 
 
 Hymn Xo. 242. Lamb of God. 
 
 Question 12. Since then, by the righteous 
 judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eter- 
 nal punishment, what is required that we may 
 escape this punishment and be again received into 
 favor? 
 
 God wills that His justice be satisfied, 
 therefore must we make full satisfaction to 
 the same, either by ourselves or by another. 
 
 Ezek. 18: 4. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. 
 
 Matt. 5 : 26. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt 
 by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid 
 the uttermost farthing. 
 
 2 Thess. 1: 6. Luke 16: 2. Rom. 8: 34. 
 
 Question 13. Can we ourselves make this sat- 
 isfaction f 
 
 By no means : on the contrary, we daily 
 increase our guilt. 
 Matt. 16: 26. For what is a man profited, if he 
 29 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what 
 shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 
 
 Job 9: 2. Job 15: 15, 16. Ps. 130: 3. 
 
 Question 14. Can any mere creature make 
 satisfaction for us? 
 
 None: for first, God will not punish, in 
 any other creature, that of which man has 
 made himself guilty; and further, no mere 
 creature can sustain the burden of God's 
 eternal wrath against sin, and redeem others 
 therefrom. 
 
 Heb. 2 : 16. For verily He took not on Him 
 the nature of angels; but He took on Him the 
 seed of Abraham. 
 
 That is, since He desired to suffer the punishment for man 
 He could not do it in the nature of angels. 
 
 Heb. 9 : 12. Neither by the blood of goats and 
 calves, but by His own blood, He entered in once 
 into the holy place, having obtained eternal re- 
 demption for us. 
 
 That is, the punishment was not suffered by the creatures 
 goats and calves. 
 
 Ps. 49: 7, 8. None of them can by any means 
 redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom 
 for him: For the redemption of their soul is 
 precious, and it ceaseth forever. 
 
 Question 15. What manner of mediator and 
 redeemer then must we seek? 
 
 One who is a true and sinless man, and 
 
 30 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 yet more powerful than all creatures, that 
 is, one who is at the same time true God. 
 
 i Cor. 15 : 21. For since by man came death, 
 by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 
 
 Heb. 7 : 26. For such an high priest became 
 us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate 
 from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. 
 
 Jer. 23 : 6. The Lord our Righteousness. 
 
 6. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Heb. 1. 
 
 Hymn No. 407. My faith looks up to Thee. 
 
 Question 16. Why must he be a true and 
 sinless man? 
 
 Because the justice of God requires, that 
 the same human nature, which has sinned 
 should make satisfaction for sin ; but no 
 man, being himself a sinner, could satisfy 
 for others. 
 
 The Redeemer must be: 
 
 a) a true man; 
 
 Rom. 8: 3. For what the law could not do, in 
 that it was weak through the flesh, God sending 
 His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and 
 for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. 
 
 1 Tim. 2: 5. For there is one God, and one 
 mediator between God and men, the man Christ 
 Jesus. 
 
 31 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 b) a sinless man; 
 
 Is. 53: 11. He shall see the travail of His soul, 
 and shall be satisfied : by His knowledge shall 
 my righteous servant make many righteous : and 
 He shall bear their iniquities. 
 
 John 8: 46. Which of you convinceth me of 
 sin? 
 
 Question 17. Why must He be at the same 
 time true God? 
 
 That by the power of His Godhead He 
 might bear, in His manhood, the burden of 
 God's wrath and so obtain for and restore 
 to us righteousness and life. 
 
 c) true God. 
 
 2 Cor. 5: 21. For He (God) hath made Him 
 to be sin for us, who knew no sin ; that we might 
 be made the righteousness of God in Him. 
 
 Rom. 5: 17. For if by one man's offence death 
 reigned by one ; much more they which receive 
 abundance of grace and of the gift of righteous- 
 ness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. 
 
 Question 18. But who now is that Mediator, 
 who is at the same time true God and a true, 
 sinless Man? 
 
 Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is freely 
 given unto us for complete redemption and 
 righteousness. 
 
 32 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 d) therefore God-man. 
 
 John i : 14. And the Word was made flesh, 
 and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, 
 the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, 
 full of grace and truth. 
 
 e) ready for the work of redemption. 
 
 John 10: 17, 18. Therefore doth my Father 
 love me, because I lay down my life, that I might 
 take it again. No man taketh it from me, but 
 I lay it down myself. I have power to lay it 
 down, and I have power to take it again. 
 
 f) given and made by God Himself. 
 
 1 Cor. 1 : 30. Who of God is made unto us 
 wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, 
 and redemption. 
 
 Acts 4: 12. Neither is there salvation in any 
 other: for there is none other name under heav- 
 en given among men, whereby we must be saved. 
 
 Rom. 8 : 3. God sending His own Son in the 
 likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin. condemned 
 sin in the flesh. 
 
 1 Tim. 2 : 5. For there is one Mediator be- 
 tween God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 
 
 1 Cor. 1 : 30. Rom. 9 : 5. 
 
 Question 19. Whence knowest thou this? 
 
 From the Holy Gospel: which God Him- 
 self first revealed in Paradise ; afterwards 
 proclaimed by the holy Patriarchs and 
 
 2 33 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Prophets, and foreshadowed by the sacri- 
 fices and other ceremonies of the law ; and 
 finally fulfilled by His well-beloved Son. 
 
 Gen. 3: 15. And I will put enmity between 
 thee and the woman, and between thy seed and 
 her seed ; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt 
 bruise His heel. 
 
 Gen. 22 : 18. And in thy seed shall all the na- 
 tions of the earth be blessed. 
 
 Acts 10: 43. To Him give all the prophets 
 witness, that through His name whosoever believ- 
 eth in Him shall receive remission of sins. 
 
 Heb. 10 : 1. For the law having a shadow of 
 good things to come, and not the very image of 
 the things, can never with those sacrifices which 
 they offered year by year, continually make the 
 comers thereunto perfect. 
 
 Gal. 4: 4. But when the fulness of the time 
 was come, God sent forth His Son. 
 
 7. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Heb. 11. 
 
 Hymn No. 364. Faith is the brightest. 
 
 Question 20. Are all men then saved by 
 Christ, as they have perished by Adam? 
 
 No ; only such as by true faith are in- 
 grafted into Him, and receive all His ben- 
 efits. 
 
 34 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 Matt. 7: 13, 14. Enter ye in at the strait gate: 
 for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that 
 leadeth to destruction, and many there be which 
 go in thereat : because strait is the gate, and nar- 
 row is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few 
 there be that find it. 
 
 John 3: 16, 36. For God so loved the world, 
 that He gave His only begotten Son, that who- 
 soever believeth in Him, should not perish, but 
 have everlasting life. He that believeth on the 
 Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth 
 not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of 
 God abideth on him. 
 
 John 12. John 17: 9. Matt. 7: 24. 
 
 Luke 23: 39-43. Only one of the two crucified with Jesus 
 is saved. 
 
 Question 21. What is true faith? 
 
 It is not only a certain knowledge, where- 
 by I hold for truth all that God has revealed 
 to us in His Word ; but also a hearty trust, 
 which the Holy Ghost works in me by the 
 Gospel, that not only to others, but to me 
 also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting right- 
 eousness and salvation, are freely given by 
 God, merely of grace, for the sake of 
 Christ's merits. 
 
 Heb. 11 : 1. Now faith is the substance of 
 things hoped for, the evidence of things not 
 seen. 
 
 Eph. 3 : 12. In whom we have boldness and 
 access with confidence by the faith in Him. 
 35 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Eph. i : 13. In whom ye also trusted after ye 
 heard the word of truth, the gospel of your sal- 
 vation in whom also after that ye believed, ye 
 were sealed with the Holy Spirit. 
 
 Eph. 2: 8, 9. For by grace are ye saved, 
 through faith ; and that not of yourselves : it is 
 the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man 
 should boast. 
 
 Historical examples: The man of Ethiopia, Acts 8; the 
 sinner, Luke 7; Lydia, Acts 16. 
 
 Simply holding for truth: Judas Iscariot, Simon the sor- 
 cerer, Acts 8: 9—15. 
 
 Question 22. What is then necessary for a 
 Christian to believe? 
 
 All that is promised us in the Gospel, 
 which the articles of our catholic, undoubt- 
 ed Christian faith teach us in sum. 
 
 Acts 24: 14. So worship I the God of my 
 fathers, believing all things which are written in 
 the law and the prophets. 
 
 Proofs that the Bible is the Word of God: 
 
 1) Its own testimony, II. Pet. 1: 21, II. Tim. 3: 15, II. Pet. 
 1: 19, I. Tim. 6:3, 4. 
 
 2) The fulfillment of its prophecies. 
 
 3 ) The effect upon single persons and whole nations. 
 
 Question 23. What are these Articles? 
 
 I believe in God the Father Al- 
 mighty, Maker of heaven and earth. 
 
 And in Jesus Christ, His only begot- 
 ten Son, our Lord: who was conceived 
 by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin 
 
 36 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
 
 WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD AND BURIED; He DE- 
 SCENDED into hell; the third day He 
 
 ROSE FROM THE DEAD; He ASCENDED INTO 
 
 heaven, and sitteth at the right hand 
 of God the father almighty; from 
 thence he shall come to judge the 
 quick and the dead. 
 
 I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GHOST ; THE 
 
 Holy Catholic Church; the commun- 
 ion OF SAINTS ; THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS J 
 THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY, AND THE 
 LIFE. EVERLASTING. 
 
 Eph. 4 : 5, 6. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 
 one God and Father of us all, who is above all, 
 and through all, and in you all. 
 
 8. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 21: 33-44. 
 Hymn No. 343. Adore the Father. 
 
 Question 24. How are these Articles divided? 
 
 Into three parts : the first is of God the 
 Father, and our creation ; the second, of 
 God the Son, and our redemption ; the third, 
 of God the Holy GJwst, and our sanctifica- 
 tion. 
 
 The Trinity consists 
 
 a) of three persons. 
 
 1 Pet. 1 : 2. Elect according to the foreknowl- 
 edge of God the Father, through sanctification 
 of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkLng of 
 the blood of Jesus Christ. 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Matt. 28: 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. 
 
 1 John 5 : 7. For there are three that bear 
 record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the 
 Holy Ghost : and these three are one. 
 
 Isa. 48: 16. Come ye near unto me, hear ye 
 this; from the beginning have I not spoken in 
 secret; from the time that I was, there am I: 
 and now the Lord God hath sent me anc! His 
 Spirit. 
 
 Question 25. Since there is but one Divine 
 Being, why speakest thou of three, Father, Son 
 and Holy Ghost? 
 
 Because God has so revealed Himself in 
 His Word , that these three distinct Per- 
 sons are the one, true, eternal God. 
 
 b) who have one divine essence. 
 
 Deut. 6: 4. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God 
 is one Lord. 
 
 Matt. 3 : 16, 17. And Jesus, when He was bap- 
 tized, went up straightway out of the water: and, 
 lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he 
 (John) saw the Spirit of God descending like a 
 dove, and lighting upon Him : and lo, a voice 
 from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in 
 whom I am well pleased. 
 
 John 10: 30. I and the Father are one. 
 
 2 Cor. 13 : 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus 
 
 38 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 Christ, and the love of God, and the communion 
 of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. 
 Eph. 4: 6. One God and Father of all. 
 
 Of God the Father. 
 9. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 6: 25-34. 
 
 Hymn No. 385. Commit thou all thy griefs. 
 
 Question 26. What dost thou believe when 
 thou sayest: I believe in God the Father Al- 
 mighty, Maker of heaven and earth f 
 
 That the eternal Father of our Lord Je- 
 sus Christ, who of nothing made heaven and 
 earth, with all that in them is, who likewise 
 upholds and governs the same by His eter- 
 nal counsel and providence, is for the sake 
 of Christ His Son my God and my Father; 
 in whom I so trust, as to have no doubt that 
 He will provide me with all things neces- 
 sary for body and soul ; and further, that 
 whatever evil He sends upon me in this vale 
 of tears He will turn to my good; for He is 
 able to do it, being Almighty God, and will- 
 ing also, being a faithful Father. 
 
 Eph. 1 : 3. Blessed be the God and Father of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with 
 all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in 
 Christ. 
 
 Eph. 3 : 14-16. For this cause I bow my knees 
 39 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of 
 whom the whole family in heaven and earth is 
 named, that He would grant you, according to 
 the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with 
 might by His Spirit in the inner man. 
 
 OF GOD THE CREATOR. 
 
 a) Creation. 
 
 Heb. n: 3. Through faith we understand that 
 fhe worlds were framed by the word of God, so 
 that things which are seen were not made of 
 things which do appear. 
 
 b) Preservation. 
 
 Ps. 145 : 15, 16. The eyes of all wait upon 
 Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due 
 season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satis- 
 fiest the desire of every living thing. 
 
 e) Government. 
 
 Luke 1 : 51-54. He hath shewed strength with 
 His arm ; He hath scattered the proud in the 
 imagination of their hearts. Lie hath put down 
 the mighty from their seats, and exalted them 
 of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with 
 good things ; and the rich He hath sent empty 
 away. He hath holpen His servant Israel, in 
 remembrance of His mercy. 
 
 CONCERNING THE ANGELS. 
 
 The Good Angels. 
 
 Col. 1 : 16. For by Him were all things created, 
 that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible 
 and invisible, whether they be thrones, or domin- 
 ions, or principalities, or powers: all things were 
 created bv Him, and for Him. 
 40 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 Ps. 34: 7. The angel of the Lord encampeth 
 round about them that fear Him, and delivereth 
 them. 
 
 Evil Angels and the Devil. 
 
 John 8: 44. He (the devil) was a murderer 
 from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, 
 because there is no truth in him. When he 
 speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he 
 is a liar, and the father of it. 
 
 1 Pet. 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant ; because 
 your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walk- 
 eth about, seeking whom he may devour : whom 
 resist steadfast in the faith. 
 
 THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. 
 
 i. Everlasting. 
 
 Ps. 90: 1-4. Lord, Thou hast been our dwell- 
 ing place in all generations. Before the moun- 
 tains were brought forth, or Thou hadst formed 
 the earth and the world, even from everlasting 
 to everlasting, Thou art God. Thou turnest man 
 to destruction ; and sayest, Return, ye children 
 of men. For a thousand years in Thy sight are 
 but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch 
 in the night. 
 
 2. Omnipotence. 
 
 Gen. 17: 1. I am God Almighty; walk before 
 me, and be thou perfect. 
 
 Ps. 115, 3. Our God is in the heavens: He 
 hath done whatsoever He pleased. 
 
 3. Omniscience. 
 
 Heb. 4: 13. Neither is there any creature that 
 is not manifest in His sight : but all things are 
 naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with 
 whom we have to do. 
 
 41 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Matt. 6: 8. Your Father knoweth what things 
 ye have need of, before ye ask Him. 
 
 4. Infinite Wisdom. 
 
 Rom. 11: 33. O the depth of the riches both 
 of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how un- 
 searchable are His judgments, and His ways 
 past finding out ! 
 
 Ps. 37 : 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; 
 trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 
 
 5. Holiness. 
 
 Isa. 6: 3. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Sabo- 
 oth : the whole earth is full of His glory. 
 
 1 Pet. 1 : 15, 16. But as He which hath called 
 you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of con- 
 versation ; because it is written, Be ye holy; for 
 I am holy. 
 
 6. Justice. 
 
 Job 34: 10-12. Far be it from God, that He 
 should do wickedness ; and from the Almighty, 
 that He should commit iniquity. For the work 
 of a man shall He render unto him, and cause 
 every man to find according to his ways. Yea, 
 of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither 
 will the Almighty pervert judgment. 
 
 Rom. 2: 11. For there is no respect of persons 
 with God. 
 
 7. Omnipresence. 
 
 Acts 17: 27. 28. He is not far from every one 
 of us: for in Him we live, and move, and have 
 our being. 
 
 Jer. 23: 24. Can any hide himself in secret 
 42 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. 
 Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. 
 
 8. Goodness, Love, Grace, Compassion, Mercy, 
 Patience, Long-suffering, Faithfulness. 
 
 I John 4 : 16. God is Love. 
 
 Ps. 145 : 8. The Lord is gracious and full of 
 compassion ; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 
 The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies 
 are over all His works. 
 
 1 Thess. 5 : 24. Faithful is He that calleth you, 
 who also will do it. 
 
 9. Truth and Unchangeableness. 
 
 Num. 23 : 19. God is not a man that He 
 
 should lie; neither the son of man, that He 
 
 should repent : hath He said, and shall He not 
 
 do it? .Or hath He spoken, and shall He not 
 make it good? 
 
 Ps. 33: 4. For the word of the Lord is right; 
 and all His work is done in faithfulness. 
 
 10. All-sufficiency and Blessedness. 
 
 Acts 17 : 24, 25. God that made the world and 
 all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of 
 heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made 
 with hands : neither is He worshiped with men's 
 hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He 
 giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. 
 
 11. Glory and Majesty. 
 
 Ps. 104: 1, 2. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O 
 Lord my God, Thou art very great; Thou art 
 43 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 clothed with honor and majesty. Who coverest 
 Thyself with light as with a garment. 
 
 Jer. 10 : 6. There is none like unto Thee, O 
 Lord; Thou art good, and Thy name is great in 
 might. 
 
 10. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Psalm 104. 
 
 Hymn No. 47. God moves in a mysterious way. 
 
 Question 27. What dost thou understand by 
 the Providence of God? 
 
 The almighty everywhere present power 
 of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, 
 He still upholds heaven and earth, with all 
 creatures ; and so governs them, that herbs 
 and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and 
 barren years, meat and drink, health and 
 sickness, riches and poverty, yea, all things, 
 come not by chance, but by His fatherly 
 hand. 
 
 General, special, and very special Providence of 
 God. 
 
 Ps. 103 : 19. The Lord hath established His 
 throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth 
 over all. 
 
 Jer. 5 : 24. Let us now fear the Lord our God, 
 that giveth rain, both the former and the latter. 
 in its season ; that reserveth unto us the ap- 
 pointed weeks of the harvest. 
 
 Ps. 145: 15, 16. The eyes of all wait upon 
 Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due 
 44 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 season. Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest 
 the desire of every living thing. 
 
 Historical examples: Joseph, David, Christ. 
 
 NO OBJECTION TO BE MADE AGAINST GOD'S GOVERN- 
 MENT OF THE WORLD 
 
 a) because of evil in nature ; 
 
 Rom. 5 : 3, 5- And not only so, but we glory in 
 tribulations also : knowing that tribulation work- 
 eth patience ; and patience experience ; and 
 experience, hope, and hope maketh not ashamed. 
 
 b) because of sin; 
 
 Ps. 50: 21. These things hast thou done, and 
 I kept silence ; thou thoughtest that I was alto- 
 gether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove 
 thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 
 
 Gen. 50: 20. Ye meant evil against me; but 
 God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is 
 this day, to save much people alive. 
 
 c) because of the sufferings of the pious. 
 
 Isa. 26: 16. Lord, in trouble they looked for 
 Thee, they poured out a prayer when Thy 
 chastening was upon them. 
 
 Isa. 55 : 8, 9. For my thoughts are not your 
 thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 
 the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than 
 the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, 
 and my thoughts than your thoughts. 
 
 Question 28. What does it profit us to know 
 that God has created, and by His providence 
 still upholds all things ? 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 That we may be patient in adversity; 
 thankful in prosperity ; and for what is fu- 
 ture, have good confidence in our faithful 
 God and Father, that no creature shall sepa- 
 rate us from His love ; since all creatures 
 are so in His hand, that without His will 
 they cannot so much as move. 
 
 i Thess. 5 : 18. In everything give thanks : for 
 this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concern- 
 ing you. 
 
 Ps. 71 : 7. I am as a wonder unto many; but 
 Thou art my strong refuge. 
 
 Rom. 8 : 35, 38, 39. Who shall separate us from 
 the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, 
 or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, 
 or sword? For I am persuaded, that neither 
 death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor 
 powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 
 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, 
 shall be able to separate us from the love of God 
 which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
 
 God's providence is described most beautifully in the 23rd 
 Psalm. 
 
 Of God the Son. 
 11. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Luke 2: 21-39. 
 Hymn No. 477. Exalted Jesus. 
 
 Question 29. Why is the Son of God called 
 Jesus, that is Saviour? 
 
 Because He saves us from our sins ; and 
 
 46 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 no salvation is to be either sought or found 
 in any other. 
 
 Matt. 1 : 21. And thou shalt call His name 
 Jesus : for He shall save His people from their 
 sins. 
 
 Acts 4 : 12. Neither is there salvation in any 
 other : for there is none other name under heaven 
 given among men, whereby we must be saved. 
 
 John 6: 38. 1 Tim. 1 : 15. 1 Cor. 3: 11. 
 
 Question 30. Do such then believe in the only 
 Saviour Jesus, who seek their salvation and wel- 
 fare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else? 
 
 No; although they may make their boast 
 of Him, yet in act they deny the only Sav- 
 iour Jesus. For either Jesus is not a com- 
 plete Saviour, or they who by true faith 
 receive this Saviour, must have in Him all 
 that is necessary to their salvation. 
 
 Col. 1 : 19, 20. For it pleased the Father that 
 
 in Him should all fulness dwell ; and by Him to 
 reconcile all things unto Himself, whether they 
 be things in earth, or things in heaven. 
 
 1 Cor. 1: 13. Is Christ divided? was Paul 
 crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the 
 name of Paul? 
 
 Gal. 5: 4. Historical examples: Acts 14: 8—18. Paul and 
 Barnabas at Lystra. 
 
 47 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 12. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 3. 
 Hymn No. 209. To Christ. 
 
 Question 31. Why is He called Christ, that 
 is, Anointed? 
 
 Because He is ordained of God the Fath- 
 er, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, to be 
 our chief Prophet and Teacher, who fully 
 reveals to us the secret counsel and will of 
 God concerning our redemption; and our 
 only High Priest, who by the one sacrifice 
 of His body has redeemed us, and ever 
 liveth to make intercession for us with the 
 Father ; and our eternal King, who governs 
 us by His Word and Spirit, and defends and 
 preserves us in the redemption obtained for 
 us. 
 
 CHRIST HAS THREE OFFICES. 
 
 a) The office of Teacher and Prophet, 
 
 in which He revealed the counsel of God con- 
 cerning our redemption, prophesied, performed 
 miracles, and sealed His doctrine with holy con- 
 duct. 
 
 Isa. 61 : 1, 2. The Spirit of the Lord is upon 
 me, because He hath anointed me to preach the 
 gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the 
 brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the cap- 
 tives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set 
 48 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the 
 acceptable year of the Lord. 
 
 Matt, n: 5. The blind receive their sight, and 
 the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the 
 deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor 
 have the gospel preached to them. 
 
 b) The office of High-priest, 
 
 in which He offered sacrifice, prayed, blessed. 
 
 1 Pet. 2: 24. Who His own self bare our sins 
 in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead 
 to sins, should live unto righteousness : by whose 
 stripes ye were healed. 
 
 Luke 24 : 50. And He led them out as far as 
 Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed 
 them. 
 
 c) The office of King, 
 
 in which He gave commandments, rules over His 
 subjects and protects them. 
 
 John 15 : 12. This is my commandment, That 
 ye love one another, as I have loved you. 
 
 Matt. 28 : 18. And Jesus came and spake unto 
 them, saying, All power is given unto me in 
 heaven and in earth. 
 
 Rev. 19 : 16. And He hath on His vesture and 
 on His thigh a name written, King of kings, and 
 Lord of lords. 
 
 Question 32. But why art thou called a Chris- 
 tian ? 
 
 Because by faith I am a member of Christ, 
 and thus a partaker of His anointing; in 
 order that I also may confess His name; 
 49 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 may present myself a living sacrifice of 
 thankfulness to Him; and may with free 
 conscience fight against sin and the devil in 
 this life, and hereafter, in eternity, reign 
 with Him over all creatures. 
 
 i John 2 : 20, 27. But ye have an unction from 
 the Holy One, and ye know all things. But the 
 anointing which ye have received of Him abideth 
 in you. 
 
 Matt. 10: 32. Whosoever therefore shall con- 
 fess me before men, him will I confess also be- 
 fore my Father which is in heaven. 
 
 Rom. 12: 1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, 
 by the mercies of God, that ye present your bod- 
 ies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, 
 which is your reasonable service. 
 
 Eph. 6: 12. For we wrestle not against flesh 
 and blood, but against principalities, against 
 powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this 
 world, against spiritual wickedness in high 
 places. 
 
 13. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: John 1. 
 
 Hymn No. 102. Lord divine. 
 
 Question 33. Why is He called God's only 
 begotten Son, since we also are the children of 
 God? 
 
 Because Christ alone is the eternal, 
 natural Son of God; but we are children of 
 God by adoption through grace for His sake. 
 
 50 
 
Ot Man's Redemption. 
 
 Question 34. Why callest thou Him our Lord? 
 
 Because, not with silver or gold, but with 
 His precious blood, He has redeemed and 
 purchased us, body and soul, from sin and 
 from all the power of the devil, to be His 
 own. 
 
 THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST IS SET CLEAR, INASMUCH 
 AS THE SCRIPTURES ASCRIBE TO THE REDEEMER 
 
 i. Divine Names. 
 
 John 20: 28. And Thomas answered and said 
 unto Him, My Lord and my God. 
 
 Rom. 9: 5. Whose are the fathers, and of 
 whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who 
 is over all, God blessed forever. 
 
 Acts 2 : 36. Therefore let all the house of 
 Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that 
 same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord 
 and Christ. 
 
 I Pet. 1 : 18, 19. Heb. 2: 14, 15. 
 
 2. Divine Perfection, 
 
 for instance omniscience, John 21 : 17, Lord, 
 Thou knowest all things. Omni-presence, Matt. 
 28 : 20, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the 
 end of the world. Omnipotence, Matt. 28: 18, 
 All power is given unto me in heaven and in 
 earth. Everlasting, John 17: 5, O Father, glorify 
 Thou me with Thine own self with the glory 
 which I had with Thee before the world was. 
 Unchangeableness Heb. 13 : 8, Jesus Christ the 
 same yesterday, and today, and forever. 
 51 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 3. Divine Works. 
 
 John 1 : 1-3. In the beginning was the Word, 
 and the Word was with God, and the Word was 
 God. The same was in the beginning with God. 
 All things were made by Him; and without Him 
 was not anything made that was made. 
 
 4. Divine Honor. 
 
 John 5 : 23. That all men shall honor the Son, 
 even as they honor the Father. He that honor- 
 eth not the Son honoreth not the Father which 
 hath sent Him. 
 
 14. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Luke 1: 26-38. 
 
 Hymn No. 697. No more sadness now. 
 
 Question 35. What is the meaning of: Con- 
 ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin 
 Mary? 
 
 That the eternal Son of God, who is and 
 continues true and eternal God, took upon 
 Him the very nature of man, of the flesh 
 and blood of the Virgin Mary, by the oper- 
 ation of the Holy Ghost; so that He also 
 might be the true seed of David, like unto 
 his brethren in all things, sin excepted. 
 
 the state of humiliation of christ: 
 
 First step. His human birth. 
 
 Isa. 9: 6, 7. Unto us a child is born, unto us 
 
 a son is given; and the government shall be upon 
 
 His shoulders: and His name shall be called 
 
 Wonderful, Counsellor. Mighty God, Everlasting 
 
 52 
 
Or Man's Redemption. 
 
 Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His 
 government and of peace there shall be no end, 
 upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, 
 to establish it, and to uphold it with judgment 
 and with righteousness from henceforth even for 
 ever. 
 
 Rom. i : 3, 4. Concerning His Son, which was 
 made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 
 and declared to be the Son of God with power, 
 according to the Spirit. 
 
 Heb. 4: 15. For we have not an high priest 
 which cannot be touched with the feeling of our 
 infirmities : but was in all points tempted like as 
 we are, yet without sin. 
 
 Question 36. What benefit dost thou receive 
 from the holy conception and birth of Christ? 
 
 That He is our Mediator, and with His 
 innocence and perfect holiness covers, in the 
 sight of God, my sin, wherein I was con- 
 ceived. 
 
 1 Tim. 2 : 5. For there is one God, and one 
 mediator between God and men, the man Christ 
 Jesus. 
 
 Rom. 8 : 3. For what the law could not do, in 
 that it was weak through flesh, God sending His 
 own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for 
 sin, condemned sin in the flesh. 
 
 1 Pet. 1 : 19. 2 Cor. 5: 21. 
 
 15. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 27. 
 
 Hymn No. 241. O sacred Head now wounded. 
 
 Question 37. What dost thou understand by 
 the word: Suffered? 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 That all the time He lived on earth, but 
 especially at the end of His life, He bore, 
 in body and soul, the wrath of God against 
 the sin of the whole human race; in order 
 that by His passion, as the only atoning 
 sacrifice, He might redeem our body and 
 soul from everlasting damnation, and obtain 
 for us the grace of God, righteousness, and 
 eternal life. 
 
 Second step. His suffering in body and soul. 
 
 Ps. 22: 14-16. I am poured out like water, and 
 all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like 
 wax: it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My 
 strength is dried up like a potsherd ; and my 
 tongue cleaveth to my jaws; they pierced my 
 hands and my feet. 
 
 Matt. 26: 38. My soul is exceeding sorrowful, 
 even unto death. 
 
 1 Pet. 2 : 24. Who His own self bore our 
 sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being 
 dead to sins, should live unto righteousness : by 
 whose stripes ye were healed. 
 
 2 Cor. 5 : 21. For He hath made Him to be 
 sin for us, who knew no sin ; that we might be 
 made the righteousness of God in Him. 
 
 Question 38. Why did He suffer under Pon- 
 tius Pilate, as judge? 
 
 That He, being innocent, might be con- 
 demned by the temporal judge, and thereby 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 deliver us from the severe judgment of God, 
 to which we are exposed. 
 
 Luke 23 : 14, 15. Behold, I, having examined 
 Him before you, have found no fault in this 
 man touching those things whereof ye accuse 
 Him ; no, nor yet Herod : for I sent you to him ; 
 and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto 
 Him. 
 
 Matt. 27: 24. John 18: 38; 19: 4. 
 
 The Catechumens ought now to learn to relate the passion 
 of Christ connectedly. 
 
 What are the seven last words of Jesus ? 
 
 Question 39. Is there anything more in His 
 having been crucified, than if He had died some 
 other death? 
 
 Yes: for thereby I am assured, that He 
 took on Himself the curse which lay upon 
 me; because the death of the cross was 
 accursed of God. 
 
 Gal. 3: 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the 
 curse of the law, being made a curse for us : for 
 it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on 
 a tree. 
 
 Deut. 21 : 22, 23. If a man have committed a 
 sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and 
 thou hang him 1 on a tree ; his body shall not re- 
 main all night upon the tree, but thou shalt surely 
 bury him the same day ; for he that is hanged is 
 accursed of God; that thou defile not thy land. 
 
 55 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 16. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: John 19: 28-42. 
 
 Hymn No. 184. Jesus, Thy blood and. 
 
 Question 40. Why was it necessary for Christ 
 to suffer death ? 
 
 Because, by reason of the justice and 
 truth of God, satisfaction for our sins could 
 be made no otherwise than by the death of 
 the Son of God. 
 
 Third step. His death. 
 
 Rom. 6: 23. The wages of sin is death; but 
 the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. 
 
 Rom. 5: 10. For if, when we were enemies, we 
 were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, 
 much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by 
 His life. 
 
 Gen. 2: 17. But of the tree of knowledge of 
 good and evil thou shalt not eat of it: for in the 
 day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 
 
 Question 41. Why was He buried? 
 To show thereby that He was really dead. 
 
 Fourth step. His burial. 
 
 1 Cor. 15 : 3, 4. For I delivered unto you first 
 of all that which I also received, how that Christ 
 died for our sins according to the Scriptures* 
 and that He was buried. 
 
 Christ's burial related Mark 15: 42-47. Isa. 53: 9. 
 56 
 
Oi Man's Redemption. 
 
 Phil. I : 21, 23. For me to live is Christ, and 
 to die is gain. — I having a desire to depart, and 
 to be with Christ ; which is far better. 
 
 John 8: 51. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a 
 man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 
 
 Question 42. Since then Christ died for us, 
 why must we also die? 
 
 Our death is not a satisfaction for our 
 sin, but only a dying to sins and entering 
 into eternal life. 
 
 Question 43. What further benefit do we re- 
 ceive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on 
 the cross? 
 
 That by His power our old man is with 
 Him crucified, slain and buried ; that so the 
 evil lusts of the flesh may no more reign in 
 us, but that we may offer ourselves unto 
 Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving. 
 
 Rom. 6: 6. Knowing this, that our old man is 
 crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be 
 destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve 
 sin. 
 
 See also verses 11 and 12. 
 
 2 Cor. 5 : 15. He died for all, that they which 
 live should not henceforth live unto themselves, 
 but unto Him which died for them and rose 
 again. 
 
 Rom. 12: i, 2. Rom. 6: 12, 13. 
 
 57 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Question 44. Why is it added: He descended 
 into hell? 
 
 That in my greatest temptations I may 
 be assured that Christ, my Lord, by His 
 inexpressible anguish, pains, and terrors 
 which He suffered in His soul on the cross 
 and before, has redeemed me from the an- 
 guish and torment of hell. 
 
 Ps. 18: 4. The sorrows of death compassed 
 me, and the floods of ungodly men made me 
 afraid. 
 
 Matt. 27: 46. And about the ninth hour Jesus 
 cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama 
 sabachthani ? that is to say, My God, My God, 
 why hast Thou forsaken me? 
 
 Hos. 13: 14- Ps. 116: 3. 
 
 17. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: 1 Cor. 15. 
 Hymn No. 366. Jesus lives. 
 
 Question 45. What benefit do we receive from 
 the Resurrection of Christ? 
 
 First, by His resurrection He has over- 
 come death, that He might make us partak- 
 ers of the righteousness which by His death 
 He has obtained for us. Secondly, we also 
 are now by His power raised up to a new 
 life. Thirdly, the resurrection of Christ is 
 to us a sure pledge of our blessed resur- 
 rection. 
 
 58 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 THE STATE OF EXALTATION OF CHRIST. 
 
 First step. His resurrection. 
 
 i Cor. 15 : 55-57. Death is swallowed up in 
 victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, 
 where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, 
 which giveth us the victory through our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 1 Pet. 1 : 3. Blessed be the God and Father of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His 
 abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a 
 lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 
 from the dead. 
 
 1 Cor. 15 : 20, 21. But now is Christ risen 
 from the dead, and became the firstfruits of them 
 that slept. For since by man came death, by man 
 came also the resurrection of the dead. 
 
 Rom. 4: 25. Rom. 6:4, 5. Rom. 8: II. 
 
 The resurrection-story is given at the close of the four Gos- 
 pels. Try to bring it into its proper order and sequence. 
 
 18. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Acts 1 : i-i\. 
 
 Hymn No. 308. Hail, Thou once despised. 
 
 Question 46. How dost thou understand the 
 words: He ascended into heaven? 
 
 That Christ, in sight of His disciples, was 
 
 taken up from the earth into heaven ; and in 
 
 our behalf there continues, until He shall 
 
 come again to judge the living and the dead. 
 
 59 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Second step. His ascension. 
 
 Acts i : 9. And when He had spoken these 
 things, while they beheld, He was taken up ; and 
 a cloud received Him out of their sight. 
 
 Col. 3 : 1. Seek those things which are above, 
 where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 
 
 Matt. 24 : 30. And then shall appear the sign 
 of the Son of man in heaven : and then shall the 
 tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the 
 Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with 
 power and great glory. 
 
 Question 47. Is not then Christ with us even 
 unto the end of the world, as He has promised? 
 
 Christ is true Man and true God : accord- 
 ing to His human nature, He is now not on 
 earth; but according to His Godhead, majes- 
 ty, grace, and Spirit, He is at no time absent 
 from us. 
 
 Matt. 28 : 20. Lo, I am with you alway, even 
 unto the end of the world. 
 
 John 16: 28. I came forth from the Father, 
 and am come into the world; again, I leave the 
 world and go to the^Father. 
 
 Matt. 26: 11. For ye have the poor always 
 with you ; but me ye have not always. 
 
 Matt. 18: 20. Heb. 8: 4. John 14: 18. 
 
 Question 48. But are not, in this way, the 
 two natures in Christ separated from one an- 
 other, if the Manhood be not wherever the God- 
 head is? 
 
 By no means; for since the Godhead is 
 
 GO 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 incomprehensible and everywhere present, 
 it must follow that it is indeed beyond the 
 bounds of the Manhood which it has as- 
 sumed, but is yet none the less in the same 
 also, and remains personally united to it. 
 
 John i : 48. Nathanael saith unto Him, whence 
 knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said un- 
 to him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou 
 wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee. 
 
 John n: 15. And I am glad for your sakes 
 that I was not there. 
 
 1 Kings 8: 27. Eph. 4: 9, 10. 
 In the first of these two passages Christ is omnipresent ac- 
 cording to His divinity; in the second, He is not omnipresent 
 according to His humanity. 
 
 Question 49. What benefit do we receive from 
 Christ's ascension into heaven? 
 
 First, that He is our Advocate in the pres- 
 ence of His Father in heaven. Secondly, 
 that we have our flesh in heaven, as a sure 
 pledge, that He, as the Head, will also take 
 us, His members, up to Himself. Thirdly, 
 that He sends us His Spirit, as an earnest, 
 by whose power we seek those things which 
 are above, where Christ sitteth on the right 
 hand of God, and not things on the earth. 
 
 1 John 2: 1. And if any man sin, we have an 
 advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the right- 
 eous. 
 
 John 14: 2, 3. In my Father's house are many 
 61 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 mansions: if it were not so, I would have told 
 you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if 
 I go and prepare a place for you, I will come 
 again, and receive you unto myself; that where 
 I am, there ye may be also. 
 
 John 16: 7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; 
 It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I 
 go not away, the Comforter will not come unto 
 you ; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 
 
 Heb. 9: 24. Rom. 8: 31. John 17: 24. 2 Cor. 
 1 : 21, 22. Col. 3: 1. 
 
 19. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Acts 7: 55-59- 
 
 Hymn No. 306. Let us awake our joys. 
 
 Question 50. Why is it added: And sitteth 
 
 AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD ? 
 
 Because Christ ascended into heaven for 
 this end, that He might there appear as 
 Head of His Church, by whom the Father 
 governs all things. 
 
 Third step. His sitting at the right hand of God. 
 
 1 Pet. 3 : 22. Who is gone into heaven, and is 
 on the right hand of God ; angels and authorities 
 and powers being made subject unto Him. 
 
 Eph. 1: 20-23. John 5: 22, 23. Ps. no: 1. 
 Matt. 26: 84. 
 
 Question 51. What benefit do we receive from 
 this glory of our Head, Christ? 
 
 First, that by His Holy Spirit He sheds 
 
 62 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 forth heavenly gifts in us, His members ; 
 then, that by His power He defends and 
 preserves us against all enemies. 
 
 Eph. 4 : 8. Wherefore He saith, When He as- 
 cended up' on high, He led captivity captive, and 
 gave gifts unto men. 
 
 The gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2. 
 
 John io : 28. And I give unto them eternal 
 life; and they shall never perish, neither shall 
 any man pluck them out of my hand. 
 
 Ps. no. 1, 2. 1 Cor. 15: 25, 26. 
 
 Question 52. What comfort is it to thee, that 
 
 Christ SHALL COME AGAIN TO JUDGE THE QUICK 
 AND THE' DEAD? 
 
 That in all my sorrows and persecutions, 
 with uplifted head, I look for the selfsame 
 One, who has before offered Himself for 
 me to the judgment of God and removed 
 from me all curse, to come again as Judge 
 from heaven ; who shall cast all His and my 
 enemies into everlasting condemnation, but 
 shall take me, with all His chosen ones, to 
 Himself, into heavenly joy and glory. 
 
 Phil. 3 : 20. For our conversation is in heaven ; 
 from whence also we look for the Saviour, the 
 Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Luke 21 : 28. And when these things begin to 
 come to pass, then look up, and lift up your 
 heads ; for your redemption draweth nigh. 
 Acts 1: 10. 11. The angel's annunciatian. 
 
 Matt. 25: 41. Then shall He say also unto 
 them on the left hand. Depart from me, ye 
 03 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the 
 devil and his angels. 
 
 Matt. 25 : 34. Then shall the King say unto 
 them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my 
 Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you 
 from the foundation of the world. 
 
 Matt. 24. The last adversity and the coming of Christ. 
 
 i Thess. 4: 16. 2 Thess. 1: 6-10. Rev. 21: 1-7. 
 Rev. 20 : 10. 
 
 Of God the Holy Ghost. 
 20. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Acts 2. The first Pentecost. 
 Hymn No. 326. Come, gracious Spirit. 
 
 Question 53. What dost thou believe concern- 
 ing the Holy Ghost? 
 
 First, that He is co-eternal God with the 
 Father and the Son. Secondly, that He is 
 also g'wen unto me ; makes me by a true 
 faith partaker of Christ and all His bene- 
 fits ; comforts me ; and shall abide with me 
 forever. 
 
 Acts 5 : 3, 4. But Peter said, Ananias, why 
 hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy 
 Ghost, thou hast not lied unto men, but unto 
 God. 
 
 Gen. 1: 2. The Spirit of God. 
 
 1 John 4: 13. Hereby know we that we dwell 
 
 64 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us 
 of His Spirit. 
 
 Eph. i : 13. In whom also after that ye be- 
 lieved, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of 
 promise. 
 
 Some of the benefits of the Holy Spirit 
 (Ghost) : Calling, illumination, faith, t^he 
 witness of sonship of god, power for prayer 
 and sanctification, the sealing unto redemp- 
 tion and the efficacious comfort in life and 
 
 DEATH. 
 
 2 Thess. 2: 13, 14. God hath from the begin- 
 ning chosen you to salvation through sanctifica- 
 tion of the Spirit and belief of the truth : where- 
 unto He called you by our gospel, to the obtain- 
 ing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Rom. 8: 26. The Spirit also helpeth our in- 
 firmities : for we know not what we should pray 
 for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh in- 
 tercession for us with groanings which cannot be 
 uttered. 
 
 Rom. 15 : 13. Now the God of hope fill you 
 with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may 
 abound in hope, through the power of the Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 John 14: 26. But the Comforter, which is the 
 Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my 
 name, He shall teach you all things, and bring 
 all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I 
 have said unto you. 
 
 John 14: 16. And I will pray the Father, and 
 He shall give you another Comforter, that He 
 may abide with you forever. 
 
 Acts 9 : 31. Gal. 3 : 14. Rom. 8 : 9. 1 John 2 : 27. 
 
 The Samaritans receive the Holy Ghost, Acts 8: 14, s*. 
 The Ephesians likewise, Acts 19: 1, ss. 
 3 65 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 21. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: I Cor. 12: 4-27. 
 Hymn No. 436. I love Thy kingdom. 
 
 Question 54. What dost thou believe concern- 
 ing the Holy Catholic Church? 
 
 That, out of the whole human race, from 
 the beginning to the end of the world, the 
 Son of God, by His Spirit and Word, gath- 
 ers, defends and preserves for Himself un- 
 to everlasting life,' a chosen communion, in 
 the unity of the true faith; and that I am, 
 and forever shall remain, a living member 
 of the same. 
 
 THE CREED DESCRIBES THE CHURCH 
 
 a) as one. 
 
 Eph. 4 : 4-6. One body, and one Spirit, even as 
 ye are called in one hope of your calling; one 
 Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father 
 of us all, who is above all, and through all, and 
 in you all. 
 
 b) as holy. 
 
 1 Pet. 2 : 9. But ye are a chosen generation, a 
 royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar peo- 
 ple; that ye should shew forth the praises of 
 Him who hath called you out of darkness into 
 His marvelous light. 
 
 c) as catholic (universal). 
 
 Gal. 3 : 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, 
 there is neither bond nor free, there is neither 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 male nor female : for ye are all one in Christ 
 Jesus. 
 
 d) a Christian. 
 
 1 Cor. 3 : 11. For other foundation can no man 
 lay than that is laid, which is in Jesus Christ. 
 
 THE CHURCH IS ALSO 
 
 a) invisible. 
 
 Eph. i : 4. According as He hath chosen us in 
 Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, 
 that we should be holy and without blame before 
 Him in love. 
 
 b) visible. 
 
 Acts 2: 41, 42. They that gladly received His 
 word were baptized : and the same day there 
 were added unto them about three thousand 
 souls. And they continued steadfastly in the 
 apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in break- 
 ing of bread, and in prayers. 
 
 THE CHURCH IS FINALLY 
 
 a) militant on earth. 
 
 Eph. 6: 10-12. For we wrestle not against 
 flesh and blood, but against principalities, against 
 powers, against the rulers of the darkness of 
 this world, against spiritual wickedness in high 
 places. 
 
 b) triumphant in heaven. 
 
 Rev. 19 : 6, 7. Alleluia : for the Lord God om- 
 nipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, 
 and give honor to Him : for the marriage of the 
 Lamb is come. 
 
 67 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Question 55. What dost thou understand by 
 
 the COMMUNION OF SAINTS? 
 
 First, that believers, all and every one, 
 as members of Christ have part in Him and 
 in all His treasures and gifts ; secondly, that 
 each one must feel himself bound to use his 
 gifts, readily and cheerfully, for the advan- 
 tage and welfare of other members. 
 
 1 John 1 : 3. That which we have seen and 
 heard declare we unto you, that ye may have fel- 
 lowship with us : and truly our fellowship is with 
 the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 
 
 Question 56. What dost thou believe concern- 
 ing the forgiveness of sins? 
 
 That God, for the sake of Christ's satis- 
 faction, will no more remember my sins, 
 neither the sinful nature with which I have 
 to struggle all my life long; but graciously 
 imparts to me the righteousness of Christ, 
 that I may nevermore come into condem- 
 nation. 
 
 Eph. 1:7. In whom we have redemption 
 through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, ac- 
 cording to the riches of His grace. 
 
 Rom. 4: 7, 8. (Ps. 32.) Blessed are they 
 whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins 
 are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the 
 Lord will not impute sin. 
 
 John 3, 18. He that believeth on Him, is not 
 condemned. 
 
 Rom. 7: 23—25, concerning our sinful nature. 
 Matt. 9: 1—8. The man sick of the palsy receives forgive- 
 ness of his sins. Also the sinner, Luke 7: 48. 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 22. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: I Cor. 15: 35 ss. 
 Hymn No. 273. Jesus lives. 
 
 Question 57. What comfort does the resur- 
 rection of the body afford theer 
 
 That not only my soul, after this life, 
 shall be immediately taken up to Christ its 
 Head ; but also that this my body, raised by 
 the power of Christ, shall again be united 
 with my soul, and made like unto the glori- 
 ous body of Christ. 
 
 The soul is immortal. 
 
 The soul goes to Christ immediately, Luke 23 : 
 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto 
 thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. 
 
 2 Cor. 5 : 8. We are confident, I say, and wil- 
 ling rather to be absent from the body, and to be 
 present with the Lord. 
 
 The body goes to Christ finally, Phil. 3: 21. 
 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be 
 fashioned like unto His glorious body, according 
 to the working whereby He is able even to sub- 
 due all things unto himself. 
 
 John 5 : 28, 29. Job 19 : 25-27. 
 
 Question 58. What comfort hast thou from 
 the article of the life everlasting? 
 
 That, inasmuch as I now feel in my heart 
 the beginning of eternal joy, I shall after 
 this life possess complete bliss, such as eye 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath 
 entered into the heart of man; therein to 
 praise God for ever. 
 
 Rom. 8: 23. But ourselves, which have the 
 first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan 
 within ourselves* waiting for the adoption, to 
 wit, the redemption of our body. 
 
 1 Cor. 2 : 9. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, 
 neither have entered into the heart of man, the 
 things which God hath prepared for them that 
 love Him. 
 
 Rev. 12: 11. They overcome him by the blood 
 of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony ; 
 and they loved not their lives unto the death. 
 
 Rom. 8:6. To be carnally minded is death ; 
 but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 
 
 1 Pet. 1: 8. Rev. 7: 15. 1 Cor. 13: 10. 
 
 23. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Luke 15: 11-32. The Prodigal 
 Son. 
 
 Hymn No. 398. Grace 'tis a charming sound. 
 
 Question 59. But what does it help thee now, 
 that thou believest all this? 
 
 That I am righteous in Christ before 
 God, and an heir of eternal life. 
 
 Question 60. How art thou righteous before 
 God? 
 
 Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. That 
 is: although my conscience accuse me, that 
 
 70 
 
Or Man's Redemption. 
 
 I have grievously sinned against all the com- 
 mandments of God, and have never kept 
 any of them, and that I am still prone 
 always to all evil, yet God, without any 
 merit of mine, of mere grace, grants and 
 imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, 
 righteousness and holiness of Christ, as if I 
 had never committed nor had any sin, and 
 had myself accomplished all the obedience 
 which Christ has fulfilled for me, if only I 
 accept such benefit with a believing heart. 
 
 Question 6i. Why say est thou, that thou art 
 righteous only by faith f 
 
 Not that I am acceptable to God, on ac- 
 count of the worthiness of my faith ; but be- 
 cause only the satisfaction, righteousness 
 and holiness of Christ is my righteousness 
 before God, and I can receive the same and 
 make it my own in no other way than by 
 faith only. 
 
 THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE SINNER BEFORE GOD 
 
 consists 
 a) in the imputation of the merits of Christ; 
 
 Gal. 2: 16. Knowing that a man is not justi- 
 fied by the works of the law, but by faith of 
 Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus 
 Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of 
 Christ, and not by the works of the law. 
 
 Rom. 4: 5. But to him that worketh not, but 
 71 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his 
 faith is counted for righteousness. 
 
 b) in the forgiveness of sins and the remission 
 of punishment. 
 
 Isa. 53 : 5. But he was wounded for our 
 transgressions, He was bruised for our iniqui- 
 ties : the chastisement of our peace was upon 
 Him; and with His stripes we are healed. 
 
 c) in the reconciliation with God. 
 
 Rom. 5: 1, 2. Therefore being justified by 
 faith, we have peace with God through our Lord 
 Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by 
 faith into this grace wherein we stand, and re- 
 joice in hope of the glory of God. 
 
 d) is acquired only by faith, without merit of 
 works. 
 
 Gal. 3: 22. But the scripture hath concluded 
 all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus 
 Christ might be given to them that believe. 
 
 Rom. 7: 19. For the good that I would, I do 
 not; but the evil, which I would not, that do I. 
 
 Rom. 3 : 28. Therefore we conclude that a man 
 is justified by faith without the deeds of the 
 law. 
 
 Phil. 3 : 9. Not having mine own righteous- 
 ness, which is of the law, but that which is 
 72 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 through faith of Christ, the righteousness which 
 is of God by faith. 
 
 e) is a gift of the grace of God. 
 
 Eph. 2: 8, 9. For by grace are ye saved 
 through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is 
 the gift of God : not of works, lest any man 
 should boast. 
 
 Rom. 4 : 16. Therefore it is of faith, that it 
 might be by grace. 
 
 Grace prepares, converts, and perfects. Eph. 2 : 
 10. For we are His workmanship, created in 
 Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath 
 before ordained that we should walk in them. 
 
 1 John 5 : 10. Heb. 11:6. 
 
 24. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Gal. 3: 1-14. 
 
 Hymn No. 361. We give but Thine own. 
 
 Question 62. But why cannot our good works 
 be the whole or part of our righteousness before 
 God? 
 
 Because the righteousness which can 
 stand before the judgment-seat of God, 
 must be perfect throughout and wholly con- 
 formable to the divine law ; whereas even 
 our best works in this life are all imperfect 
 and defiled with sin. 
 
 73 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 James 2 : 10. For whosoever shall keep the 
 whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is 
 guilty of all. 
 
 Isa. 64 : 6. We are all as an unclean thing, and 
 all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. 
 
 Gal. 3- 10. Ps. 143: 2. 
 
 Question 63. How is it that our good works 
 merit nothing, while yet it is God's will to re- 
 ward them in this life and in that which is to 
 come? 
 
 The reward comes not of merit, but of 
 grace. 
 
 Rom. 11 : 6. If by grace, then it is no more of 
 works : otherwise grace is no more grace. But 
 if it be of works, then it is no more grace : other- 
 wise work is no more work. 
 
 Luke 17: 10. 
 Remark. The parable of the laborers in the vineyard. 
 Matt. 20: 1—15, shows that the reward is not given according 
 to merit, but of goodnes, verse 15. 
 
 Question 64. But does not this doctrine make 
 men careless and profane ? 
 
 No, for it is impossible that those who 
 are implanted into Christ by true faith, 
 should not bring forth fruits of thankful- 
 ness. 
 
 Rom. 6: 1, 2. Shall we continue in sin, that 
 grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, 
 that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 
 Compare verse 15 and 18. 
 
 74 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 t\ i 
 
 John i; 
 
 Matt. 7: 18. A good tree cannot bring forth 
 evil fruit. 
 
 Of the Holy Sacraments. 
 25. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Gen. 17. 
 
 Hymn Xo. 493. My God, Thy covenant. 
 
 Question 6$. Since then we are made partak- 
 ers of Christ, and all His benefits, by faith only, 
 whence conies this faith ? 
 
 The Holy Ghost works it in our hearts by 
 the preaching of the Holy Gospel, and con- 
 firms it by the use of the Holy Sacraments. 
 
 MEANS OF GRACE ARE THE PREACHING OF THE 
 WORD OF GOD. AND THE SACRAMENTS. 
 
 Rom. 10 : 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, 
 hearing by the word of God. 
 Compare question 21 and John 6: 29. 
 
 Rom. 4: 11. He received the sign of circum- 
 cision, a seal of righteousness of the faith which 
 he had yet being uncircumcised. 
 
 Question 66. What are the Sacraments? 
 
 The Sacraments are visible, holy signs 
 
 and seals, appointed of God for this end, 
 
 that by the use thereof He may the more 
 
 fully declare and seal to us the promise of 
 
 75 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 the Gospel : namely, that He grants us out 
 of free grace the forgiveness of sins and 
 everlasting life, for the sake of the one sac- 
 rifice of Christ accomplished on the cross. 
 
 Luke 8: 15. But that on the good ground are 
 they, which in an honest and good heart, having 
 heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit 
 with patience. 
 
 1 Cor. 5 : 7. For even Christ our passover is 
 sacrificed for us. 
 
 Gen. 9: 12 ss. Noah's Covenant — the rainbow. 
 
 Question 67. Are both these, then, the Word 
 and the Sacraments, designed to direct our faith 
 to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, as 
 the only ground of our salvation? 
 
 Yes truly; for the Holy Ghost teaches in 
 the Gospel, and by the Holy Sacraments 
 assures us, that our whole salvation stands 
 in the one sacrifice of Christ made for us 
 on the cross. 
 
 Question 68. How many sacraments has 
 Christ appointed in the New Testament? 
 
 Two: Holy Baptism, and the Holy Sup- 
 per. 
 
 Luke 22 : 19. This is my body which is given 
 for you. V. 20. This cup is the new testament 
 in my blood, which is shed for you. 
 
 Rom. 6: 3. Know ye not, that so many of us 
 as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized 
 into His death? 
 
 76 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 Acts 2 : 41, 42. Then they that gladly received 
 His word were baptized. And they continued 
 steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellow- 
 ship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
 
 1 John 5 : 6. This is He that came by water 
 and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, 
 but by water and blood. 
 Cf. John 19: 34. 
 
 The Old Testament also has only two sacraments, circum- 
 cision and passover. 
 
 Of Holy Baptism. 
 26. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: 2 Kings 5: 1-14. Naaman. 
 Hymn No. 510. Sing of Jesus. 
 
 Question 69. How is it signified and sealed 
 unto thee in Holy Baptism, that thou hast part 
 in the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross? 
 
 Thus : that Christ has appointed this out- 
 ward washing with water, and has joined 
 therewith this promise, that I am washed 
 with His blood and Spirit from the pollu- 
 tion of my soul, that is, from all my sins, as 
 certainly, as I am washed outwardly with 
 water, whereby commonly the filthiness of 
 the body is taken away. 
 
 Institution and promise. Matt. 28: 19. Mark 16: 16. 
 Luke 3 : 3. And he came into all the country 
 about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repent- 
 ance for the remission of sins. 
 
 Cf. Acts 2: 38. 
 
 77 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 i Pet. 3 : 21. The like figure whereunto even 
 baptism doth also now save us (not the putting 
 away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a 
 good conscience toward God) by the resurrection 
 of Jesus Christ. 
 
 i John i : 7. Eph. 5 : 26, 27. 
 
 Question 70. What is it to be washed with 
 the blood and Spirit of Christ? 
 
 It is to have the forgiveness of sins from 
 God, through grace, for the sake of Christ's 
 blood, which He shed for us in His sacri- 
 fice on the cross ; and also, to be renewed by 
 the Holy Ghost, and sanctified to be mem- 
 bers of Christ, that so we may more and 
 more die unto sin, and lead holy and un- 
 blamable lives. 
 
 Ezek. 36: 25-27. Then will I sprinkle clean 
 water upon you, and ye shall be clean : from all 
 your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I 
 cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, 
 and a new spirit will I put within you : and I 
 will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, 
 and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will 
 put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk 
 in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, 
 and do them. 
 
 1 Pet. 1 : 2. Rev. 7 : 14. Zech. 13 : 1. Heb. 9 : 14- 
 
 Question 71. Where has Christ promised, thai 
 we are as certainly washed with His blood and 
 Spirit as with the water of Baptism? 
 
 In the institution of Baptism, which runs 
 
 78 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 thus : Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, 
 baptizing them in the name of the Father, 
 and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. He 
 that believeth and is baptized, shall be 
 saved; but he that believeth not, shall be 
 damned. This promise is also repeated, 
 where the Scripture calls Baptism the wash- 
 ing of regeneration, and the washing away 
 of sins. 
 
 Matt. 28 : 19. Titus 3 : 5. 
 
 27. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: 1 Cor. 10: 1-12. 
 
 Hymn No. 512. Shepherd of tender youth. 
 
 Question 72. Is then the outward washing 
 with water itself the washing away of sins? 
 
 No ; for only the blood of Jesus Christ 
 and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sin. 
 
 Matt. 3: 11. I indeed baptize you with water 
 unto repentance : but He that cometh after me 
 is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy 
 to bear : He shall baptize you with the Holy 
 Ghost, and with fire. 
 
 1 Pet. 3: 31. 1 Cor. 6: 11. 
 
 Question 73. Why, then, doth the Holy Ghost 
 call Baptism the washing of regeneration, and 
 the washing away of sins? 
 
 79 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 God speaks thus not without great cause : 
 namely, not only to teach us thereby that 
 like as the filthiness of the body is taken 
 away by water, so our sins also are taken 
 away by the blood and Spirit of Christ ; but 
 much more, that by this divine pledge and 
 token He may assure us, that we are as 
 really washed from our sins spiritually, as 
 our bodies are washed with water. 
 
 Titus 3 : 5. 
 
 Rem. According to these two questions baptism without 
 faith has no promise. The word "we" throughout the Catechism 
 refers to the believers. 
 
 Question 74. Are infants also to be baptized? 
 
 Yes. For since they, as well as their 
 parents, belong to the covenant and people 
 of God, and both redemption from sin and 
 the Holy Ghost, who works faith, are 
 through the blood of Christ promised to 
 them no less than to their parents : they are 
 also by Baptism, as a sign of the Covenant, 
 to be ingrafted into the Christian Church, 
 and distinguished from the children of un- 
 believers, as was done in the Old Testament 
 by Circumcision, in place of which in the 
 New Testament Baptism is appointed. 
 
 Gen. 17: 7. And I will establish my covenant 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 between me and thee and thy seed after thee 
 throughout their generations for an everlasting 
 covenant, to be a God unto Thee and to thy seed 
 after thee. 
 
 Joel 2:16. 1 Cor. 7 : 14. 
 
 Matt. 19: 14. Suffer little children, and for- 
 bid them not, to come unto me : for of such is 
 the kingdom of heaven. 
 
 Acts 2 : 39. For the promise is unto you, and 
 to your children. 
 
 Circumcision in the Old Testament: Gen. 17: 12. 13. 
 Circumcision in the New Testament: Col. 2: 11. 12, in whom 
 also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without 
 hands, in putting off the body of sins of the flesh by the circum- 
 cision of Christ: buried with Him in baptism. 
 
 Ps. 22: 11. Acts 10: 47. At the pouring out of the Spirit 
 and baptism in the house of Cornelius the whole household 
 was included, the children not excepted; so was that of the 
 jailer at Philippi, Acts 16: 31. 32, and that of Lydia, mentioned 
 in the same chapter. Likewise salvation was declared for the 
 whole house of Zacchaeus, Luke 19. 
 
 Of the Holy Supper of the Lord. 
 28. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Gen. 14: 17-20. 
 
 Hymn No. 521. 'Twas on that dark and. 
 
 Question 75. How is it signified and sealed 
 unto thee in the Holy Supper, that thou dost 
 partake of the one sacrifice of Christ on the 
 cross and all His benefits ? 
 
 Thus; that Christ has commanded me 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 and all believers to eat of this broken bread, 
 and to drink of this cup, and has joined 
 therewith these promises: First, that His 
 body was offered, and broken on the cross 
 for me, and His blood shed for me, as cer-* 
 tainly as I see with my eyes the bread of the 
 Lord broken for me, and the cup communi- 
 cated to me ; and further, that, with His cru- 
 cified body and shed blood, He Himself 
 feeds and nourishes my soul to everlasting 
 life, as certainly as I receive from the hand 
 of the minister, and taste with my mouth, 
 the bread and cup of the Lord, which are 
 given me as certain tokens of the body and 
 blood of Christ. 
 
 Matt. 26: 26-28. And as they were eating, 
 Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, 
 and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; 
 this is my body. And He took the cup, and gave 
 thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all 
 of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, 
 which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 
 
 Mark 14: 22-24. 
 
 Luke 22 : 19, 20. And He took bread, and gave 
 thanks, and brake it, and gave it unto them, say- 
 ing, This is my body which is given for you : 
 this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also 
 the cup after the supper, saying, This cup is the 
 new testament in my blood, which is shed for 
 you. 
 
 Question 76. What is it to eat the crucified 
 body and drink the shed blood of Christ? 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 It is not only to embrace with a believing 
 heart all the sufferings and death of Christ, 
 and thereby to obtain the forgiveness of 
 sins and life eternal; but moreover also, to 
 be so united more and more to His sacred 
 body by the Holy Ghost, who dwells both in 
 Christ and in us, that although He is in 
 heaven, and we on the earth, we are never- 
 theless flesh of His flesh and bone of His 
 bones, and live and are governed for ever 
 by one Spirit, as members of the same body 
 are by one soul. 
 
 John 6: 54. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drink- 
 eth My blood, hath eternal life. 
 
 This whole chapter (6) treats of the first part of the fore- 
 going question. 
 
 i Cor. 10: 16. The cup of blessing which we 
 bless, is it not the communion of the blood of 
 Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the 
 communion of the body of Christ? 
 
 Eph. 5 : 30. We are members of His body, of 
 His flesh, and of His bones. 
 
 That our union and communion with Christ in the Lord's 
 Supper is not bodily, but spiritual, as the Catechism teaches in 
 the words "By the Holy Ghost", we learn from the following 
 verses: I. Cor. 12: 13, By one Spirit are we all baptized into one 
 body and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 
 
 I. Cor. 10: 4. Spiritual drink. 
 
 Col. 3:1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek 
 83 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 those things which are above, where Christ sit- 
 teth on the right hand of God. 
 
 i Cor. n: 26. For as often as ye eat this 
 bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's 
 death till He come. 
 
 He is therefore not present in the Lord's Supper in a bodily 
 sense, or it would not say, "till He come." 
 
 Question 77. Where has Christ promised that 
 He will thus feed and nourish believers with His 
 body and blood, as certainly as they eat of this 
 broken bread and drink of this cup? 
 
 In the institution of the Supper, which 
 runs thus : The Lord Jesus Christ, the same 
 night, in which He was betrayed, took 
 bread; and when He had given thanks, He 
 brake it, and said: Take, eat, this is My 
 body, which is broken for you; this do in 
 remembrance of Me. After the same man- 
 ner also He took the cup, when He had 
 supped, saying: This cup is the New Testa- 
 ment in My blood: This do ye as often as 
 ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For 
 as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this 
 cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He 
 come. 
 
 84 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 And this promise is repeated also by St. 
 Paul, where he says: The cup of blessing 
 which we bless, is it not the communion of 
 the blood of Christ? The bread which we 
 break, is it not the communion of the body 
 of Christ? For we, being many, are one 
 bread, and one body: for we are all partak- 
 ers of that one bread. 
 
 i Cor. ii : 23-26. Chap. 10: 16, 17. 
 
 Translated more exactly, it is "a"' communion and not 
 "the" communion. 
 
 29. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: John 6: 52-69. 
 
 Hymn No. igo. Come, ye disconsolate. 
 
 Question 78. Do then the bread and wine be- 
 come the real body and blood of Christ? 
 
 No: but as the water, in Baptism, is not 
 changed into the blood of Christ, nor be- 
 comes the washing away of sins itself, being 
 only the divine token and assurance thereof, 
 so also, in the Lord's Supper, the sacred 
 bread does not become the body of Christ 
 itself, though agreeably to the nature and 
 usage of sacraments it is called the body of 
 Christ. 
 
 1 Cor. 10: 17. For being many are one bread, 
 85 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 and one body: for we are all partakers of that 
 one bread. 
 
 After the institutional words it is here expressly called 
 "bread", it has, therefore, not been changed. 
 
 Matt. 26: 29. I will not drink henceforth of 
 this fruit of the vine, until that day when I 
 drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom. 
 
 I. Cor. 11: 26—28, after the institutional words, it is still 
 called bread and cup. 
 
 Agreeably to the nature and usage of sacraments Gen. 17: 
 10. 11, Circumcision is called the covenant, Ex. 12: 11, the lamb 
 is called the passover, I. Cor. 11: 25, the cup is called the new 
 testament. 
 
 Question 79. Why then doth Christ call the 
 bread His body, and the cup His blood, or the 
 New Testament in His blood; and St. Paul, the 
 communion of the body and blood of Christ f 
 
 Christ speaks thus not without great 
 cause : namely, not only to teach us thereby, 
 that, like as bread and wine sustain this 
 temporal life, so also His crucified body and 
 shed blood are the true meat and drink of 
 our souls unto life eternal ; but much more, 
 by this visible sign and pledge to assure us, 
 that we are as really partakers of His true 
 body and blood, through the working of the 
 Holy Ghost, as we receive by the mouth of 
 the body these holy tokens in remembrance 
 of Him; and that all His sufferings and 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 obedience are as certainly our own, as if we 
 had ourselves suffered and done all in our 
 own person. 
 
 John 6: 54-56. Whoso eateth my flesh, and 
 drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will 
 raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is 
 meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He 
 that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, 
 dwelleth in me, and I in him. 
 
 John 6: 55, 56. 1 Cor. 10: 16. 
 
 30. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Dan. 12: 31-39. 
 Hymn No. 279. Abide with me. 
 
 Question 80. What difference is there between 
 the Lord's Supper and the Popish Mass? 
 
 The Lord's Supper testifies to us, that we 
 have full forgiveness of all our sins by the 
 one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which He 
 Himself has once accomplished on the 
 cross ; and that by the Holy Ghost we are 
 ingrafted into Christ, who with His true 
 body is now in heaven at the right hand of 
 the Father, and is to be there worshiped. 
 But the Mass teaches, that the living and 
 the dead have not forgiveness of sins 
 through the sufferings of Christ, unless 
 Christ is still daily offered for them by the 
 priests ; and that Christ is bodily under the 
 
 87 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 form of bread and wine, and is therefore to 
 be worshiped in them. And thus the Mass 
 at bottom is nothing else than a denial of 
 the one sacrifice and passion of Jesus 
 Christ, and an accursed idolatry. 
 
 Rem. The last sentence is wanting in the very first edition 
 of the Catechism, but was added in the first year (1563) by the 
 direction of the authorities, and it has since been generally ac- 
 cepted by the Reformed Church. 
 
 Heb. 10 : 10, 12, 14. By the which will are we 
 sanctified through the offering of the body of 
 Jesus Christ once for all. But this man, after 
 He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, 
 sat down on the right hand of God. For by one 
 offering He hath perfected for ever them that 
 are sanctified. 
 
 Matt. 4: 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get 
 thee hence, Satan : for it is written, Thou shalt 
 worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt 
 thou serve. 
 
 Heb. 7:27. Heb. 8:1. John 4: 23, 24. 
 
 Rem. The Roman Catholic doctrine of the Mass is given 
 in In Canone Missae, Concil. Trid. Sess. 13, 5. 
 
 Question 81. Who are to come unto the table 
 of the Lord? 
 
 Those who are displeased with them- 
 selves for their sins, yet trust that these are 
 forgiven them, and that their remaining in- 
 firmity is covered by the passion and death 
 of Christ; who also desire more and more 
 to strengthen their faith and amend their 
 
 88 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 life. But the impenitent and hypocrites 
 eat and drink judgment to themselves. 
 
 a) Preparation for the Lord's Supper. 
 
 i Cor. n: 28, 29. But let a man examine him- 
 self, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink 
 of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh 
 unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to 
 himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 
 
 Ps. 51 : 3. For I acknowledge my transgres- 
 sions : and my sin is ever before me. Verse 17. 
 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A 
 broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt 
 not despise. 
 
 Luke 15: 21. Father, I have sinned against 
 heaven, and in Thy sight, and I am no more 
 worthy to be called thy son. 
 
 b) Communion. 
 
 Is. 55 : 1. Ho, ever> one that thirsteth, come ye 
 to the waters, and he that hath no money; come 
 ye, buy, and eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk 
 without money and without price. 
 
 John 7 : 2>7, 3& In the last day, that great day 
 of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If 
 any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 
 He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath 
 said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living 
 water. 
 
 c) Thanksgiving. 
 
 Ps. 103: 1-4. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and 
 all that is within me bless His holy name! Bless 
 the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His ben- 
 H9 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 efits. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities. Who 
 healeth all thy diseases. Who redeemeth thy life 
 from destruction. Who crowneth thee with lov- 
 ingkindness and tender mercies. 
 
 Question 82. Are they then also to be ad- 
 mitted to this Supper, who show themselves to 
 be, by their confession and life, unbelieving and 
 ungodly? 
 
 No: for by this the covenant of God is 
 profaned, and His wrath provoked against 
 the whole congregation; wherefore the 
 Christian Church is bound, according to the 
 order of Christ and His Apostles, by the 
 office of the keys to exclude such persons, 
 until they amend their life. 
 
 Matt. 7 : 6. Give not that which is holy unto 
 the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before 
 swine. 
 
 1 Cor. 11: 30-32. For this cause many are 
 weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 
 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not 
 be judged. But when we are judged, we are 
 chastened of the Lord, that we should not be con- 
 demned with the world. 
 
 Titus 3: 10, 11. Matt. 18: 17. 2 Thess. 3: 6. 
 
 Judas was purposely sent away by the Lord during the eat- 
 ing of the passover, that is before the institution of the Lord's 
 Supper. Jn. 13: 30. 
 
 90 
 
Of Man's Redemption. 
 
 31. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: John 20: 19-23. 
 
 Hymn No. sgi. God of all power. 
 
 Question 83. What is the Office of the Keys? 
 
 The Preaching of the Holy Gospel and 
 Church Discipline ; by which two things, 
 the kingdom of heaven is opened to believ- 
 ers and shut against unbelievers. 
 
 THE SERMON, ITS CONTENTS AND METHOD. 
 
 Matt. 16: 19. And I will give unto thee the 
 keys of the kingdom of heaven : and whatsoever 
 thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heav- 
 en : and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth 
 shall be loosed in heaven. 
 
 John 20: 23 and Matt. 18: 17. 18 show that the keys were not 
 only given to Peter, but also to all the apostles. 
 
 Luke 24 : 46, 47. Thus it behooved Christ to 
 suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day : 
 and that repentance and remission of sins should 
 be preached in His name among all nations, be- 
 ginning at Jerusalem. 
 
 1 Cor. 1 : 23, 24. But we preach Christ cruci- 
 fied, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto 
 the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are 
 called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power 
 of God, and the wisdom of God. 
 
 Question 84. How is the kingdom of heaven 
 opened and shut by the Preaching of the Holy 
 Gospel? 
 
 91 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 In this way : that according to the com- 
 mand of Christ, it is proclaimed and openly 
 witnessed to believers, one and all, that as 
 often as they accept with true faith the 
 promise of the Gospel, all their sins are 
 really forgiven them of God for the sake of 
 Christ's merits ; and on the contrary, to all 
 unbelievers and hypocrites, that the wrath 
 of God and eternal condemnation abide on 
 them, so long as they are not converted; 
 according to which witness of the Gospel, 
 will be the judgment of God both in this 
 life and in that which is to come. 
 
 Acts 10 : 43. To Him give all the prophets 
 witness, that through His name whosoever be- 
 lieveth in Him shall receive remission of sins. 
 
 Is. 58: 1. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy 
 voice like a trumpet, and declare unto my people 
 their transgression, and to the house of Jacob 
 their sins. 
 
 Luke 24: 47. Rom. 10: 17. 
 
 Nathan's sermon : 2 Sam. 12. 
 
 2 Cor. 2: 15, 16. For we are unto God a sweet 
 savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in 
 them that perish : to the one we are the savour 
 of death; and to the other the savour of life 
 unto life. 
 
 2 Tim. 4: 2. 1 Tim. 5: 20. 
 
 Question 85. How is the kingdom of heaven 
 shut and opened by Church Discipline ? 
 
 In this way: that according to the com- 
 
 92 
 
Of Man's Redemption, 
 
 mand of Christ, if any under the Christian 
 name show themselves unsound either in 
 doctrine or life, and after repeated brotherly 
 admonition refuse to turn from their errors 
 of evil ways, they are complained of to the 
 church or to its proper officers, and, if they 
 neglect to hear them also, are by them ex- 
 cluded from the Holy Sacraments and the 
 Christian communion, and by God Himself 
 from the kingdom of Christ; and if they 
 promise and show real amendment, they are 
 again received as members of Christ and 
 His Church. 
 
 Matt. 18 : 15-17. Moreover if thy brother tres- 
 pass against thee, go and tell him his fault be- 
 tween thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, 
 thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not 
 hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, 
 that in the mouth of two or three witnesses 
 every word may be established. And if he shall 
 neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church : but 
 if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto 
 thee as an heathen man and a publican. 
 
 1 Tim. 5 : 19. 2 Thess. 3 : 6, 14. 
 
 Examples: Excommunication and restoration of the in- 
 cestuous person in Corinth. I. Cor. 5: 1—5 and II. Cor. 2. 
 
 93 
 
THIRD PART. 
 
 Of Thankfulness. 
 32. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Luke 19: 2-10. (Zachaeus.) 
 Hymn No. 459. Thou the Lord. 
 
 Question 86. Since then we are redeemed 
 from our misery, by grace through Christ, with- 
 out any merit of ours, why must we do good 
 works? 
 
 Because Christ, having redeemed us by 
 His blood, renews us also by His Holy 
 Spirit after His own image, that with our 
 whole life we may show ourselves thankful 
 to God for His blessing, and that He may 
 be glorified through us; then also, that we 
 ourselves may be assured of our faith by 
 the fruits thereof, and by our godly walk 
 may win others also to Christ. 
 
 1 Cor. 6: 20. For ye are bought with a price: 
 therefore glorify God in your body, and in your 
 spirit, which are God's. 
 
 Matt. 5: 16. 1 Pet. 2: 12. Rom. 12: 1, 2. 
 
 2 Pet. 1 : 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, 
 give diligence to make your calling and elec- 
 
 94 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 tion sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never 
 fall. 
 
 Never fall means here not to doubt, but to be sure of faith 
 i Pet. 3: I, 2. Likewise, ye wives, be in sub- 
 jection to your own husbands; that, if any obey 
 not the word, they also may without the word be 
 won by the conversation of the wives. 
 
 Rom. 14: 19. (Edification of one another.) 
 
 Question 87. Can they then not be saved, who 
 do not turn to God from their unthankful, im- 
 penitent life? 
 
 By no means : for, as the Scripture saith, 
 no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, 
 thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, 
 robber, or any such like, shall inherit the 
 kingdom of God. 
 
 1 Cor. 6: 9, 10. Be not deceived: neither for- 
 nicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effem- 
 inate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 
 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor 
 revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the king- 
 dom of God. 
 
 Eph. 5:5, 6. 1 John 3: 14, 15. Rev. 21 : 8; 22 : 15. 
 
 33. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 5: 18-36. 
 Hymn No. 478. Oh, for a heart. 
 
 Question 88. In how many things does true 
 repentance or conversion consist? 
 
 In two things : the dying of the old man, 
 
 and the quickening of the new. 
 95 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Eph. 4 : 22-24. That ye put off concerning the 
 former conversation the old man, which is cor- 
 rupt according to the deceitful lusts ; and be re- 
 newed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye 
 put on the new man, which after God is created 
 in righteousness and true holiness. 
 
 Rom. 6: 4-6. 
 
 Question 89. What is the dying of the old 
 man? 
 
 Heartfelt sorrow for sin; causing us to 
 hate and turn from it always more and 
 more. 
 
 a) Knowledge of sin. 
 
 Jer. 3 : 13. Know thine iniquity, that thou hast 
 transgressed against the Lord thy God. 
 
 The seven penitential psalms are: 6, $2, 38, 51, 
 102, 130, 143. 
 
 b) Repentance. 
 
 2 Cor. 7 : 10. For godly sorrow worketh re- 
 pentance to salvation not to be repented of : but 
 the sorrow of the world worketh death. 
 
 c) Confession and Prayer for Forgiveness. 
 
 Prov. 28 : 13. He that covereth his transgres- 
 sions shall not prosper ; but whoso confesseth 
 and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. 
 
 d) Hating sin and turning from it. 
 
 Isa. 55 : 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and 
 the unrighteous man his thoughts : and let him 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy 
 upon him; and to our God, for He will abund- 
 antly pardon. 
 
 Phil. 2: 12. Work out your own salvation 
 with fear and trembling. 
 
 Peter wept bitterly. Matt. 26: 75. 
 
 Question 90. What is the quickening of the 
 new man? 
 
 Heartfelt joy in God ; causing us to take 
 delight in living according to the will of 
 God in all good works. 
 
 Rom. 14: 17. For the kingdom of God is not 
 meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, 
 and joy in the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Rom. 7: 22. For I delight in the law of God 
 after the inward man. 
 
 Question 91. But what are good works? 
 
 Those only which are done from true 
 faith, according to the Law of God, for His 
 glory; and not such as rest on our own 
 opinion, or the commandments of men. 
 
 Rom. 14: 23. For whatsoever is not of faith 
 is sin. 
 
 Deut. 12 : 32. What thing soever I command 
 you, observe to do it : thou shalt not add thereto, 
 nor diminish from it. 
 
 1 Cor. 10: 31. Whether therefore ye eat, or 
 drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of 
 God. 
 
 Num. 15: 39. Remember all the command- 
 ments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye go 
 not about after your own heart and your own 
 eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring. 
 4 97 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Matt. 15: 9. But in vain they do worship me, 
 teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 
 I. Sam. 15: 22. Saul's disobedience. 
 
 Deut. 4: 2. The false (good) works of monks and sectari- 
 ans described. Col. 2: 18—23. 
 
 34. Sunday. 
 
 Question 92. What is the Law of God? 
 God spake all these words, saying: 
 
 FIRST COMMANDMENT. 
 
 I am the Lord thy God, which have 
 
 BROUGHT THEE OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, 
 OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE. THOU 
 SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE Me. 
 
 SECOND COMMANDMENT. 
 
 Thou shalt not make unto thee any 
 graven image, or any likeness of any- 
 thing that is in heaven above or that 
 is in the earth beneath, or that is in 
 the water under the earth; thou 
 shalt not bow down thyself to them, 
 nor serve them. for i the lord thy 
 God am a jealous God, visiting the iniq- 
 uity OF THE FATHERS .UPON THE CHILDREN 
 UNTO THE THIRD AND FOUPTH GENERATION 
 OF THEM THAT HATE Me; AND SHOWING 
 MERCY UNTO THOUSANDS OF THEM THAT 
 LOVE ME, AND KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. 
 98 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 THIRD COMMANDMENT. 
 
 Thou shalt not take the name of 
 the Lord thy God in vain : for the Lord 
 
 WILL NOT HOLD HIM GUILTLESS THAT TAK- 
 
 eth His name in vain. 
 
 FOURTH COMMANDMENT. 
 
 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it 
 holy. Six days shalt thou labor, anb 
 
 DO ALL THY WORK: BUT THE SEVENTH DAY 
 
 is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in 
 
 IT THOU SHALT NOT DO ANY WORK, THOU, 
 NOR THY SON, NOR THY DAUGHTER, THY 
 
 manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor 
 thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is 
 within thy gates. for in six days the 
 Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, 
 and all that in them is, and rested the 
 seventh day: wherefore the lord 
 blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed 
 
 IT.. 
 
 FIFTH COMMANDMENT. 
 
 Honor thy father and thy mother; 
 that thy days may be long upon the 
 land which the lord thy god giveth 
 
 THEE. 
 
 SIXTH COMMANDMENT. 
 
 Thou shalt not kill. 
 
 SEVENTH COMMANDMENT. 
 
 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 
 
 99 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 EIGHTH COMMANDMENT. 
 
 Thou shalt not steal. 
 
 NINTH COMMANDMENT. 
 
 Thou shalt not bear false witness 
 against th^ neighbor. 
 
 TENTH COMMANDMENT, 
 
 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's 
 house; thou SHALT not covet thy 
 neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, 
 nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nok 
 his ass, nor anything that is thy 
 neighbor's. 
 
 a) The Law and the Gospel. 
 
 Matt. 5 : 17-19. Think not that I am come to 
 destroy the law, or the prophets : I am not come 
 to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto 
 you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one 
 tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all 
 be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break 
 one of these least commandments, and shall 
 teach men so, he shall be called the least in the 
 kingdom of heaven : but whosoever shall do and 
 teach them, the same shall be called great in the 
 kingdom of heaven. 
 
 b) The relation of true Christians to the law. 
 
 Rom 8: 1, 2. There is therefore now no con- 
 demnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, 
 who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus 
 hath made me free from the law of sin and 
 death. 
 
 100 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 c) The Law the standard of sanctification. 
 
 Rom. 3 : 31. Do we then make void the law 
 through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the 
 law. 
 
 Ps. 119: 9. Wherewithal shall a young man 
 cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto accord- 
 ing to Thy word. 
 
 Ex. 20: 1-17. Deut. 5: 6-11. 
 
 Question 93. How are these Commandments 
 divided? 
 
 Into two tables : the first of wnich teach- 
 es us, in four commandments, what duties 
 we owe to God; the second, in six, what 
 duties we owe to our neighbor. 
 
 Question 94. What does God require in the 
 first Commandment? 
 
 That, on peril of my souFs salvation, I 
 avoid and flee all idolatry, sorcery, enchant- 
 ments, invocation of saints or of other crea- 
 tures; and that I rightly acknowledge the 
 only true God, trust in Him alone, with all 
 humility and patience expect all good from 
 Him only, and love, fear and honor Him 
 with my wnole heart; so as rather to re- 
 nounce all creatures than do the least thing 
 against His will. 
 
 Question 95. What is idolatry? 
 
 101 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 It is instead of the one true God who has 
 revealed Himself in His Word, or along 
 with the same, to conceive or have some- 
 thing else on which to place our trust. 
 
 a) FORBIDDEN ARE 
 
 I. Gross Idolatry. 
 
 Ps. 81 : 8, 9. Hear, O my people, and I will 
 testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wouldest 
 hearken unto me ! There shall no strange god be 
 in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange 
 god. 
 
 Deut 18 : 10-12. There shall not be found with 
 thee any one that useth divination, one that 
 practiseth angury, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, 
 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar 
 spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For who- 
 soever doeth these things is an abomination unto 
 the Lord. 
 
 2. Refined idolatry. 
 
 Jer. 17: 5, 7. Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be 
 the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh 
 his arm, and whose heart departeth from the 
 Lord. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the 
 Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. 
 
 Matt. 6: 24. No man can serve two masters: 
 for either he will hate the one, and love the 
 other ; or else he will hold to the one and despise 
 the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 
 
 b) commanded: 
 
 Matt. 4 : 10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy 
 God, and Him alone shalt thou serve. 
 Ps. 62: 5-7. My soul, wait thou only upon 
 102 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 God; for my expectation is from Him. He only 
 is my rock and my salvation : He is my high 
 tower; I shall not be moved. With God is my 
 salvation and my glory : the rock of my strength, 
 and my refuge, is in God. 
 
 Ps. 73: 25, 26. Whom have I in heaven but 
 Thee? And there is none upon earth that I de- 
 sire beside thee. My flesh and my heart f aileth : 
 But God is the strength of my heart and my por- 
 tion for ever. 
 
 35. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Deut. 4: 15-27. 
 Hymn No. 670. Come sing His praise. 
 Question 96. What does God require in the 
 second commandment? 
 
 That we in no wise make any image of 
 God, nor worship Him in any other way 
 than He has commanded in His word. 
 
 I. FORBIDDEN ARE 
 
 a) Gross worship of images. 
 
 Rom. 1 : 22, 23. Professing themselves to be 
 wise, they became fools, and changed the glory 
 of the uncorruptible God into an image made like 
 to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted 
 beasts, and creeping things. 
 
 Deut. 4 : 23, 24. Take heed unto yourselves, 
 lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your 
 God, which He made with you, and make you a 
 graven image in the form of anything which the 
 Lord thy God hath forbidden thee. For the Lord 
 thy God is a devouring fire. 
 
 John 4: 24. God is a Spirit: and they that 
 103 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in 
 truth. 
 
 Isa. 40: 18. 1 Sam. 15: 23. 
 This question also implies, that all human images of God 
 are carricatures. 
 
 Question 97. Must we then not make any 
 image at all? 
 
 God may not and cannot be imaged in 
 any way ; as for creatures, though they may 
 indeed be imaged, yet God forbids the mak- 
 ing or keeping any likeness of them, either 
 to worship them, or by them to serve Him- 
 self. 
 
 John 1 : 18. No man hath seen God at any 
 time; the only begotten Son, which is in the 
 bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. 
 
 Isa. 40: 18. To whom then will ye liken God? 
 or what likeness will ye compare unto Him? 
 
 Psalm 9 : 7. 
 Ex. 35: 30—35. Bezaleel's skill in depicting creatures is 
 ascribed to God. and is therefore not forbidden. 
 
 II. King 18: 4. The brazen serpent was made in accordance 
 with God's will; but when Israel began to worship it, it had to 
 be destroyed. 
 
 Ps. 97 : 7. Ashamed be all they that serve 
 graven images, that boast themselves of idols. 
 
 Question 98. But may not pictures be toler- 
 ated in churches as books for the laity t 
 Laity: ignorant people. 
 
 No : for we should not be wiser than God, 
 who will not have His neople taught by 
 
 104 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 dumb idols, but by the lively preaching of 
 His Word. 
 
 Jer. 10 : 8. But they are altogether brutish and 
 foolish : the stock is a doctrine of vanities. 
 
 Rom. 10 : 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, 
 and hearing by the word of God. 
 
 2 Pet. 1 : 19. Heb. 4 : 12. 
 
 b) Refined worship of images. 
 
 Matt. 15 : 8, 9. This people draweth nigh unto 
 
 me with their mouth, and honoreth me with 
 
 their lips; but their heart is far from me. But 
 
 in vain do they worship me, teaching for doc- 
 trines the commandments of men. 
 
 2. commanded: 
 
 John 4: 24. God is a Spirit: and they that 
 worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in 
 truth. 
 
 Ps. 93 : 5. Thy testimonies are very sure : holi- 
 ness becometh Thine house, O Lord, for ever- 
 more. 
 
 36. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Lev. 24: 10-16. 
 
 Hymn No. 334. Holy, holy, holy. 
 
 Question 99. What is required in the third 
 commandment? 
 
 That we must not by cursing, or by false 
 swearing, nor yet by unnecessary oaths, pro- 
 fane or abuse the name of God; nor even 
 by our silence and connivance be partakers 
 of these horrible sins in others ; and in sum, 
 
 105 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 that we use the holy name of God no other- 
 wise than with fear and reverence, so that 
 He may be rightly confessed and worshiped 
 by us, and be glorified in all our words and 
 works. 
 
 Question ioo. Is then the profaning of God's 
 name, by swearing and cursing, so grievous a sin, 
 that His wrath is kindled against those also who 
 seek not, as much as in them lies, to hinder and 
 forbid the same? 
 
 Yes truly : for no sin is greater, or more 
 provoking to God, than the profaning of 
 His name. Wherefore He even command- 
 ed it to be punished with death. 
 
 a) forbidden: 
 
 Lev. 25 : 15, 16. And thou shalt speak unto the 
 children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth His 
 God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth 
 the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to 
 death, and all the congregation shall certainly 
 stone him. 
 
 Lev. 19: 12. And ye shall not swear by my 
 name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the 
 name of thy God : I am the Lord. 
 
 Matt. 5: 34-37. But I say unto you, Swear*) 
 not at all ; neither by heaven ; for it is God's 
 throne; nor by the earth; for it h His footstool: 
 neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the 
 
 *) Swear not at all — that is in common conversation. 
 The final clause, But let your communication etc. shows this, 
 106 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy 
 head, because thou canst not make one hair 
 white or black. But let your communication be, 
 Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than 
 these cometh of evil. 
 
 James 5 : 12. But above all things, my breth- 
 ren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the 
 earth, neither by any other oath : but let your 
 yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into 
 condemnation. 
 
 Lev. 5 : 1. And if a soul sin, and hear the voice 
 of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath 
 seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then 
 he shall bear his iniquity. 
 
 Prov. 29: 24, 25. Whoso is partner with a 
 thief, hateth his own soul : he heareth cursing, 
 and betrayeth it not. The fear of man bringeth 
 a snare : but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord 
 shall be safe. 
 
 37. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Ezek. 17. Zedekiah's violation of 
 his oath. 
 Hymn No. 406. O worship the King. 
 
 Question ioi. But may we not swear by the 
 name of God in a religious manner? 
 
 Yes; when the magistrate requires it, or 
 it may be needful otherwise, to maintain 
 and promote fidelity and truth, to the glory 
 of God and our neighbor's good. For such 
 swearing is grounded in God's Word, and 
 therefore was rightly used by the saints in 
 the Old and New Testament. 
 
 107 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Question 102. May we swear by the saints, ffl 
 any other creature? 
 
 No: for a lawful oath is a calling upon 
 God, as the only searcher of hearts, to bear 
 witness to the truth, and to punish me if I 
 swear falsely ; which honor is due to no 
 creature. 
 
 Deut. 6: 13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy 
 God, and serve Him, and shalt swear by His 
 name. 
 
 Heb. 6 : 16. For** men verily swear by the 
 greater : and an oath for confirmation is to them 
 an end of all strife. 
 
 Examples of pious swearing: Abraham unto Abimelech, 
 Gen. 21: 24. Jacob unto Laban, Gen. 31: 54. Joshua unto the 
 Gibeonites, Josh. 9: 15. David unto Saul, I. Sam. 24: 22. 23 and 
 unto Bathsheba, I. Kings 1: 23—30. Paul II. Cor. 1: 23; Rom. 1: 9; 
 Rom. 9: I. 
 
 Jer. 5: 7. How shall I pardon thee for this? 
 thy children have forsaken me, and Sworn by 
 them that are no gods. 
 
 2 Cor. 1 : 23. I call God for a recorc upon my 
 soul. 
 
 Isa. 65: 16. So that he who sweareth himself 
 in the earth shall swear by the God of truth. 
 
 Matt. 5: 34. Christ interprets this commandment, that we 
 shall not swear by any creatures. 
 
 i Kings 8: 31, 32, 
 
 38. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Heb. 4. 
 
 Hymn No. 645. Thine earthly Sabbaths. 
 
 Question 103. What does God require in the 
 
 fourth commandment? 
 
 108 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 In the first place : that the ministry of the 
 Gospel and schools be maintained ; and that 
 I, especially on the day of rest, diligently at- 
 tend church, to learn the Word of God, to 
 use the Holy Sacraments, to call publicly 
 upon the Lord, and to give Christian alms. 
 In the second place : that all the days of my 
 life I rest from my evil works, allow the 
 Lord to work in me by His Spirit, and thus 
 begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath. 
 
 SIX DAYS SHALT THOU LABOR I 
 
 I Cor. 9: 14. Even so hath the Lord ordained 
 that they which preach the gospel should live of 
 the gospel. 
 
 Gal. 6: 6. Let him that is taught in the word 
 communicate unto him that teacheth in all good 
 things. 
 
 GOING TO CHURCH : 
 
 Acts 2: 42, And they continued steadfastly in 
 the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in 
 breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
 
 Acts 20: 7. And upon the first day of the 
 week, when the disciples came together to break 
 bread, Paul preached unto them. 
 
 1 Cor. 16: 2. Upon the first day of the week 
 let every one of you lay by him in store, as God 
 hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings 
 
 when I come. 
 
 109 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Heb. 4: 9, 10. There remaineth therefore a 
 rest to the people of God. For he that is entered 
 into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own 
 works, as God did from His. 
 
 Acts 2 : 46. And they, continuing daily with 
 one accord in the temple, and breaking bread 
 from house to house. 
 
 1 Cor. 9: 13, 14. 1 Tim. 2: I. Ps. 68: 26. 
 Isa. 66: 23. 
 
 39. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Ruth 1. 
 
 Hymn No. 688. How shall the young. 
 
 Question 104. What does God require in the 
 fifth commandment? 
 
 That I show all honor, love and faithful- 
 ness to my father and mother, and to all in 
 authority over me; submit myself with due 
 obedience to all their good instruction and 
 correction; and also bear patiently with 
 their infirmities : since it is God's will to 
 govern us by their hand. 
 
 a) Duties of children towards their parents, of 
 wards towards their guardians. 
 
 Eph. 6: 1-3. Children, obey your parents in the 
 Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and 
 mother; which is the first commandment with 
 promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou 
 mayest live long on the earth. 
 
 Prov. 1 : 8, 9. My son, hear the instruction of 
 110 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 thy father, and forsake not the law of thy moth- 
 er : for they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy 
 head, and chains about thy neck. 
 
 Prov. 30: 17. The eye that mocketh at his 
 
 father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the 
 
 ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the 
 young eagles shall eat it. 
 
 Deut. 27 : 16. Cursed be he that setteth light 
 by his father or his mother. And all the people 
 shall say, Amen. 
 
 b) Duties of parents towards their children. 
 
 Eph. 6: 4. Ye fathers, provoke not your chil- 
 dren to wrath : but bring them up in the nurture 
 and admonition of the Lord. 
 
 Deut. 32: 46. Set your heart unto all the 
 words which I testify unto you this day; which 
 ye shall command your children, to observe to do 
 all the words of this law. 
 
 Prov. 13 : 24. He that spareth his rod hateth 
 his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him 
 betimes. 
 
 c) Duties of subjects towards the authorities. 
 
 Rom. 13: 1. Let every soul be subject unto the 
 higher powers. For there is no power but of 
 God. 
 
 1 Tim. 2:1,2. I export therefore, that, first 
 of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and 
 giving thanks, be made for all men ; for kings, 
 and for all that are in authority; that we may 
 lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and 
 honesty. 
 
 Ill 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 d) Duties of pupils and church-members towards 
 their teachers. 
 
 I Tim. 5 : 17. Let the elders that rule well, be 
 counted worthy of double honor, especially they 
 who labor in the word and doctrine. 
 
 Col. 3: 18, 20, 22. Heb. 13: 7. 1 Pet. 5: 5. 
 Examples: Gen. 9: 20-27, Ham, Canaan. John 19: 26. 
 
 Heb. 13: 17, 18. Obey them that have the rule 
 over you, and submit yourselves : for they watch 
 for your souls, as they that must give account, 
 that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: 
 for that is unprofitable for you. 
 
 e) Duties of servants towards their masters. 
 
 1 Pet. 2: 18. Servants, be subject to your mas- 
 ters with all fear, not only to the good and gen- 
 tle, but also to the froward. 
 
 Cf. verses 13, 14, 1?. 
 
 f) Duties of the authorities, teachers and mas- 
 ters towards their subjects and those 
 under their care. 
 
 Eph. 6 : 9. And, ye masters, do the same things 
 unto them, forbearing threatening : knowing that 
 your Master also is in heaven ; neither is there 
 respect of persons with Him. 
 
 Ps. 82 : 3, 4. Judge the poor and fatherless : 
 do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue 
 the poor and needy: deliver them out of the 
 hand of the wicked. 
 
 112 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 40. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Gen. 4. Cain and Abel. 
 Hymn No. 348. Our God is love. 
 
 Question 105. What does God require in the 
 sixth commandment? 
 
 That I neither in thought, nor in word or 
 look, much less in deed, revile, hate, insult 
 or kill my neighbor, whether by myself or 
 by another ; but lay aside all desire of re- 
 venge ; moreover, that I harm not myself, 
 nor wilfully run into any danger. Where- 
 fore also, to restrain murder, the magis- 
 trate is armed with the sword. 
 
 a) forbidden: 
 
 Matt. 5 : 22. But I say unto you, That whoso- 
 ever is angry with his brother without a cause 
 shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoso- 
 ever shall say to his brother Raca, shall be in 
 danger of the council : but whosoever shall say, 
 Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire. 
 
 Rom. 12 : 19. Dearly beloved, avenge not your 
 selves, but rather give place unto wrath : for it 
 is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith 
 the Lord. 
 
 Rom. 12: 18, 19. If it be possible, as much as 
 lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly 
 beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give 
 place to wrath : for it is written, Vengeance is 
 mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 
 
 113 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Murder of the soul is forbidden: 
 
 Matt. 18: 6, 7. But whoso shall offend one of 
 these little ones which believe in me, it were bet- 
 ter for him that a millstone were hanged about 
 his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth 
 of the sea. Woe unto the world because of of- 
 fences ! for it must needs be that offences come; 
 but woe unto that man by whom the offence 
 cometh. 
 
 Question 106. But this commandment speaks 
 only of killing f 
 
 In forbidding this, however, God means 
 to teach us that He abhors the root of mur- 
 der, namely, envy, hatred, anger, and desire 
 of revenge; and that all these are in His 
 sight hidden murder. 
 
 James 3 : 16. For where envying and strife is, 
 there is confusion and every evil work. 
 
 1 John 3: 15. Whosoever hateth his brother, 
 is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer 
 hath eternal life abiding in him. 
 
 James 1 : 19, 20. 
 
 1 John 2: 11. But he that hateth his brother is 
 in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and know- 
 eth not whither he goeth, because that darkness 
 hath blinded his eyes. 
 
 Question 107. Is it then enough that we do 
 not kill our neighbor in any such way? 
 
 No : for in condemning envy, hatred and 
 anger, God requires us to love our neigh- 
 bor as ourselves, to show patience, peace, 
 
 114 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 meekness, mercy and kindness towards him, 
 and, so far as we have power, to prevent 
 his hurt; also to do good even unto our 
 enemies. 
 
 b) commanded: i cor. 13. 
 
 Col. 3 : 12-14. Put on therefore, as the elect 
 of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, 
 kindness, humbleness of mind, weakness, long- 
 suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving 
 one another, if any man have a quarrel against 
 any : even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 
 And above all these things put on charity, which 
 is the bond of perfectness. 
 
 Rom. 12: 20. Therefore if thine enemy hun- 
 ger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for 
 in so doing thou shalt heap coals Of fire on his 
 head. 
 
 Matt 22: 39. Rom. 12: 10. Gal. 6: 1, 2. 
 Stephen: Act 7: 59. 
 
 Matt. 5: 5. Blessed are the meek: for they 
 shall inherit the earth. 
 
 Matt. 5 : 7. Blessed are the merciful : for they 
 shall obtain mercy. 
 
 41. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Gen. 39. Joseph's chastity. 
 Hymn No. 515. Abide with me. 
 
 Question 108. What does the seventh com- 
 mandment teach us? 
 
 That all unchastity is accursed of God; 
 and that we should therefore loathe it from 
 115 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 the heart, and live chastely and modestly 
 whether in holy wedlock or single life. 
 
 Heb. 13 : 4. Marriage is honorable in all, and 
 the bed undefiled. 
 
 II. Sam. 11. David and Bathsheba. Jude 23. I. Cor. 
 7: 1-9. 
 
 I Thess. 4 : 3, 4. This is the will of God, even 
 your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornica- 
 tion : that every one of you should know how 
 to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor. 
 
 Question 109. Does God in this command- 
 ment forbid nothing more than adultery and 
 such like gross sins? 
 
 Since our body and soul are both temples 
 of the Holy Ghost, it is His will that we 
 keep both pure and holy ; for which reason 
 He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, 
 words, thoughts, desires, and whatever may 
 entice thereto. 
 
 Likewise forbidden: Intemperance in meat and 
 
 drink, idleness, evil company, tndecent 
 
 songs and lustful novels. 
 
 1 Cor. 6: 18, 19. Flee fornication. Every sin 
 that a man doeth is without the body ; but he that 
 committeth fornication sinneth against his own 
 body. What? know ye not that your body is 
 the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, 
 which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 
 
 2 Cor. 7: 1. Having therefore these promises, 
 dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all 
 
 116 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness 
 in the fear of God. 
 
 t Cor. 15: 2>2>- Be not deceived: evil communi- 
 cations corrupt good manners. 
 
 Eph. 5 : 18, 19. Be not drunk with wine, 
 wherein is excess ; but be filled with the Spirit ; 
 speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and 
 spiritual songs, singing and making melody in 
 your heart to the Lord. 
 
 42. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Luke 19. Zacchaeus. 
 Hymn No. 353. Though I speak with. 
 
 Question iio. What does God forbid in the 
 eighth commandment? 
 
 Not only such theft and robbery as are 
 punished by the magistrate; but God views 
 as theft also all wicked tricks and devices, 
 whereby we seek to draw to ourselves our 
 neighbor's goods, whether by force or with 
 show of right, such as unjust weights, ells, 
 measures, wares, coins, usury, or any means 
 forbidden of God; so moreover all covet- 
 ousness, and all useless waste of His gifts. 
 
 FORBIDDEN. 
 
 I Cor. 6 : 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor 
 drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall 
 inherit the kingdom of God. 
 
 Luke 3: 14. Do violence to no man, neither 
 accuse any falsely ; and be content with your 
 wages. 
 
 117 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 i Thess. 4 : 6. That no man go beyond and 
 defraud his brother in any matter: because that 
 the Lord is the avenger of all such. 
 
 i Tim. 6: io. For the love of money is the 
 root of all evil: which while some coveted after, 
 they have erred from the faith, and pierced them- 
 selves through with many sorrows. 
 
 John 6: 12. When they were filled, He said 
 unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that 
 remain, that nothing be lost. 
 
 Prov. 11: 1. Amos 8: 4-7. Ps. 15: 5. Luke 
 12: 15. Prov. 23: 20, 21. 
 
 Question hi. But what does God require of 
 thee in this commandment? 
 
 That I further my neighbor's good, where 
 I can and may; deal with him as I would 
 have others deal with me ; and labor faith- 
 fully, that I may be able to help the poor in 
 their need. 
 
 Commanded: Industry, contentment, thriftiness, 
 benevolence, restitution. 
 
 Phil. 2: 4. Look not every man on his own 
 things, but every man also on the things of 
 others. 
 
 Matt. 7 : 12. Therefore all things whatsoever 
 ye would that men should do unto you, do ye 
 even so to them : for this is the law and the 
 prophets. 
 
 Eph. 4: 28. Let him that stole steal no more; 
 but rather let him labor, working with his hands 
 the thing which is good, that he may have to give 
 to him that needeth. 
 
 118 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 Gen. 3 : 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou 
 eat bread. 
 
 1 Tim. 6: 6-8. But godliness with content- 
 ment is great gain. For we brought nothing into 
 this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing 
 out. 
 
 Isa. 58: 7. Is it not to deal thy bread to the 
 hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are 
 'cast out of thy house? when thou seest the 
 naked, that thou cover him : and that thou hide 
 not thyself from thine own flesh? 
 
 43. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: James 3. Sins of the tongue. 
 Hymn No. 484. Jesus, Lord, we look to Thee. 
 Question 112. What is required in the ninth 
 commandment ? 
 
 . That I bear false witness against no one ; 
 wrest no one's words ; be no backbiter, or 
 slanderer; join in condemning no one un- 
 heard and rashly ; but that I avoid, on pain 
 of God's heavy wrath, all lying and deceit, 
 as being the proper works of the devil ; in 
 matters of judgment and justice and in all 
 other affairs love, honestly speak and con- 
 fess the truth; and, so far as I can, defend 
 and promote my neighbor's good name. 
 
 Likewise forbidden: Flattery, gossip, vain-glory 
 and boastfulness, scolding and abuse. 
 
 Ps. 15 : 3, 5. He that backbiteth not with his 
 tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh 
 119 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 up a reproach against his neighbor, shall never 
 be moved. 
 
 John 7: 24, 51. Judge not according to the 
 appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Doth 
 our law judge any man, before it hear him, and 
 know what he doeth? 
 
 John 8: 44. The devil is a liar, and the father 
 of it. 
 
 1 Pet. 4: 8. Above all things have fervent 
 charity among yourselves : for charity shall cover 
 a multitude of sins (i. e. of others). 
 
 Pro v. 19:5. Luke 6: 37. James 4: 11. Eph. 4:25. 
 The false witness against Christ. Matt. 26: 60. 61. 
 Hainan's slander, Esther 3: 8. 
 Naboth, I. Kings 21: 13. 
 
 James 3 : 2. For in many things we offend all. 
 If any man offend not in word, the same is a 
 perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole 
 body. 
 
 Prov. 10: 19. In the multitude of words there 
 wanteth not transgression : but he that ref raineth 
 his lips is wise. 
 
 Rom. 12 : 3. Every man that is among you, 
 not to think of himself more highly than he 
 ought to think. 
 
 1 Pet. 2: 21-23. Christ also suffered for us, 
 leaving us an example, that ye should follow His 
 steps : who did no sin, neither was guile found in 
 His mouth : who, when He was reviled, reviled 
 not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; 
 but committed himself to Him that judged 
 righteously. 
 
 Commanded: Sincerity, kindness, candor, 
 
 discretion. 
 Col. 4 : 6. Let your speech be alway with 
 grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how 
 ye ought to answer every man; 
 120 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 I Pet. 3 : 9, 10. Not rendering evil for evil, 
 or railing with railing: but contrariwise blessing; 
 knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye 
 should inherit a blessing. For he that will love 
 life, and see good days, let him refrain his 
 tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no 
 guile. 
 
 44. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Rom. 7. 
 
 Hymn No. 4/1. Alas, what hourly dangers. 
 Question 113. What is required in the tenth 
 commandment? 
 
 That not even the least inclination or 
 thought against any of God's command- 
 ments ever enter into our heart; but that, 
 with our whole heart, we continually hate 
 all sin, and take pleasure in all righteous- 
 ness. 
 
 Prov. 4: 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; 
 for out of it are the issues of life. 
 
 James 1 : 14, 15. But every man is tempted, 
 when he is drawn away of his own lust, and en- 
 ticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bring- 
 eth forth sin : and sin, when it is finished, bring- 
 eth forth death. 
 
 Matt. 15: 19, 20. Rom. 7: 7. Ps. 139: 22. 
 Josiah's conversion with all his heart, II. Kings 23. 25. 
 
 Question 114. Can those who are converted 
 to God keep these commandments perfectly? 
 
 No: but even the holiest men, while in 
 this life, have only a small beginning of this 
 5 121 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 obedience ; yet so, that with earnest purpose 
 they begin to live, not only according to 
 some, but according to all the command- 
 ments of God. 
 
 Question 115. Why then doth God so strictly 
 enjoin upon us the ten commandments, since in 
 this life no one can keep them? 
 
 First, that all our life long, we may learn 
 more and more to know our sinful nature, 
 and so the more earnestly seek forgiveness 
 of sins and righteousness in Christ ; second- 
 ly, that we may continually strive, and beg 
 from God the grace of the Holy Ghost, so 
 as to become more and more changed into 
 the image of God, till we attain finally to 
 full perfection after this life. 
 
 NECESSITY OF SANCTIFICATION. 
 
 I John 1:8. If we say that we have no sin, 
 we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
 
 James 3 : 2. For in many things we offend all. 
 
 Ps. 19:13. Eccl. 7:21. Ps. 130:3. 1 Kings 8: 46. 
 
 Phil. 3: 12-14. Not as though I had already at- 
 tained, either were already perfect : but I follow 
 after, if that I may apprehend that for which 
 also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Breth- 
 ren, I count not myself to have apprehended: 
 but this one thing I do, forgetting those things 
 which are behind, and reaching forth unto those 
 things which are before, I press toward the mark 
 122 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 for the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ 
 Jesus. 
 
 Rom. 7: 7. What shall we say then? .Is the 
 law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known 
 sin, but by the law : for I had not known lust, 
 except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 
 
 Matt. 5 : 6. Blessed are they which do hunger 
 and thirst after righteousness : for they shall be 
 filled. 
 
 Ps. 51 : 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; 
 and renew a right spirit within me. 
 
 1 John 1 : 9. Ps. 32: 5. 1 Cor. 9: 24. 
 
 Examples of perfection and imperfection in the same per- 
 sons: 
 
 Noah, Gen. 6: 8 and 9: 21. 
 
 David, II. Sam. 11 and Acts 14: 22. 
 
 Job. 1: 1 and 3: 1. 
 
 Lot, II. Pet. 2: 7, 8 and Gen. 19: 33. 
 
 Peter, Gal. 2: 11, 13 and Phil. 3- 13. 
 
 Of Prayer. 
 45. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 15: 21-28. 
 
 Hymn No. 759. Sweet hour of prayer. 
 
 Question 116. Why is Prayer necessary for 
 Christians? 
 
 Because it is the chief part of the thank- 
 fulness which God requires of us ; and be- 
 cause God will give His grace and Holy 
 Spirit only to such, as earnestly and with- 
 
 123 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 out ceasing beg them from Him, and ren- 
 der thanks unto Him for them. 
 
 Ps. 50: 14, 15, 23. Offer unto God thanksgiv- 
 ing; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: and 
 call upon me in the day of trouble : I will deliver 
 thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Whoso offereth 
 praise glorifieth me : and to him that ordereth his 
 conversation aright will I shew the salvation of 
 God. 
 
 Luke 11:9, 10. Ask, and it shall be given you; 
 seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be 
 opened unto you. For every one that asketh re- 
 ceiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him 
 that knocketh it shall be opened. 
 Luke 11: 5—8. The friend at midnight. 
 Luke 18: 1—8. The unjust judge. 
 
 Question 117. What belongs to such prayer, 
 as God is pleased with and will hear? 
 
 First, that from the heart we call only 
 upon the one true God, who has revealed 
 Himself to us in His word, for all that He 
 has commanded us to ask of Him ; secondly, 
 that we thoroughly know our need and mis- 
 ery, so as to humble ourselves before the 
 face of His Divine Majesty; thirdly, that 
 we be firmly assured, that notwithstanding 
 our unworthiness He will, for the sake of 
 Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, 
 as He has promised us in His word. 
 
 Matt. 4: 10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy 
 God, and Him only shalt thou serve. 
 
 John 4: 24. God is a Spirit: and they that 
 124 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in 
 truth. 
 
 Luke 18: 13. And the publican, standing afar 
 off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto 
 heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God 
 be merciful to me a sinner. 
 
 James 1 : 6, 7. But let him ask in faith, noth- 
 ing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a 
 wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 
 For let not that man think that he shall receive 
 anything of the Lord. 
 
 John 16: 23. Ps. 27: 8. Dan. 9: 18. 
 Examples: Hanna, I. Sam. 1. Jacob, Gen. 32. Hezekiah, 
 II. Kings 19: 14—19. Manasseh, II. Chron. 33: 12, 13. Simeon, 
 Luke 2: 25 ss. The congregation, Acts 4: 24-31. 
 
 Question 118. What has God commanded us 
 to ask of Him? 
 
 All things necessary for soul and body, 
 which Christ our Lord has comprised in the 
 prayer taught us by Himself. 
 
 James 1 : 17. Every good gift and every per- 
 fect gift is from above, and cometh down from 
 the Father of lights, with whom is no variable- 
 ness, neither shadow of turning. 
 
 1 Pet. 5:7. Casting all your care upon Him; 
 for He careth for you. 
 
 Question 119. What is the Lord's Prayer ? 
 
 Our Father who art in heaven : Hal- 
 lowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
 
 THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN 
 
 heaven. Give us this day our daily 
 
 125 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 bread. And forgive us our debts, as we 
 forgive our debtors. and lead us not 
 into temptation ; but deliver us from 
 evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and 
 the power, and the glory, for ever. 
 Amen. 
 Matt. 6: 9 ss. Luke 11: 2 ss. 
 
 46. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Luke 11 : 1-13. 
 
 Hymn No. <5<?o. O God, we praise Thee. 
 
 Question 120. Why has Christ commanded us 
 to address God thus: Our Father? 
 
 To awaken in us, at the very beginning of 
 our prayer, that filial reverence and trust 
 toward God, which are to be the ground of 
 our prayer; namely, that God has become 
 our Father through Christ, and will much 
 less deny us what we ask of Him in faith, 
 than our parents refuse us earthly things. 
 
 Gal. 4: 6. Because ye are sons, God hath sent 
 forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, cry- 
 ing, Abba, Father. 
 
 Matt. 7: 9-11. What man is there of you, 
 whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a 
 stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a 
 serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to 
 give good gifts unto your children, how much 
 more shall your Father which is in heaven give 
 good things to them that ask Him? 
 
 1 Pet. 1: 17. Isa. 63: 16. Eph. 3: 14, 15. 
 126 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 Question 121. Why is it added: Who art in 
 Heaven ? 
 
 That we may have no earthly thought of 
 the heavenly majesty of God; and may ex- 
 pect from His almighty power all things 
 necessary for body and soul. 
 
 Acts 17: 24, 25. God that made the world and 
 all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of 
 heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made 
 with hands; neither is worshiped with men's 
 hands, as though He needed anything, seeing 
 He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. 
 
 Rom. 10: 12. The same Lord over all is rich 
 unto all that call upon Him. 
 
 47. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Psalm 96. 
 
 Hymn No. 6. God eternal. 
 
 Question 122. What is the first petition f 
 
 Hallowed be Thy name. That is : En- 
 able us rightly to know Thee, and to hallow, 
 magnify and praise Thee in all Thy works, 
 in which shine forth Thy power, wisdom, 
 goodness, justice, mercy and truth ; and like- 
 wise so to order our whole life, in thought, 
 word and work, that Thy name may not be 
 blasphemed, but honored and praised on our 
 account. 
 
 Ps. 100: 3, 4. Know ye that the Lord He is 
 127 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 God : it is He that has made us, and not we our- 
 selves; we are His people, and the sheep of His 
 pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving 
 and into His courts with praise: be thankful 
 unto Him, and bless His name. 
 
 Matt. 5 : 16. Let your light so shine before 
 men, that they may see your good works, and 
 glorify your Father which is in heaven. 
 
 Ps. 92: 1, 2. It is a good thing to give thanks 
 unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy 
 name, O Most High : to shew forth Thy loving- 
 kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness 
 every night. 
 
 James 1 : 5. Ps. 71 : 16. 
 Children too, praise the Lord: Matt. 21: 15. 
 Anthems in the Old Testament: Moses', Ex. 15. Debo 
 rah's, Judges 5. David's, II. Sam. 22: 4. 
 
 In the New Testament: Zacharia's, Luke 1: 64. Mary's, 
 Luke 1: 45. Simeon's, Luke 2: 29. The congregation's, Acts 
 4:24. 
 
 48. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Rev. 22. 
 
 Hymn No. 437. Far as Thy name is known. 
 
 Question 123. What is the second petition f 
 
 Thy kingdom come. That is : So govern 
 us by Thy word and Spirit, that we submit 
 ourselves unto Thee always more and more ; 
 preserve and increase Thy Church; destroy 
 the works of the devil, every power that ex- 
 alteth itself against Thee, and all wicked 
 devices formed against Thy holy word, un- 
 til the full coming of Thy kingdom, wherein 
 Thou shalt be all in all. 
 
 128 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 Ps. 103 : 19. The Lord hath established His 
 throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth 
 over all. 
 
 Ps. 86: 11. Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I 
 will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear 
 Thy name. 
 
 The realm of Nature. 
 
 Isa. 40: 26. Lift up your eyes on high, and 
 see who hath created these, that bringeth out 
 their host by number: He calleth them all by 
 name; by the greatness of His might, and for 
 that He is strong in power, not one is lacking. 
 
 Ps. 102: 13, 14. Thou shalt arise, and have 
 mercy upon Zion : for it is time to have pity upon 
 her, yea, the set time is come. For Thy servants 
 take pleasure in her stones, and have pity upon 
 her dust. 
 
 The realm of Grace. 
 
 Heb. 12: 28. Wherefore we receiving a king- 
 dom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, 
 whereby we may serve God acceptably with rev- 
 erence and godly fear. 
 
 The realm of Glory. 
 
 Rev. 11: 15. The kingdoms of this world are 
 become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His 
 Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. 
 
 1 Cor. 15 : 24. Then cometh the end, when He 
 shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even 
 the Father; when He shall have put down all 
 rule and all authority and power. Verse 28. 
 
 Matt. 6: 33- Ps. 51 : 20. Rom. 16: 20. 
 129 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 49. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 26: 36-46. 
 Hymn No. 745. Thy will be done. 
 
 Question 124. What is the third petition ? 
 
 Thy will be done in earth as it is in 
 heaven. That is: Grant that we and all 
 men may renounce our own will, and yield 
 ourselves, without gainsaying, to Thy will 
 which alone is good ; that so every one may 
 fulfill his office and calling, as willingly and 
 truly as the angels do in heaven. 
 
 1. The hidden will of God. 
 
 Matt. 26: 39. O my Father, if it be possible, 
 let this cup pass from me : nevertheless not as I 
 will, but as Thou wilt. 
 
 Matt. 16: 24. Jesus said unto His disciples, 
 If any man will come after me, let him deny him- 
 self, and take up his cross, and follow me. 
 
 Rom. 12: 2. And be not conformed to this 
 world: but be ye transformed by the renewing 
 of your mind, that ye may prove what is that 
 good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 
 
 Luke 12: 42. Who then is that faithful and 
 wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler 
 over his household, to give them their portion of 
 meat in due season? 
 
 130 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 2. The sum of the will of God as fully revealed 
 by Christ. 
 
 John 6: 40. And this is the will of Him that 
 sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and 
 believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and 
 I will raise him up at the last day. 
 
 3. The executive will of God. 
 
 1 Sam. 26: 23. The Lord shall render to every 
 man his righteousness and his faithfulness. 
 
 Heb. 13 : 21. God make you perfect in every 
 good work to do His will, working in you that 
 which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus 
 Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. 
 Amen. 
 
 50. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 6: 19-34. 
 Hymn No. 59/. O blessed Lord. 
 
 Question 125. What is the fourth petition? 
 
 Give us this day our daily bread. That 
 is : Be pleased to provide for all our bodily 
 need ; that we may thereby know that Thou 
 art the only fountain of all good, and that 
 without Thy blessing, neither our care and 
 labor, nor Thy gifts can profit us ; and may 
 therefore withdraw our trust from all crea- 
 tures, and place it alone in Thee. 
 
 Ps. 145 : 15, 16. The eyes of all wait upon 
 131 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due 
 season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest 
 the desire of every living thing. 
 
 Ps. 127 : 1, 2. Except the Lord build the house, 
 they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord 
 keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 
 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, 
 to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth 
 His beloved sleep. 
 
 Jer. 17 : 5, 7. Thus saith the Lord : Cursed is 
 the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh 
 his arm, and whose heart departeth from the 
 Lord. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the 
 Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord. 
 
 Ps. 37' 25. James 1: 17. Acts 17: 25. Ps. 55: 
 22. Matt. 16: 8. 
 
 Jesus feeds the hungry. Matt. 14: 15 -21, Chap. 15: 33-38. 
 Elijah I. Kings 17: 2-7. The Temptation of Jesus, Matt. 4: 3. 
 
 51. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 18: 21-35. 
 Hymn 166. Just as I am. 
 
 Question 126. What is the fifth petition? 
 
 And forgive us our debts as we forgive 
 our debtors. That is: Be pleased for the 
 sake of Christ's blood, not to impute to us, 
 miserable sinners, our manifold transgres- 
 sions, nor the evil which still always cleaves 
 to us; as we also find this witness of Thy 
 
 132 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 grace in us, that it is our full purpose heart- 
 ily to forgive our neighbor. 
 
 The seven penitential psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 139, 143. 
 
 Ps. 51: 7-9. Purge me with hyssop, and I 
 shall be clean : wash me, and I shall be whiter 
 than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness; 
 that the bones which Thou hast broken may re- 
 joice. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out 
 all mine iniquities. 
 
 Matt. 6: 14, 15. If ye forgive men their tres- 
 passes, your heavenly Father will also forgive 
 you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, 
 neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 
 
 I. John 1: 12. The publican, Luke 18: 3. Simon and Mary 
 Magdalene, Luke 7: 36—50. 
 
 52. Sunday. 
 
 Bible Lesson: Matt. 4 : 1-11. 
 Hymn No. 784. Bless the Lord. 
 
 Question 127. What is the sixth petition? 
 
 And lead us not into temptation ; but 
 deliver us from evil. That is : Since we 
 are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot 
 stand a moment ; while our deadly enemies, 
 the devil, the world and our own flesh, assail 
 us without ceasing; be pleased to preserve 
 and strengthen us by the power of Thy 
 Holy Spirit, that we may make firm stand 
 against them, and not sink in this spiritual 
 
 133 
 
Heidelberg Catechism. 
 
 war, until we come off at last with com- 
 plete victory. 
 
 Matt. 26: 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter 
 not into temptation : the spirit indeed is willing, 
 but the flesh is weak. 
 
 1 Pet. 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant; because 
 your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walk- 
 eth about, seeking whom he may devour. 
 
 Eph. 6: 13. Wherefore take unto you the 
 whole armour of God, that ye may be able to 
 withstand in the evil day, and having done all, 
 to stand. 
 
 1 Thess. 3 : 13. 
 The world: John 15: 19. The flesh: Gal. 5: 17. 
 Moses and the Amalekites, battle and prayer, Ex. 17: 11. 
 
 Question 128. How do you close this Prayer? 
 For Thine is the kingdom, and the 
 
 POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. That is : 
 
 All this we ask of Thee, because as our 
 King, having power over all things, Thou 
 art both willing and able to give us all good ; 
 and that thereby not we, but Thy holy Name 
 may be glorified for ever. 
 
 Rom. 10: 12. For there is no difference, for 
 the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call 
 upon Him. 
 
 Ps. 115: 1. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, 
 but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, 
 and for Thy truth's sake. 
 
 John 14: 13. 1 Chron. 29 or 30: 10-12. 
 134 
 
Of Thankfulness. 
 
 Question 129. What is the meaning of the 
 word Amen? 
 
 Amen means : So shall it truly and surely 
 be. For my prayer is much more certainly 
 heard of God, than I feel in my heart that I 
 desire these things of Him. 
 
 2 Cor. 1 : 20. For all the promises of God in 
 Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory 
 of God by us. 
 
 Ps. 145: 18, 19. The Lord is nigh unto all 
 them that call upon Him, to all that call upon 
 Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them 
 that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and 
 will save them. 
 
 Eph. 3: 20, 21. Now unto Him that is able 
 to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask 
 or think, according to the power that worketh 
 in us 
 
 UNTO KIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH 
 
 BY CHRIST JESUS 
 
 THROUGH ALL AGES, 
 
 WORLD WITHOUT END. 
 
 AMEN. 
 
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