thou shalt surely die.—Rom. v. 12.18. 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. Therefore, as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, &c. (Rom. vi. 23; Gal. iii. 10; Eph. i. 3.)

Q. 87. Are these spirits, or any others, the objects of our senses; or, can they be seen by us?

A. No: all spirits are invisible; and are never the objects of our bodily senses, except when God permits them to assume some bodily shape, or causes them to act by means of the organs of living animals, for some special purpose.

Q. 88. Are there not different orders and degrees of these spirits?

A. Yes; of both good and bad.

Q. 89. How do you know there are different orders of good spirits or angels?

A. The Holy Scriptures speak of cherubim(a) and seraphim,(b) of the angel Gabriel, (c) and of Michael the archangel.(d)

(a) Gen. iii. 24.—(b) Is. vi. 2.—(c) Dan. viii. 16; Luke i. 19.-(d) Jude 9; Rev. xii. 7.

Q. 90. What proof have you of the different orders and degrees of wicked spirits, or devils?

A. Of wicked spirits, or devils, the Scriptures frequently speak in terms which imply a difference of order; they are said to have a prince and a kingdom.(a) They must be also very numerous, since we read of legions; (b) and of Satan and his angels. (c)

(a) Rev. xii. 9.-(6) Mark v. 9; Luke xi. 15.—(c) Mark iii. 23, 24; Luke xi. 17, 18.

Q. 91. Were devils originally created wicked? A. No; God, because of his essential holiness, could create nothing unholy or wicked; but being originally created holy as the angels now in heaven, and not choosing to abide in the truth, of their own free will they rebelled against God; and are therefore, by their own fault, become desperately wicked; and consequently are banished for ever from the presence of God. (Jude 6.)

Q. 92. Has God condescended to reveal his reasons for permitting Satan to tempt and prevail with our first parents to trangress?

A. No; and it therefore becomes us not to inquire.(a)

(a) Deut. xxix. 29. The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed, belong unto us and to our children for ever.

Q. 93. What influence have devils been permitted to have over mankind ?

A. Not only have they been allowed to be the immediate cause of the fall of man, but, ever since that sad event, they have been permitted to rule and reign in the hearts and minds of the wicked, (a) and also to tempt the righteous.(b)

(a) Eph. ii. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to

the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.

(b) Matt. iv. 1. Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the

wilderness to be tempted of the devil.—Eph. vi. 11, 12. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (only), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Luke xxii. 31, 32.)

Q. 94. What then are the chief evils to be dreaded from the influence of evil spirits over the minds of men ?

A. They are many, both in respect to the ungodly and the godly. With respect to the ungodly, who are called in Scripture" the children of the devil," (John viii. 44; 1 John iii. 10,) they have cause to dread subjection to their dominion, power, and control; (a) their blinding their understandings, (b) and taking the sword of truth from their hearts: (c) their tempting them to sin, by suggesting evil thoughts, (d) exciting in them evil passions, (e) and furnishing them occasions for sinful deeds; (f) and their malicious designs to render them miserable, by holding out the bait of present pleasure, and, if possible, to destroy their souls for ever in hell. (g)

(a) 2 Tim. ii. 25, 26. In meekness, instructing those that

oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the knowledge of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

(b) 2 Cor. iv. 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

(c) Matt. xiii. 19. When any one heareth the word of the

kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in

his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside. (d) Acts v. 3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart, to lie unto the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

(e) 1 Chron. xxi. 1. And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.-Luke xxii. 31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.-Matt. xxvi. 74. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man.

(ƒ) John xiii. 2. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him.-Luke xxii. 53. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

(g) 1 Pet. v. 18. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist, stedfast in the faith.

Q. 95. What have the godly to dread from the and influence of wicked spirits?

power

A. Evil spirits are ever upon the watch to seduce and afflict them inwardly, by suggesting evil thoughts, and exciting evil desires; and outwardly, by exposing them to troubles and persecutions, and even to bodily afflictions.*

Q. 96. But, in the end, can these temptations and trials do any real injury to the people of God?

A. No; on the contrary, when Satan designs for their injury, God in mercy overrules for their good, int the end; as was the case with Job. (a)

(a) Job xlii. 12-17.

* Instead of the proofs of this by a reference to any particular passages, the Catechist will find abundant matter in the history of Job, which could not be here inserted in a manner sufficiently concise.

Q.97. Is there any real cause to dread the assaults of Satan?

A. No; not unless we willingly yield to his suggestions. Such trials are indeed painful to endure, whilst they last; but ultimately, to the godly, they always issue in their great advantage. (Jam. iv. 7; Rom. viii. 28.)

Q. 98. What are the best means of resisting and overcoming the temptations of Satan?

A. Humble prayer, (a) careful watchfulness, (b) and a simple dependence on the grace and protection of the Lord Jesus Christ. (c)

(a) Eph. vi. 11, 18. Put on the whole armour of God, that

ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit. (b) Matt. xxvi. 41. Watch and pray that ye enter not into

temptation.-Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.

(c) Rom. xvi. 20. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

Q. 99. What is the nature of good spirits or angels?

A. Angels, or good spirits, are wise, powerful, holy, and supremely happy.

Q. 100. Do the holy angels feel interested in the concerns of this world?

A. Yes; so far as the spiritual kingdom of God is concerned; for they are God's ministers to his people,(a) and they rejoice in the repentance of the wicked.(b)

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