Question 9 — How do we in our observation profess our subjection unto the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel?

Answer — In that being all of them, first appointed by him as the head, lawgiver, and king of his church; and, secondly, made by him the ensigns and tokens of his kingdom and subjects; in their due observation principally consists that profession of him and his name which he so often calleth us unto, and so indispensably requireth at our hands.
Matt. xxviii. 18–20; 1 Cor. xi. 23; Heb. iii. 6,, xii. 25John xiii. 13, viii. 31, xiv. 15, 21, 23, xv. 14, 17, xiii. 35, xv. 14; Luke ix. 26; Rom. x. 10; 1 John ii. 3, 4.

Explication — The ground and reason of this duty is evident. The Lord Jesus Christ straitly enjoins all his disciples the profession of his name, and lays it on them as indispensable unto salvation: Rom. x. 10, “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession,” or profession, “is made unto salvation;” John xii. 42–45. Now, this profession of the name of Christ, which 460is so much abused and mistaken in the world, consists in the keeping of his commandments: John xv. 14, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” So also, Matt. xxviii. 20, his disciples are to be taught to do and observe whatever he commandeth. Now, whereas he is the head and king of the church, the next immediate and special lawgiver of it, appointing unto it all his ordinances and its whole worship, as it becomes him who is lord of the house, the institutions of the gospel worship are his most especial commands; and in their observation consists that profession of him which he requires of us; therein doth he call them out of the world by profession whom he hath redeemed out of it by his blood, 2 Cor. vi. 15–18; Rev. v. 9. In these he exerciseth his kingly or lordly power over his church, Heb. iii. 6; and in the willing obedience of his people, gathering themselves unto the ensigns of his rule, he is glorified in the world.