A25294:1219
The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easy draught of the Christian…The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easie draught of the Christian…
The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easy draught of the Christian catechism in LII lectures on chosen texts of Scripture, for each Lords-day of the year, learnedly and perspicuously illustrated with doctrines, reasons, and uses / by that reverend and worthy labourer in the Lord's vineyard, William Ames ...The substance of Christian religion, or, A plain and easie draught of the Christian catechisme in LII lectures on chosen texts of Scripture, for each Lords-day of the year, learnedly and perspicuously illustrated with doctrines, reasons, and uses / by that reverend and worthy laborer in the Lord's vineyard, William Ames ...
London: printed by T. Mabb for Thomas Davies, 1659
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Reas. 1. Because love to our Neighbour ought to follow from our love to God; and God may be as well honoured by the things he gives to our Neighbour, as the things that he gives to us.
Reas. 2. Because however it be more natural to wish well to our selves, yet it is more divine and ⟨p. 264⟩perfect to wish well to others in such external things.
Reas. 3. Because by wishing well to others, we wish well to ourselves, in as much as by the exercise of this duty, we further our own salvation
Reas. 3. Because by wishing well to others, we wish well to ourselves, in as much as by the exercise of this duty, we further our owne salvation
Use, Of reproof, against the common frailty of us all. For from this, as from the Commandment of a loving God above all things, it follows that none can perfectly keep this moral Law, in this life; to wit, if we understand such perfection as consists in complete obedience. For otherwise in all believers is found such a perfection, or integrity and sincerity, as is opposed unto feignedness and dissimulation; and such as is opposed unto halting or lameness, by which some duties seem to be looked after, but not all; and such a perfection also as is opposed to lukewarmness. For all believers both worship God sincerely, and desire to keep all his Commandments, and pant after a complete obedience also: Yet the Law is not for this proposed to us in vain, though we be unable to keep it fully. For hence we understand, 1. What is our duty. 2. What are the defects under which we lie. 3. What we may require of God; to wit, that we may be freed from guilt, & renewed to a performance of duties. 4. That we have a mark set us, whereat we may aim in all our endeavours. 5. That we may in part take notice of the perfection of that life which we shall enjoy in another world.