A25294:252
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.
The eighth Lords day.
Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
IN this verse is contained that principal command, which Christ left to his Apostles and Ministers; and it consists of two parts; whereof, in the first, the preaching of the Word; and in the other, the administration of the Sacraments is commanded. The chief scope of both parts is showed in the last words; to wit, That men may be taught and confirmed in the true faith and obedience of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. From this place was the Creed taken and framed, which is called the Apostles Creed▪ but as to the foundation of it in these words, not first taught by the Apostles, but to the Apostles by Christ himself, at that very time, when he spake those words: 2. By the Apostles at the command of Christ to all Christians, for a rule of Faith, and a badge, whereby Christians should be discovered▪ as well fro• Heathens, as from Jews and other Sects. Nor ⟨p. 57⟩was there any other or longer Creed than this, contained in the words of our Lord, in the times of the Apostles, and of the Church that next followed their times. But afterwards diverse Heresies laid a necessity upon the Church of adding diverse articles to this Creed, not that they should be new additions to the old Faith, but needful explications of the same. Hence it is, that all things that are now contained in the Creed, are referred unto these three heads, which are set down in these words; viz. either unto the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Ghost.