A25294:35
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.
Doct. 2. Is this, That a mans chief good or happiness cannot be found in the goods of this life.
And this is gathered from verse 6. where this opinion of worldly men, that it may be found in such things, is rejected, as vain. The meaning of the Doctrine is, that a mans happiness consisteth not either in riches, or in honours, or in renown, or in power, or in any goods of the body; nor yet in pleasure, nor in any perfection of the mind, nor in any other the like created good.
And this is gathered from verse 6. where this opinion of worldly men, that it may be found in such things, is rejected, as vain. The meaning of the Doctrine is, that a mans happiness consisteth not either in riches, or in honours, or in renown, or in power, or in any goods of the body; nor yet in pleasure, nor in any perfection of the minde, nor in any other the like created good.
Reas. 1. Because such goods do not make the man himself good, and therefore neither can they make him happy; but they are common to the worst of men, as well as to good men.
2. Because such goods are oftentimes the instruments and means of sin and misery.