A25294:43
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.
Use. The use is of reproof against such, who esteem as much of these goods, seek after them as lawfully, keep them with as great care, when acquired, and are as loath to leave them, as if they placed their true and only bliss and happiness in them.
Use. The use is of reproof against such, who esteem as much of these goods, seek after them as lawfully, keep them with as great care, when acquired, and are as loath to leave them, as if they placed their true and onely bliss and happiness in them.
Doct. 3. Is, That our true and chief good consists in our union and communion, that we have with God.
This is gathered from these words; Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O Lord. The meaning is, that God himself is our true chief good, as well effectively, as objectively; because he alone makes us happy, as the efficient; and makes us happy in himself, as the object; that is, by communicating himself unto us, according to that model of the Covenant; I will be thy God: I will be thy rich reward: And that our communion with God, is our formal or inherent happiness, which is wont to be called the vision o• seeing of God, and the beatifical vision. Now to see God, in Scripture-phrase, signifies not either the sight of the eyes, or the bare speculation and beholding with the understanding, but the full fruition and enjoyment of God, as far as […] makes for our blessedness. And to this fruition and communion we attain by Jesus Christ our Lord; and therefore this consolation must be referred to Christ, as to its cause; and all that belongs to our happiness, must be acknowledged to come by him.
This is gathered from these words; Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O Lord. The meaning is, that God himself is our true chief good, as well effectively, as objectively; because he alone makes us happy, as the efficient; and makes us happy in himself, as the object; that is, by communicating himself unto us, according to that modell of the Covenant; I will be thy God: I will be thy rich reward: And that our communion with God, is our formall or inherent happiness, which is wont to be called the vision o seeing of God, and the beatificall vision. Now to see God, in Scripture-phrase, signifies not either the sight of the eyes, or the bare speculation and beholding with the understanding, but the full fruition and enjoyment of God, as farre as makes for our blessedness. And to this fruition and communion we attain by Jesus Christ our Lord; and therefore this consolation must be referred to Christ, as to its cause; and all that belongs to our happiness, must be acknowledged to come by him.