A25294:761
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 five and twentieth Lords day.
Rom. 4. 11. And be received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith, which he had yet being uncircumcised▪ That he might be th• father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.
Rom. 4. 11. And be received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousnes of the faith, which he had yet being uncircumcis•d▪ That he might be th• father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousnesse might be imputed unto them also.
The Apostle in this place treats of the justificatification of Abraham which he so ascribes to him, that in him he sets down a pattern of justification to life▪ as well in respect of uncircumcised Gentiles, as of Jews themselves. For this end the Apostle observes, and proposeth to be observed, that faith ⟨p. 167⟩was reputed to Abraham unto righteousness, while he was yet uncircumcised, or in the fore-skin. Against which Doctrine, because it might be objected, that then circumcision was of no use to him: The Apostle answers by a probation in this verse, and denies the consequence; and gives a reason of this his denial thence, because there was another end and use of that Sacrament. For he was not therefore circumcised, that by circumcision he might be justified, but that by circumcision, as by a seal and sign he might have his righteousness, that was before imputed to him, the better confirmed. We have then in these words a description of a Sacrament of the Covenant of grace. 1. From its general notion; that it is a sign. 2. From its differencing notion, in which it is described by the use and end of this sign. The end is designed. 1. From its manner of signifying; being not only called a sign, but a seal. 2. From the object, or thing signified, which is the righteousness of faith, & the receiving thereof.