A25294:771
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.
This is hence collected, in that the Apostle gives unto them this only way of operating in this place. Which that we may better understand, it is to be taken notice of, that a sign is either natural, or by institution or appointment; and that Sacraments are signs by appointment. Now in signs by appointment, the author appointing is always to be looked to, and the end of his appointing. For seeing any appointment is as a mean, it hath an essential relation and dependence as well to the efficient, by which it is directed, as to the end whereunto it is directed. The author and appointer of a Sacrament is God alone, because no creature can appoint one, seeing none can perform ⟨p. 169⟩that which in a Sacrament is signed and sealed, nor •ind God to perform it for them. The end of a Sacrament in general, is to help our infirmity, and a Sacrament helps it in a three fold manner.
This is hence collected, in that the Apostle gives unto them this onely way of operating in this place. Which that we may better understand, it is to be taken notice of, that a sign is either natural, or by institution or appointment; and that Sacraments are signes by appointment. Now in signes by appointment, the author appointing is alwayes to be looked to, and the end of his appointing. For seeing any appointment is as a mean, it hath an essential relation and dependance as well to the efficient, by which it is directed, as to the end whereunto it is directed. The author and appointer of a Sacrament is God alone, because no creature can appoint one, seeing none can perform ⟨p. 169⟩that which in a Sacrament is signed and sealed, nor •ind God to perform it for them. The end of a Sacrament in general, is to help our infirmity, and a Sacrament helps it in a three fold manner.
Reas. 1. In respect of our understanding, whereunto they are notifying or knowledge-begetting signs, or as it were clear mirrors, wherein by the intermediate Ministry of our external senses we may behold the mysteries of God.