A25294:869
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.
Reas. 1. Because without judgement and prudence agreeable to the thing undertaken, nothing can be rightly, or perfectly, done or performed.
Reas. 2 Because in the Sacraments, where the external appearances are bodily and gross, and yet a spiritual mystery or secret (as to sense) lies hid in them, there is need of spiritual heed and judgement, that we may rightly pierce and dive into that spiritual secret it self.
Reas. 3. Because the want of this discerning, brings with it a profanation of this holy feast, as appears by the example of the Corinthians. For who so discern not what it is about which they are busied, can never fit themselves so, as to behave themselves aright in handling of such a business.
Reas. 3. Because the want of this discerning, brings with it a prophanation of this holy feast, as appears by the example of the Corinthians. For who so discerne not what it is about which they are busied, can never fit themselves so, as to behave themselves arightly in handling of such a business.
Use, Is both of Direction and Exhortation together, that every one earnestly set his mind and judgement aright to discern, before he come to the table of the Lord; what it is, that is there done; and what it is that himself should there do. Now the special points, that ought by all communicants to be discerned, are these. 1. The occasion and necessity that there was, that Christ should be broken and given for us, and to us, which was no other but the deepest guilt of our sin, & heaviest punishment due to it; and the misery that to us would thence have followed. 2. The proper cause and reason of this donation, which was the infinite mercy of God towards us. 3. The manner in which Christ was given for us; which was both in body and soul to the sufferance of death [though they were the soul and body of God personally] that by this his obedience we might be both freed from death, and the consequent of its misery; and made partakers of all the blessings of grace, and glory, and happiness, which were in him prepared for us; and he had deserved to us. 4. The means by which Christ is thus applied unto us, and made ours; as in this Sacrament, externally by the signs of eating of bread, and drinking of wine, and internally, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, and our faith stirred up by him, to rely upon Christ for life, and nourishment and growth unto life eternal, and all the blessings aforesaid.