A25294:883
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 one and thirtieth Lords day.
Mat. 16. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in Heaven: whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven.
Mat. 16. 19. And I will give unto thee the keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven: And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in Heaven: whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven.
IN these words is contained an explication of that promise, which Christ in the last preceding verse had made to Peter, of building his Church upon the Rock, and of the strength of that building, which the gates or power of Hell should not overcome. Now the building of his Church is signified by the instrumental cause thereof; that is, the Ministry of the Gospel. The strength or firmness of this building is shown in the firmness it hath from Heaven, which is its principal cause. And the building of the Church by the Ministry is Metaphorically explained, by the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, because the giving of the keys to bear, is the sign of power given over that House, or Town unto which they belong; therefore Christ most fitly designed the power of the Ministry, in such things as belong unto the Kingdom of Heaven by this simile. The confirmation or strength of this Heavenly building is explained from things compared in likeness; to wit, between the administration of men about these keys; and the approbation thereof, and ratification by God. This parity or likeness is explained