A25467:1207
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved
A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved by sundry ministers in October, 1682.
London: printed by J.A. for John Dunton, 1683
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.
3. The ends of this Discipline, are the order, peace, purity, and Holiness of the Church, with a Representation of the Love, Care and Watchfulness of Christ over it, and a Testimony unto his future Judgment. An Imagination of any other ends of it, hath been its ruin.
3. The ends of this Discipline, are the order, peace, purity, and Holiness of the Church, with a Representation of the Love, Care and Watchfulness of Christ over it, and a Testimony unto his future Judgment. An Imagination of any other ends of it, hath been its ruine.
And thus far all who profess themselves Christians are agreed, at least in words. None dare deny any of these principles, no not to secure their abuse of them, which is the Interest of many.
4. But unto them all we must also add, and that with the same uncontrollable Evidence of Truth, that the Power and Efficacy of this Discipline which it hath from the Institution of Christ, is Spiritual only, and hath all its effects on the Souls and Consciences of those who profess subjection unto him, with respect unto the Ends before mentioned. So the Apostle expressly describes it, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. For the Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations and every high thing, that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought unto the Obedience of Christ. These are the Ends, as of preaching of the Gospel, so of the Discipline of the Church; and these are the ways and means of its efficacy: it is spiritually mighty to God, unto all these Ends, and others it hath none. But we shall immediately see the total Reverse of this Order, in an Image substituted in the room of it.