A34242:866
The Confession of Faith, and the Larger and Shorter Catechism
The confession of faith ; and, The larger and shorter catechism first agreed upon by the Westminster Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and now approved by the General Assembly of the kirk of Scotland to be a part of uniformity in religion between the kirks of Christ in the three kingdoms.
Edinbourg: printed by George Swinton and Thomas Brown, 1671
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.
HEAD 3. The outward means appointed to make the Elect partakers of this Covenant, and all the rest that are called to be inexcusable, Mat. 22.14. Many are called.
The outward means and ordinances for making men partakers of the Covenant of Grace are so wisely dispensed, as the Elect •hall be infallibly converted and saved by them, and the Reprobate among whom they are not, be justly stumbled. The means are specially these four. 1. The Word of God. 2. The Sacraments. 3. Kirk Government. •. Prayer. In the Word of God preached by •ent Messengers, the Lord makes offer of Grace to all sinners upon condition of faith in Jesus Christ, and whosoever do confess their sin, accept of Christ offered, and submit themselves to his Ordinances, he will have both them and their children received into the honour and privileges of the Covenant of Grace. By the Sacraments God will have the ⟨image 103⟩Covenant sealed for confirming the bargain on the foresaid condition. By Kirk Government he will have them •edge in, and help forward unto the keeping of the Covenant. And by Prayer, he will have his own glorious Grace promised in the Covenant, to be daily drawn forth, acknowledged and employed. All which means are f•llowed either really, or in profession only, according to the quality of the Co•enanters, as they a•e true or counterfeit believers,