A34242:915
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.
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.
IT Is said, that the Jews being ignorant o• Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness. have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God, (and so they perished) for Christ is the end of the La• ⟨image 108⟩[…] righteousness to every one that believeth: and acts 13.34. By Christ Jesus all that believe, are ••stified from all things, from which ye could not be ••stified by the Law of Moses: and 1 John 1.7. […] blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from […] sin.
IT Is said, that the Iews being ignorant o• Gods righteousness, and going about to establis• their own righteousness. have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God, (and so they perished) for Christ is the end of the La• ⟨image 108⟩〈…〉 righteousness to every one that believeth: and •cts 13.34. By Christ Iesus all that believe, are ••stified from all things, from which ye could not be ••stified by the Law of Moses: and 1 Iohn 1.7. 〈…〉 blood of Iesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from 〈…〉 sin.
For convincing a man of judgement, if a •an embrace this righteousness: consider, • John 3.8. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he mi••t destroy the works of the •evil. and Heb. 9.14. How much more shall the […] of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, […] himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
For convincing a man of judgement, if a •an imbrace this righteousness: consider, • Iohn 3.8. For this purpose the Son of God was ••nifested that he mi••t destroy the works of the •evil. and Heb. 9.14. How much more shall the 〈…〉 of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, 〈…〉 himself without spot to God, purge your consci•ce from dead works to serve the living God.
But if a man embrace not this righteousness, […] is pronounced, John 3.18. He that be•••veth not is condemned already; because he hath […] believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of […]. And this is the condemnation, that light is […] into the World, •nd men love darkness rather […] light.
But if a man imbrace not this righteousness, 〈…〉 is pronounced, Iohn 3.18. He that be•••veth not is condemned already; because he hath 〈…〉 believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of 〈…〉. And this is the condemnation, that light is 〈…〉 into the World, •nd men love darkness rather 〈…〉 light.
Hence let the penitent desiring to believe, ••ason thus:
What doth suffice to convince all the Elect […] the world of the greatness of the sin of not ••lieving in Christ, or refusing to flee to him […] relief from sins done against the Law, and ••om wrath due thereto? and what sufficeth […] convince them that righteousness and eternal life is to be had by Faith in Jesus Christ, or […] consenting to the Covenant of Grace in him? ⟨image 109⟩and what sufficeth to convince them of Judgement to be exercised by Christ for destroying the works of the Devil in a man, and sanctifying and saving all that believe in him, may suffice to convince me also.
What doth suffice to convince all the Elect 〈…〉 the world of the greatness of the sin of not ••lieving in Christ, or refusing to flee to him 〈…〉 relief from sins done against the Law, and ••om wrath due thereto? and what sufficeth 〈…〉 convince them that righteousness and eter••l life is to be had by Faith in Jesus Christ, or 〈…〉 consenting to the Covenant of Grace in him? ⟨image 109⟩and what sufficeth to convince them of Judgement to be exercised by Christ for destroying the works of the Devil in a man, and sanctifying and saving all that believe in him, may suffice to convince me also.
But what the Spirit hath said in these or other like Scriptures, sufficeth to convince the Elect world of the foresaid sin and righteousness and Judgment.
Therefore what the Spirit hath said in these and other like Scriptures, serveth to convince me thereof also.
Whereupon let the penitent desiring to believe take with him words, and say heartily to the Lord; Seeing thou sayest, seek ye my Face ▪ my soul answereth unto thee, thy face, Lor• will I seek, I have hearkened unto the offer of an everlasting Covenant of all saving mercies to be had in Christ, and I do heartily embrace thy offer, Lord let it be a bargain, Lord I believe, help my unbelief: Behold I give my self to thee to serve thee in all things for ever, and I hope they right •and shall save me, the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. Thy mercy▪ O Lord endureth for ever, forsake not the works of thy own hands. Thus may a m•n be made an unfeigned believer in Christ.
Whereupon let the penitent desiring to believe take with him words, and say heartily to the Lord; Seeing thou saye•t, seek ye my Face ▪ my soul answereth unto thee, thy face, Lor• will I seek, I have hearkned unto the offer of an everlasting Covenant of all saving mercies to be had in Christ, and I do heartily embrace thy offer, Lord let it be a bargain, Lord I believe, help my unbelief: Behold I give my self to thee to serve thee in all things for ever, and I hope they right •and shall save me, the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. Thy mercy▪ O Lord endureth for ever, forsake not the works of thy own hands. Thus may a m•n be made an unfained believer in Christ.
Because many true believers are weak, and do much doubt if ever they shall be sure of the soundness of their own Faith and Effectual calling, or made certain of their Justification and Salvation, when they see, that many, who profess faith, are found to deceive themselves; let us see how every believer may be made strong in the faith, and sure of his own Election and Salvation upon solid grounds by sure warrants and true evidences of faith. To this end among many other Scriptures, take these following.
BEcause many true believers are weak, and do much doubt if ever they shall be sure of the soundness of their own Faith and Effectual calling, or made certain of their Justification and Salvation, when they see, that many, who profess faith, are found to deceive themselves; let us see how every believer may be made strong in the faith, and sure of his own Election and Salvation upon solid grounds by sure warrants and true evidences of faith. To this end among many other Scriptures, take these following.
1. For laying solid grounds of faith, consider, 2 Pet. 1.10.
Wherefore the rather, brethren▪ give diligence to make sure your calling and election, for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
In which words the Apostle teacheth us these four things, for help and direction, how to be made strong in the faith.
1. That such as believe in Christ Jesus, and are fled to him for relief from sin and wrath, albeit they be weak in the faith, yet they are indeed Children of the same Father with the Apostles: for so he accounteth of them, while he called them brethren.
2. That albeit we be not sure, for the time of our effectual calling and election, yet we may ⟨image 110⟩be made sure of both, if we use diligence: for this he presupposeth, saying, Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.
