A34242:928
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.
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.
2. That we must not be discouraged, when we see many seeming believers prove rotten branches and make defection, but we must the rather take the better heed to our selves Wherefore the rather, brethren, saith he, give all diligence.
4. That the way to be sure both of our effectual calling, and Election, is to make sure work of our Faith, by laying the grounds of it solidly, and bringing forth the fruits of our faith in new obedience constantly, For if ye do these thing•, saith he, ye shall never fall; understand by these things, what he had said of sound faith, ver. 1, 2, 3, 4. And what he had said of the bringing out of the fruits of faith, ver. 5, 6, 7, 8.
To this same purpose, consider, Rom. 1.8. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ver. 2. For the Law of the Spirit of Life, in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the Law of sin and death. ver. 3. For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. ver. 4. That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
To this same purpose, consider, Rom. 1.8. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ver. 2. For the Law of the Spirit of Life, in Christ Iesus, hath made me free from the Law of sin and death. ver. 3. For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinfull flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. ver. 4. That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Wherein the Apostle teacheth us these four things, for laying of the ground of faith solidly.
1. That every one is a true believer, who in the sense of his sin and fear of Gods wrath doth flee for full relief from both unto Jesus Christ alone, as the only Mediator, and all-sufficient Redeemer of men, and being fled to Christ, doth strive against his own flesh, or corrupt inclination of nature, and studieth to follow the rule of Gods Spirit, set down in his Word; for the man whom the Apostle doth here bless as a true believer, is a man in Christ Jesus, who doth not walk after the flesh, but after •he Spirit.
2. That all such persons as are fled to Christ, •nd do strive against sin, howsoever they may •e possibly exercised under the sense of wrath, •nd fear of condemnation, yet they are in no •anger; for there is no condemnation (saith he) •o them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not •fter the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2. That all such persons as are fled to Christ, •nd do strive against sin, howsoever they may •e possibly exercised under the sense of wrath, •nd fear of condemnation, yet they are in no •anger; for there is no condemnation (saith he) •o them that are in Christ Iesus, who walk not •fter the flesh, but after the Spirit.
3. That albeit the Apostle himself (brought […] here for examples cause) and all other true believers in Christ, be, by nature, under the •aw of sin and death, or under the Covenant •f Works, (called the Law of sin and death, because it bindeth sin and death upon us, till Christ set us free) yet the Law of the spirit of ••e in Christ Jesus, or the Covenant of Grace •o called, because it doth enable and quicken man to a spiritual life through Christ) doth ⟨image 111⟩set the apostle and all true believers free from the Covenant of Work• or the Law of sin and death, so that every man may say with him, The Law of the Spirit of life, or the Covenant of Grace, hath freed me from the Law of sin and death, or Covenant of Works.
3. That albeit the Apostle himself (brought 〈…〉 here for examples cause) and all other true •elievers in Christ, be, by nature, under the •aw of sin and death, or under the Covenant •f Works, (called the Law of sin and death, •ecause it bindeth sin and death upon us, till •hrist set us free) yet the Law of the spirit of ••e in Christ Jesus, or the Covenant of Grace •o called, because it doth inable and quicken man to a spiritual life through Christ) doth ⟨image 111⟩set the apostle and all true believers free from the Covenant of Work• or the Law of sin and death, so that every man may say with him, The Law of the Spirit of life, or the Covenant of Grace, hath freed me from the Law of sin and death, or Covenant of Works.
4. That the fountain and first ground from whence our freedom from the curse of the Law doth flow, is the Covenant of Redemption, past betwixt God, and God the Son, as incarnate, wherein Christ takes the Curse of the Law upon him for sin, that the believer, who could not otherwise be delivered from the Covenant of Works, may be delivered from it. And this Doctrine the Apostle holdeth forth in these four branches. 1. That it was utterly▪ impossible for the Law, or Covenant of works, to bring righteousness and life to a sinner because it was weak. 2. That this weakness and inability of the Law, or Covenant of Works, is not the fault of the Law, but the fault of sinful flesh, which is neither able to •ay the penalty of sin, nor to give perfect obedience to the Law (presuppose by-gone sins were forgiven) the Law was weak (saith he) through the flesh. 3. That the righteousness and salvation of sinners, which was impossible to be brought about by the Law, is brought to pass by sending Gods own Son, Jesus Christ in the flesh, in whose flesh sin is condemned and punished, for making satisfaction in the behalf of the Elect, that they might be set free. ⟨image 111⟩4. That by his means the Law loseth nothing, because the righteousness of the Law is best fulfilled this way: First by Christ, giving perfect active obedience in our name unto it in all things: Next, by his paying, in our name, the penalty, (due to our sins) in his death. And lastly, by his working of Sanctification in us, who are true believers, who strive to give new obedience unto the Law, and walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
4. That the fountain and first ground from whence our freedom from the curse of the Law doth flow, is the Covenant of Redemption, past betwixt God, and God the Son, as incarnate, wherein Christ takes the Curse of the Law upon him for sin, that the believer, who could not otherwise be delivered from the Covenant of Works, may be delivered from it. And this Doctrine the Apostle holdeth forth in these four branches. 1. That it was utterly▪ impossible for the Law, or Covenant of works, to bring righteousness and life to a sinner because it was weak. 2. That this weakness and inability of the Law, or Covenant of Works, is not the fault of the Law, but the fault of sinfull flesh, which is neither able to •ay the penalty of sin, nor to give perfect obedience to the Law (presuppose by-gone sins were forgiven) the Law was weak (saith he) through the flesh. 3. That the righteousness and salvation of sinners, which was impossible to be brought about by the Law, is brought to pass by sending Gods own Son, Jesus Christ in the flesh, in whose flesh sin is condemned and punished, for making satisfaction in the behalf of the Elect, that they might be set free.
For building our confidence upon th•s solid ground, these four Warrants and special motives to believe in Christ may serve: The 1. whereof is Gods hearty invitation, holden forth, Isa. 55.1, •, 3, 4, 5.
FOr building our confid•nce upon th•s solid ground, these four Warrants and special motives to believe in Christ may serve: The 1. whereof is Gods hearty invitation, holden forth, Isa. 55.1, •, 3, 4, 5.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come and buy without money, and without price. ver. 2. Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight it self in fatness. ver. 3. Incline your ear and come to me; hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. ver. 4. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people, &c.
Here (after setting down the precious ransom of our Redemption by the sufferings of Christ, and the rich blessings purchased to us thereby in the two former Chapters) the Lord, in this Chapter,
1. Maketh open offer of Christ and his grace by proclamation of a free and gracious market of Righteousness and Salvation; to be had through Christ to every soul without exception, that truly desires to be saved from sin and wrath; •o, every one that thirsteth, saith he.
