A34242:971
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.
6. That the Ministers of the Gospel should behave themselves as Christs Messengers, and should closely follow their commission set down in the word, Matth. 28.19, 20. and when they do so, they should be received by the people, as Ambassadors from God: for here the Apostle, in all their names, saith, we are Ambassadors for Christ, ⟨image 116⟩as though God did beseech you by us.
6. That the Ministers of the Gospel should behave themselves as Christs Messengers, and should closely follow their commission set down in the word, Matth. 28.19, 20. and when they do so, they should be received by the people, as Ambassadours from God: for here the Apole, in all their names, saith, we are Embassadours for Christ, ⟨image 116⟩as though God did beseech you by us.
7. That Ministers in all earnestness of affections should deal with people, to acknowledge their sins, and their natural enmity against God more and more seriously: and to consent to the Covenant of Grace and Embassage of Christ more and more heartily; and to evidence more and more clearly their reconciliation by a holy carriage before God. This he holdeth forth, when he saith, we pray you be reconciled to God.
8. That in the Ministers affectionate dealing with the people, the people should consider, that they have to do with God and Christ, requesting them by the Ministers to be reconciled, now there cannot be a greater inducement to break a sinners hard heart, than Gods making request to him for friendship: For when it became us, who have done so many wrongs to God, to seek friendship of God, he preventeth, and (O wonder of wonders!) he requesteth us to be content to be reconciled wit• him: and therefore most fearful wrath must abide them, who do set light by this request; and do not yield when they hear Ministers with Commission, saying, We are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God.
8. That in the Ministers affectionate dealing with the people, the people should consider, that they have to do with God and Christ, requesting them by the Ministers to be reconciled, now there cannot be a greater inducement to break a sinners hard heart, than Gods making request to him for friendship: For when it became us, who have done so many wrongs to God, to seek friendship of God, he preventeth, and (O wonder of wonders!) he requesteth us to be content to be reconciled wit• him: and therefore most fearful wrath must abide them, who do set light by this request; and do not yield when they hear Ministers with Commission, saying, We are Embassadours for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God.
9. To make it appear, how it cometh to pass that the Covenant of Reconciliation should be so easily made up betwixt God and ⟨image 116⟩a humble sinner fleeing to Christ, the Apostle leads us unto the cause of it, holden forth in the Covenant of Redemption; the sum whereof is this. It is agreed betwixt God and the mediator Jesus Christ the Son of God Surety for the redeemed, as parties contractors, that the sins of the redeemed should be imputed to innocent Christ, and he both condemned and put to death for them upon this very condition, that whosoever heartily consents unto the Covenant of Reconciliation offered through Christ, shall by the imputation of his obedience unto them, be justified and holden righteous before God, for God hath made Christ who knew no sin, to be sin for us (saith the Apostle) that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him.
9. To make it appear, how it cometh to pass that the Covenant of Reconciliation should be so easily made up betwixt God and ⟨image 116⟩a humble sinner fleeing to Christ, the Apostle leads us unto the cause of it, holden forth in the Covenant of Redemption; the sum whereof is this. It is agreed betwixt God and the mediator Iesus Christ the Son of God Surety for the redeemed, as parties contractors, that the sins of the redeemed should be imputed to innocent Christ, and he both condemned and put to death for them upon this very condition, that whosoever heartily consents unto the Covenant of Reconciliation offered through Christ, shall by the imputation of his obedience unto them, be justified and holden righteous before God, for God hath made Christ who knew no sin, to be sin for us (saith the Apostle) that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him.
Hence may a weak believer strengthen his faith, by reasoning from this ground after this manner.
He that upon the loving request of God and Christ, made to him by the mouth of his Ministers (having Commission to that effect) hath embraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ, and do purpose by Gods Grace, as a reconciled person to strive against sin, and to serve God to his power constantly, may be as sure to have righteousness, and eternal life given to him for the obedience of Christ imputed to him, as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him.
But I (may the weak believer say) upon the loving request of God and Christ made to me by the mouth of his Ministers, have embraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ, and do purpose by Gods gra•e, as a reconciled person, to strive against sin, and to serve God to my power constantly.
But I (may the weake believer say) upon the loving request of God and Christ made to me by the mouth of his Ministers, have imbraced the offer of perpetual reconciliation through Christ, and do purpose by Gods gra•e, as a reconciled person, to strive against sin, and to serve God to my power constantly.
Therefore I may be as sure to have righteousness and eternal life given to me for the obedience of Christ imputed to me, as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him.
Therefore I may be as sure to have righteousness and •ternal life given to me for the obedience of Christ imputed to me, as it is sure that Christ was condemned and put to death for the sins of the redeemed imputed to him.
This is his Commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as be gave us commandment.
THis is his Commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Iesus Christ, and love one another, as be gave us commandment.
Wherein the Apostle giveth us to understand these five Doctrines.
1. That •f any man shall not be taken with the sw•et invitation of God, nor with the humble and loving request of God made to him to be reconciled, he shall find he hath ⟨image 117⟩to do with the Sovereign Authority of the highest Majesty; for this is his commandment, that we believe in him, saith he.
1. That •f any man shall not be taken with the sw•et invitation of God, nor with the humb•e and loving request of God made to him to be reconciled, he shall find he hath ⟨image 117⟩to do with the Soveraign Authority of the highest Majesty; for this is his commandment, that we believe in him, saith he.
2. That if any man look upon this Command as he hath looked heretofore upon the neglected Commandments of the Law; he must consider that this is a command of the Gospel, posterior to the Law, given for making use of the remedy of all sins; which if it be disobeyed, there is no other Command to follow but this: Go, ye cursed, into everlasting fire of Hell: for this is his commandment: the obedience of which is most pleasant in his sight, ver. 22. And without which it is impossible to please him, Heb. 11.6.
3. That every one who heareth the Gospel, must make conscience of the duty of lively faith in Christ, the weak believer must not think it presumption to do what is commanded: the person inclined to despiration must take up himself, and think upon obedience unto this sweet and saving command: the strong believer must dip yet more in the sense of his need he hath of Jesus Christ, and more and more grow in the obedience of this command, yea, the most impenitent, profane and wicked person, must not thrust out himself, or be thrust out by others, from orderly aiming at this duty, how desperate soever his condition seem to be; for he that commands all men to believe in Christ, doth thereby command all men to believe that they are damned and lost ⟨image 118⟩without Christ: he thereby commands all men to acknowledge their sins, and their need of Christ, and in effect commands all men to repent, that they may believe in him. And whosoever do refuse to repent of their by-gone sins are guilty of disobedience to this Command given to all hearers, but especially to those that are within the visible Church, for this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ ▪ saith he.
3. That every one who heareth the Gospel, must make conscience of the duty of lively faith in Christ, the weak believer must not think it presumption to do what is commanded: the person inclined to despiration must take up himself, and think upon obedience unto this sweet and saving command: the strong believer must dip yet more in the sense of his need he hath of Jesus Christ, and more and more grow in the obedience of this command, yea, the most impenitent, prophane and wicked person, must not thrust out himself, or be thrust out by others, from orderly aiming at this duty, how desperate soever his condition seem to be; for he that commands all men to believe in Christ, doth thereby command all men to believe that they are damned and lost ⟨image 118⟩without Christ: he thereby commands all men to acknowledge their sins, and their need of Christ, and in effect commands all men to repent, that they may believe in him. And whosoever do refuse to repent of their by-gone sins are guilty of disobedience to this Command given to all hearers, but especially to those that are within the visible Church, for this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Iesus Christ saith he.
4. That he who obeyeth this Commandment, hath built his salvation on a solid ground. For first, he hath found the promised Messiah, completely furnished with all perfections unto the perfect execution of the Offices of Prophet, Priest, and King; for he is that Christ in whom the man doth believe. 2. He hath embraced a Saviour who is able to save to the uttermost; yea, and who doth effectually save every one that cometh to God through him: for he is Jesus the true Saviour of his people from their sins. 3. He that obeyeth this command, hath built his salvation on the Rock, that is, on the Son of God, to whom it is no robbery to be called equal to the Father, and who is worthy to be the object of saving Faith and of Spiritual Worship, for this is his command (saith he) that we believe in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ.
4. That he who ob•yeth this Commandment, hath built his salvation on a solid ground. For first, he hath found the promised Messiah, compleatly furnished with all perfections unto the perfect execution of the Offices of Prophet, Priest, and King; for he is that Christ in whom the man doth believe. 2. He hath embraced a Saviour who is able to save to the uttermost; yea, and who doth effectually save every one that cometh to God through him: for he is Jesus the true Saviour of his people from their sins. 3. He that obeyeth this command, hath bui•t his salvation on the Rock, that is, on the Son of God, to whom it is no robbery to be called equal to the Father, and who is worthy to be the object of saving Faith and of Spiritual Worship, for this is his command (saith he) that we believe in the Name of his Son Iesus Christ.
5. That he who hath believed on Jesus Christ (though he be freed from the curse of the Law) is not freed from the Command ⟨image 118⟩and obedience of the Law, but tied thereunto by a new obligation, and a new command from Christ: Which new command from Christ importeth help to obey the command, unto which command from Christ, the Father addeth his authority and command also; for this i• his commandment (saith John) that we believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he hath Commanded us. The first part of which command enjoining belief in him▪ necessarily implieth love to God, and so obedience to the first tab•e, for believing in God, and loving God are inseparable. And the second part of the command enjoineth love to our neighbour, (especially to the household of faith) and so obedience unto the second Table of the Law.
5. That he who hath believed on Jesus Christ (though he be freed from the curse of the Law) is not freed from the Command ⟨image 118⟩and obedience of the Law, but tyed thereunto by a new obligation, and a new command from Christ: Which new command from Christ importeth help to obey the command, unto which command from Christ, the Father addeth his authority and command also; for this i• his commandment (saith John) that we believe on the Name of his Son Iesus Christ, and love one another, as he hath Commandded us. The first part of which command enjoyning belief in him▪ necessarily implyeth love to God, and so obedience to the first tab•e, for believing in God, and loving God are inseparable. And the second part of the command injoyneth love to our neighbour, (especially to the houshold of faith) and so obedience unto the second Table of the Law.
