A34242:991
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.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. ver. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
THe Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. ver. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Wherein are holden forth to us these five following Doctrines,
1. That the Father is well satisfied with the undertakings of the Son, entered Redeemer and Surety to pay the ransom of believers, and to perfect them in holiness and salvation. The Father loveth the Son, saith he, viz. As he standeth Mediator in our name, undertaking to perfect our Redemption in all points. The Father loveth him, that is, doth heartily accept his offer to do the work, and is well pleased with him: his soul delighteth in him and resteth upon him, and maketh him in this his Office, the receptacle of love and grace and good will, to be conveyed by him to believers in him.
2. That for fulfilling of the Covenant of Redemption, the Father hath given to the Son, (as he standeth in the capacity of the Mediator) or as he is God incarnate, (the word made flesh) all authority in Heaven and Earth, all furniture of the riches of grace, and of spirit and life with all power, and ability, which the Union of the Divine Nature with the Humane; or which the fullness of the Godhead, dwelling substantially in his Humane Nature, or which the indivisible all-sufficiency and omnipotency of the inseparable, every where present Trini•• doth import; or the work of Redemption ca• require; the Father (saith he) hath given al• •hi•gs into the Sons hand, to wit, for acco•pl••hing his work.
2. That for fulfilling of the Covenant of Redemption, the Father hath given to the Son, (as he standeth in the capacity of the Mediator) or as he is God incarnate, (the word made flesh) all authority in Heaven and Earth, all furniture of the riches of grace, and of spirit and life with all power, and ability, which the Union of the Divine Nature with the Humane; or which the fulness of the Godhead, dwelling substantially in his Humane Nature, or which the indivisible all-sufficiency and omnipote••y of the inseparable, every where present Trini•• do•h import; or the work of Rede•ption ca• •equire; the Father (saith he) hath given al• •hi•gs into the Sons hand, to wit, for acco•pl••hing his work.
3. […] assurance of life is holden forth to all, who shall heartily receive Christ and the offer of the Covenant of grace and reconciliation through him, he that believeth on the Son (saith he) hath everlasting life, for it is made fast unto him, 1. In Gods purpose, and irrevocable decree, as the believer is a man elected to life. 2. By effectual calling of him unto life by God, who as he is faithful, so will he do it. 3. By promise and everlasting Covenant, sworn by God to give the believer strong consolation in life and death upon immutable grounds. 4. By a pawn and infestment under the great Seal of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, so oft as the believer shall come to receive the symbols and pledges of ⟨image 120⟩life. 5. In Christ the fountain and head of life, who is entered in a possession, as attorney for believers, in whom our life is so laid up, that it cannot be taken away. 6. By begun possession of spiritual life and regeneration, and a Kingdom consisting in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, erected within the believer, as arles of the full possession of everlasting life.
3. 〈…〉 assurance of life is holden forth to all, who shall heartily receive Christ and the offer of the Covenant of grace and reconciliation through him, he that believeth on the Son (saith he) hath everlasting life, for it is made fast unto him, 1. In Gods purpose, and irrevocable decree, as the believer is a man elected to life. 2. By effectual calling of him unto life by God, who as he is faithful, so will he do it. 3. By promise and everlasting Covenant, sworn by God to give the believer strong consolation in life and death upon immutable grounds. 4. By a pawn and infestment under the great Seal of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, so oft as the believer shall come to receive the symbols and pledges of ⟨image 120⟩life. 5. In Christ the fountain and head of life, who is entred in a possession, as atturney for believers, in whom our life is so laid up, that it cannot be taken away. 6. By begun possession of spiritual life and regeneration, and a Kingdom consisting in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, erected within the believer, as arles of the full possession of everlasting life.
4. A fearful certification is given, if a man receive not the Doctrine concerning righteousness and eternal life to be had by Jesus Christ: he that believes not the Son, shall not see life, that is, not so much as understand what it meaneth.
5. He further certifieth, that if a man receive not the Doctrine of the Son of God, he shall be burdened twice with the wrath of God once as a born rebel by nature, he shall bear the curse of the Law, or the Covenant of Works; and next, he shall endure a greater condemnation, in respect that light being come into the world, and offered to him, he hath rejected it, and loveth darkness rather than light, and this double wrath shall be fastened and fixed immovably upon him, so long as he remaineth in the condition of misbelief, the wrath of God abideth on him, saith he.
5. He further certifieth, that if a man receive not the Doctrine of the Son of God, he shall be burdened twice with the wrath of God once as a born rebel by nature, he shall bear the curse of the Law, or the Covenant of Works; and next, he shall endure a greater condemnation, in respect that light being come into the world, and offered to him, he hath rejected it, and loveth darkness rather than light, and this double wrath shall be fastned and fixed immoveably upon him, so long as he remaineth in the condition of misbelief, the wrath of God abideth on him, saith he.
Hence may the weak believer strengthen his faith by reasoning from this ground after this manner.
Whosoever believeth the Doctrine delivered by the Son of God, and findeth himself partly drawn powerfully to believe him, by the sight of life in •im, and partly driven by the fear of Gods wrath to adhere unto him, may be sure of right and interest to life eternal through him.
But, sinful and unworthy I, (may the weak believer say) do believe the Doctrine delivered by the Son of God, and do feel my self partly drawn powerfully to believe in him, by the sight of life in him; and partly driven, by the fear of Gods wrath to adhere unto him.
Therefore I may be sure of my right and interest unto eternal life through him.
SO much for the laying the grounds of faith and warrants to believe: now for evidencing of true faith by fruits, these four things are requisite. 1. That the believer be soundly convinced in his judgment, of this obligation to keep the whole moral Law, all the days of his life: And that not the less, but so much the more, as he is delivered by Christ from the Covenant of Works, and curse of the Law. 2. That he endeavour to grow in the exercise and daily practice of Godliness and righteousness. 3. That the course of his new obedience run in the right channel, that is, through faith in Christ, and through a good conscience, to all the duties of love toward God and ⟨image 121⟩man. 4. That he keep strait communion with the fountain Christ Jesus, from whom grace must run along for furnishing of good fruits.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. ver. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. ver. 18. For verily I say unto you, till Heaven and Earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. ver. 19. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. ver. 20. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
LEt your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. ver. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. ver. 18. For verily I say unto you, till Heaven and Earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfi•led. ver. 19. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. ver. 20. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
