A34242:997
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.
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.
Wherein our Lord,
1. Giveth commandment to believers, justified by faith, to give evidence of the grace ⟨image 121⟩of God in them, before men, by doing good works. Let your light so shine before men (saith he) that they may see your good works.
2. He induceth them so to do, by showing that albeit they be not justified by works; yet spectators of their good works may be converted or edified, and so glory may redound to God by their good works, when the witnesses thereof shall glorify your Father which is in Heaven.
2. He induceth them so to do, by shewing that albeit they be not justified by works; yet spectators of their good works may be converted or edified, and so glory may redound to God by their good works, when the witnesses thereof shall glorifie your Father which is in Heaven.
3. He gives them no other rule for their new obedience, than the Moral Law, set down, and explicated by Moses and the Prophets. Think not (saith he) that I am come to destroy the Law, and the Prophets.
4. He gives them to understand that the Doctrine of grace, and freedom from the curse of the Law, by faith in him, is readily mistaken by mens corrupt judgment, as if it did loose or slacken the obligation of believers to obey the commands, and to be subject to the authority of the Law, and that this error is indeed a destroying of the Law and of the Prophets, which he will in no case ever endure in any of his Disciples, it is so contrary to the end of his coming, which is first to sanctify, and then to save believers. Think not (saith he) that I am come to destroy the Law, and the Prophets.
4. He gives them to understand that the Doctrine of grace, and freedom from the curse of the Law, by faith in him, is readily mistaken by mens corrupt judgment, as if it did loose or slaken the obligation of believers to obey the commands, and to be subject to the authority of the Law, and that this error is indeed a destroying of the Law and of the Prophets, which he will in no case ever endure in any of his Disciples, it is so contrary to the end of his coming, which is first to sanctifie, and then to save believers. Think not (saith he) that I am come to destroy the Law, and the Prophets.
5. He teacheth, that the end of the Gospel and Covenant of Grace, is to procure mens obedience unto the Moral Law, I am come ⟨image 122⟩(saith he) to fulfil the Law, and the Prophets.
