A37046:343
The law unsealed
The law unsealed: or, A practical exposition of the Ten Commandments With a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience. By the learned, laborious, faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Durham, late minister of the Gospel at Glasgow.
Glasgow: printed by Robert Sanders, 1676
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.
Thirdly, This Command is broken by corrupting of Gods worship, as when the Word is mis-interpreted and mis-applied, Prayers are used in a strange Tongue, the Word is mixed with Errors, and the Church, both left without Discipline and abused in civil things, which tendeth to the corrupting of Gods Service; unqualified-men put into the Ministry and kept in it, when Sacraments are rested on and worshipped, even as the Brazen Serpent was abused, and the Temple though appointed by God at first for good ends, was afterward rested on and Idolized.
Thirdly, This Command is broken by corrupting of Gods worship, as when the Word is mis-interpreted and mis-applyed, Prayers are used in a strange Tongue, the Word is mixed with Errours, and the Church, both left without Discipline and abused in civil things, which tendeth to the corrupting of Gods Service; unqualified-men put into the Ministry and kept in it, when Sacraments are rested on and worshipped, even as the Brazen Serpent was abused, and the Temple though appointed by God at first for good ends, was afterward rested on and Idolized.
Again, this Command is practically broken four ways: First, by gross profanity and neglect of the practise of known duties of worship; this way, are guilty all profane Contemners of Sacraments, Word, Discipline, &c. All Neglecters of them when they may have them: and all these that set not themselves to go rightly about them, in secret, in Families or in Public; and where many opportunities of Gospel Ordinances are, this sin is the more frequent; and so all Atheists that contemn Religion, and these that would only serve God with a good heart and intention, as they pretend, without any outward worship, are condemned here; and also those, who for fear or advantage give not testimony to the Truth and Ordinances of Christ, when such a testimony is called for.
Again, this Command is practically broken four wayes: First, by gross prophanity and neglect of the practise of known duties of worship; this way, are guilty all prophane Contemners of Sacraments, Word, Discipline, &c. All Neglecters of them when they may have them: and all these that set not themselves to go rightly about them, in secret, in Families or in Publick; and where many opportunities of Gospel Ordinances are, this sin is the more frequent; and so all Atheists that contemne Religion, and these that would only serve God with a good heart and intention, as they pretend, without any outward worship, are condemned here; and also those, who for fear or advantage give not testimony to the Truth and Ordinances of Christ, when such a testimony is called for.