A37046:383
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.
This Confirmation may be three ways looked on: 1. As that which confirmeth the Proposition, 2. The Assumption, 3. The Conclusion of a practical Syllogism, whereby the Believer concludeth from the Gospel that he shall be saved.
This Confirmation may be three wayes looked on: 1. As that which confirmeth the Proposition, 2. The Assumption, 3. The Conclusion of a practical Syllogism, whereby the Believer concludeth from the Gospel that he shall be saved.
The Proposition is this, He that believeth shall be saved; this by the Sacrament is simply confirmed as a truth, that one may lean unto: Then the Believers Conscience in the Faith of that subsumeth, I will then take me by Faith to Christ: seeing that is a sure truth, I will rest on him and hold me there; or more clearly, I do believe in him.
Now 2. This assumption that I, or such a man hath Faith, is not confirmed simply by the Seal, for the Sacrament is to be externally applied by men, who can say no more, but, They charitably judge such a one to have Faith; yet it may be said to be so far confirmed as one whose Faith doubteth may by this be encouraged to rest on Christ, and quiet himself on him; Thus Faith is confirmed while it is helped to Assume, though the man be not clear that he hath assumed; as also one having according to Gods command, cast himself on Christ, and according to his institution, taken the Seal, I say such a man may conclude from the Seal, as well as from the Promise that he is accepted, even as one having prayed may conclude he hath been heard, having done it according to Gods will in the name of Christ.
Now 2. This assumption that I, or such a man hath Faith, is not confirmed simply by the Seal, for the Sacrament is to be externally applyed by men, who can say no more, but, They charitably judge such a one to have Faith; yet it may be said to be so far confirmed as one whose Faith doubteth may by this be encouraged to rest on Christ, and quiet himself on him; Thus Faith is confirmed while it is helped to Assume, though the man be not clear that he hath assumed; as also one having according to Gods command, cast himself on Christ, and according to his institution, taken the Seal, I say such a man may conclude from the Seal, as well as from the Promise that he is accepted, even as one having prayed may conclude he hath been heard, having done it according to Gods will in the name of Christ.