A61397:12
A scheme and abstract of the Christian religion comprised in fifty two heads, with…A scheme and abstract of the Christian religion comprized in fifty two heads, with…
A scheme and abstract of the Christian religion comprised in fifty two heads, with the texts of scripture, on which they are grounded : and some short indications, how they were more largely handled / by a lover of truth and peace.A scheme and abstract of the Christian religion comprized in fifty two heads, with the texts of scripture, on which they are grounded : and some short indications, how they were more largely handled / by a lover of truth and peace.
London: printed by J.P. for Samuel Sprint, 1684
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.
I. The chief End of Man; HAPPINESS. Psalm 4.7. Who will show us any good? Principle. Happiness is the general desire of Mankind. True Happiness is a State free from all the Evils, and filled with all the Comforts whereof the humane Nature is capable. This consists not in Riches, Reputation, Pleasures, &c. But is complete, by Perfect Knowledge of God, Perfect Love and Likeness to Him, Perfect Sense of His Love to us, and the Perfect Bliss of the Body. II. The Only Means to this Happiness is RELIGION. Eccles. 12.13. Fear God and keep his Commandments, for this is the whole duty, (or Happiness) of Man. ⟨p. 2⟩Princ. True Religion is the Only Means to true Happiness. True Religion is the True Worship of the True God. That the Christian Religion is the Only True Religion, appears, 1. From the Divinity of its Author• 2. The Antiquity of its Institution. 3. The Purity of its Precepts. 4. The Excellency of its Rewards. 5. The Efficacy of its Operation. 6. The Suitableness of it to the Happiness of Mankind. 7. Its Duration. III. In Religion, Consider 1. The Ground of it, which is THE SCRIPTURE. John 5.39• […] the […] for in them […] life. Princ. The Holy Scripture is the Ground of True Religion, and the Directory to Happiness. By the Scripture is meant, the True Sense of the Books of the Old and New Testament. This is the ground of Religion, and Directory to Happiness: Being 1. Divine, for its Authority. Proved from its Antiquity, Purity, Majesty, Harmony, Efficacy. Besides the Testimony of the Spirit, outwardly in Miracles; inwardly in the Conscience. 2. Full for its Sufficiency; without Oral Tradition, or Humane Additions. 3. Clear for its Perspicuity. IV. 2. The Parts of Religion are either Doctrinal, and these Concerning God in Himself, and here (1.) THE BEING OF GOD. Heb. 11.6. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is. Princ. It is fundamental in Religion, to believe that God is. This proved 1. From the universal consent of Mankind, 2. From the Being and Temptations of the Devil. 3. From the Creation and Government of the World. 4. From the Testimony of natural Conscience. 5. From the infallible Word of God. This True God is the Object of the Christians Worship.