A64622:110
A body of divinity, or, The sum and substance of Christian religion catechistically propounded,…A body of divinitie, or, The summe and substance of Christian religion catechistically propounded,…
A body of divinity, or, The sum and substance of Christian religion catechistically propounded, and explained, by way of question and answer : methodically and familiarly handled / composed long since by James Usher B. of Armagh, and at the earnest desires of divers godly Christians now printed and published ; whereunto is adjoined a tract, entitled Immanuel, or, The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God heretofore written [sic] and published by the same author.A body of divinitie, or, The summe and substance of Christian religion catechistically propounded, and explained, by way of question and answer : methodically and familiarly handled / composed long since by James Vsher B. of Armagh, and at the earnest desires of divers godly Christians now printed and published ; whereunto is adjoyned a tract, intituled Immanvel, or, The mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God heretofore writen [sic] and published by the same authour.
London: printed by M.F. for Tho. Downes and Geo. Badger, 1645
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.
Ninthly,1 in speaking of the matters of the highest nature they go not about to persuade men by reasons, as Philosophers and Orators, but absolutely require credit to be given to them, because the Lord hath spoken it: they promise eternal life to the obedient, and threaten eternal woe to the disobedient; they prescribe Laws for the thoughts, to which no man can pierce; they require sacrifice, but they prefer obedience; they enjoin fasting, but it is also from sin; they command circumcision, but it is of the heart; they forbid lusting, coveting, &c. which is not to be found in any Laws but in his that searcheth the heart.
Ninthly,1 in speaking of the matters of the highest nature they go not about to perswade men by reasons, as Philosophers and Orators, but absolutely require credit to bee given to thē, because the Lord hath spoken it: they promise eternall life to the obedient, and threaten eternall woe to the disobedient; they prescribe Laws for the thoughts, to which no man can pierce; they require sacrifice, but they preferre obedience; they enjoin fasting, but it is also from sin; they command circumcision, but it is of the heart; they forbid lusting, coveting, &c. which is not to be found in any Laws but in his that searcheth the heart.
- 19 The motives used in them to persuade, not reason, but commands.9 The motives used in them to perswade, not reason, but commands.
Tenthly,1 the end and scope of the Scriptures is for the advancement of Gods glory, and the salvation of mans soul; for they entreat either of the noble acts of God and of Christ, or the salvation of mankind, and therefore by comparing this with the former reason we may frame this argument; If the Author of the Scripture were not God, it must be some creature; if he were a creature, he were either good or bad; if a bad creature, why forbiddeth he evil so rigorously, and commands good so expressly, and makes his mark to aim at nothing but Gods glory, and our good? if he were a good creature, why doth he challenge to himself that which is proper to God only, as to make Laws for the heart, to punish & reward eternally, &c? if it were no creature good nor bad, it must needs be God.