A64622:7508
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.
Was not Gods Word sufficient? What need have we of Sacraments?1
- 1The Sacraments of great use.
This argues our infirmity, and manifesteth Gods great love and mercy; who for the furthering of our understanding, hath added visible signs to his word, that our ears might not only be informed of the truth, but our eyes also might more plainly see it; and for the greater strengthening of our faith, vouchsafeth to confirm the covenant of grace unto us, not only by promise, but also by outward seals annexed thereunto. The like means had Adam himself in Paradise to put him in remembrance of Gods will: And if he in his perfection needed a token of Gods favour, (which was the tree of life) how much more we that are corrupt and sinful? if we were Spirits or Angels, we should not need these helps; but sith God knowing our frailties, and what is best for us, hath given us these seals to our further comfort, let us use the receipt of so skilful a Physician, unless we will hasten our own deaths.
This argues our infirmity, and manifesteth Gods great love and mercy; who for the furthering of our understanding, hath added visible signes to his word, that our eares might not onely bee informed of the truth, but our eyes also might more plainly see it; and for the greater strengthning of our faith, vouchsafeth to confirme the covenant of grace unto us, not onely by promise, but also by outward seales annexed thereunto. The like meanes had Adam himselfe in Paradise to put him in remembraece of Gods will: And if he in his perfection needed a token of Gods favour, (which was the tree of life) how much more wee that are corrupt and sinfull? if we were Spirits or Angels, wee should not need these helpes; but sith God knowing our frailties, and what is best for us, hath given us these seales to our further comfort, let us use the receipt of so skilfull a Physitian, unlesse wee will hasten our owne deaths.