N01663:60
The greatest concern in the world. A short and plain essay, to answer that…
The greatest concern in the world. A short and plain essay, to answer that most concerning and all concerning enquiry, What must I do to be saved? : Published, with a design to assist the addresses of good men unto their neighbours, whom they press to mind, the one thing that is needful.
printed by T. Green, 1718
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 have seen this Question Scandalously answered. in Pamphlets, that have been dispersed about our Nation. The One Thing that is Needful has been left unregarded, unmentioned; Perhaps, the observation of certain Superstitious Holidays, has been recommended instead of that One Thing. Alas, How have the Souls of men been Betrayed, by men Unskilful in the Word of Righteousness! How Unskilfully, and Unfaithfully have the Methods of Salvation been declared, by many who Pervert the Gospel of Christ! Not so now, I hope! A Pure Gospel, a Sound Doctrine, must be pursued. You are now to be treated with nothing but wholesome Words; nothing but the Faithful Sayings of God.
I have seen this Question Scandalously answered. in Pamphlets, that have been dispersed about our Nation. The One Thing that is Needful has been left unregarded, unmention'd; Perhaps, the observation of certain Superstitious Holidays, has been recommended instead of that One Thing. Alas, How have the Souls of men been Betray'd, by men Ʋnskilful in the Word of Righteousness! How Unskilfully, and Unfaithfully have the Methods of Salvation been declared, by many who Pervert the Gospel of Christ! Not so now, I hope! A Pure Gospel, a Sound Doctrine, must be pursu'd. You are now to be treated with nothing but wholesome Words; nothing but the Faithful Sayings of God.
I. And what Better, what other Answer can be given, Other Foundation, can no man Lay! to this QUESTION, but what the Apostles of God gave to it of old? When the Poor man said, What must I do to be Saved? We read, They said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED. This is the Sum of the Gospel; This is the Charge given to the Ministers of the Gospel; Mar. 16.15, 16. Preach the Gospel to every Creature; He that Believeth shall be Saved. Faith in the Lord JESUS CHRIST, who is the Only Saviour; This, This must be found in all that will be Saved: The FAITH, which is, A Satisfaction of the mind in the way of Salvation by a Glorious CHRIST, Revealed in the Gospel: The FAITH, by which we Deny our selves, and Rely on a Glorious CHRIST, for all Salvation: The FAITH, by which we Receive a Glorious CHRIST, and Rest on Him for Salvation, as He is Offered unto us.