Chapter 1 - Of the Holy Scripture Chapter II - Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. Chapter III - Of God's Eternal Decree Chapter IV - Of Creation Chapter V - Of Providence Chapter VI - Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof Chapter VII - Of God's Covenant with Man Chapter VIII - Of Christ the Mediator Chapter IX - Of Free-Will Chapter X - Of Effectual Calling Chapter XI - Of Justification Chapter XII - Of Adoption Chapter XIII - Of Sanctification Chapter XIV - Of Saving Faith Chapter XV - Of Repentance unto Life Chapter XVI - Of Good Works Chapter XVII - Of the Perseverance of the Saints |
Chapter XVIII - Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation Chapter XIX - Of the Law of God Chapter XX - Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience Chapter XXI - Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day Chapter XXII - Of Lawful Oaths and Vows Chapter XXIII - Of the Civil Magistrate Chapter XXIV - Of Marriage, and Divorce Chapter XXV - Of the Church Chapter XXVI - Of the Communion of the Saints Chapter XXVII - Of the Sacraments Chapter XXVIII - Of Baptism Chapter XXIX - Of the Lord's Supper Chapter XXX - Of Church Censures Chapter XXXI - Of Synods and Councils Chapter XXXII - Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead Chapter XXXIII - Of the Last Judgment. |
I. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and
providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God,
as to leave men inexcusable;(a) yet are they not sufficient to give
that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary unto
salvation.(b) Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in
divers manners, to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto
his Church;(c) and afterwards, for the better preserving and
propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and
comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the
malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto
writing:(d) which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary;(e)
those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being
now ceased.(f)
a. Rom.2:14,15; 1:19,20; Ps.19:1-3; Rom.1:32; 2:1.
b. 1 Cor.1:21; 2:13,14.
c. Heb.1:1.
d. Prov.22:19-21; Lk.1:3,4; Rom.15:4; Mt.4:4,7,10; Is.8:19,20.
e. 2 Tim.3:15; 2 Pet.1:19.
f. Heb.1:1,2.
II. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are
now contained all the books of the Old and New Testament, which are
these,
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All which are given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith
and life.(g)
g. Lk.16:29,31; Eph.2:20; Rev.22:18,19; 2 Tim.3:16.
III. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine
inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore
are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise
approved, or made use of, than other human writings.(h)
h. Lk.24:27,44; Rom.3:2; 2 Pet.1:21.
IV. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be
believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or
Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof:
and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of
God.(i)
i. 2 Pet.1:19,21; 2 Tim.3:16; 1 Jn.5:9; 1 Thess.2:13.
V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an
high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture.(k) And the
heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty
of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole
(which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of
the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable
excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments
whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet
notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible
truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the
Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our
hearts.(l)
k. 1 Tim.3:15.
l. 1 Jn.2:20,27; Jn.16:13,14; 1 Cor.2:10-12; Is.59:21.
VI. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his
own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set
down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be
deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be
added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of
men.(m) Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the
Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such
things as are revealed in the Word:(n) and that there are some
circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the
Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be
ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to
the general rules of the Word, which are always to be
observed.(o)
m. 2 Tim.3:15-17; Gal.1:8,9; 2 Thess.2:2.
n. Jn.6:45; 1 Cor.2:9-12.
o. 1 Cor.11:13,14; 1 Cor.14:26,40.
VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor
alike clear unto all:(p) yet those things which are necessary to be
known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly
propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not
only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary
means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.(q)
p. 2 Pet.3:16.
q. Ps.119:105,130.
VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of
the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at
the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the
nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by his singular
care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore
authentical;(r) so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church
is finally to appeal unto them.(s) But, because these original
tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto,
and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of
God, to read and search them,(t) therefore they are to be translated
into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come,(u)
that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship
him in an acceptable manner;(w) and, through patience and comfort of
the Scriptures, may have hope.(x)
r. Mt.5:18.
s. Is.8:20; Acts 15:15; Jn.5:39,46.
t. Jn.5:39.
u. 1 Cor.14:6,9,11,12,24,27,28.
w. Col.3:16.
x. Rom.15:4.
IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the
Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the
true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but
one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more
clearly.(y)
y. 2 Pet.1:20,21; Acts 15:15,16.
X. The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be
determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers,
doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in
whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit
speaking in the Scripture.(z)
z. Mt.22:29,31; Eph.2:20 with Acts 28:25.
I. There is but one only,(a) living, and true God,(b) who is
infinite in being and perfection,(c) a most pure spirit,(d)
invisible,(e) without body, parts,(f) or passions;(g) immutable,(h)
immense,(i) eternal,(k) incomprehensible,(l) almighty,(m) most
wise,(n) most holy,(o) most free,(p) most absolute;(q) working all
things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most
righteous will,(r) for his own glory;(s) most loving,(t) gracious,
merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving
iniquity, transgression, and sin;(u) the rewarder of them that
diligently seek him;(w) and withal, most just, and terrible in his
judgments,(x) hating all sin,(y) and who will by no means clear the
guilty.(z)
a. Dt.6:4; 1 Cor.8:4,6.
b. 1 Thess.1:9; Jer.10:10.
c. Job 11:7-9; 26:14.
d. Jn.4:24.
e. 1 Tim.1:17.
f. Dt.4:15,16; Jn.4:24 with Lk.24:39.
g. Acts 14:11,15.
h. Jas. 1:17; Mal 3:6.
i. 1 K.8:27; Jer.23:23,24.
k. Ps.90:2; 1 Tim.1:17.
l. Ps.145:3.
m. Gen.17:1; Rev.4:8.
n. Rom.16:27.
o. Is.6:3; Rev.4:8.
p. Ps.115:3.
q. Ex.3:14.
r. Eph 1:11.
s. Prov.16:4; Rom.11:36.
t. 1 Jn.4:8,16.
u. Ex.34:6,7.
w. Heb.11:6.
x. Neh.9:32,33.
y. Ps.5:5,6.
z. Nah.1:2,3; Ex.34:7.
II. God hath all life,(a) glory,(b) goodness,(c) blessedness,(d) in
and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not
standing in need of any creatures which he hath made,(e) nor deriving
any glory from them,(f) but only manifesting his own glory in, by,
unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom,
through whom, and to whom are all things;(g) and hath most sovereign
dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever
himself pleaseth.(h) In his sight all things are open and
manifest,(i) his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent
upon the creature,(k) so as nothing is to him contingent, or
uncertain.(l) He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works,
and in all his commands.(m) To him is due from angels and men, and
every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is
pleased to require of them.(n)
a. Jn.5:26.
b. Acts 7:2.
c. Ps.119:68.
d. 1 Tim.6:15; Rom.9:5.
e. Acts 17:24,25.
f. Job 22:2,3.
g. Rom.11:36.
h. Rev.4:11; 1 Tim.6:15; Dan.4:25,35.
i. Heb.4:13.
k. Rom.11:33,34; Ps.147:5.
l. Acts 15:18; Ezek.11:5.
m. Ps.145:17; Rom.7:12.
n. Rev.5:12-14.
III. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one
substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holy Ghost:(o) the Father is of none, neither begotten, not
proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;(p) the Holy
Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.(q)
o. 1 Jn.5:7; Mt.3:16,17; 28:19; 2 Cor.13:14.
p. Jn.1:14,18.
q. Jn.15:26; Gal.4:6.
I. God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel
of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to
pass:(a) yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin,(b) nor
is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty
or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather
established.(c)
a. Eph.1:11; Rom.11:33; Heb.6:17; Rom.9:15,18.
b. Jas.1:13,17; 1 Jn.1:5.
c. Acts 2:23; Mt.17:12; Acts 4:27,28; Jn.19:11; Prov.16:33.
II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all
supposed conditions,(d) yet hath he not decreed anything because he
foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such
conditions.(e)
d. Acts 15:18; 1 Sam.23:11,12; Mt.11:21,23.
e. Rom.9:11,13,16,18.
III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some
men and angels(f) are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others
foreordained to everlasting death.(g)
f. 1 Tim.5:21; Mt.25:41.
g. Rom.9:22,23; Eph.1:5,6; Prov.16:4.
IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are
particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain
and definite, that it cannot be either increased or
diminished.(h)
h. 2 Tim.2:19; Jn.13:18.
V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the
foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and
immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his
will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory,(i) out of his
mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good
works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the
creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto:(k) and all
to the praise of his glorious grace.(l)
i. Eph.1:4,9,11; Rom.8:30; 2 Tim.1:9; 1 Thess.5:9.
k. Rom.9:11,13,16; Eph.1:4,9.
l. Eph.1:6,12.
VI. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath He, by the
eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means
thereunto.(m) Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam,
are redeemed by Christ,(n) are effectually called unto faith in
Christ by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted,
sanctified,(o) and kept by his power, through faith, unto
salvation.(p) Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually
called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect
only.(q)
m. 1 Pet.1:2; Eph.1:4,5; 2:10; 2 Thess.2:13.
n. 1 Thess.5:9,10; Tit.2:14.
o. Rom.8:30; Eph.1:5; 2 Thess.2:13.
p. 1 Pet.1:5.
q. Jn.17:9; Rom.8:28-39; Jn.6:64,65; 10:26; 8:47; 1 Jn.2:19.
VII. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the
unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or
withholdeth mercy, as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign
power over his creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonour
and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious
justice.(r)
r. Mt.11:25,26; Rom.9:17,18,21,22; 2 Tim.2:19,20; Jude 4; 1
Pet.2:8.
VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be
handled with special prudence and care,(s) that men, attending the
will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto,
may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of
their eternal election.(t) So shall this doctrine afford matter of
praise, reverence, and admiration of God;(u) and of humility,
diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the
Gospel.(w)
s. Rom.9:20; 11:33; Dt.29:29.
t. 2 Pet.1:10.
u. Eph.1:6; Rom.11:33.
w. Rom.11:5,6,20; 2 Pet.1:10; Rom.8:33; Lk.10:20.
I. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,(a) for the
manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and
goodness,(b) in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the
world, and all things therein whether visible or invisible, in the
space of six days; and all very good.(c)
a. Heb.1:2; Jn.1:2,3; Gen.1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4.
b. Rom.1:20; Jer.10:12; Ps.104:24; Ps.33:5,6. c. Gen. Ch.1; Heb.11:3;
Col.1:16; Acts 17:24.
II. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and
female,(d) with reasonable and immortal souls,(e) endued with
knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image;(f)
having the law of God written in their hearts,(g) and power to fulfil
it:(h) and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to
the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change.(i)
Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command, not
to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil;(k) which while
they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had
dominion over the creatures.(l)
d. Gen.1:27.
e. Gen.2:7 with Eccl.12:7 and Lk.23:43 and Mt.10:28.
f. Gen.1:26; Col.3:10; Eph.4:24.
g. Rom.2:14,15.
h. Eccl.7:29.
i. Gen.3:6; Eccl.7:29.
k. Gen.2:17; 3:8-11,23.
l. Gen.1:26,28.
I. God the great Creator of all things doth uphold,(a) direct,
dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things,(b) from the
greatest even to the least,(c) by his most wise and holy
providence,(d) according to his infallible fore-knowledge(e) and the
free and immutable counsel of his own will,(f) to the praise of the
glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.(g)
a. Heb.1:3.
b. Dan.4:34,35; Ps.135:6; Acts 17:25,26,28; Job Chs.38-41.
c. Mt.10:29-31.
d. Prov.15:3; Ps.104:24; 145:17.
e. Acts 15:18; Ps.94:8-11.
f. Eph.1:11; Ps.33:10,11.
g. Is.63:14; Eph.3:10; Rom.9:17; Gen.45:7; Ps.145:7.
II. Although, in relation to the fore-knowledge and decree of God,
the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly;
(h) yet, by the same providence, he ordereth them to fall out,
according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely,
or contingently.(i)
h. Acts 2:23.
i. Gen.8:22; Jer.31:35; Ex.21:13 with Dt.19:5; 1 K.22:28,34;
Is.10:6,7.
III. God, in his ordinary providence, maketh use of means,(k) yet is
free to work without,(l) above,(m) and against them,(n) at his
pleasure.
k. Acts 27:31,44; Is.55:10,11; Hos.2:21,22.
l. Hos.1:7; Mt.4:4; Job 34:20.
m. Rom.4:19-21.
n. 2 K.6:6; Dan.3:27.
IV. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of
God so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extendeth
itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and
men;(o) and that not by a bare permission,(p) but such as hath joined
with it a most wise and powerful bounding,(q) and otherwise ordering,
and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy
ends;(r) yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the
creature, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous,
neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.(s)
o. Rom.11:32-34; 2 Sam.24:1 with 1 Chron.21:1; 1 K.22:22,23; 1
Chron.10:4,13,14; 2 Sam.16:10; Acts 2:23; 4:27,28.
p. Acts 14:16.
q. Ps.76:10; 2 K.19:28.
r. Gen.1:20; Is.10:6,7,12.
s. Jas.1:13,14,17; 1 Jn.2:16; Ps.50:21.
V. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave,
for a season, his own children to manifold temptations, and the
corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former
sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and
deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled;(t) and, to
raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support
upon himself, and to make them more watchful against all future
occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.(u)
t. 2 Chron.32:25,26,31; 2 Sam.24:1.
u. 2 Cor.12:7-9; Ps. Ch.73; 77:1-12; Mk.14:66-72 with
Jn.21:15-17.
VI. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous
Judge, for former sins, doth blind and harden,(w) from them he not
only withholdeth his grace whereby they might have been enlightened
in their understandings, and wrought upon in their hearts;(x) but
sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had(y), and exposeth
them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;(z)
and, withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of
the world, and the power of Satan,(a) whereby it comes to pass that
they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for
the softening of others.(b)
w. Rom.1:24,26,28; 11:7,8.
x. Dt.29:4.
y. Mt.13:12; 25:29.
z. Dt.2:30; 2 K.8:12,13.
a. Ps.81:11,12; 2 Thess.2:10-12.
b. Ex.7:3 with Ex. 8:15,32; 2Cor.2:15,16; Is.8:14; 1 Pet.2:7,8;
Is.6:9,10 with Acts 28:26,27.
VII. As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all
creatures; so, after a most special manner, it taketh care of his
Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.(c)
c. 1 Tim.4:10; Amos 9:8,9; Rom.8:28; Is.43:3-5,14.
I. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptation
of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit.(a) This their sin,
God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit,
having purposed to order it to his own glory.(b)
a. Gen.3:13; 2 Cor.11:3.
b. Rom.11:32.
II. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and
communion with God,(c) and so became dead in sin,(d) and wholly
defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body.(e)
c. Gen.3:6-8; Eccl.7:29; Rom.3:23.
d. Gen.2:17; Eph.2:1.
e. Tit.1:15; Gen.6:5; Jer.17:9; Rom.3:10-19.
III. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was
imputed;(f) and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed
to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary
generation.(g)
f. Gen.1:27,28 and Gen.2:16,17 and Acts 17:26 with Rom.5:12,15-19 and
1Cor.15:21,22,49.
g. Ps.51:5; Gen.5:3; Job 14:4; 15:14.
IV. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed,
disabled, and made opposite to all good,(h) and wholly inclined to
all evil,(i) do proceed all actual transgressions.(k)
h. Rom.5:6; 8:7; 7:18; Col.1:21.
i. Gen.6:5; 8:21; Rom.3:10-12.
k. Jas.1:14,15; Eph.2:2,3; Mt.15:19.
V. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those
that are regenerated;(l) and although it be, through Christ,
pardoned, and mortified; yet both itself, and all the motions
thereof, are truly and properly sin.(m)
l. 1 Jn.1:8,10; Rom.7:14,17,18,23; Jas.3:2; Prov.20:9; Eccl.7:20.
m. Rom.7:5,7,8,25; Gal.5:17.
VI. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the
righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto,(n) doth, in its own
nature, bring guilt upon the sinner,(o) whereby he is bound over to
the wrath of God,(p) and curse of the law,(q) and so made subject to
death,(r) with all miseries spiritual,(s) temporal,(t) and
eternal.(u)
n. 1 Jn.3:4.
o. Rom.2:15; 3:9,19.
p. Eph.2:3.
q. Gal.3:10.
r. Rom.6:23.
s. Eph.4:18.
t. Rom.8:20; Lam.3:39.
u. Mt.25:41; 2 Thess.1:9.
I. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that
although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their
Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of him as their
blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God's
part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of
covenant.(a)
a. Is.40:13-17; Job 9:32,33; 1 Sam.2:25; Ps.113:5,6; 100:2,3; Job
22:2,3; 35:7,8; Lk.17:10; Acts 17:24,25.
II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works,(b)
wherein life was promised to Adam; and in him to his posterity,(c)
upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.(d)
b. Gal.3:12.
c. Rom.10:5; 5:12-20.
d. Gen.2:17; Gal.3:10.
III. Man, by his fall, having made himself uncapable of life by that
covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second,(e) commonly called
the covenant of grace; wherein he freely offereth unto sinners life
and salvation by Jesus Christ; requiring of them faith in him, that
they may be saved,(f) and promising to give unto all those that are
ordained unto eternal life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and
able to believe.(g)
e. Gal.3:21; Rom.8:3; 3:20,21; Gen.3:15; Is.42:6.
f. Mk.16:15,16; Jn.3:16; Rom.10:6,9; Gal.3:11.
g. Ezek.36:26,27; Jn.6:44,45.
IV. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in Scripture by
the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ
the Testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things
belonging to it, therein bequeathed.(h)
h. Heb.9:15-17; 7:22; Lk.22:20; 1 Cor.11:25.
V. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law,
and in the time of the Gospel:(i) under the law it was administered
by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb,
and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews,
all fore-signifying Christ to come;(k) which were, for that time,
sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to
instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,(l)
by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and
is called the old Testament.(m)
i. 2 Cor.3:6-9.
k. Heb. Chs.8-10; Rom.4:11; Col.2:11,12; 1 Cor.5:7.
l. 1 Cor.10:1-4; Heb.11:13; Jn.8:56.
m. Gal.3:7-9,14.
VI. Under the Gospel, when Christ, the substance,(n) was exhibited,
the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching
of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and
the Lord's Supper:(o) which, though fewer in number, and administered
with more simplicity, and less outward glory, yet, in them, it is
held forth in more fullness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy,(p) to
all nations, both Jews and Gentiles;(q) and is called the new
Testament.(r) There are not therefore two covenants of grace,
differing in substance, but one and the same, under various
dispensations.(s)
n. Col.2:17.
o. Mt.28:19,20; 1 Cor.11:23-25.
p. Heb.12:22-28; Jer.31:33,34.
q. Mt.28:19; Eph.2:15-19.
r. Lk.22:20.
s. Gal.3:14,16; Acts 15:11; Rom.3:21-23,30; Ps.32:1 with
Rom.4:3,6,16,17,23,24; Heb.13:8.
I. It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain
the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God
and man,(a) the Prophet,(b) Priest,(c) and King,(d) the Head and
Saviour of his Church,(e) the Heir of all things,(f) and Judge of the
world:(g) unto whom he did from all eternity give a people, to be his
seed,(h) and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified,
sanctified, and glorified.(i)
a. Is.42:1; 1 Pet.1:19,20; Jn.3:16; 1 Tim.2:5.
b. Acts 3:22.
c. Heb.5:5,6.
d. Ps.2:6; Lk.1:33.
e. Eph.5:23.
f. Heb.1:2.
g. Acts 17:31.
h. Jn.17:6; Ps.22:30; Is.53:10.
i. 1 Tim.2:6; Is.55:4,5; 1 Cor.1:30.
II. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and
eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when
the fulness of time was come, take upon him man's nature,(k) with all
the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without
sin;(l) being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb
of the virgin Mary, of her substance.(m) So that two whole, perfect,
and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably
joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or
confusion.(n) Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ,
the only Mediator between God and man.(o)
k. Jn.1:1,14; 1 Jn.5:20; Phil.2:6; Gal.4:4.
l. Heb.2:14,16,17; 4:15.
m. Lk.1:27,31,35; Gal.4:4.
n. Lk.1:35; Col.2:9; Rom.9:5; 1 Pet.3:18; 1 Tim.3:16.
o. Rom.1:3,4; 1 Tim.2:5.
III. The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine,
was sanctified, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure,(p)
having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;(q) in whom
it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell;(r) to the end
that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and
truth,(s) he might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a
mediator and surety.(t) Which office he took not unto himself, but
was thereunto called by his Father,(u) who put all power and judgment
into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same.(w)
p. Ps.45:7; Jn.3:34.
q. Col.2:3.
r. Col.1:19.
s. Heb.5:26; Jn.1:14.
t. Acts 10:38; Heb.12:24; 7:22.
u. Heb.5:4,5.
w. Jn.5:22,27; Mt.28:18; Acts 2:36.
IV. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake;(x) which
that he might discharge, he was made under the law,(y) and did
perfectly fulfil it;(z) endured most grievous torments immediately in
his soul,(a) and most painful sufferings in his body;(b) was
crucified, and died,(c) was buried, and remained under the power of
death, yet saw no corruption.(d) On the third day he arose from the
dead,(e) with the same body in which he suffered,(f) with which also
he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his
Father,(g) making intercession,(h) and shall return, to judge men and
angels, at the end of the world.(i)
x. Ps.40:7,8 with Heb.10:5-10; Jn.10:18; Phil.2:8.
y. Gal.4:4.
z. Mt.3:15; 5:17.
a. Mt.26:37,38; Lk.22:44; Mt.27:46.
b. Mt. Chs.26,27.
c. Phil.2:8.
d. Acts 2:23,24,27 and 13:37; Rom.6:9.
e. 1 Cor.15:3-5.
f. Jn.20:25,27.
g. Mk.16:19.
h. Rom.8:34; Heb.9:24; 7:25.
i. Rom.14:9,10; Acts 1:11; 10:42; Mt.13:40-42; Jude 6; 2 Pet.2:4.
V. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of
himself, which he through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto
God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father;(k) and
purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in
the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto
him.(l)
k. Rom.5:19; Heb.9:14,16; 10:14; Eph.5:2; Rom.3:25,26.
l. Dan.9:24,26; Col.1:19,20; Eph.1:11,14; Jn.17:2; Heb.9:12,15.
VI. Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by
Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and
benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect, in all ages
successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those
promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he was revealed, and
signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise the
serpent's head; and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world;
being yesterday and to-day the same, and for ever.(m)
m. Gal.4:4,5; Gen.3:15; Rev.13:8; Heb.13;8.
VII. Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both
natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself;(n) yet,
by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one
nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the person denominated
by the other nature.(o)
n. Heb.9:14; 1 Pet.3:18.
o. Acts 20:28; Jn.3:13; 1 Jn.3:16.
VIII. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, he doth
certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same;(p) making
intercession for them,(q) and revealing unto them, in and by the
Word, the mysteries of salvation;(r) effectually persuading them by
his Spirit to believe and obey, and governing their hearts by his
Word and Spirit;(s overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power
and wisdom, in such manner, and ways, as are most consonant to his
wonderful and unsearchable dispensation.(t)
p. Jn.6:37,39; 10:15,16.
q. 1 Jn.2:1,2; Rom.8:34.
r. Jn.15:13,15; Eph.1:7-9; Jn.17:6.
s. Jn.14:16; Heb.12:2; 2 Cor.4:13; Rom.8:9,14; 15:18,19;
Jn.17:17.
t. Ps.110:1; 1 Cor.15:25,26; Mal.4:2,3; Col.2:15.
I. God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that
it is neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature,
determined to good, or evil.(a)
a. Mt.17:12; Jas.1:14; Dt.30:19.
II. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power to will
and to do that which was good and well pleasing to God;(b) but yet,
mutably, so that he might fall from it.(c)
b. Eccl.7:29; Gen.1:26.
c. Gen.2:16,17; Gen.3:6.
III. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all
ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation:(d) so
as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good,(e) and
dead in sin,(f) is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself,
or to prepare himself thereunto.(g)
d. Rom.5:6; 8:7; Jn.15:5.
e. Rom.3:10,12.
f. Eph.2:1,5; Col.2:13.
g. Jn.6:44,65; Eph.2:2-5; 1 Cor.2:14; Tit.3:3,4,5.
IV. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of
grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin;(h) and, by
his grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is
spiritually good;(i) yet so, as that by reason of his remaining
corruption, he doth not perfectly, nor only, will that which is good,
but doth also will that which is evil.(k)
h. Col.1:13; Jn.8:34,36.
i. Phil.2:13; Rom.6:18,22.
k. Gal.5:17; Rom.7:15,18,19,21,23.
V. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone
in the state of glory only.(l)
l. Eph.4:13; Heb.12:23; 1 Jn.3:2; Jude 24.
I. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those
only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually
to call,(a) by his Word and Spirit,(b) out of that state of sin and
death, in which they are by nature to grace and salvation, by Jesus
Christ;(c) enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to
understand the things of God,(d) taking away their heart of stone,
and giving unto them an heart of flesh;(e) renewing their wills, and,
by his almighty power, determining them to that which is good,(f) and
effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ:(g) yet so, as they come
most freely, being made willing by his grace.(h)
a. Rom.8:30; 11:7; Eph.1:10,11.
b. 2 Thess.2:13,14; 2 Cor.3:3,6.
c. Rom.8:2; Eph.2:1-5; 2 Tim.1:9,10.
d. Acts 26:18; 1 Cor.2:10,12; Eph.1;17,18.
e. Ezek.36:26.
f. Ezek.11:19; Phil.2:13; Dt.30:6; Ezek.36:27.
g. Eph.1:19; Jn.6:44,45.
h. Sol.1:4; Ps.110:3; Jn.6:37; Rom.6:16-18.
II. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not
from anything at all foreseen in man,(i) who is altogether passive
therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit,(k) he
is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace
offered and conveyed in it.(l)
i. 2 Tim.1:9; Tit.3:4,5; Eph.2:4,5,8,9; Rom.9:11.
k. 1 Cor.2:14; Rom.8:7; Eph.2:5.
l. Jn.6:37; Ezek.37:27; Jn.5:25.
III. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by
Christ, through the Spirit,(m) who worketh when, and where, and how
he pleaseth:(n) so also are all other elect persons who are uncapable
of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.(o)
m. Lk.18:15,16 and Acts 2:38,39 and Jn.3:3,5 and 1 Jn.5:12 and
Rom.8:9(compared).
n. Jn.3:8.
o. 1 Jn.5:12; Acts 4:12.
IV. Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry
of the Word,(p) and may have some common operations of the Spirit,(q)
yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be
saved:(r) much less can men, not professing the Christian religion,
be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to
frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of
that religion they do profess.(s) And, to assert and maintain that
they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.(t)
p. Mt.22:14.
q. Mt.7:22; 13:20,21; Heb.6:4,5.
r. Jn.4:64-66; 8:24.
s. Acts 4:12; Jn.14:6; Eph.2:12; Jn.4:22; 17:3.
t. 2 Jn.9-11; 1 Cor.16:22; Gal.1:6-8.
I. Those whom God effectually calleth, he also freely
justifieth:(a) not by infusing righteousness into them, but by
pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons
as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but
for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of
believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their
righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of
Christ unto them,(b) they receiving and resting on him and his
righteousness, by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it
is the gift of God.(c)
a. Rom.8:30; 3:24.
b. Rom.4:5-8; 2 Cor.5;19,21; Rom.3:22,24,25,27,28; Tit.3:57; Eph.1:7;
Jer.23:6; 1 Cor.1:30,31; Rom.5:17-19.
c. Acts 10:44; Gal.2:16; Phil.3:9; Acts 13:38,39; Eph.2:7,8.
II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his
righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification:(d) yet is it
not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all
other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by
love.(e)
d. Jn.1:12; Rom.3:28; 5:1.
e. Jas.2:17,22,26; Gal.5:6.
III. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the
debt of all those that are thus justified, and did make a proper,
real, and full satisfaction to his Father's justice in their
behalf.(f) Yet, inasmuch as he was given by the Father for them;(g)
and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead;(h) and
both, freely, not for anything in them; their justification is only
of free grace;(i) that both the exact justice, and rich grace of God
might be glorified in the justification of sinners.(k)
f. Rom.5:8-10,19; 1 Tim.2:5,6; Heb.10:10,14; Dan.9:24,26;
Is.53:4-6,10-12.
g. Rom.8:32.
h. 2 Cor.5:21; Mt.3:17; Eph.5:2.
i. Rom.3:24; Eph.1:7.
k. Rom.3:26; Eph.2:7.
IV. God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect,(l)
and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise
again for their justification:(m) nevertheless, they are not
justified, until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply
Christ unto them.(n)
l. Gal.3:8; 1 Pet.1:2,19,20; Rom.8:30.
m. Gal.4:4; 1 Tim.2:6; Rom.4:25.
n. Col.1:21,22; Gal.2:16; Tit.3:3-7.
V. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are
justified;(o) and, although they can never fall from the state of
justification,(p) yet they may, by their sins, fall under God's
fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his countenance
restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins,
beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.(q)
o. Mt.6:12; 1 Jn.1:7,9; 2:1,2.
p. Lk.22:32; Jn.10:28; Heb.10:14.
q. Ps.89:31-33; 51:7-12; 32:5; Mt.26:75; 1 Cor.11:30,32; Lk.1:20.
VI. The justification of believers under the old testament was, in
all these respects, one and the same with the justification of
believers under the new testament.(r)
r. Gal.3:9,13,14; Rom.4:22-24; Heb.13:8.
All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for his only
Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption,(a) by
which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and
privileges of the children of God,(b) have his name put upon them,(c)
receive the spirit of adoption,(d) have access to the throne of grace
with boldness,(e) are enabled to cry, Abba, Father,(f) are pitied,(g)
protected,(h) provided for,(i) and chastened by him as by a
Father:(k) yet never cast off,(l) but sealed to the day of
redemption;(m) and inherit the promises,(n) as heirs of everlasting
salvation.(o)
a. Eph.1:5.
b. Gal.4:4,5; Rom.8:17; Jn.1:12.
c. Jer.14:9; 2 Cor.6:18; Rev.3:12.
d. Rom.8:15.
e. Eph.3:12; Rom.5:2.
f. Gal.4:6.
g. Ps.103:13.
h. Prov.14:26.
i. Mt.6:30,32; 1 Pet.5:7.
k. Heb.12:6.
l. Lam.3:31.
m. Eph.4:30.
n. Heb.6:12.
o. 1 Pet.1:3,4; Heb.1:14.
I. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having
a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further
sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's
death and resurrection,(a) by his Word and Spirit dwelling in
them:(b) the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,(c) and
the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and
mortified;(d) and they more and more quickened and strengthened in
all saving graces,(e) to the practice of true holiness, without which
no man shall see the Lord.(f)
a. 1 Cor.6:11; Acts 20:32; Phil.3:10; Rom.6:5,6.
b. Jn.17:17; Eph.5:26; 2 Thess.2:13.
c. Rom.6:6,14.
d. Gal.5:24; Rom.8:13.
e. Col.1:11; Eph.3:16-19.
f. 2 Cor.7:1; Heb.12:14.
II. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man;(g) yet
imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of
corruption in every part;(h) whence ariseth a continual and
irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh.(i)
g. 1 Thess.5:23.
h. 1 Jn.1:10; Rom.7:18,23; Phil.3:12.
i. Gal.5:17; 1 Pet.2:11.
III. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may
much prevail;(k) yet, through the continual supply of strength from
the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth
overcome;(l) and so, the saints grow in grace,(m) perfecting holiness
in the fear of God.(n)
k. Rom.7:23.
l. Rom.6:14; 1 Jn.5:4; Eph.4:15,16.
m. 2 Pet.3:18; 2 Cor.3:18.
n. 2 Cor.7:1.
I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to
the saving of their souls,(a) is the work of the Spirit of Christ in
their hearts,(b) and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the
Word,(c) by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments,
and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.(d)
a. Heb.10:39.
b. 2 Cor.4:13; Eph.1:17-19; 2:8.
c. Rom.10:14,17.
d. 1 Pet.2:2; Acts 20:32; Rom.4:11; Lk.17:5; Rom.1:16,17.
II. By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is
revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking
therein;(e) and acteth differently upon that which each particular
passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands,(f)
trembling at the threatenings,(g) and embracing the promises of God
for this life, and that which is to come.(h) But the principal acts
of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ
alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue
of the covenant of grace.(i)
e. Jn.4:42; 1 Thess.2:13; 1 Jn.5:10; Acts 24:14.
f. Rom.16:26.
g. Is.66:2.
h. Heb.11:13; 1 Tim.4:8.
i. Jn.1:12; Acts 16:31; Gal.2:20; Acts 15:11.
III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;(k) may be
often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:(l)
growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through
Christ,(m) who is both the author and finisher of our faith.(n)
k. Heb.5:13,14; Rom.4:19,20; Mt.6:30; 8:10. l. Lk.22:31,32; Eph.6:16;
1 Jn.5:4,5.
m. Heb.6:11,12; 10:22; Col.2:2.
n. Heb.12:2.
I. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace,(a) the doctrine
whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as
that of faith in Christ.(b)
a. Zech.12:10; Acts 11:18.
b. Lk.24:47; Mk.1:15; Acts 20:21.
II. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the
danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as
contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and upon the
apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so
grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto
God,(c) purposing and endeavouring to walk with him in all the ways
of his commandments.(d)
c. Ezek.18:30,31; 36:31; Is.30:22; Ps.51:4; Jer.31:18,19; Joel
2:12,13; Amos 5:15; Ps.119:128; 2 Cor.7:11.
d. Ps.119:6,59,106; Lk.1:6; 2 K.23:25.
III. Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction
for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,(e) which is the act of
God's free grace in Christ;(f) yet it is of such necessity to all
sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.(g)
e. Ezek.36:31,32; 16:61-63.
f. Hos.14:2,4; Rom.3:24; Eph.1:7.
g. Lk.13:3,5; Acts 17:30,31.
IV. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation;(h) so
there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who
truly repent.(i)
h. Rom.6:23; 5:12; Mt.12:36.
i. Is.55:7; Rom.8:1; Is.1:16,18.
V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but
it is every man's duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins,
particularly.(k)
k. Ps.19:13; Lk.19:8; 1 Tim.1:13,15.
VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to
God, praying for the pardon thereof;(l) upon which, and the forsaking
of them, he shall find mercy:(m) so, he that scandalizeth his
brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private
or public confession, and sorrow for his sin, to declare his
repentance to those that are offended,(n) who are thereupon to be
reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.(o)
l. Ps.51:4,5,7,9,14; 32:5,6.
m. Prov.28:13; 1 Jn.1:9.
n. Jas.5:16; Lk.17:3,4; Josh.7:19; Ps.51.
o. 2 Cor.2:8.
I. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy
Word,(a) and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by
men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good
intention.(b)
a. Micah 6:8; Rom.12:2; Heb.13:21.
b. Mt.15:9; Is.29:13; 1 Pet.1:18; Rom.10:2; Jn.16:2; 1
Sam.15:21-23.
II. These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are
the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith:(c) and by them
believers manifest their thankfulness,(d) strengthen their
assurance,(e) edify their brethren,(f) adorn the profession of the
Gospel,(g) stop the mouths of the adversaries,(h) and glorify God,(i)
whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto,(k)
that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end,
eternal life.(l)
c. Jas.2:18,22.
d. Ps.116:12,13; 1 Pet.2:9.
e. 1 Jn.2:3,5; 2 Pet.1:5-10.
f. 2 Cor.9:2; Mt.5:16.
g. Tit.2:5,9-12; 1 Tim.6:1.
h. 1 Pet.2:15.
i. 1 Pet.2:12; Phil.1:11; Jn.15:8.
k. Eph.2:10.
l. Rom.6:22.
III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but
wholly from the Spirit of Christ.(m) And that they may be enabled
thereunto, beside the graces they have already received, there is
required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them
to will, and to do, of his good pleasure:(n) yet are they not
hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any
duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be
diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.(o)
m. Jn.15:4-5; Ezek.36:26,27.
n. Phil.2:13; 4:13; 2 Cor.3:5.
o. Phil.2:12; Heb.6:11,12; 2 Pet.1:3,5,10,11; Is.64:7; 2 Tim.1:6;
Acts 26:6,7; Jude 20,21.
IV. They who, in their obedience, attain to the greatest height which
is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate,
and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much
which in duty they are bound to do.(p)
p. Lk.17:10; Neh.13:22; Job 9:2,3; Gal.5:17.
V. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life
at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is
between them and the glory to come; and the infinite distance that is
between us and God, whom, by them, we can neither profit, nor satisfy
for the debt of our former sins,(q) but when we have done all we can,
we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants:(r) and
because, as they are good, they proceed from his Spirit;(s) and as
they are wrought by us, they are defiled, and mixed with so much
weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of
God's judgment.(t)
q. Rom.3:20; 4:2,4,6; Eph.2:8,9; Tit.3:5-7; Rom.8:18; Ps.16:2; Job
22:2,3; 35:7,8.
r. Lk.17:10.
s. Gal.5:22,23.
t. Is.64:6; Gal.5:17; Rom.7:15,18; Ps.143:2; 130:3.
VI. Notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through
Christ, their good works also are accepted in him;(u) not as though
they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God's
sight;(w) but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to
accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with
many weaknesses and imperfections.(x)
u. Eph.1:6; 1 Pet.2:5; Ex.28:38; Gen.4:4 with Heb.11:4.
w. Job 9:20; Ps.143:2.
x. Heb.13:20,21; 2 Cor.8:12; Heb.6:10; Mt.25:21,23.
VII. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them
they may be things which God commands; and of good use both to
themselves and others:(y) yet, because they proceed not from an heart
purified by faith;(z) nor are done in a right manner, according to
the Word;(a) nor to a right end, the glory of God,(b) they are
therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to
receive grace from God:(c) and yet, their neglect of them is more
sinful and displeasing unto God.(d)
y. 2 K.10:30,31; 1 K.21:27,29; Phil.1:15,16,18.
z. Gen.4:5 with Heb.11:6.
a. 1 Cor.13:3; Is.1:12.
b. Mt.6:2,5,16.
c. Hag.2:14; Tit.1:15; Amos 5:21,22; Hos.1:4; Rom.9:16; Tit.3:5.
d. Ps.14:4; 36:3; Job 21:14,15; Mt.25:41-43,45; 23:3.
I. They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually
called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally
fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere
therein to the end, and be eternally saved.(a)
a. Phil.1:6; 2 Pet.1:10; Jn.10:28,29; 1 Jn.3:9; 1 Pet.1;5,9.
II. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free
will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing
from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father;(b) upon the
efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ,(c) the
abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them,(d) and the
nature of the covenant of grace:(e) from all which ariseth also the
certainty and infallibility thereof.(f)
b. 2 Tim.2:18,19; Jer.31:3.
c. Heb.10:10,14; 13:20,21; 9:12-15; Rom.8:33-39; Jn.17:11,24;
Lk.22:32; Heb.7:25.
d. Jn.14:16,17; 1 Jn.2:27; 3:9.
e. Jer.32:40.
f. Jn.10:28; 2 Thess.3:3; 1 Jn.2:19.
III. Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of
the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the
neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous
sins;(g) and, for a time, continue therein:(h) whereby they incur
God's displeasure,(i) and grieve his Holy Spirit,(k) come to be
deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts,(l) have their
hearts hardened,(m) and their consciences wounded;(n) hurt and
scandalize others,(o) and bring temporal judgments upon
themselves.(p)
g. Mt.26:70,72,74.
h. Ps.51 (title) and verse 14.
i. Is.64:5,7,9; 2 Sam.11:27.
k. Eph.4:30.
l. Ps.51:8,10,12; Rev.2:4; Sol.5:2-4,6.
m. Is.63:17; Mk.6:52; 16:14.
n. Ps.32:3,4; 51:8.
o. 2 Sam.12:14.
p. Ps.89;31,32; 1 Cor.11:32.
I. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly
deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being
in the favour of God, and estate of salvation(a) (which hope of
theirs shall perish):(b) yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus,
and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good
conscience before him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that
they are in the state of grace,(c) and may rejoice in the hope of the
glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.(d)
a. Job 8:13,14; Micah 3:11; Dt.29:19; Jn.8:41.
b. Mt.7:22,23.
c. 1 Jn.2:3; 3:14,18,19,21,24; 5:13.
d. Rom.5:2,5.
II. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion
grounded upon a fallible hope;(e) but an infallible assurance of
faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation,(f)
the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are
made,(g) the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our
spirits that we are the children of God,(h) which Spirit is the
earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of
redemption.(i)
e. Heb.6:11,19.
f. Heb.6:17,18.
g. 2 Pet.1:4,5,10,11; 1 Jn.2:3; 3:14; 2 Cor.1:12.
h. Rom.8:15,16.
i. Eph.1:13,14; 4:30; 2 Cor.1:21,22.
III. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of
faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many
difficulties, before he be partaker of it:(k) yet, being enabled by
the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he
may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of ordinary
means, attain thereunto.(l) And therefore it is the duty of every one
to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure,(m) that
thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost,
in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in
the duties of obedience,(n) the proper fruits of this assurance; so
far is it from inclining men to looseness.(o)
k. 1 Jn.5:13; Is.50:10; Mk.9:24; Ps.138; 77:1-12.
l. 1 Cor.2:12; 1 Jn.4:13; Heb.6:11,12; Eph.3:17-19.
m. 2 Pet.1:10.
n. Rom.5:1,2,5; 14:17; 15;13; Eph.1:3,4; Ps.4:6,7; 119:32.
o. 1 Jn.2:1,2; Rom.6:1,2; Tit.2:11,12,14; 2 Cor.7:1; Rom.8:1,12; 1
Jn.3:2,3; Ps.130:4; 1 Jn.1:6,7.
IV. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers
ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in
preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the
conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement
temptation, by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and
suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have
no
light:(p) yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God,
and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that
sincerity of heart, and conscience of duty, out of which, by the
operation of the Spirit, this assurance may, in due time, be
revived;(q) and by the which, in the mean time, they are supported
from utter despair.(r)
p. Sol.5:2,3,6; Ps.51:8,12,14; Eph.4:30,31; Ps.77:1-10; Mt.26:69-72;
Ps.31:22; Ps.88; Is.50:10.
q. 1 Jn.3:9; Lk.22:32; Job 13:15; Ps.73:15; Ps.51:8,12; Is.50:10.
r. Micah 7:7-9; Jer.32:40; Is.54:7-10; Ps.22:1; Ps.88.
I. God gave to Adam a law, as a covenant of works, by which he
bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and
perpetual obedience, promised life upon the fulfilling, and
threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and
ability to keep it.(a)
a. Gen.1:26,27; 2:17; Rom.2:14,15; 10:5; 5:12,19; Gal.3:10,12;
Eccl.7:29; Job 28:28.
II. This law, after his fall, continued to be a perfect rule of
righteousness; and, as such, was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai,
in ten commandments, and written in two tables:(b) the first four
commandments containing our duty towards God; and the other six, our
duty to man.(c)
b. Jas.1:25; 2:8,10-12; Rom.13:8,9; Dt.5:32; 10:4; Ex.34:1.
c. Mt.22:37-40.
III. Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give
to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws,
containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring
Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits;(d) and partly,
holding forth divers instructions of moral duties.(e) All which
ceremonial laws are now abrogated, under the new testament.(f)
d. Heb.9; 10:1; Gal.4:1-3; Col.2:17.
e. 1 Cor.5:7; 2 Cor.6:17; Jude 23.
f. Col.2:14,16,17; Dan.9:27; Eph.2:15,16.
IV. To them also, as a body politic, he gave sundry judicial laws,
which expired together with the State of that people; not obliging
any other now, further than the general equity thereof may
require.(g)
g. Ex.21; 22:1-29; Gen.49:10 with 1 Pet.2:13,14; Mt.5:17 with 38,39;
1 Cor.9:8-10.
V. The moral law doth forever bind all, as well justified persons as
others, to the obedience thereof;(h) and that, not only in regard of
the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of
God the Creator, who gave it.(i) Neither doth Christ, in the Gospel,
any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.(k)
h. Rom.13:8-10; Eph.6:2; 1 Jn.2:3,4,7,8.
i. Jas.2:10,11.
k. Mt.5:17-19; Jas.2:8; Rom.3:31.
VI. Although true believers be not under the law, as a covenant of
works, to be thereby justified, or condemned;(l) yet is it of great
use to them, as well as to others; in that, as a rule of life
informing them of the will of God, and their duty, it directs and
binds them to walk accordingly;(m) discovering also the sinful
pollutions of their nature, hearts, and lives;(n) so as, examining
themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of,
humiliation for, and hatred against sin,(o) together with a clearer
sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his
obedience.(p) It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain
theircorruptions, in that it forbids sin:(q) and the threatenings of
it serve to show what even their sins deserve; and what afflictions,
in this life, they may expect for them, although freed from the curse
thereof threatened in the law.(r) The promises of it, in like manner,
show them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may
expect upon the performance thereof:(s) although not as due to them
by the law as a covenant of works.(t) So as, a man's doing good, and
refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one, and
deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law;
and, not under grace.(v)
l. Rom.6:14; Gal.2:16; 3:13; 4:4,5; Acts 13:39; Rom.8:1.
m. Rom.7:12,22,25; Ps.119:4-6; 1 Cor.7:19; Gal.5:14,16,18-23.
n. Rom.7:7; 3:20.
o. Jas.1:23-25; Rom.7:9,14,24.
p. Gal.3:24; Rom.7:24,25; 8:3,4.
q. Jas.2:11; Ps.119:101,104,128.
r. Ezra 9:13,14; Ps.89:30-34.
s. Lev.26:1-14 with 2 Cor.6:16; Eph.6:2,3; Ps.37:11 with Mt.5:5;
Ps.19:11.
t. Gal.2:16; Lk.17:10.
v. Rom.6:12,14; 1 Pet.3:8-12 with Ps.34:12-16; Heb.12:28,29.
VII. Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the
grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it;(w) the Spirit of
Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely, and
cheerfully, which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to
be done.(x)
w. Gal.3:21.
x. Ezek.36:27; Heb.8:10 with Jer.31:33.
I. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the
Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the
condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law;(a) and, in their
being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and
dominion of sin;(b) from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death,
the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation;(c) as also, in
their free access to God,(d) and their yielding obedience unto him,
not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind.(e)
All which were common also to believers under the law.(f) But, under
the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in
their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the
Jewish Church was subjected;(g) and in greater boldness of access to
the throne of grace,(h) and in fuller communications of the free
Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake
of.(i)
a. Tit.2:14; 1 Thess.1:10; Gal.3:13.
b. Gal.1:4; Col.1:13; Acts 26:18; Rom.6:14.
c. Rom.8:28; Ps.119:71; 1 Cor.15:54-57; Rom.8:1.
d. Rom.5:1,2.
e. Rom.8:14,15; 1 Jn.4:18.
f. Gal.3:9,14.
g. Gal.4:1-3,6,7; 5:1; Acts 15:10,11.
h. Heb.4:14,16; 10:19-22.
i. Jn.7:38,39; 2 Cor.3:13,17,18.
II. God alone is Lord of the conscience,(k) and hath left it free
from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are, in any thing,
contrary to his Word; or beside it, if matters of faith, or
worship.(l) So that, to believe such doctrines, or to obey such
commands, out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of
conscience:(m) and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an
absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience,
and reason also.(n)
k. Jas.4:12; Rom.14:4.
l. Acts 4:19; 5:29; 1 Cor.7:23; Mt.23:8-10; 2 Cor.1:24; Mt.15:9.
m. Col.2:20,22,23; Gal.1:10; 2:4,5; 5:1.
n. Rom.10:17; 14:23; Is.8:20; Acts 17:11; Jn.4:22; Hos.5:11;
Rev.13:12,16,17; Jer.8:9.
III. They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practise any
sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian
liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of our
enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and
righteousness before him, all the days of our life.(o)
o. Gal.5:13; 1 Pet.2:16; 2 Pet.2:19; Jn.8:34; Lk.1:74,75.
IV. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty
which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but
mutually to uphold and preserve one another, they who, upon pretence
of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful
exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the
ordinance of God.(p) And, for their publishing of such opinions, or
maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of
nature, or to the known principles of Christianity (whether
concerning faith, worship, or conversation), or to the power of
godliness; or, such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in
their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them,
are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath
established in the Church, they may lawfully be called to account,(q)
and proceeded against, by the censures of the Church, and by the
power of the civil magistrate.(r)
p. Mt.12:25; 1 Pet.2:13,14,16; Rom.13:1-8; Heb.13:17.
q. Rom.1:32 with 1 Cor.5:1,5,11,13; 2 Jn.10,11 and 2 Thess.3:14 and 1
Tim.6:3-5 and Tit.1:10,11,13 and 3:10 with Mt.18:15-17; 1
Tim.1:19,20; Rev.2:2,14,15,20; 3:9.
r. Dt.13:6-12; Rom.13:3,4 with 2 Jn.10,11; Ezra 7:23,25-28;
Rev.17:12,16,17; Neh.13:15,17,21,22,25,30; 2 K.23:5,6,9,20,21; 2
Chron.34:33; 15:12,13,16; Dan.3:29; 1 Tim.2:2; Is.49:23; Zech.13:2,3.
I. The light of nature sheweth that there is a God, who hath
lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and doth good unto all,
and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted
in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with
all the might.(a) But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God
is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will,
that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and
devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible
representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy
Scripture.(b)
a. Rom.1:20; Acts 17:24; Ps.119:68; Jer.10:7; Ps.31:23; 18:3;
Rom.10:12; Ps.62:8; Josh.24:14; Mk.12:33.
b. Dt.12:32; Mt.15:9; Acts 17:25; Mt.4:9,10; Dt.4:15-20; Ex.20:4-6;
Col.2:23.
II. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost; and to him alone;(c) not to angels, saints, or any other
creature:(d) and, since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the
mediation of any other but of Christ alone.(e)
c. Mt.4:10 with Jn.5:23 and 2 Cor.13:14.
d. Col.2:18; Rev.19:10; Rom.1:25.
e. Jn.14:6; 1 Tim.2:5; Eph.2:18; Col.3:17.
III. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious
worship,(f) is by God required of all men:(g) and, that it may be
accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,(h) by the help of
his Spirit,(i) according to his will,(k) with understanding,
reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance;(l) and,
if vocal, in a known tongue.(m)
f. Phil.4:6.
g. Ps.65:2.
h. Jn.14:13,14; 1 Pet.2:5.
i. Rom.8:26.
k. 1 Jn.5:14.
l. Ps.47:7; Eccl.5:1,2; Heb.12:28; Gen.18:27; Jas.5:16; 1:6,7;
Mk.11:24; Mt.6:12,14,15; Col.4:2; Eph.6:18.
m. 1 Cor.14:14.
IV. Prayer is to be made for things lawful;(n) and for all sorts of
men living, or that shall live hereafter:(o) but not for the dead,(p)
nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin
unto death.(q)
n. 1 Jn.5:14.
o. 1 Tim.2:1,2; Jn.17:20; 2 Sam.7:29; Ruth 4:12. p. 2 Sam.12:21-23
with Lk.16:25,26; Rev.14:13. q. 1 Jn.5:16.
V. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear,(r) the sound
preaching(s) and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto
God, with understanding, faith, and reverence,(t) singing of psalms
with grace in the heart;(v) as also, the due administration and
worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ, are all
parts of the ordinary religious worship of God:(w) beside religious
oaths,(x) vows,(y) solemn fastings,(z) and thanksgivings upon special
occasions,(a) which are, in their several times and seasons, to be
used in anholy and religious manner.(b)
r. Acts 15:21; Rev.1:3.
s. 2 Tim.4:2.
t. Jas.1:22; Acts 10:33; Mt.13:19; Heb.4:2; Is.66:2.
v. Col.3:16; Eph.5:19; Jas.5:13.
w. Matt.28:19; 1 Cor.11:23-29; Acts 2:42.
x. Dt.6:13 with Neh.10:29.
y. Is.19:21 with Eccl.5:4,5.
z. Joel 2:12; Est.4:16; Mt.9:15; 1 Cor.7:5.
a. Ps. Ch.107; Est.9:22.
b. Heb.12:28.
VI. Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now,
under the Gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any
place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed:(c)
but God is to be worshipped everywhere,(d) in spirit and truth;(e)
as, in private families(f) daily,(g) and in secret, each one by
himself;(h) so, more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not
carelessly or wilfully to be neglected, or forsaken, when God, by his
Word or providence, calleth thereunto.(i)
c. Jn.4:21.
d. Mal.1:11; 1 Tim.2:8.
e. Jn.4:23,24.
f. Jer.10:25; Dt.6:6,7; Job 1:5; 2 Sam.6:18,20; 1 Pet.3:7; Acts 10:2.
g. Mt.6:11.
h. Mt.6:6; Eph.6:18.
i. Is.56:6,7; Heb.10:25; Prov.1:20,21,24; 8:34; Acts 13:42; Lk.4:16;
Acts 2:42.
VII. As it is the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion
of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in his Word, by a
positive, moral, and perpetual commandment binding all men in all
ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven, for a Sabbath,
to be kept holy unto him:(k) which, from the beginning of the world
to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and,
from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of
the week,(l) which, in Scripture, is called the Lord's Day,(m) and is
to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian
Sabbath.(n)
k. Ex.20:8,10,11; Is.56:2,4,6,7.
l. Gen.2:2,3; 1 Cor.16:1,2; Acts 20:7.
m. Rev.1:10.
n. Ex.20:8,10 with Mt.5:17,18.
VIII. This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a
due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs
before-hand, do not only observe an holy rest, all the day, from
their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments
and recreations,(o) but also are taken up, the whole time, in the
public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of
necessity and mercy.(p)
o. Ex.20:8; 16:23,25,26,29,30; 31:15-17; Is.58:13;
Neh.13:15-19,21,22.
p. Is.58:13; Mt.12:1-13.
I. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship,(a) wherein, upon
just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness
what he asserteth, or promiseth, and to judge him according to the
truth or falsehood of what he sweareth.(b)
a. Dt.10:20.
b. Ex.20:7; Lev.19:12; 2 Cor.1:23; 2 Chron.6:22,23.
II. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and
therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence.(c)
Therefore, to swear vainly, or rashly, by that glorious and dreadful
Name; or, to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be
abhorred.(d) Yet, as in matters of weight and moment, an oath is
warranted by the Word of God, under the new testament as well as
under the old;(e) so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful
authority, in such matters, ought to be taken.(f)
c. Dt.6:13.
d. Ex.20:7; Jer.5:7; Mt.5:34,37; Jas.5:12.
e. Heb.6:16; 2 Cor.1:23; Is.65:16.
f. 1 K.8:31; Neh.13:25; Ezra 10:5.
III. Whosoever taketh an oath ought duly to consider the weightiness
of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he is
fully persuaded is the truth:(g) neither may any man bind himself by
oath to anything but what is good and just, and what he believeth so
to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform.(h) Yet it is a
sin to refuse an oath touching anything that is good and just, being
imposed by lawful authority.(i)
g. Ex.20:7; Jer.4:2.
h. Gen.24:2,3,5,6,8,9.
i. Num.5:19,21; Neh.5:12; Ex.22:7-11.
IV. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the
words, without equivocation, or mental reservation.(k) It cannot
oblige to sin; but in any thing not sinful, being taken, it binds to
performance, although to a man's own hurt. Nor is it to be violated,
although made to heretics, or infidels.(m)
k. Jer.4:2; Ps.24:4.
l. 1 Sam.25:22,32-34; Ps.15:4.
m. Ezek.17:16,18,19; Josh.9:18,19 with 2 Sam.21:1.
V. A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath, and ought to
be made with the like religious care, and to be performed with the
like faithfulness.(n)
n. Is.19:21; Eccl.5:4-6; Ps.61:8; 66:13,14.
VI. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone:(o) and,
that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith,
and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or
for the obtaining of what we want, whereby we more strictly bind
ourselves to necessary duties; or, to other things, so far and so
long as they may fitly conduce thereunto.(p)
o. Ps.76:11; Jer.44:25,26.
p. Dt.23:21-23; Ps.50:14; Gen.28:20-22; 1 Sam.1:11; Ps.66:13,14;
132:2-5.
VII. No man may vow to do anything forbidden in the Word of God, or
what would hinder any duty therein commanded, or which is not in his
own power, and for the performance whereof he hath no promise of
ability from God.(q) In which respects, popish monastical vows of
perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are
so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are
superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle
himself.(r)
q. Acts 23:12,14; Mk.6:26; Num.30:5,8,12,13.
r. Mt.19:11,12; 1 Cor.7:2,9; Eph.4:28; 1 Pet.4:2; 1 Cor.7:23.
I. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained
civil magistrates, to be, under him, over the people, for his own
glory, and the public good: and, to this end, hath armed them with
the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them
that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.(a)
a. Rom.13:1-4; 1 Pet.2:13,14.
II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a
magistrate, when called thereunto:(b) in the managing whereof, as
they ought to especially maintain piety, justice, and peace,
according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth;(c) so, for that
end, they may lawfully, now under the new testament, wage war, upon
just and necessary occasion.(d)
b. Prov.8:15,16; Rom.13:1,2,4.
c. Ps.2:10-12; 1 Tim.2:2; Ps.82:3,4; 2 Sam.23:3; 1 Pet.2:13.
d. Lk.3:14; Rom.13:4; Mt.8:9,10; Acts 10:1,2; Rev.17:14,16.
III. The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the
administration of the Word and sacraments, or the power of the keys
of the kingdom of heaven:(e) yet he hath authority, and it is his
duty, to take order that unity and peace be preserved in the Church,
that the truth of God be kept pure and entire, that all blasphemies
and heresies be suppressed, all corruptions and abuses in worship and
discipline prevented or reformed, and all the ordinances of God duly
settled, administered, and observed.(f) For the better effecting
whereof, he hath power to call synods, to be present at them, and to
provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the
mind of God.(g)
e. 2 Chron.26:18 with Mt.18:17 and Mt.16:19; 1 Cor.12:28,29;
Eph.4:11,12; 1Cor.4:1,2; Rom.10:15; Heb.5:4.
f. Isa.49:23; Ps.122:9; Ezra 7:23,25-28; Lev.24:16; Dt.13:5,6,12; 2
K.18:4; 1 Chron.13:1-9; 2 K.23:1-26; 2 Chron.34:33; 2
Chron.15:12,13.
g. 2 Chron.14:8-11; 2Chron.29 and 30; Mt.2:4,5.
IV. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,(h) to honour
their persons,(i) to pay them tribute or other dues,(k) to obey their
lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for
conscience' sake.(l) Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not
make void the magistrates' just and legal authority, nor free the
people from their due obedience to them:(m) from which ecclesiastical
persons are not exempted,(n) much less hath the pope any power and
jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their
people; and, least of all, to deprive them of their dominions, or
lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other
pretence whatsoever.(o)
h. 1 Tim.2:1,2.
i. 1 Pet.2:17.
k. Rom.13:6,7.
l. Rom.13:5; Tit.3:1.
m. 1 Pet.2:13,14,16.
n. Rom.13:1; 1 K.2:35; Acts 25:9-11; 2 Pet.2:1,10,11; Jude 8-11.
o. 2 Thess.2:4; Rev.13:15-17.
I. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman: neither is it
lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to
have more than one husband, at the same time.(a)
a. Gen.2:24; Mt.19:5,6; Prov.2:17.
II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,(b)
for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the
Church with an holy seed;(c) and for preventing of
uncleanness.(d)
b. Gen.2:18.
c. Mal.2:15.
d. 1 Cor.7:2,9.
III. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with
judgment to give their consent.(e) Yet is it the duty of Christians
to marry only in the Lord.(f) And therefore such as profess the true
reformed religion should not marry with infidels, papists, or other
idolaters: neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked, by
marrying such as are notoriously wicked in their life, or maintain
damnable heresies.(g)
e. Heb.13:4; 1 Tim.4:3; 1 Cor.7:36-38; Gen.24:57,58.
f. 1 Cor.7:39.
g. Gen.34:14; Ex.34:16; Dt.7:3,4; 1 K.11:4; Neh.13:25-27;
Mal.2:11,12; 2 Cor.6:14.
IV. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or
affinity forbidden by the Word.(h) Nor can such incestuous marriages
ever be made lawful by any law of man or consent of parties, so as
those persons may live together as man and wife.(i) The man may not
marry any of his wife's kindred, nearer in blood than he may of his
own: nor the woman of her husband's kindred, nearer in blood than of
her own.(k)
h. Lev. Ch.18; 1 Cor.5:1; Amos 2:7.
i. Mk.6:18; Lev.18:24-28.
k. Lev.20:19-21
V. Adultery or fornication committed after a contract, being detected
before marriage, giveth just occasion to the innocent party to
dissolve that contract.(l) In the case of adultery after marriage, it
is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce:(m) and, after
the divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were
dead.(n)
l. Mt.1:18-20.
m. Mt.5:31,32.
n. Mt.19:9; Rom.7:2,3.
VI. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study
arguments unduly to put asunder those whom God hath joined together
in marriage: yet, nothing but adultery, or such wilful desertion as
can no way be remedied by the Church, or civil magistrate, is cause
sufficient of dissolving the bond of marriage:(o) wherein, a public
and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed; and the persons
concerned in it not left to their own wills, and discretion, in their
own case.(p)
o. Mt.19:8,9; 1 Cor.7:15; Mt.19:6.
p. Dt.24:1-4.
I. The catholic or universal Church, which is invisible, consists
of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be
gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse,
the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.(a)
a. Eph.1:10,22,23; Eph.5:23,27,32; Col.1:18.
II. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the
Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law),
consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true
religion;(b) and of their children:(c) and is the kingdom of the Lord
Jesus Christ,(d) the house and family of God,(e) out of which there
is no ordinary possibility of salvation.(f)
b. 1 Cor.1:2; 12:12,13; Ps.2:8; Rev.7:9; Rom.15:9-12.
c. 1 Cor.7:14; Acts 2:39; Ezek.16:20,21; Rom.11:16; Gen.3:15; 17:7.
d. Mt.13:47; Is.9:7.
e. Eph.2:19; 3:15.
f. Acts 2:47.
III. Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the
ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and
perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and
doth, by by his own presence and Spirit, according to his promise,
make them effectual thereunto.(g)
g. 1 Cor.12:28; Eph.4:11-13; Mt.28:19,20; Is.59:21.
IV. This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less
visible.(h) And particular Churches, which are members thereof, are
more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught
and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed
more or less purely in them.(i)
h. Rom.11:3,4; Rev.12:6,14.
i. Rev. Chs.2 and 3; 1 Cor.5:6,7.
V. The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and
error;(k) and some have so degenerated, as to become no Churches of
Christ, but synagogues of Satan.(l) Nevertheless, there shall be
always a Church on earth to worship God according to his will.(m)
k. 1 Cor.13:12; Rev. Chs.2 and 3; Mt.13:24-30,47.
l. Rev.18:2; Rev.11:18-22.
m. Mt.16:18; Ps.72:17; 102:28; Mt.28:19,20.
VI. There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus
Christ.(n) Nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof:
but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that
exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is
called God.(o)
n. Col.1:18; Eph.1:22.
o. Mt.23:8-10; 2 Thess.2:3,4,8,9; Rev.13:6.
I. All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his
Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with him in his grace,
sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:(a) and, being united to
one another in love, they have communion in each other's gifts and
graces,(b) and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public
and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward
and outward man.(c)
a. 1 Jn.1:3; Eph.3:16-19; Jn.1:16; Eph.2:5,6; Phil.3:10; Rom.6:5,6; 2
Tim.2:12.
b. Eph.4:15,16; 1 Cor.12:7; 3:21-23; Col.2:19.
c. 1 Thess.5:11,14; Rom.1:11,12,14; 1 Jn.3:16-18; Gal.6:10.
II. Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and
communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other
spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification;(d) as also in
relieving each other in outward things, according to their several
abilities and necessities. Which communion, as God offereth
opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place,
call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.(e)
d. Heb.10:24,25; Acts 2:42,46; Is.2:3; 1 Cor.11:20.
e. Acts 2:44,45; 1 Jn.3:17; 2 Cor. Chs.8 and 9; Acts 11:29,30.
III. This communion which the saints have with Christ, doth not make
them in any wise partakers of the substance of his Godhead; or to be
equal with Christ in any respect: either of which to affirm is
impious and blasphemous.(f) Nor doth their communion one with
another, as saints, take away, or infringe the title or propriety
which each man hath in his goods and possessions.(g)
f. Col.1:18,19; 1 Cor.8:6; Is.42:8; 1 Tim.6:15,16; Ps.45:7;
Heb.1:8,9.
g. Ex.20:15; Eph.4:28; Acts 5:4.
I. Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of
grace,(a) immediately instituted by God,(b) to represent Christ and
his benefits; and to confirm our interest in him:(c) as also, to put
a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church and
the rest of the world;(d) and solemnly to engage them to the service
of God in Christ, according to his Word.(e)
a. Rom.4:11; Gen.17:7,10.
b. Mt.28:19; 1 Cor.11:23.
c. 1 Cor.10:16; 11:25,26; Gal.3:17.
d. Rom.15:8; Ex.12:48; Gen.34:14.
e. Rom.6:3,4; 1 Cor.10:16,21.
II. There is, in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or
sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified: whence
it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are
attributed to the other.(f)
f. Gen.17:10; Mt.26:27,28; Tit.3:5.
III. The grace which is exhibited in or by the sacraments rightly
used, is not conferred by any power in them; neither doth the
efficacy of a sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him
that doth administer it:(g) but upon the work of the Spirit,(h) and
the word of institution, which contains, together with a precept
authorizing the use thereof, a promise of benefit to worthy
receivers.(i)
g. Rom.2:28,29; 1 Pet.3:21.
h. Mt.3:11; 1 Cor.12:13.
i. Mt.26:27,28; 28:19,20.
IV. There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the
Gospel; that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord; neither
of which may be dispensed by any but by a minister of the Word
lawfully ordained.(k)
k. Mt.28;19; 1 Cor.11:20,23; 1 Cor.4:1; Heb.5:4.
V. The sacraments of the old testament, in regard of the spiritual
things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same
with those of the new.(l)
l. 1 Cor.10:1-4.
I. Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, ordained by Jesus
Christ,(a) not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized
into the visible Church;(b) but also, to be unto him a sign and seal
of the covenant of grace,(c) of his ingrafting into Christ,(d) of
regeneration,(e) of remission of sins,(f) and of his giving up unto
God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life.(g) Which
sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his
Church until the end of the world.(h)
a. Mt.28:19.
b. 1 Cor.12:13.
c. Rom.4:11 with Col.2:11,12.
d. Gal.3:27; Rom.6:5.
e. Tit.3:5.
f. Mk.1:4.
g. Rom.6:3,4.
h. Mt.28:19,20.
II. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water,
wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel,
lawfully called thereunto.(i)
i. Mt.3:11; Jn.1:33; Mt.28:19,20.
III. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but
Baptism is rightly administered by pouring, or sprinkling water upon
the person.(k)
k. Heb.9:10,19-22; Acts 2:41; 16:33; Mk.7:4.
IV. Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience
unto Christ,(l) but also the infants of one, or both, believing
parents, are to be baptized.(m)
l. Mk.16:15,16; Acts 8:37,38.
m. Gen.17:7,9,10 with Gal.3:9,14 and Col.2:11,12 and Acts 2:38,39 and
Rom.4:11,12; 1 Cor.7:14; Mt.28:19; Mk.10:13-16; Lk.18:15.
V. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this
ordinance,(n) yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed
unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without
it;(o) or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly
regenerated.(p)
n. Lk.7:30 with Ex.4:24-26.
o. Rom.4:11; Acts 10:2,4,22,31,45,47.
p. Acts 8:13,23.
VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time
wherein it is administered;(q) yet, notwithstanding, by the right use
of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really
exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age
or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of
God's own will, in his appointed time.(r)
q. Jn.3:5,8.
r. Gal.3:27; Tit.3:5; Eph.5:25,26; Acts 2:38,41.
VII. The sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered unto any
person.(s)
s. Tit.3:5.
I. Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed,
instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord's
Supper, to be observed inhis Church, unto the end of the world, for
the perpetual remembrance of the sacr ifice of himself in his death;
the sealing of all benefits thereof unto true believers, their
spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in
and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to be a bond and
pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members
of his mystical body.(a)
a. 1 Cor.11:23-26; 10:16,17,21; 12:13.
II. In this sacrament, Christ is not offered up to his Father; nor
any real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sins of the quick or
dead;(b) but only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself,
by himself, upon the cross, once for all: and a spiritual oblation of
all possible praise unto God, for the same:(c) so that the popish
sacrifice of the mass (as they call it) is most abominably injurious
to Christ's one, only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all the
sins of his elect.(d)
b. Heb.9:22,25,26,28.
c. 1 Cor.11:24,25,26; Mt.26:26,27.
d. Heb.7:23,24,27; Heb.10:11,12,14,18.
III. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers
to declare his word of institution to the people; to pray, and bless
the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a
common to an holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the
cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the
communicants;(e) but to none who are not then present in the
congregation.(f)
e. Mt.26:26-28 and Mk.14:22-24 and Lk.22:19,20 with 1
Cor.11:23-26.
f. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.11:20.
IV. Private masses, or receiving this sacrament by a priest, or any
other, alone;(g) as likewise, the denial of the cup to the people,(h)
worshipping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them
about, for adoration, and the reserving them for any pretended
religious use; are all contrary to the nature of this sacrament, and
to the institution of Christ.(i)
g. 1 Cor.10:16.
h. Mk.14:23; 1 Cor.11:25-29.
i. Mt.15:9.
V. The outward elements in this sacrament, duly set apart to the uses
ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that,
truly, yet sacramentally only, they are sometimes called by the name
of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of
Christ;(k) albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly
and only bread and wine, as they were before.(l)
k. Mt.26:26-28.
l. 1 Cor.11:26-28; Mt.26:29.
VI. The doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread
and wine, into the substance of Christ's body and blood (commonly
called transubstantiation) by consecration of a priest, or by any
other way, is repugnant, not to Scripture alone, but even to common
sense, and reason; overthroweth the nature of the sacrament, and hath
been, and is, the cause of manifold superstitions; yea, of gross
idolatries.(m)
m. Acts 3:21 with 1 Cor.11:24-26; Lk.24:6,39.
VII. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements,
in this sacrament,(n) do then also, inwardly by faith, really and
indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive, and
feed upon, Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body
and blood of Christ being then, not corporally or carnally, in, with,
or under the bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present
to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements
themselves are to their outward senses.(o)
n. 1 Cor.11:28.
o. 1 Cor.10:16.
VIII. Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements
in this sacrament; yet, they receive not the thing signified thereby;
but, by their unworthy coming thereunto, are guilty of the body and
blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore, all ignorant
and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with him,
so are they unworthy of the Lord's table; and cannot, without great
sin against Christ, while they remain such, partake of these holy
mysteries,(p) or be admitted thereunto.(q)
p. 1 Cor.11:27-29; 2 Cor.6:14-16.
q. 1 Cor.5:6,7,13; 2 Thess.3:6,14,15; Mt.7:6.
I. The Lord Jesus, as King and Head of his Church, hath therein
appointed a government, in the hand of Church officers, distinct from
the civil magistrate.(a)
a. Is.9:6,7; 1 Tim.5:17; 1 Thess.5:12; Acts 20:17,28; Heb.13:7,17,24;
1 Cor.12:28; Mt.28:18-20.
II. To these officers the keys of the kingdom of heaven are
committed; by virtue whereof, they have power, respectively, to
retain, and remit sins; to shut that kingdom against the impenitent,
both by the Word, and censures; and to open it unto penitent sinners,
by the ministry of the Gospel; and by absolution from censures, as
occasion shall require.(b)
b. Mt.16:19; Mt.18:17,18; Jn.20:21-23; 2 Cor.2:6-8.
III. Church censures are necessary, for the reclaiming and gaining of
offending brethren, for deterring of others from the like offences,
for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump, for
vindicating the honour of Christ, and the holy profession of the
Gospel, and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall
upon the Church, if they should suffer his covenant, and the seals
thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders.(c)
c. 1 Cor. Ch.5; 1 Tim.5:20; Mt.7:6; 1 Tim.1:20; 1 Cor.11:27-34 with
Jude 23.
IV. For the better attaining of these ends, the officers of the
Church are to proceed by admonition, suspension from the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper for a season; and by excommunication from the
Church, according to the nature of the crime, and demerit of the
person.(d)
d. 1 Thess.5:12; 2 Thess.3:6,14,15; 1 Cor.5:4,5,13; Mt.18:17;
Tit.3:10.
I. For the better government, and further edification of the
Church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called
synods or councils.(a)
a. Acts 15:2,4,6.
II. As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers, and other
fit persons, to consult and advise with, about matters of
religion;(b) so, if magistrates be open enemies to the Church, the
ministers of Christ, of themselves, by virtue of their office, or
they, with other fit persons upon delegation from their Churches, may
meet together in such assemblies.(c)
b. Isa.49:23; 1 Tim.2:1,2; 2 Chron.19:8-11; 2 Chron. chs.29,30;
Mt.2:4,5; Prov.11:14
c. Acts 15:2,4,22,23,25.
III. It belongeth to synods and councils, ministerially to determine
controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules
and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God,
and government of his Church; to receive complaints in cases of
maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which
decrees and determinations, if consonant to the Word of God, are to
be received with reverence and submission; not only for their
agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are
made, as being an ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his
Word.(d)
d. Acts 15:15,19,24,27-31; 16:4; Mt.18:17-20.
IV. All synods or councils, since the Apostles' times, whether
general or particular, may err; and many have erred. Therefore they
are not to be made the rule of faith, or practice; but to be used as
a help in both.(e)
e. Eph.2:20; Acts 17:11; 1 Cor.2:5; 2 Cor.1:24.
V. Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that
which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil
affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble
petition in cases extraordinary; or, by way of advice, for
satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the
civil magistrate.(f)
f. Lk.12:13,14; Jn.18:36.
I. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see
corruption:(a) but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having
an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them:(b)
the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are
received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God,
in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their
bodies.(c) And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they
remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of
the great day.(d) Beside these two places, for souls separated from
their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
a. Gen.3:19; Acts 13:36.
b. Lk.23:43; Eccl.12:7.
c. Heb.12:23; 2 Cor.5:1,6,8; Phil.1:23 with Acts 3:21 and
Eph.4:10.
d. Lk.16:23.24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6,7; 1 Pet.3:19.
II. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be
changed:(e) and all the dead shall be raised up, with the self-same
bodies, and none other (although with different qualities), which
shall be united again to their souls for ever.(f)
e. 1 Thess.4:17; 1 Cor.15:51,52.
f. Job 19:26,27; 1 Cor.15:42-44.
III. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be
raised to dishonour: the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto
honour; and be made conformable to his own glorious body.(g)
g. Acts 24:15; Jn.5:28,29; 1 Cor.15:43; Phil.3:21.
I. God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world, in
righteousness, by Jesus Christ,(a) to whom all power and judgment is
given of the Father.(b) In which day, not only the apostate angels
shall be judged,(c) but likewise all persons that have lived upon
earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account
of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what
they have done in the body, whether good or evil.(d)
a. Acts 17:31.
b. Jn.5:22,27.
c. 1 Cor.6:3; Jude 6; 2 Pet.2:4.
d. 2 Cor.5:10; Eccl.12:14; Rom.2:16; 14:10,12; Mt.12:36,37.
II. The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of
the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of
his justice, in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and
disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life,
and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing, which shall come from
the presence of the Lord: but the wicked, who know not God, and obey
not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments,
and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the
Lord, and from the glory of his power.(e)
e. Mt.25:3146; Rom.2:5,6; 9:22,23; Mt.25:21; Acts 3:19; 2
Thess.1:7-10.
III. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there
shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin; and for
the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity:(f) so will
he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal
security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour
the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus,
come quickly. Amen.(g)
f. 2 Pet.3:11,14; 2 Cor.5:10,11; 2 Thess.1:5-7; Lk.21:27,28;
Rom.8:23-25.
g. Mt.24:36,42-44; Mk.13:35-37; Lk.12:35,36; Rev.22:20.