dead works is a fundamental doctrine in the Christian Religion Here was handled What it is Such a grief for sin as produces a full purpose of amendment The Author of it God The Essence the change of the heart from sin to God The Parts Contrition and Conversion The Importance of it To prevent Judgments and Hell to procure pardon and salvation How we may discern it How we may attain it And how unreasonable it is to defer it XXX To our Sanctification belongs the Doctrine of GOOD WORKS Tit. 3.8 That they might be careful to maintain good works c. Princ. The Christian Religion doth expressely teach Good Works Here was shewed 1. The Nature of good works Those things which a good man doth by a right rule to a right end 2. The Kinds Spiritual charity immediately by instruction reproof c. mediately by promoting Learning supporting Religion Corporal charity relieving the poor c. More generally by promoting the publick good 3. The Excellency of them 4. The Abuse of them 5. Rules about them XXXI Now follows Man in his 4 th State of Glory And in order thereunto THE RESURRECTION Acts 24.15 That there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Princ. There shall be a Resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Here was opened 1. The Nature of it It is Gods raising up the same bodies of all that are dead and re-uniting them to their souls at the last day 2. The Subject all the dead both just and unjust 3. The Causes hereof 4. The Certainty of it Here it was proved to be 1 Clearly possible 2. Highly probable 3. Absolutely certain From Gods own Word From Christs own Resurrection XXXII Next follows the Doctrine of the LAST JUDGMENT 2 Corinth 5.10 For we must all appear before the judgment Seat of Christ that every one may recieve the things done in his body c. Princ. There will be a final Iudgement past upon all men according to their works by Iesus Christ at last Here was given 1. The Description of it It is Christs final determination of the everlasting state of Men and Angels according to their works Where 1. the Person judging in respect of Authority the Trinity in respect of Approbation the Saints in respect of special disposition Jesus Christ. 2. The Parties to be judged Angels and Men and these of all Sorts Ages Conditions Nations and Religions quick and dead 3. The Matters to be judged their Titles Talents Lives c. 4. The Form or Method where the Preparation and the Process 2. The Proof of this From the Nature of God the Word of God and the Conscience of Man XXXIII The next Step is into HEAVEN 1 Pet. 1.4 To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you Princ. There is a Place of vast and endless Glory for true Believers Where was opened 1. The Glory thereof privately at large positively and that is 1. Subjective in respect of the Soul in all its faculties graces indowments Of the Body spiritualness immortality beauty holiness 2. Objective and that subordinate the company of glorious Angels and glorified Saints and Supreme in the Vision Fruition of and Assimilation to God 2. The Eternity hereof 3. The Certainty proved from the Light of Nature of Scripture of Conscience of Reason taken from the Nature of God of Satan and of the Soul XXXIV The Opposite State to this is HELL Mat. 10.18 But rather fear him that is able to cast the Soul and Body into hell Princ. There is certainly an Hell for them that fear not God Where was handled 1. The Nature of it it is a Place of extream and endless misery the misery of loss and sense 2. The Extremity of it both for soul and body 3. The Eternity of it 4. It s Certainty proved from the Testimony of Nature the Terrors of Conscience the Justice of God and the Word of God 5. The Equitableness of it XXXV Thus Mans Fourfold Estate being handled considered in his Several Condition it follows to handle it in his Social Condition where we must consider THE CHURCH 1 Tim. 3.15 Which is the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of the truth Princ. The living God hath his Church Here was shewed 1. What is meant by the Church which in its most famous acceptation is The whole Company of visible Believers throughout the World This Church may sometimes be eclipsed can never be abolisht It is but One is Holy and Catholick in respect of men of place of time Of this Church Jesus Christ is the only Head 2. How we may know the true Church By Gods word truly preached and the Right Administration of the Sacraments 3. What Duties we owe to the Church Knowledg of it Union with it Prayers for it Due regard to its Decrees XXXVI Hitherto belongs the Doctrine of the COMMUNION of SAINTS 1 Iohn 1.3 That you also might have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Iesus Christ. Princ. The Communion of Saints is a Doctrine to be believed and a Priviledge to be desired Here was shewed 1. Who are meant by Saints generally and visibly such as are separated from a common or profane to some peculiar service and relation towards God Specially and properly such as are truly regenerate by the Holy Ghost 2. What is meant by Communion of Saints Real Communications grounded upon a real Union 3. Whom the Saints have Communion with With God the Father with Jesus Christ In Nature In Grace In Ordinances especially in the Lords-Supper In Sufferings In Glory with the Holy Ghost with the holy Angels with the Saints in Heaven with Visible Saints on Earth with Real Saints XXXVII Concerning the Church two things to be handled 1. The MINISTERY Ephes. 4.11 12. And he gave some Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry Princ. The Oâ—fice and Work of the Ministry is of Christs Institution Here was shewed 1. That the Ministry is an holy Office or Relation of a Person duly called to take care of the souls of men 2. That this hath a Divine Institution for God hath given them special Names describ'd their qualifications prescrib'd their duties given them Promises 3. That this is a Peculiar Office 4. A Perpetual Office 5. That it is a great Work 6. And a great Gift to the Church XXXVIII 2. The Worship of God which is either Extraordinary and here was handled FASTING Mark 2.20 And then they shall fast in those days Princ. Religious Fasting is a Gospel-Ordinance Here was shewed 1. The Nature of it An holy Abstinence from our Earthly Callings and Comforts for the taming of our Bodies and the afflicting of our Souls in the Service of God 2. The Kinds Personal Private Publick 3. The Grounds 4. The Requisites Inward and Outward 5. The Occasions The Prevalence of Sin or Temptation prevention or removing
Christ is true God From Divine Names Properties and Honour Because 1. The Evil was so great which he undertook to remedy 2. The Good so great to procure 2. That Jesus Christ is true Man hath a true Humane Body and Soul 1. That he might suffer in the Nature that had sinned and 2. Sanctifie the Nature that was polluted 3. That he is God and Man in One Person without transmutation confusion or separation of Either Nature He is true Emanuel One Christ c. XX. Next we consider CHRISTS OFFICE 1 Tim. 2.5 And one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Iesus Princ. Iesus Christs great Office is to be a Mediator between God and Man Here was declared 1. Who is this Jesus Christ. 2. What it is to be a Mediator 3. That Jesus Christ and he only is such he only had Authority he only had Ability 4. In what capacity he is a Mediator As God-Man 5. How he performs this Office 1. Generally and that by his Merits purchasing By his Efficacy applying what he hath purchased 2. Particularly 1. By becoming a Divine Prophet to reveal Gods Will by his Word and to illuminate Mans heart by his Spirit 2. A Divine Priest in his Satisfaction and Intercession 3. A Divine King graciously ruling over his Church and powerfully over-ruling his Enemies XXI Then 3. follows the Consideration of Christs two-fold State 1. Christ's STATE of HUMILIATION Phil. 2.8 He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross. Princ. The Son of God hath greatly humbled himself for the Sons of Men. Here were opened 1. His Conception and Birth 2. His Obedience to the Ceremonial Law to the Moral 3. His Sufferings Outwardly the Infirmities of the Flesh the Indignities of the World the Temptations of the Devil Inwardly Fear Sorrow Desertion 4. His Death attended with Pain Shame Curse 5. His Burial and Descent XXII 2. State of CHRISTS EXALTATION Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour Princ. The same Iesus who was slain for our Sins was exalted by God for our Iustification The Steps of this Exaltation are 1. His Resurrection whereby Jesus Christ having overcome Death and so paid the Wages of Sin and satisfie the Law did rise the third day with the self-same body which dyed 2. His Ascension whereby having conversed forty dayes on Earth after his Resurrection he ascended into the highest Heavens 3. His sitting on Gods right hand whereby Jesus Christ is placed in supream Authority in Heaven for the good of his Church c. XXIII Having spoken of our Redeemer there follows 2. His. SATISFACTION and REDEMPTION 1 Timoth. 2. 6. Who gave himself a ransome for all c. Princ. The Intent of Iesus Christs Sufferings was to be a Ransome and to make Satisfaction for all that believe Here was shewn 1. That Man did once belong to God and was at peace with him 2. Man having forsaken God incurs his Wrath and Curse 3. There is no fit way known to us to recover man but by Redemption 4. No ransom fit and sufficient for us but Jesus Christ. 5. Jesus Christ became our Ransome by satisfying the Justice of God 6. This Ransome and Satisfaction of Christ was purposely intended only for all that believe in him XXIV It follows 3. to speak of the Application of this Redemption to us which is 1. By VOCATION 2 Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy Calling Princ. They that are saved are called with an holy Calling Where 1. The Nature of this Calling The effectual perswasion of a sinner to renounce his sin and to embrace Christ. 2. The Author of it God 3. The Method by Inlight'ning the Understanding convincing the Conscience and inclining the Will 4. The Means The Word without and the Spirit of God within 5. The Necessity of it For none can or will come to God without it None can or will be saved without it XXV The next Step is 2. JUSTIFICATION Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Iesus Princ. God doth freely iustifie a believing sinner through the redemption that is in Iesus Christ. Here was shewed 1. What is Justification The discharging a guilty sinner from the condemnation of the Law by imputing to him the Righteousness of Jesus Christ. 2. Who justifieth God 3. Who are justified None but the Elect none but sinners none but such as repent and believe 4. How are we justified Efficiently by a Judicial Act of God Formally by imputing Christs Righteousness and Satisfaction Instrumentally by the Gospel on Gods part and by Faith on ours Declaratively by Christian Obedience XXVI Here was handled the Doctrine of FAITH Rom. 10.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness Princ Sincere or hearty Faith is necessary for a mans Iustification Here was opened 1. It s Nature such a firm Assent to the Gospel as prevails with the whole Soul to receive and rely on Jesus Christ as he is there offered 2. Where it is seated In the soul of an humbled sinner 3. On what it is exercised Generally on all the revealed Will of God Particularly On Gods Promises Principally on Christs Person Formally and properly on Christ crucified 4. The Use of Faith 5. How it is discerned 6. How procured XXVII The 3 d Fruit of our Redemption is ADOPTION Romans 8.15 But ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Princ It is a Believers great Priviledge to receive the Spirit of Adoption whereby to cry Abba Father Here was shewed 1. What is this Adoption It is the gracious acceptation of penitent sinners into the rank of Gods dear children Called the Spirit of Adoption Because the Spirit of God works it and also testifies it By this we cry Abba Father that is pray with 1. Filial affection 2. Confidence 3. Earnestness 2. How we come to receive it 1. The Spirit reveals the Gospel 2. Operates in the heart 3. Seals it to the Conscience 3. The greatness of this priviledge 'T is Real Honourable Comfortable Durable and Beneficial XXVIII The 4 th Fruit is SANCTIFICATION 1 Pet. 1.2 Through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience Princ Those that are elected by the Father and redeemed by the Son are sanctified by the Spirit Here 1. It s Nature It is the changing of our corrupt nature into the Image of God 2. It s Subject or Seat the whole Man Soul and Body 3. Its Parts Mortification to sin and Vivification to Obedience 4. Its Causes The Efficient God The Meritorious by Jesus Christ The Instrumental the Word of God The next End Obedience the higher Salvation the highest Gods glory 5. The Adjuncts of it 1. Imperfection 2. Perseverance XXIX Here by reason of the imperfection of our Sanctification follows the Doctrine of REPENTANCE Heb. 6. 1. Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works Princ. Repentance from
A Scheme and Abstract OF THE Christian Religion COMPRIZED IN Fifty two Heads with the Texts of Scripture on which they are Grounded And some short Indications How they were more largely Handled By a Lover of Truth and Peace Zacharias cùm loqui non potuit Scripsit LONDON Printed by I. P. for Samuel Sprint at the Bell. in Little Britain 1684. A Scheme of Fifty two Heads of the Christian Doctrine I. Our Chief End Happpiness Principle 1. II. Our Only Means Religion Pr. 2. Whereof 1. The Ground The Scriptures Pr. 3. 2. The Parts 1. Doctrinal 1. Of God 1. In Himself 1. That God is Pr. 4. 2. The Nature of God P. 5. 3. The Divine Attributes P. 6. 4. The Trinity in Vnity P. 7. 2. In his Works 1. Before Time The Decrees of God P. 8. 2. In Time 1. The Creation P. 9. 2. The Providence of God P. 10. 3. Of the Angels P. 11. 2. Of Man considered 1. Severally in his State of 1. Innocency P. 12. Here of the Covenant of Works P. 13. 2. Apostacy His Sin Of Original Sin imputed P. 14. Of Original Sin inherent P. 15. His Misery P. 16. 3. Recovery Of the Covenant of Grace P. 17. Administred 1. Under the Law Here of the Laws of God P. 18. 2. Under the Gospel Here 1. Of our Redeemer 1. His Nature P. 19. 2. His Office P. 20. 3. His State Of Humiliation P. 21. Of Exaltation P. 22. 2. Of our Redemption P. 23. 3. Of its Application 1. By Vocation P. 24. 2. By Iustification P. 25. Here of Faith P. 26. 3. By Adoption P. 27. 4. By Sanctification P. 28. Here 1. Of Repentance P. 29. 2. Of Good Works P. 30. 4. Glory Here 1. The Resurrection P. 31. 2. The Last Iudgment P. 32. 3. Heaven P. 33. 4. Hell P. 34. 2. Joyntly Here Of the Church P. 35. Where 1. It s Privilege The Communion of Saints P 36. 2. It s Ministry P. 37. 3. It s worship 1. Extraordinary Fasting P. 38. 2. Ordinary and that Natural 1. Prayer of the Lords Prayer P. 39. 2. Hearing the Word P. 40. Positive 1. Baptism P. 41. 2. The Lords Supper P. 42. 2. Practical from the 1 Com P. 43. 2 Com P. 44. 3 Com P. 45. 4 Com P. 46. 5 Com P. 47 6 Com P. 48. 7 Com P. 49. 8 Com P. 50. 9 Com P. 51. 10 Com P. 52. THE PRINCIPLES OF THE Christian Religion COMPRIZED IN Fifty two SERMONS and Handled From the Texts of Scripture following Viz I. THe chief End of Man HAPPINESS Psalm 4.7 Who will shew us any good Principle Happiness is the general desire of Mankind True Happiness is a State free from all the Evils and filled with all the Comforts whereof the humane Nature is capable This consists not in Riches Reputation Pleasures c. But is compleat by Perfect Knowledge of God Perfect Love and Likeness to Him Perfect Sense of His Love to us and the Perfect Bliss of the Body II. The Only Means to this Happiness is RELIGION Eccles. 12.13 Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty or Happiness of Man Princ. True Religion is the Only Means to true Happiness True Religion is the True Worship of the True God That the Christian Religion is the Only True Religion appears 1. From the Divinity of its Author◠2. The Antiquity of its Institution 3. The Purity of its Precepts 4. The Excellency of its Rewards 5. The Efficacy of its Operation 6. The Sutableness of it to the Happiness of Mankind 7. It s Duration III. In Religion Consider 1. The Ground of it which is THE SCRIPTURE Iohn 5 39◠〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 for in them 〈…〉 life Princ. The Holy Scripture is the Ground of True Religion and the Directory to Happiness By the Scripture is meant the True Sence of the Books of the Old and New Testament This is the ground of Religion and Directory to Happiness Being 1. Divine for its Authority Proved from its Antiquity Purity Majesty Harmony Efficacy Besides the Testimony of the Spirit outwardly in Miracles inwardly in the Conscience 2. Full for its Sufficiency without Oral Tradition or Humane Additions 3. Cleer for its Perspicuity IV. 2. The Parts of Religion are either Doctrinal and these Concerning God in Himself and here 1. THE BEING OF GOD. Heb. 11.6 For he that cometh to God must believe that he is Princ. It is fundamental in Religion to believe that God is This proved 1. From the universal consent of Mankind 2. From the Being and Temptations of the Devil 3. From the Creation and Government of the World 4. From the Testimony of natural Conscience 5. From the infallible Word of God This True God is the Object of the Christians Worship V. 2. THE NATURE OF GOD. Iohn 17.3 This is life eeternal that they might know thee the only true God Princ. It is life eternal to know the only true God God is a Spiritual Being infinite in all Perfections A Spiritual Being and so without Body Parts or Passions Infinite and so without Cause without defect and without limit In all Perfections so remove all imperfection from any thing and you see God And conceive a Spiritual Being abounding with all Perfections and that is God VI. 3. The Divine ATTRIBUTES Isa. 57.15 Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is Holy c. Princ. The Excellent Nature of God is declared to us by his Divine Attributes And these are 1. His Immensity whereby he fills and consequently sees all things 2. Immutability whereby there is no change in his Nature or Will 3. Eternity whereby he hath a boundless Duration No beginning nor end nor succession 4. Blessedness and Glory whereby he is perfectly happy in and by himself His Glory is the result of his Excellency 5. Wisdom 6. Power and Greatness 7. Goodness 8. Holiness 9. Justice And 10. Mercy c. VII 4. In God there is a TRINITY in UNITY 1 Iohn 5.7 For there are Three that bear record in Heaven The Father The Word and the Holy Ghost and these Three are One. Princ. There is but One God but in the Unity of the Godhead there are Three Persons the Father Son and Holy Ghost Here is shewed 1. That there is but One God and can be no more Proved from the Perfection Immensity and Omnipotency of God 2. That there are more Persons than One. 3. That there are no more than Three 4. These are Father Son and Holy Ghost 5. These Three have a distinct manner of Subsistence 6. These Three are One. Co-essential Co-equal Coeternal VIII Next consider God in his Works which were 1. From Eternity His DECREES Eph. 1.11 Who worketh all things after the Counsel of his own Will Princ. All Events in Time depend upon the Counsel of Gods own Will In the opening hereof these Conclusions 1. All Divine Decrees are the Acts of his own Will 2. They are most free 3. Most wise and holy 4.