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.
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
of some great judgment procuring of some great mercy or blessing 6. The Ends To admonish us of our deserts to testifie our contrition to subdue our flesh to stir up devotion XXXIX The Ordinary worship of God is either Natural and that is PRAYER Mat. 6.9 10 c. Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name c. Here was handled 1. The Author of this Prayer 2. The Occasion 3. The Parts 4. The Order 5. The Matter and meaning of every Petition briefly and plainly 6. The Excellence of this Prayer 7. The Use of it being composed for a Prayer and left as a Pattern 8. The Abuse of it XL. Another sort of like worship is HEARING the WORD Rom. 10.17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God Princ. Hearing the word of God is the ordinary means of Faith Here was shewed 1. What is that word that must be heard viz. That which was immediately spoken and that which was divinely written and that which is truly interpreted and applyed 2. VVhat is meant by hearing this word any religious perception of the Divine will 3. VVhat is the Effect of this Hearing Faith Repentance Holiness 4. How the Spirit in the word works these viz. The Word propounds the Spirit verifies The Word perswades the Spirit inclines c. XLI The Positive worship of God in his Church are the two Sacraments And 1. of BAPTISM Matth. 26.19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Princ. The Sacrament of Baptism is a standing Institution of Iesus Christ. Here was handled 1. The Nature of Sacraments in general their Author Instrument Use Number and Effect 2. The Nature of Baptism viz A Sacrament whereby the Covenant of Grace is sealed by washing with water in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Where the Author Jesus Christ the Matter Water the Action VVashing the Thing signified generally Christ and all his benefits expressly Remission Regeneration c. The Use to assure and convey the Benefits of the Covenant to us and to oblige and bind us to our Duty 3. The Subjects All that are in Covenant all that are Disciples all that have the Spirit and therefore the Infants of Believers 4. The Necessity of it From Christs Command and Example c. XLII The 2 d Sacrament is the LORDS-SUPPER Luke 22.19 This is my Body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me This Cup is the New Testament c. Princ. The Lords-Supper is a standing Ordinance of Iesus Christ. Here was shewed 1. What is the Lords Supper viz A Sacrament whereby the Covenant of Grace is sealed by feeding on Christs Body and Blood set forth in the Elements of Bread and Wine 2. That this is a standing Ordinance of Jesus Christ For he appointed it his Disciples practised it and his Spirit and Grace accompanies it Also it is a continuing Ordinance and to be repeated 3. Its Parts which are 1. The Outward Signs viz The Elements Bread and Wine and the Actions both of Christ with his Ministers and of Believers 2. The Inward Grace Christ as crucified with all the Benefits of the Covenant 4. The Ends of it On Gods part to assure the Covenant of Grace and to convey the benefits thereof to us On our part to oblige us to God and to our Covenant For both these Ends to be a Memorial of Christs Death 5. The Subjects All and only such as are Baptized Adult with the use of Reason that have competent Knowledg are truly regenerate that indulge no known sin and are duly Prepared 6. The Preparation Unfained Repentance Undissembled Charity Self-Examination Serious Resolution of better Obedience c. XLIII So far of the Doctrinal Parts of Religion The Practical are grounded on the Ten Commandments The FIRST COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Princ. As it is a grievous sin to acknowledg or honour any other as God so it is our Duty to own and worship the true God alone XLIV The SECOND COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.4 5 6. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image c. Princ. As all will-worship is a provoking sin so to worship the true God aright is a grand Duty XLV The THIRD COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain c. Princ. As it is a dangerous Sin to dishonour the Name of God so a right use of his Name Ordinances Word and Works is our bounden Duty XLVI The FOURTH COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.8 9 10 11. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy c. Princ. There is by Gods moral and perpetual Law a set Time which is One Day in seven for an holy Rest and holy Worship which under the Gospel is every first day of the Week XLVII The FIFTH COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.12 Honour thy Father and thy Mother c. Princ. As the faithful performance of Relative duties is our bounden duty so to offend those tbat are above below or equal to us is a grievous sin XLVIII The SIXTH COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.13 Thou shalt not kill Princ. As we ought in the use of all good means to be tender of our own and others lives so we ought to do nothing to hurt others lives or our own XLIX The SEVENTH COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.14 Thâ—u shalt not commit adultery Princ. As inward and outward chastity is necessary so all kind of unchastity is abominable L. The EIGHT COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.15 Thou shalt not steal Princ. As it is a great sin to hinder our own or others outward estate so to promote both our and their estate is an undoubted Duty LI. The NINTH COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour Princ. As it is our duty to speak the Truth and greatly to regard our own and others good Name so to lie or wrong our good Name or others is a grievous sin LII The TENTH COMMANDMENT Exod. 20.17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house c. Priuc As we ougbt to mortifie all discontent and unruly desires so we ought to labour for a quiet and charitable spirit towards all men Each of these were more largely handled 1. By shewing the true Meaning of every Commandment 2. The Extent of them what they Command and forbid with Respect to our Minds Wills Affections Words and Actions 3. The Use of them FINIS Books sold by Samuel Sprint at the Bell in Little-Britain THe vanity of Mans Present State proved and applyed in a Sermon on Psal. 39.5 with divers Sermons of the Saints Communion with God By Mr. Iohn Wilson A Treatise concerning the Lords-Supper with three Dialogues By Thâ—mas Dolittle the ninth Edition Time and the end of Time in two Discourses by Iohn Fox Godly Fear or the Nature and Necessity of Fear and its usefulness by R. Allen. The Door of Heaven opened and shut or a Discourse concerning the absolute necessity of a timely Preparation for a happy Eternity by Iohn Fox The Anatomical Exercises of Dr. William Harvey with the Preface of Zachariah Wood Physitian of Rotterdam to which is added Dr. Iames De-back his discourse of the Heart-Physitian in Ordinary to the Town of Rotterdam Infant-Baptism from Heaven and not of Men by Ioseph Whiston In 4 Parts Villare Anglicum or a view of all the Cityes Towns and Villages in England Alphabetically composed by the appointment of Sir Henry Spelman Knight the 2 d Edition with Additions The Christian Temper or a Discourse concerning the Nature and Properties of the Graces of Sanctification written for help in Self-Examination and holy living By Iohn Barret M. A. Argumentum Anti-Normanicum or an Argument proving from Ancient Histories and Records that William Duke of Nâ—rmandy made no Absolute Conquest of England by the Sword in the sense of our Modern Writers The Sacred Diary or select Meditations for every part of the day of every Christian. Manuductio or a leading of Children by the hand through the Principles of Gramar by Ia Shirley The School of the Heart in 47 Emblems by the Author of the Synagogue anâ—â—xed to Herberts Poems where unto is added the Learning of the Heart by the same Hand The 3 d Edition Correction Instruction Or a Treatise of Afflictions by Thomas Case M. A. The true Christians Love of the unseen Christ by Thomas Vincent Minister sometime of St. Maudlins Milk-street London