The Assemblies Shorter Catechism Drawn out into Distinct Propositions (1672)

1. To glorifie God. [Proved out of 1 Cor. 10.31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, Do all to the glory of God.]

2. Next to the glorifying of God, to enjoy him for ever. [Proved out of Psal. 73.25, 26. Whom have in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth 〈…〉 desire beside thee, v. 26. My flesh and my heart 〈◊〉 eth, but God is the strength of my heart, and 〈◊〉 portion for ever.]

1. Contained in the Scriptures of the Old, and New Testament. [Eph. 2.20. And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles, and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone.]

2. The onely Rule to direct us—How we may glorifie God. [2 Tim. 3.16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.]

3. How we may enjoy God. [1 Joh. 1.3. That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.]

1. A Spirit. [Joh. 4.24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit, and in truth.]

2. Infinite. [Job. 11.7. Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?]

3. Eternal, [Psal. 90.2. From everlasting, to everlasting, thou art God.]

4. Unchangeable. [Jam. 1.17. With whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.]

5. Infinite, Eternal, and Vnchangeable in his Being, [Exod. 3.14. And God said unto Moses, I am that I am. And he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel, I am hath sent me unto you.]

6. Infinite, Eternal, and Unchangeable in his Wisdom. [Psal. 147.5. Great is our Lord, and of great power, his Vnderstanding is infinite.]

7. Infinite, Eternal, and Unchangeable in his Power, and Holiness. [Rev. 4.8. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.]

8. Infinite, Eternal, and Unchangeable in his Justice, Goodness, and Truth, [Exod. 34.6, 7. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful, and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in Goodness and Truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.]

1. Only God, [Deut. 6.4. Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord.]

2. Living and True God, [Jer. 10.10. The Lord, he is the True God, he is the Living God, and an Everlasting King.]

1. Of Creation, [Rev. 4.11. Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.]

2. Of Providence, [Dan. 4.35. He doth according to his Will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth.]

1. All things. [Gen. 1.1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.]

2. All things of nothing, by the word of his power, [Heb. 11.3. Through faith we understand, that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things, which are seen were not made of things that do appear.]

3. All things in the space of six days, and all very good, [Gen. 1.31. And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good, and the evening and the morning were the sixth day.]

1. Male, and Female, after his own Image, [Gen. 1.27. So God created man in his own Image, in the Image of God created be him; male and female created he them.]

2. In Knowledg. [Col. 3.10. And have put on the new Man, which is renewed in Knowledg, after the Image of him, that created him.]

3. In Righteousness, and Holiness, [Ephes. 4.24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in Righteousness, and true Holiness.]

4. With dominion over the Creatures. [Gen. 1.28. God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing, that moveth upon the earth.]

1. Most holy. [Psal. 145.17. The Lord is Righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.]

2. Most wise. [Isa. 28.29. This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, excellent in working.]

3. His powerful preserving all his Creatures. [Heb. 1.3. Vpholding all things by the word of his power.]

4. His governing all his Creatures. [Psal. 103.19. His Kingdom ruleth over all.]

5. His governing all his Creatures actions. [Mat. 10. 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father.]

1. The guilt of Adams first sin. [Rom. 5.19. By one mans disobedience, many were made sinners.]

2. The want of Original Righteousness. [Rom. 3.10. There is none righteous, no not one.]

3. The Corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly call’d Original sin. [Eph. 2.1. Psal. 51.5 You hath he quickned, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Psal. 51.5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.]

4. All Actual Transgressions, which proceed from Original sin. [Mat. 15.19, 20. Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murthers, adulteries, fornications, theft, false witness, blasphemies. V. 20. These are the things which defile a man.]

1. Lost communion with God. [Gen. 3.8, 24. Adam, and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord, among the trees of the garden. 24. So he drove out the man.]

2. Are under Gods wrath. [Eph. 2.3. We were all by nature the children of wrath, even as others.]

3. Are under Gods curse. [Gal. 3.10. Cursed is every one, that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the Law to do them.]

4. Are made liable to all miseries in this life. [Lam. 3.39. Wherefore doth a living man complain? a man, for the punishment of his sins?]

5. Are made liable to death it self. [Rom. 6.23. The wages of sin is death?]

6. Are made liable to the pains of Hell for ever. [Mat. 25.41. Then shall he say to them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels.]

1. Is the only Redeemer of Gods elect, [1 Tim. 2.5. There is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ.]

2. Being the Eternal Son of God, became Man, [Joh. 1.14. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.]

3. Was God and man, in two distinct natures, and one person. [Rom. 9.5. Of whom Christ came in the flesh? Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever.]

4. Continues to be God and man, for ever. [7.24. This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood.]

1. By taking to himself a true body. [Heb. 1.14. For as much then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise, took part of the same.]

2. By taking to himself a reasonable soul. [Mat. 26. 38. Then saith he unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.]

3. By being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her. [Luk. 1.31, 35. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 35. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.]

4. Christ was conceived, and born without sin. [Heb. 7.26. Such an high Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.]

1. A Prophet. [Acts 3.22. Moses truly said unto the Fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me, him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you.]

2. A Priest. [Heb. 5.6. Thou art a Priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedec.]

3. A King. [Psal. 2.6. Yet have I set my King up in my holy Hill of Sion.]

1. In his once offering up of himself, a sacrifice, to satisfie divine Justice. [Heb. 9.28. Christ was once offered, to bear the sins of many.]

2. In his once offering up of himself, a sacrifice, to reconcile us to God. [Heb. 2.17. In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful, and faithful High-Priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.]

3. In making continual intercession for us. [Heb. 7.25. He is able to save to the uttermost, them that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth, to make intercession for them.]

1. In subduing us to himself. [Psal. 110.3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.]

2. In ruling, and defending us. [Isa. 33.22. The Lord is our Judg, the Lord is our Law giver, the Lord is our King, he will save us.]

3. In restraining, and conquering, all his, and our enemies. [1 Cor. 15.25. He must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.]

1. Being born, and that in a low condition. [Luk. 2.7. She brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped him in swadling clothes, and laid him in a manger.]

2. Being made under the Law. [Gal. 4.4. God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the Law.]

3. Undergoing the miseries of this life. [Isa. 53.3. He is despised, and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.]

4. Undergoing the wrath of God. [Mat. 27.46. Jesus cried with a loud voice, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?]

5. Undergoing the cursed death of the Cross. [Phil. 2.8. He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.]

6. Being buried. [1 Cor. 15.4. That he was buried.]

7. Continuing under the power of death for a time. [Mat. 12.40. As Jonas was three days, and three nights, in the whales belly, so shall the Son of man be, three days, and three nights in the heart of the earth.]

1. Rising again from the dead, on the third day. [1 Cor. 15.4. That he rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.]

2. Ascending up into heaven. [Mar. 16.19. After the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven.]

3. Sitting at the right hand of God the Father. [Mark 16.19. He was received up into heaven, and sat at the right hand of God.]

4. Coming to judg the world at the last day. [Act. 17.31. He hath appointed a day, in the which, he will judg the world in Righteousness, by that man, whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.]

1. By the effectual application of it to us. [Joh. 1.12. As many, as received him, to them gave he power, to become the Sons of God.]

2. By his holy Spirit. [Tit. 3.5, 6. According to his mercy, he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. v. 6. Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.]

1. By working Faith in us. [Eph. 2.8. By grace ye are saved, through faith, and that not of your selves, It is the gift of God.]

2. By uniting us to Christ by Faith. [Eph. 3.17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith.]

3. The Spirit unites us to Christ in our effectual calling. [1 Cor. 1.9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship, of his Son Jesus Christ.]

1. Justification. [Rom. 8.30. Whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.]

2. Adoption. [Eph. 1.5. Having predestinated us to the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ, unto himself.]

3. Sanctification, and several other benefits, which in this life, do either accompany, or flow from Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification. [1 Cor. 1.30. Of him, ye are in Christ Jesus, who, of God, is made unto us, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.]

1. Assurance of Gods Love. [Rom. 5.5. Hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, through the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us.]

2. Peace of Conscience. [Rom. 5.1. Being justified by Faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. 4.7. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts, and minds, through Christ Jesus.]

3. Joy in the Holy Ghost. [Rom. 5.2. By whom also we have access, by Faith, into this grace, wherein we stand, and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God.]

4. Increase of Grace. [Prov. 4.18. The path of the just, is as the shining light, that shineth more, and more, unto the perfect day.]

5. Perseverance in Grace unto the end. [1 John 5.13. These things have I written unto you, that Believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may know, that ye have eternal life. 1 Pet. 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God, through Faith unto salvation.]

1. Souls, are made perfect in holiness, [Heb. 12.23. To the spirits of just men, made perfect.]

2. Souls do immediately pass into Glory. [Phil. 1.23. Having a desire, to depart, and to be with Christ. Luk. 23.43. To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.]

3. Bodies, are still united unto Christ. [1 Thes. 4.14. Them, which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.]

4. Bodies do rest in their Graves. [Isa. 57.2. He shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.]

5. Bodies, do rest in their Graves, till the Resurrection. [Job 19.26. Though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.]

1. Raised up in Glory. [1 Cor. 15.43. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory.]

2. Openly acknowledged, and acquitted, in the day of judgment. [Mat. 10.32. Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in Heaven.]

3. Made perfectly blessed, in full enjoying of God [1 John 3.2. When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him, as he is.]

4. Blessed in the enjoying of God, to all Eternity, [1 Thes. 4.17. So shall we ever be with the Lord.]

1. Because God is the Lord. [Deut. 11.11. Thou shalt love the Lord; and keep his Commandments alway.]

2. Because the Lord is our God. [Deut. 11.11. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his Commandments alway.]

3. Because the Lord is our Redeemer. [Luke 1.74, 75. That we, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear. 75. In holiness, and righteousness, before him, all the days of our lives.]

1. To know him, to be the only True God. [1 Chron. 28.9. And thou Solomon, my Son, Know thou the God of thy Father.]

2. To acknowledg him to be our God. [Deut. 26.17. Thou hast avouched the Lord, this day, to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his Commandments, and to hearken to his voice.]

3. To worship, and glorifie him, as the only true God, and our God. [Mat. 4.10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.]

1. The denying of him to be the True God. [Psal. 14.1. The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.]

2. The not-worshipping and glorifying of him as God. [Rom. 1.20, 21. They are without excuse, because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not, as God.]

3. The not-worshipping and glorifying of him, as our God. [Psal. 81.11. My people would not hearken unto my voice, and Israel would none of me.]

4. The giving that worship and glory, to any other, which is due to him alone. [Rom. 1.15. Who changed the truth of God into a lye, and worshipped, and served the Creature, more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.]

1. The receiving all such Religious Worship and Ordinances, as he hath appointed in his Word. [Deut. 32.46. Set your hearts unto all the words, which I testifie among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe, to do all the words of this Law.]

2. The observing all such Religious Worship and Ordinances, as he hath appointed in his Word. [Mat. 28.20. Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you.]

3. The keeping pure and entire, all such Religious Worship and Ordinances, as he hath appointed in his Word. [Deut. 12.32. Whatsoever I command you observe to do it, thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.]

1. By Images. [Deut. 4.15, 16. Take ye good heed unto your selves; for ye saw no manner of similitude, in the day, that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb. 16. Lest you corrupt your selves, and make you a graven Image.]

2. By any way that is not appointed in his Word. [Col. 2.18. Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary humility, and worshipping of Angels, intruding into those things, which he hath not seen, vainly puft up by his fleshly mind.]

1. Names, [Psal. 29.2. Give unto the Lord the glory due to his Name.]

2. Titles and Attributes, [Rev. 15.3, 4. Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just, and true are thy ways, Thou King of Saints. 4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorifie thy Name?]

3. Ordinances, [Eccles. 5.1. Keep thy foot, when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the Sacrifice of fools.]

4. Word. [Psal. 38.2. I will praise thy Name for thy loving kindness, and for thy truth; for thou hast magnified thy word, above all thy name.]

5. Works, [Job 36.24. Remember, that thou magnifie his work which men behold.]

1. Such set times as he hath appointed in his Word. [Lev. 19.30. Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my Sanctuary. I am the Lord.]

2. Expresly, one whole day in seven to be an holy Sabbath to himself. [Deut. 5.12. Keep the Sabbath day to sanctifie it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.]

1. By an holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations, as are lawful on other days. [Lev. 23.3. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation, ye shall do no work therein.]

2. By spending the whole time in the publick and private exercises of Gods Worship. [Psal. 92.1, 2. A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath-day, v. 1. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy Name, O most high. 2. To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.]

3. Works of necessity, and mercy may, and ought to be performed on the Sabbath day. [Mat. 12.11, 12. What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will not he lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12. How much then is a man better than a sheep? wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath-day.]

1. The omission, or careless performance of the duties required on the Sabbath-day. [Mal. 1.13. Ye said also, behold, what a weariness it is, and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus you brought an offering, should I accept this at your hands, saith the Lord?]

2. The profaning the Sabbath day, By idleness, or doing that which is in it self sinful. [Ezek. 23.38. They have defiled my Sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my Sabbaths.]

3. The profaning the Sabbath day. By unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about worldly employments, or recreations. [Isa. 58.13. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.]

1. Allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, should move us to keep the fourth Commandment. [Exod. 31.15 16. Six days may work be done, but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest.]

2. Challenging special propriety in the seventh day, should move us to keep the fourth Commandment. [Lev. 23.3. Ye shall do no work therein, it is the Sabbath of the Lord your God, in all your dwellings.]

3. Own example should move us to keep the fourth Commandment. [Exod. 31.17. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.]

4. Blessing the Sabbath day, should move us to keep the fourth Commandment. [Gen. 2.3. God blessed the Sabbath day, and sanctified it.]

1. Our own life. [Eph. 5.28, 29. So ought men to love their wives, even as their own bodies. 29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it.]

2. The life of others. [Psal. 82.3, 4. Defend the poor and fatherless. 4. Deliver the poor and needy. Job. 29.13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me.]

1. Our own life. [Acts 16.28. Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thy self no harm.]

2. The life of our neighbour unjustly, [Gen. 9.6. Whoso sheddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed.]

3. God forbiddeth whatsoever tendeth to the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly. [Prov. 24.11, 12. If thou forbear to deliver them, that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain. 12. If thou sayest, behold, we knew it not, doth not he that pondereth the heart, consider it?]

1. Our own Chastity. [1 Thes. 4.4. Every one of you shall know how to possess his vessel, in sanctification and honour.]

2. Our Neighbours chastity. [Ephes. 5.11, 12. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them rather. 12. For it is a shame, even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.]

3. Our own and our Neighbours chastity in heart. [2 Tim. 2.22. Flee youthful lusts, but follow Righteousness, Faith, Charity.]

4. Our own, and our Neighbours chastity in speech. [Col. 4.6. Let your speech be alway with grace seasoned with salt.]

5. Our own and our Neighbours chastity in behaviour. [1 Pet. 3.2. While they behold your chast conversation coupled with fear.]

1. Thoughts. [Mat. 5.28. Whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart.]

2. Works. [Ephes. 5.4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient.]

3. Actions. [Eph. 5.3. Fornication, and all uncleanness, let it not be once named among you.]

1. Procuring the wealth, and outward estate of our selves. [Rom. 12.17. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.]

2. Furthering the wealth, and outward estate of our selves. [Prov. 27.23. Be thou diligent, to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.]

3 Procuring the wealth, and outward estate of others. [Lev. 25.35. If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him.]

4. Furthering the wealth, and outward estate of others. [Phil. 2.4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.]

1. Doth unjustly hinder our own wealth, and outward estate. [1 Tim. 5.8. If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an Infidel.]

2. May unjustly hinder our own wealth, and outward estate. [Prov. 28, 19. He, that followeth after vain persons, shall have poverty enough.]

3. Doth unjustly hinder our neighbours wealth, and outward estate. [Prov. 21.6. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of, them that seek death.]

4. May unjustly hinder our neighbours wealth, and outward estate. [Job 20.19, 20. Because he hath oppressed, and hath forsaken the poor, because he hath violently taken away an house, which he builded not. 20. Surely, he shall not feel quietness in his belly.]

1. Of Truth, between man, and man. [Zec. 8.6. Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour.]

2. Of our own good Name. [1 Pet. 3.16. Act. 25.16. Having a good conscience, that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed, that falsly accuse your good conversation in Christ. Acts 25.16. Paul said, I stand at Caesars judgment seat, to the Jews have I done no wrong.]

3. Of our neighbours good name. [3 Joh. 12. Demetrius hath a good report of all men, and of the truth it self, yea, and we also bear record.]

4. Of truth, especially in Witness-bearing. [Prov. 14.5.25. A faithful witness will not lye. 25. A true witness delivereth souls.]

1. Prejudicial to Truth. [Rom. 3.13. With their tongues they have used deceit.]

2. Injurious to our own good name. [Job 27.5. God forbid that I should justifie you, till I die, I will not remove my integrity from me.]

3. Injurious to our neighbours good name. [Psal. 15.3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.]

1. Full contentment with our own condition. [Heb. 13.5. Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have.]

9. A right and charitable frame of spirit, towards our neighbour, and all that is his. [Rom. 12.15. 1 Co. 13.4, 5, 6. Rejoyce with them, that do rejoyce, and weep with them, that weep. 1 Cor. 13.4, 5, 6. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not it self, is not puffed up. 5. Doth not behave it self unseemly, seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil. 6. Rejoyceth not in iniquity but rejoyceth in the truth.]

1. All discontentment with our own estate. [1 Cor. 10.10. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.]

2. Envying, or grieving at the good of our neighbour. [Gal. 5.26. Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another.]

3. All inordinate motions, and affections, to any thing, that is our neigbours. [Col. 3.5. Mortifie your members, which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence and covetousness, which is idolatry.]

1. This life. [Gal. 3.10. Cursed is every one, that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the Law to do them.]

2. That life, which is to come. [Mat. 25.41. Then shall he say unto them, on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil, and his Angels.]

1. Faith in Jesus Christ. [Joh. 3.16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.]

2. Repentance unto life. [Act. 20.21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, Repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.]

3. The diligent use of all outward means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption. [Prov. 2.1, to 6. My Son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my Commandments with thee. 2. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart unto understanding. 3. Yea, if thou criest after knowledg, and liftest up thy voice for understanding. 4. If thou seekest for her as silver, and searchest for her, as for hid treasure. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledg of God.]

1. Is a saving grace. [Acts 11.18. Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto life.]

2. Ariseth out of the true sense of Sin. [Acts 2.37. When they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and the rest of the Apostles, Men, and Brethren, what shall we do?]

3. Ariseth out of the true apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ. [Joel. 2.13. Rent your hearts, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.]

3. By Repentance unto life, a sinner doth with grief, and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God. [Jer. 31.18, 19. Turn thou me, and I shall be turned, for thou art the Lord my God. 19. Surely after I was turned, I repented, and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh, I was ashamed, yea even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.]

4. Repentance unto life is accompanied with full purpose of, and endeavour after new obedience. [Psal. 119.59. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet into thy Testimonies.]

1. Convincing and converting sinners. [Psal. 19.7. The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.]

2. Building up Saints in holiness, and comfort. [1 Thes. 1.6. Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.]

3. Building up Saints, through faith unto salvation. [Rom. 1.16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto Salvation, to every one that believeth.]

1. Attend thereunto with diligence. [Prov. 8.34. Blessed is the man, that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.]

2. Attend thereunto with Preparation. [1 Pet. 2.1, 2. Laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and evil speakings. 2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.]

3. Attend thereunto with Prayer. [Psal. 119.18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wonderful things out of thy Law.]

4. Receive it with Faith. [Heb. 4.2. The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith, in them, that heard it.]

5. Receive it with Love. [2 Thes. 2.10. They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.]

6. Lay it up in your hearts. [Psal. 119.11. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.]

7. Practise it in our lives. [Jam. 1.25. Whoso looketh into the perfect law of Liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed.]

1. Not from any vertue in them, or in him, that doth administer them. [1 Cor. 3.7. Neither is he, that planteth, any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.]

2. Only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his spirit, in them, that by faith receive them. [1 Pet. 3.21. The like figure whereunto, even Baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good Conscience toward God, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.]

1. Represented to Believers. [Gen. 17.10. This is my Covenant, which ye shall keep between me, and you, and thy seed after thee, every man child among you shall be circumcised.]

2. Seal’d, and applied to Believers. [Rom. 4.11. He received the sign of Circumcision, a seal of the Righteousness of Faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.]

1. Is a Sacrament, wherein is the washing with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [Mat 28.19. Go ye, and teach all Nations, baptizing them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.]

2. Doth signifie, and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the Covenant of grace. [Rom. 6.3. Know ye not, that so many of us, as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death?]

3. Doth signifie, and seal our engagement, to be the Lords. [Rom. 6.4. We are buried with him by Baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.]

1. Knowledg to discern the Lords body. [1 Cor. 11.28. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29. For he, that eateth, and drinketh unworthily careth, and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords body.]

2. Faith to feed upon him. [2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves, whether ye be in the faith.]

3. Repentance. [1 Cor. 11.31. If we would judg ourselves, we should not be judged.]

4. Love. [1 Cor. 11.18. When you come together in the Church, I hear there be divisions among you. 20. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lords Supper.]

5. New obedience. [1 Cor. 5.8. Let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice, and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity, and truth.]

6. They, that come unworthily to the Lords Supper, eat and drink judgment to to themselves. [1 Cor. 11.27. Whosoever shall eat this Bread, or drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body, and Blood of the Lord. 29. He, that eateth, and drinketh unworthily, eateth, and drinketh damnation to himself.]

1. Is an offering up of our desires to God. [Psal. 62.8. Trust in him at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before him, God is a refuge for us.]

2. Is to be made, for things agreeable to Gods will. [Rom. 8.27. He that searcheth the heart, knoweth the mind of the spirit, because he maketh intercession for the Saints, according to the will of God.]

3. Is to be made in the name of Christ. [Joh. 16.23. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you.]

4. Is to be made with confession of our sins. [Dan. 9.4. I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession.]

5. Is to be made with a thankful acknowledgment of Gods mercies. [Phil. 4.6. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer, and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.]