Page images
PDF
EPUB

are so much for his own glory, as well as our advantage, that we ought not to doubt but that we shall receive them from him.

6. Q. After what manner do we acknowledge these excellences to be in God?

A. In a supereminent manner beyond what they are, or can be, in any one besides. Others may have authority, but as derived from him who only is the supreme King over all the earth: others may have power, but God only is Almighty. Others may have glory, a majesty suitable to their station and character in the world; but to God only belongs the excellency of divine honour and worship. To him only is prayer and religious invocation to be made: he only is either capable of it, or can pretend any right to it.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Psalm xcvi. 7,8,9. As above. Dan. ii. 37, 47. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings. iv. 3, 34. How great are his signs, and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.

7. Q. Why do you to this doxology add for ever and ever?

A. To shew that these divine perfections and prerogatives did always belong to God, and will always continue to belong in this singular manner to him.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Phil. iv. 20. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. 1 Tim. vi. 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. 2 Tim. iv. 18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pet. iv. 11. That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen.

8. Q. What does amen import?

A. It is a word of wish and approbation; and denotes our assent to that to which it is subjoined, with an earnest desire of its accomplishment. So that putting its several significations together, it is as much as if we should say, God of his goodness grant what I have here prayed for; and so I trust he will do of his mercy towards me through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Numb. v. 22. And this wa ter that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: and the woman shall say, Amen, amen. 1 Kings, i. 36. And Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, answered the king, and said, Amen. Jer. xxviii. 6. Even the prophet Jeremiah said Amen: the Lord do so; the Lord perform thy

words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the Lord's house, and all that is carried away captive from Babylon into this place. 1 Cor. xiv. 16. Else when thou shalt bless with the Spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at the giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest. 2 Cor. i. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

PART V.

OF THE SACRAMENTS.

SECT. XLII.

Of the Nature and number of the Sacraments of the Gospel: of the Five Popish Sacraments.

1. Q. WHAT is the other means appointed by God for the conveyance of his grace to us; and to confirm to us his promises in Christ Jesus?

A. The worthy participation of the holy sacra

ments?

2. Q. That mean you by this word sacrament ? A. I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, and given unto us, ordained by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof. 3. Q. How many such sacraments hath Christ ordained in his church?

A. Two only, as generally necessary to salvation; that is to say, baptism, and the supper of the Lord?

4. Q. How does it appear that these two are properly sacraments?

A. Because the whole nature of a sacrament, as before described, does belong to them. For, first, there is both these, an outward and visible sign; viz. water in baptism; bread and wine in the Lord's Sup

per.

Secondly, There is an inward and spiritual grace, signified and conveyed by these signs: the washing of regeneration by the one. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

The body and blood of Christ by the other; 1 Cor. 10, 16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Thirdly, There is for both a divine institution. For baptism: Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

For the Lord's Supper: Luke, xxii. 19, 20. This do in remembrance of me. See 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

a

Fourthly, They were both ordained as a means whereby to convey their several graces to us, and as a pledge to assure us of them. Baptism to regenerate us: John, iii. 5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Tit. iii. 5. According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

The Lord's Supper to communicate to us the body and blood of Christ. 1 Cor. x. 16. The cup of blessing, which we bless, is it not the communion of the

« PreviousContinue »