The Main Principles of the Christian Religion in 107 Articles, To the reader – Plan of articles
To the Reader.
Christian Reader!
TO promote that knowledg without which the mind is not good,Prov. 19.2. Heb. 12.13. and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord, I acknowledg my self to lye under the greatest obligations. In order whereunto, considering the necessity and usefulness of instructing souls distinctly, in the Principles of Christian Doctrine, i. e. those fundamental Truths on which life or death doth depend, and wherein the very essentials and vitals of Christianity do consist; and having by me this short and easie Explanation of those Catechetical Articles of Religion most generally received amongst us, I thought good to publish it. More especially for the sakes of some in a remote Corner (whose souls welfare I greatly desire) where they want those helps some others enjoy; many are poor, others unacquainted with, or loth to buy good books; and where this particularly for the sake of the Author (who drew his first breath there) may likely be received with greater kindness, and read with better care. I am not ignorant that others have done well before, both formerly and lately, in o…e and another way, for the explication of these common, but greatest matters, collected out of Holy Scripture, and laid together in a small room by men of skill in the truest method, that the weak may soon understand and remember them, which I heartily rejoice in: Yet had I been more timely considerate enough, this might have appeared abroad e're some of those larger and much commended, were published. However now it cannot be unseasonable in this debauching age, to contribute a further aid, for the sound principling of hopeful youth. Here likely will be some advantage either for matter or manner suggested, which others have not took notice of, for the opening or evidencing of Truth, and recommending particulars as at one sight to our prospect. Besides, some may receive satisfaction, and take pleasure to see here the Harmony and fair agreement of these Principles with those our Forefathers zealously profess'd to hold at the beginning of our Reformation from Popery in King Edward the Sixths and Queen Elizabeths days.1552. 1562. Artic. XXXV. 'Tis plain, from a view of what is here annexed, and presented to us, as attesting these several Aphorisms or Propositions; that the Articles and Homilies of the English Church under the particulars speak the same things. These then are such Institutions of a Christian man, as are consonant to Holy Writ, the sober and wholesome Doctrines of those Protestants who liv'd in these Kingdoms before us, and I hope will find entertainment with our posterity when we go to rest with our Fathers. For I suppose it is easie to discern through all disingenuous aspersions; that whoever drew them up in our age, and by what warrant, they are so far from being Novelties to Reformed English men, that they materially had in the former age the Authority of a Convocation and an Act of Parliament. 13 Eliz. c. 5.Be sure the most learned and godly Primate Usher soon after their first publication did highly value them thus digested by several learned Divines in the order they be here explain'd. And another very reverend and holy person yet alive,1655. in the Confession of his Faith, printed twenty years ago, cap. 2. S. 3. did declare, He heartily approv'd of this Form of sound words, and of all therein contain'd; affirming, that He took it for the best Catechism that ever he saw, and the A. s contained for a most excellent sum of the Christian Faith and Doctrine, and a fit Test to try the Orthodoxness even of Teachers themselves. Such Testimonies might perhaps occasion this labour in the Explanation of them. Which I do here present to you, as the Author lest it penn'd for his own private use in his Catechetical teaching of those committed to him. I liked not to make any addition or alteration; though had he liv'd, and ever thought of publishing it, (as it is not unlikely he might have done, for the same charitable use it is now design'd) no question but it would have been all better proportion'd, enlarg'd, and alter'd, yea and (if needful) put into a more comely dress. This I conceive was the only draught of it; which I the rather intimate, that if any defects or mistakes be found in this Explanatory Comment, there may be no unkind reflection made upon him who went to Heaven some time since.Dec. 11. 1670. And whiles upon Earth shew'd himself, both in the University and elsewhere, to be one of good learning, and true holiness, a fervent preacher and real practiser of the Duties herein explain'd, and particularly of so sweet and peaceful temper that his moderation was known unto all those who did familiarly converse with him. There be other Notes of his (with these, left to my disposal) and some of those practical Sermons upon some Texts of Scripture, on which I find not any in the late printed Catalogues, or but few to have treated; which as they are desired earnestly by some, so if they are by more thought useful, may in time come abroad. This, such as it is, will I hope be no disparagement to him that is gone, but give us to understand, he had clear Notions of the main points of Religion, which he made his own business, and which if they (peculiarly young ones) into whose hands it shall come, be inclin'd cordially to embrace, by the heedful reading and perusing hereof, it will help to perpetuate the memory of the just deceased; and be matter of rejoicing to his surviving Brother, who is really desirous to serve you in love,
R. A. Aug. 2. 1675.
In the Principles of Religion are considerable, the
I. End, Gods glory, and mans happiness, A. 1. C. I.
II. Means, or Rule Scripture, A. 2. requiring, A. 3.
I. Faith concerning
God in his
Essence, A. 4, 5.
Subsistence, A. 6.
Operations, which are
his Decrees, or purposes, A. 7.
the execution of them, by
Creation respecting All, A. 9, 11.
Providence respecting Man, A. 10, 12.
Man
Created by God, A. 13.
Faln by sin, describ'd in
general, A. 14.
special, from its
act, A, 15.
subject, A. 16.
effects,
sinfulness, A. 17, 18.
misery, A. 19.
Restored by Grace where of the
Covenant of Grace, A. 20.
Redeemer,
who is described, A. 21.
who became man, A. 22.
who executeth offices, A. 23.
of Priest, A. 24.
of Prophet, A. 25.
of King, A. 26.
both in his state of Humiliation, A. 27. &
both in his state of Exaltation, A. 28.
Participation of the benefits of Redemption,
by the Spirit, A. 29.
in effectual Calling, A. 30. where of the
Nature of it, A. 31.
Benefits, A. 32.
in this life
primarily,
Justification, A. 33.
Adoption, A. 34.
Sanctification, A. 35.
secondarily, Assurance, &c. A. 36.
at
death, A. 37.
resurrection, A. 38.
II. Obedience to Gods revealed Will, A. 39. C II. In the
Law, summ'd up in the Ten Commandments, A. 40, 41, 42. wherein of
The Preface, A. 43, 44.
The Precepts
I. A. 45, 46, 47.
II. A. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52.
III. A. 53, 54, 55, 56.
IV. A. 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62.
V. A. 63, 64, 65, 66.
VI. A. 67, 68, 69.
VII. A. 70, 71, 72.
VIII. A. 73, 74, 75.
IX. A. 76, 77, 78.
X. A. 79, 80, 81.
Mans impotency to perform this Duty, A. 82, 83, 84.
Gospel, requiring and enjoining C. III.
Graces, A. 85.
Faith, A. 86.
Repentance, A. 87.
Ordinances, A. 88.
Word, How
effectual, A. 89.
read, heard, A. 90.
Sacraments, How
effectual, A. 91.
Describ'd, A. 92.
Divided, A. 93.
Baptism,
What, A. 94.
To whom, A. 95.
Lords Supper
What, A. 96.
How received, A. 97.
Prayer,
described, A. 98. C. IV.
ruled by the Lords Prayer, where in the
Preface, A. 100.
Petitions,
I. A. 101.
II. A. 102.
III. A. 103.
IV. A. 104.
V. A. 105.
VI. A. 106.
Conclusion, A. 107.