The Sum of Christian Religion, Preambles · Section 1 – Section 2
1 What, and what manner of doctrine, the doctrine of the Church is.
THE doctrine of the Church, is the entire and uncorrupt doctrine of the Law and Goſpel, touching the true God, The definition of the doctrine of the Church.and his will, workes, and worſhip; which doctrine is revealed by God himſelfe, compriſed in the writings of the Prophets and Apoſtles, and confirmed by ſundry miracles, and divine teſtimonies, by which the Holy-Ghost worketh powerfully in the hearts of Gods choſen, and collecteth unto himſelfe out of mankinde an everlaſting Church, in which he may be glorified both in this life, and in the life to come.
This doctrine is the chiefe and ſpeciall note of the true Church, which God will have eminent in the world, and ſevered from the reſt of mankinde, according unto theſe ſayings of Scripture; Fly Idols. Come out from amongſt them, and ſeparate your ſelves. If there come any unto you, and bring not THIS DOCTRINE,1 John 5.21. 2 Cor. 6.17. 2 John 10. Eſay 52.11. Rev. 18.4. bid him not God ſpeed. Be yee holy, touch no uncleane thing yee that beare the veſſels of the Lord. Goe out of her my people, that yee receive not of her plagues. Now God will have this ſeparation made, 1. His glory.For his owne glory. For as hee will not have himſelfe coupled with Idols and Divels: So hee will have his truth ſevered from falſhood and lyes,2. Reaſons why God will have his Church diſtinguiſhed from other Sects. and his houſhold ſeparated from the enemies of the Church, that is, from the children of Sathan. It were contumelious ſo to thinke of God, as that he will have ſuch children as perſecute him.2 Cor 6.15. It were blaſphemy to make God the author of impious doctrine, and patron of the blaſphemous: For, What concord hath Christ with Belial? 2. The ſalvation of his Elect.The conſolation and ſalvation of his Elect. For it is neceſſary that the Church be viſibly beheld in this world, that the Elect diſperſed throughout all mankind may know to what ſociety they are to joine themſelves, and, being gathered unto the Church, may lay hold on this ſound comfort, That they are of that company which is acceptable and pleaſing unto God, and hath the promiſes of everlaſting life. For, God will that all which are to be ſaved, be gathered unto the Church in this life, becauſe, without the Church there is no ſalvation.
3. Notes whereby the Church is diſtinguiſhed from other Sects.How the Church is knowne, and what are her badges and markes whereby ſhee is diſtinguiſhed from other Sects, is at large diſcourſed of in the tract of the Church. The notes are three: 1. Purity of doctrine. 2. The right uſe of the Sacraments. 3. Obedience towards God in every point of doctrine, whether of faith or of manners. Object. Yea but oftentimes great vices abound in the Church alſo. Anſw. I confeſſe indeed many times great vices over-grow the whole body of the Church, but they are not patroniſed or maintained, as falleth out in other Sects: nay, the true Church is the firſt her ſelfe that reprehendeth and condemneth them before any other. In the Church faults are committed, but with preſent reproofe, and ſpeedy reformation. As long as this remaineth, ſo long remaineth the Church.
2 What are the parts of the doctrine of the Church, and what the differences of each part
That the Law and Goſpel are the two onelyonly parts of Chriſtian doctrine, proved by 4. reaſons.THE parts of the doctrine of the Church are two; the Law, and the Goſpel: in both which the ſumme of the whole Scriptures is contained. The Law is tearmed the Decalogue, and the Goſpel is the doctrine touching Chriſt our Mediatour, and the free remiſſion of ſinnes through faith. This diviſion of Church doctrine is clearly demonſtrated to be ſufficient, by theſe evident arguments: 1. All doctrine compriſed in ſacred writ, concerneth either the nature of God, or his will, or his workes, or ſinne, which is the proper worke of men and divels: But of all theſe we are taught either in the Law, or in the Goſpel, or in both: Wherefore the Law and the Goſpel are the chiefe generall heads which comprehend all the doctrine of the Scripture. 2. Chriſt himſelfe maketh this diviſion of that doctrine which he commandeth to be preached in his name, ſaying; So it is written, and ſo it behooved Chriſt to ſuffer, and to riſe from the dead the third day, and that in his name ſhould be preached repentance and remiſsion of ſins. Now the whole ſumme of all this is delivered in the Law and the Goſpel. 3. The writings of the Prophets and Apoſtles doe containe in them the old and new Teſtament, or covenants between God and man: Therefore it muſt needs be that in them is declared what God promiſeth, and what hee doth unto us; to wit, his favour, remiſſion of ſinnes, his holy Spirit, righteouſneſſe, and life everlaſting: as alſo what he requireth of us; that is to ſay, Faith and Obedience. And theſe are the things which are taught in the Law and Goſpel. 4. Chriſt is the foundation and ground of the whole Scripture; and the doctrine of the Law and Goſpel is neceſſary to conduct us to the knowledge of Chriſt and of his benefits. For, the Law is our Schoolmaſter unto Chriſt, Gal. 3.24.conſtraining us to flee unto him, and ſhewing us what that juſtice is which Chriſt hath recovered, and reſtored unto us. The Goſpel of purpoſe amply treateth of the perſon of Chriſt, his office and benefits: Therefore, all Scripture and heavenly doctrine is comprehended in the Law and the Goſpel.
3. Differences of the Law & GoſpelThe maine differences of theſe two parts of Chriſtian doctrine conſiſt in three things: In the matter it ſelfe.In the ſubject or matter and kind of doctrine which they diliver, becauſe the Law is a doctrine preſcribing unto men what is to be done, and prohibiting whatſoever ought to be left undone; whereas the Goſpel is a preaching of free remiſſion of ſinnes by and through Chriſt. In the manner of revealing.In the manner of their revealing; becauſe the Law is knowne by nature, the Goſpel is revealed from above. In their promiſes.In their promiſes; becauſe the Law promiſeth life with condition of perfect obedience, the Goſpel promiſeth the ſame life on condition of our ſtedfaſt faith in Chriſt, and the inchoation or beginning of new obedience unto God. But hereof more ſhall be ſpoken hereafter in his due place.