Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAP. II.

Sect. 1. God reveals himself to the children of Abraham, particularly to Moses. § 2. Of the revelation of the divine will to Moses. Of the law given by Moses to the Israelites. § 3. The Mosaic Law considered, 1st. As political; its exclusive application to the Israelites as a nation: 2dly. As ceremonial; which is typical or figurative of the mediatorial work and office of the Messiah: 3dly. As moral; this part of the Law stated as set forth in the ten commandments—and continues of universal obligation at the present day. Of the Christian Sabbath.-Of the substance of the Law as expressed by Christ and his apostles Of man's ability to keep the commandments of God. 4. Of the prophets subsequent to Moses.—Moses and the prophets foretell the coming of Christ.-Isaiah's description of the person and mediatorial office of Christ.

Page 33-52.

CHAP. III.

Sect. 1. The prophecies concerning Christ fulfilled. He assumes human nature, becomes our Atonement or Mediator triumphs over sin by offering up his life as a sacrifice for sin, and by his subsequent resurrection-All men partake of the benefit of Christ's death. § 2. Christ offers himself to mankind as a Saviour from sin, by his spirit, by the Scriptures, and by his servants. Faith, what it is The New Birth necessary to Salvation. §s. Of Repentance-Forgiveness of sins or Justification-Sanc

tification or justification to be experienced only through the righteousness of Christ.-Victory over sin-Perfection or freedom from sin-Possibility of falling away from a state of grace. 4. Faith made manifest by good works-Of good works, what they are-Faith and works inseparable, and necessary to Justification, but not the cause of it-this to be ascribed to the New Birth Of Perseverance. § 5.The difference between the spiritually-minded man, and the carnally-minded man-Their respective prospects after death-The day of Judgment. Page 53-90.

CHAP. IV.

Sect. 1. The nature of true Worshipthe public worship of God a duty—the advantages that result from it---Prayer and praise a part of divine worship—their nature. §2. The qualifications of a gospel minister-the benefits attendant on a gospel ministry. § 3. Of the Baptism of Christ-Of Water Baptism-the latter not enjoined by Christ-the practice of the apostles on this subject considered. § 4. The nature of the Supper which Christ ate with his disciples the night before his crucifixion—reasons for considering the celebration of it as not now obligatory. The supper of the Lord, of which Christians partake, inward and spiritual. Page 91-119.

CHAPTER I.

SECT. I.

1st Question-What is the principal object sought after by mankind?

Answer-Happiness: all their pursuits, however various, may be traced to it as to a central points.

2d Q.-How is true happiness to be attained?

A.-True happiness is only to be found in loving God, fearing to offend him, and obeying his commands.

Psal. xxxiv. 9. O fear the Lord, ye his saints; for there is no want to them that fear him. 10. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

Psal. cxxviii. 1. Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord, that walketh in his ways. 2. Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Rom. viii. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.

1 Cor. ii. 9. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him. God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit.

SECT. II.

3d Q.-Who is God?

10. But

A.-God is the infinite, eternal, and in

visible Being or Spirit, who created and who upholds all things.

God is a Spirit.

John iv. 24. Psal. xc. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

Jer. xxiii. 24. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? do not I fill heaven and the earth? saith the Lord.

Psal. cxxxix. 7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? 8. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there. 9. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the utmost part of the sea: 10. Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me: even the night shall be light about me. 12. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

Heb. iii. 4. He that built all things is God.

Heb. i. 3. Upholding all things by the word of his power.

4th Q.-Is it not true that there is but one God?

A.-Certainly; for though there are the Father, Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, these three are one God.*

*This belief of the Father, Son, and Spirit, is usually called the Doctrine of the Trinity, which has been variously explained by the professors of Christianity, but we think it safest to adhere as much as possible to the guarded manner in which the sacred writers have treated this mysterious subject as it necessarily extends into a depth unfathomable by the limited understanding of man, for "Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection." Job xi. 7.

« PreviousContinue »