THE TENTH COMMANDMENT.
EXODUS XX, 17: _Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt
not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his
maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy
neighbor's._
The sin here prohibited is an inordinate desire for, or an unlawful
lusting after, what is another man's. Thus the law of God not only
condemns sinful actions, it also condemns sinful desires and thoughts.
Sin has its origin in the heart. "From within, out of the heart,
proceed evil thoughts," etc. Hence the law of God takes cognizance of
the state of the heart, as well as of the outward conduct.
1. COVETOUSNESS CONDEMNED.
EX. XX, 17. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not
covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant,
nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
DEUT. V, 21. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither
shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his man-servant,
or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy
neighbor's.
ROM. VII, 7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay,
I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except
the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
1 COR. V, 11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if
any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an
idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a
one no not to eat.
COL. III, 5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence,
and covetousness, which is idolatry.
HEB. XIII, 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee.
PSALM X, 3. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and
blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.
MICAH II, 1. Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon
their beds! when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is
in the power of their hand.
2. And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and
take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and
his heritage.
HAB. II, 9. Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his
house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from
the power of evil!
MARK VII, 22. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness,
an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
EPH. V, 5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person,
nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the
kingdom of Christ and of God.
PROV. XXVII, 20. Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of
man are never satisfied.
ECCL. IV, 8. There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he
hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor;
neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom
do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it
is a sore travail.
ECCL. V, 10. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver;
nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
2. UNJUST MEANS OF ACQUIRING PROPERTY CONDEMNED.
PROV. I, 18. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily
for their own lives.
19. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh
away the life of the owners thereof.
1 TIM. VI, 9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a
snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in
destruction and perdition.
10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some
coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.
MATT. XVI, 26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for
his soul?
JOB XXVII, 8. For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath
gained, when God taketh away his soul?
9. Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?
PROV. XIII, 7. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:
there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
1 TIM. VI, 7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is
certain we can carry nothing out.
PROV. XV, 6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in
the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
JAMES V, 1. Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries
that shall come upon you.
2. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a
witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have
heaped treasure together for the last days.
4. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields,
which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them
which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
LUKE VI, 24. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your
consolation.
JOB XX, 18. That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not
swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be,
and he shall not rejoice therein.
19. Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he
hath violently taken away a house which he builded not.
ISAIAH LVIII, 8. Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay
field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone
in the midst of the earth!
9. In mine ears said the Lord of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall
be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.
JER. XXI, 12. O house of David, thus saith the Lord; Execute judgment
in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the
oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can
quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
LUKE III, 13. And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is
appointed you.
14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall
we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse
any falsely; and be content with your wages.
PROV. XXVIII, 8. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his
substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
PROV. XXVIII, 2. For the transgression of a land many are the princes
thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof
shall be prolonged.
3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which
leaveth no food.
PROV. XXII, 22. Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress
the afflicted in the gate:
23. For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those
that spoiled them.
JER. VII, 11. Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den
of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord.
3. THE FOLLY OF TRUSTING IN RICHES.
PSALM XLIX, 6. They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves
in the multitude of their riches;
7. None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a
ransom for him.
PSALM LII, 5. God shall likewise destroy thee forever, he shall take
thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling-place, and root thee out
of the land of the living.
6. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
7. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in
the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his
wickedness.
PROV. XI, 28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the
righteous shall flourish as a branch.
PROV. X, 15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction
of the poor is their poverty.
PROV. XXVIII, 11. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the
poor man that hath understanding searcheth him out.
JER. IX, 23. Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his
wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the
rich man glory in his riches.
MARK X, 23. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his
disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the
kingdom of God!
24. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus
answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for
them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than
for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
1 TIM. VI, 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be
not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
1 TIM. VI, 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which
while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows.
PSALM LXXIII, 3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the
prosperity of the wicked.
4. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like
other men.
6. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth
them as a garment.
7. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could
wish.
8. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they
speak loftily.
9. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh
through the earth.
10. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are
wrung out to them.
11. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the
Most High?
12. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they
increase in riches.
13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in
innocency.
14. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every
morning.
15. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the
generation of thy children.
16. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their
end.
18. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them
down into destruction.
19. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are
utterly consumed with terrors.
20. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou
shalt despise their image.
JAMES II, 2. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold
ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile
raiment;
3. And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say
unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand
thou there, or sit here under my footstool.
BOOK V.
INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY.
CHAPTER I.
THE CHURCH.
By the term _Church_ we understand the whole body of God's true people
in every period of time. This is the invisible or spiritual Church. It
is also understood of the collective body of Christians, or all those
over the face of the earth who believe in Christ, and acknowledge him
to be the Savior of mankind. This is called the visible Church. The
people of God on earth are called the Church militant, and those in
heaven the Church triumphant.
Dr. John Owen remarks that, sin having entered into the world, God was
pleased to found his Church in the promise of the Messiah given to
Adam; that this promise contained in it something of the nature of a
covenant, including the grace which God designed to show to sinners in
the Messiah, and the obedience which he required from them, and that
consequently, from its first promulgation, that promise became the
sole foundation of the Church, and of the whole worship of God
therein.
Prior to the days of Abraham this Church, though scattered up and down
in the world, and subject to many changes in its worship through the
addition of new revelations, was still but one and the same, because
founded in the same covenant, and interested thereby in all the
benefits and privileges that God had granted or would at any time
grant. In process of time God was pleased to restrict this Church, so
far as visible acknowledgment went, in a great measure to the seed of
Abraham. With the latter he renewed his covenant, requiring that he
should walk before him and be upright. He also constituted him the
father of the faithful, or of all who believe, and "the heir of the
world." So that since the days of Abraham the Church has, in every
age, been founded upon the covenant made with the patriarch, and on
the work of redemption which was to be performed according to that
covenant. Now, wheresoever this covenant made with Abraham is, and
with whomsoever it is established, with them is the Church of God, and
to them all the promises and privileges of the Church really belong.
Hence we may learn that at the coming of the Messiah there was not one
Church taken away and another set up in its room, but the Church
continued the same in those that were the children of Abraham,
according to the faith. It is common with divines to speak of the
Jewish and Christian Churches as though they were two distinct and
totally different things; but that is not a correct view of the
matter. The Christian Church is not another Church, but the very same
that was before the coming of Christ, having the same faith with it,
and interested in the same covenant. Great alterations, indeed, were
made in the outward state and condition of the Church by the coming of
the Messiah. The carnal privileges of the Jews in their separation
from other nations to give birth to the Messiah then failed, and with
that also their claim on that account to be the children of Abraham.
The ordinances of worship suited to that state of things then expired
and came to an end. New ordinances of worship were appointed, suited
to the light and grace which were then bestowed upon the Church. The
Gentiles came into the faith of Abraham along with the Jews, being
made joint partakers with them in his blessings. But none of these
things, nor the whole of them collectively, did make such a change in
the Church, but that it is still one and the same. The olive tree was
still the same, only some of the branches were broken off, and others
grafted into it. The Jews fell, and the Gentiles came in their room.
And this may enable us to determine the difference between the Jews
and Christians relative to the Old Testament promises. They are all
made to the Church. No individual has any interest in them except by
virtue of his membership with the Church. The Church is, and always
was, one and the same. The term Church is also applied to a particular
congregation of Christians united together and meeting in one place
for the worship of God. The word is now also used to denote any
particular denomination of Christians, as the Greek Church, or the
Romish Church.
1. THE CHURCH A DIVINE INSTITUTION.
1 TIM. III, 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.
MATT. XVI, 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.
17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon
Bar-jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my
Father which is in heaven.
18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock
I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
MATT. V, 13. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost
his savor, wherewith shall it be salted; it is thenceforth good for
nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill can
not be hid.
15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
MATT. XXI, 42. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the
Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become
the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous
in our eyes?
PSALM CXVIII, 19. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go
into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20. This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my
salvation.
22. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of
the corner.
23. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
1 COR. III, 9. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's
husbandry, ye are God's building.
10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise
masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is
Jesus Christ.
EPH. II, 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy
temple in the Lord:
22. In whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God
through the Spirit.
2. THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH _under all Dispensations_.
ACTS VII, 38. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness
with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our
fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.
EPH. III, 21. Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
ROM. XI, 1. I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For
I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of
Benjamin.
2. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not
what the Scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God
against Israel, saying,
3. Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars;
and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to
myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of
Baal.
5. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according
to the election of grace.
6. And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no
more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise
work is no more work.
7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but
the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
8. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of
slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not
hear;) unto this day.
9. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a
stumbling-block, and a recompense unto them:
10. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down
their back alway.
11. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid:
but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for
to provoke them to jealousy.
12. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the
diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their
fullness?
13. For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the
Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
14. If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my
flesh, and might save some of them.
15. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world,
what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
16. For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the
root be holy, so are the branches.
17. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild
olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the
root and fatness of the olive tree:
18. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest
not the root, but the root thee.
19. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be
graffed in.
20. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest
by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also
spare not thee.
22. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which
fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his
goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be
graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by
nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree;
how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed
into their own olive tree?
25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness
in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be
come in.
26. And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall
come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob:
27. For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their
sins.
28. As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as
touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
29. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now
obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31. Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy
they also may obtain mercy.
1 COR. XII, 13. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have
been all made to drink into one Spirit.
HEB. XII, 18. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be
touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness,
and tempest,
19. And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice
they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them
any more:
20. (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so
much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust
through with a dart:
21. And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear
and quake:)
22. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23. To the general assembly and Church of the first-born, which are
written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of
just men made perfect,
24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of
sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
3. GOD DWELLS IN THE CHURCH.
PSALM LXXXVII, 1. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of
Jacob.
3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
REV. I, 12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And
being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son
of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the
paps with a golden girdle.
14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and
his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;
and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth
went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun
shineth in his strength.
17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his
right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the
last:
18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forever
more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are,
and the things which shall be hereafter;
20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand,
and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of
the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are
the seven churches.
MATT. XXVIII, 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world. Amen.
4. THE STABILITY OF THE CHURCH.
MATT. XVI, 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.
17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon
Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my
Father which is in heaven.
18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock
I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
PSALM XLVI, 1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble.
2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though
the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the
mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of
God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
5. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help
her, and that right early.
PSALM XLVI, 7. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our
refuge. Selah.
PSALM CXXV, 1. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion,
which can not be removed, but abideth forever.
2. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round
about his people from henceforth even forever.
PROV. XVIII, 10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous
runneth into it, and is safe.
ISAIAH LIV, 14. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt
be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for
it shall not come near thee.
ISAIAH LIV, 17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;
and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt
condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their
righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
ISAIAH XLIII, 2. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with
thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou
walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the
flame kindle upon thee.
3. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior: I
gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and
I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for
thy life.
5. Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east,
and gather thee from the west:
6. I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back:
bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7. Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him
for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
5. THE CHURCH'S PROSPERITY _Dependent upon the Divine Blessing_.
HOSEA XIV, 5. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the
lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
6. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive
tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
7. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as
the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine
of Lebanon.
ISAIAH XXVII, 2. In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.
3. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt
it, I will keep it night and day.
4. Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me
in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.
5. Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with
me; and he shall make peace with me.
6. He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall
blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
PHIL. IV, 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me.
JOHN XV, 6. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye
can do nothing.
6. THE ULTIMATE UNIVERSAL TRIUMPH _of the Church_.
PSALM II, 8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine
inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
HAB. II, 14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through
death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the
devil.
NUM. XIV, 21. But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled
with the glory of the Lord.
PSALM LXXII, 18. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only
doeth wondrous things.
19. And blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth
be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.
DAN. II, 34. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands,
which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and
brake them to pieces.
35. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold,
broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the Summer
thrashing-floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was
found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great
mountain, and filled the whole earth.
DAN. II, 44. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven
set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom
shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and
consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
DAN. VII, 13. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the
Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of
days, and they brought him near before him.
14. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that
all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is
an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom
that which shall not be destroyed.
PSALM LXXII, 8. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from
the river unto the ends of the earth.
9. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his
enemies shall lick the dust.
10. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents; the
kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve
him.
ISAIAH XLIV, 3. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and
my blessing upon thine offspring:
4. And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the
watercourses.
ISAIAH IX, 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall
be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order
it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth
even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
ISAIAH XLV, 22. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the
earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
23. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in
righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall
bow, every tongue shall swear.
ZECH. XIV, 9. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that
day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
MATT. XIII, 31. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man
took, and sowed in his field:
32. Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it
is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of
the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
33. Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like
unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal,
till the whole was leavened.
ACTS III, 22. For 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.
23. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear
that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
REV. XI, 15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great
voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever
and ever.
PSALM LXXXIX, 27. Also I will make him my first-born, higher than the
kings of the earth.
28. My mercy will I keep for him forever more, and my covenant shall
stand fast with him.
29. His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the
days of heaven.
PSALM LXXXIX, 35. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie
unto David.
36. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me.
7. THE BLESSEDNESS OF CHURCH FELLOWSHIP.
PSALM XXXVI, 8. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of
thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy
pleasures.
PSALM LXIII, 1. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my
soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and
thirsty land, where no water is;
2. To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the
sanctuary.
PSALM LXV, 4. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to
approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be
satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
PSALM LXXXIV, 1. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
2. My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my
heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3. Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for
herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of
hosts, my King, and my God.
4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still
praising thee. Selah.
PSALM LXXXIV, 10. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I
had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in
the tents of wickedness.
PSALM LXXXVII, 5. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was
born in her: and the Highest himself shall establish her.
6. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man
was born there. Selah.
PSALM XCII, 13. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall
flourish in the courts of our God.
14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat
and flourishing.
ROM. XV, 1. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of
the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to
edification.
3. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The
reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
ROM. XII, 4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members
have not the same office:
5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members
one of another.
6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to
us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of
faith;
7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth,
on teaching;
8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it
with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth
mercy, with cheerfulness.
9. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave
to that which is good.
10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor
preferring one another.
ROM. XIV, 19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for
peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
PSALM CXXXIII, 1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity!
2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon
the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his
garments.
JOHN XIII, 34. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one
another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have
love one to another.
JOHN XV, 12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I
have loved you.
JOHN XVII, 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which
shall believe on me through their word;
21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that
thou hast sent me.
22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they
may be one, even as we are one.
ISAIAH LII, 8. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice
together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord
shall bring again Zion.
ACTS IV, 32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart
and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things
which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
ROM. XV, 5. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be
likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ROM. XII, 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love; in honor preferring one another.
2 COR. XIII, 11. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you.
EPH. IV, 1. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye
walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2. With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing
one another in love;
3. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
GAL. VI, 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
EPH. V, 2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath
given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling savor.
PHIL. II, 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and
mercies,
2. Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love,
being of one accord, of one mind.
1 COR. XII, 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have
been all made to drink into one Spirit.
8. THE DUTIES OF CHRISTIANS TOWARD EACH OTHER.
JOHN XIII, 34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one
another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have
love one to another.
JOHN XV, 12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I
have loved you.
ACTS IV, 32. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart
and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things
which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
JOHN XVII, 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which
shall believe on me through their word;
21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that
thou hast sent me.
22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they
may be one, even as we are one.
ROM. XII, 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love; in honor preferring one another.
GAL. VI, 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
2 COR. XIII, 11. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you.
PSALM CXXXIII, 1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity!
2. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon
the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his
garments.
PHIL. II, 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and
mercies,
2. Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love,
being of one accord, of one mind.
PHIL. III, 16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us
walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
HEB. XIII, 1. Let brotherly love continue.
1 PETER I, 22. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye
love one another with a pure heart fervently.
1 THESS. IV, 9. With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is
one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done
here.
10. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's
son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come
unto you, receive him.)
2 PETER I, 5. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your
faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
6. And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to
patience, godliness;
7. And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
charity.
1 JOHN II, 10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and
there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in
darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath
blinded his eyes.
1 JOHN III, 11. For this is the message that ye heard from the
beginning, that we should love one another.
1 JOHN III, 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth
in death.
15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no
murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life
for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need,
and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the
love of God in him?
18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
but in deed and in truth.
19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our
hearts before him.
1 JOHN IV, 7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;
and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.
1 JOHN IV, 20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is
a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can
he love God whom he hath not seen?
21. And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love
his brother also.
1 COR. V, 9. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with
fornicators;
10. Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs
go out of the world.
EPH. V, 11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them.
2 THESS. III, 6. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and
brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have
good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also
to see you.
2 THESS. III, 14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle,
note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
9. THE DUTY OF UNION WITH THE CHURCH.
MATT. X, 32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will
I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny
before my Father which is in heaven.
DEUT. XXVI, 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 his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
18. And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar
people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his
commandments.
ISAIAH XLIV, 5. One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call
himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his
hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
MATT. V, 14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill can not be hid.
15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
ROM. X, 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
MARK XVI, 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned.
LUKE XXII, 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and
gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this
do in remembrance of me.
1 COR. XI, 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup,
ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
1 JOHN IV, 15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God,
God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
2 TIM. II, 12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny
him, he also will deny us.
2 COR. VI, 17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: and I will receive
you;
18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
10. HERETICS AND DISORDERLY PERSONS TO BE EXCLUDED.
TITUS III, 10. A man that is a heretic, after the first and second
admonition, reject;
11. Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being
condemned of himself.
2 THESS. III, 6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that
walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of
us.
2 THESS. III, 14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle,
note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
GAL. VI, 1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
REV. II, 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These
things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who
walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2. I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou
canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say
they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.
2 COR. V, 9. Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we
may be accepted of him.
10. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that
he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we
are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your
consciences.
12. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion
to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which
glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be
sober, it is for your cause.
MATT. VIII, 15. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and
she arose, and ministered unto them.
16. When the even was come they brought unto him many that were
possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and
healed all that were sick:
17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
11. PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH'S PROSPERITY.
PSALM CXXII, 6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper
that love thee.
7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
8. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be
within thee.
9. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
PSALM CXXXVII, 5. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand
forget her cunning.
6. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my
mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
PSALM LXXXVII, 2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the
dwellings of Jacob.
3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
PSALM LI, 18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the
walls of Jerusalem.
19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer
bullocks upon thine altar.
ISAIAH XLIX, 13. Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break
forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his
people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
14. But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath
forgotten me.
15. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have
compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I
not forget thee.
16. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls
are continually before me.
EPH. V, 25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
Church, and gave himself for it,
26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by
the Word,
27. That he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and
without blemish.
ISAIAH LXII, 6. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which
shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of
the Lord, keep not silence,
7. And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem
a praise in the earth.
REV. I, 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the
first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him
be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
DEUT. VII, 9. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the
faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him
and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.
DEUT. XXXII, 9. For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot
of his inheritance.
10. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling
wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the
apple of his eye.
11. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young,
spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
12. So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with
him.
NEH. IX, 16. But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened
their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
17. And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou
didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion
appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God
ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great
kindness, and forsookest them not.
18. Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy
god that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great
provocations;
19. Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the
wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to
lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew
them light, and the way wherein they should go.
20. Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them, and withheldest
not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their
thirst.
21. Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so
that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet
swelled not.
12. LIMITS OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP.
EPH. V, 11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them.
2 THESS. III, 6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that
walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of
us.
2 THESS. III, 14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle,
note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2 TIM. III, 1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come.
2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of
God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away.
MATT. X, 11. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire
who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
12. And when ye come into a house, salute it.
13. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it
be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye
depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
2 COR. V, 9. Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we
may be accepted of him.
10. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that
he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we
are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your
consciences.
2 JOHN, 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine,
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
13. THE CHURCH MISSIONARY IN ITS CONSTITUTION.
MATT. XXVIII, 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
MARK XVI, 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the Gospel to every creature.
ACTS XXVI, 16. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared
unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both
of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which
I will appear unto thee;
17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom
now I send thee,
18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is
in me.
ROM. X, 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15. And how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!
LUKE XXI, 15. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your
adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
JOHN XIII, 20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth
whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him
that sent me.
LUKE X, 16. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you
despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
1 COR. IX, 11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a
great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
ISAIAH VI, 9. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed,
but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and
shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their
ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
11. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be
wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be
utterly desolate.
JOHN XII, 37. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet
they believed not on him:
38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he
spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of
the Lord been revealed?
39. Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they
should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and
be converted, and I should heal them.
ACTS XIII, 46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was
necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you:
but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of
everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
CHAPTER II.
THE MINISTRY.
1. MINISTERS ARE CALLED OF GOD.
MARK XVI, 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the Gospel to every creature.
LUKE X, 1. After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also,
and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place,
whither he himself would come.
2. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the
laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he
would send forth laborers into his harvest.
ISAIAH LXII, 2. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all
kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the
mouth of the Lord shall name.
MAL. II, 7. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they
should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord
of hosts.
ACTS XX, 24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life
dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the
ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
Gospel of the grace of God.
ROM. XII, 6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that
is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the
portion of faith;
7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth,
on teaching;
8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it
with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth
mercy, with cheerfulness.
2 COR. V, 18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to
himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation.
1 TIM. I, 12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me,
for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.
COL. IV, 17. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which
thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
TITUS I, 3. But hath in due times manifested his word through
preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of
God our Savior.
JER. III, 15. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart,
which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
ACTS XXVI, 16. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared
unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both
of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which
I will appear unto thee:
17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom
now I send thee,
18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is
in me.
ROM. X, 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!
EZEK. III, 17. Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house
of Israel: therefore hear the Word at my mouth, and give them warning
from me.
2 COR. I, 21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath
anointed us, is God.
2 COR. V, 20. Now then we are embassadors for Christ, as though God
did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled
to God.
EPH. IV, 11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ.
MATT. X, 16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils,
and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
ACTS XX, 28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them.
31. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I
ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
1 COR. IV, 1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of
Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 COR. IX, 16. For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory
of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach
not the Gospel!
GAL. I, 10. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please
men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
2 TIM. II, 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 TIM. IV, 1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and
his kingdom;
2. Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;
4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables.
5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2. THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL THE GREAT INSTRUMENT OF HUMAN SALVATION.
NEH. VI, 6. Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and
Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which
cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king,
according to these words.
7. And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at
Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be
reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and
let us take counsel together.
ISAIAH LXI, 1. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord
hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me
to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of
vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty
for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
MARK I, 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism
of repentance for the remission of sins.
LUKE IV, 18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath
anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal
the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised,
19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
ACTS X, 42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to
testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of
quick and dead.
ROM. X, 8. But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy
mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
ACTS V, 42. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased
not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
2 COR. IV, 5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;
and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 TIM. IV, 15. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly
withstood our words.
16. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I
pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that
by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles
might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will
preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and
ever. Amen.
LUKE IX, 60. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go
thou and preach the kingdom of God.
ACTS XVII, 3. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have
suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I
preach unto you, is Christ.
4. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and
of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a
few.
ACTS III, 8. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with
them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
COL. I, 25. Whereof I am made a minister, according to the
dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word
of God;
26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from
generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of
this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of
glory:
28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all
wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29. Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which
worketh in me mightily.
LUKE XXIV, 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
ACTS XIII, 38. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that
through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
1 COR. XV, 1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which
I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye
stand;
2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached
unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
GAL. I, 16. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the
heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.
EPH. II, 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off,
and to them that were nigh.
HEB. IV, 2. For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them:
but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith
in them that heard it.
HEB. IV, 6. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter
therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because
of unbelief.
COL. I, 23. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be
not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and
which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I
Paul am made a minister.
ACTS X, 36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel,
preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all.)
ACTS X, 25. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell
down at his feet, and worshiped him.
26. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were
come together.
ACTS XVII, 18. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the
Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say?
other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because
he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
2 COR. IV, 1. Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have
received mercy, we faint not;
2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in
craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but, by
manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in the sight of God.
2 COR. V, 20. Now then we are embassadors for Christ, as though God
did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled
to God.
1 THESS. II, 3. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of
uncleanness, nor in guile:
4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel,
even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our
hearts.
5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a
cloak of covetousness; God is witness.
2 TIM. II, 15. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 TIM. IV, 1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and
his kingdom;
2. Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;
4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables.
5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
1 PETER IV, 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;
if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth;
that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ: to whom
be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
MATT. XVIII, 19. And when he saw a fig-tree in the way, he came to it,
and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no
fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig-tree
withered away.
20. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is
the fig-tree withered away!
EZEK. III, 9. As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy
forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though
they be a rebellious house.
10. Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall
speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
EZEK. II, 7. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they
will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
NEH. VIII, 8. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly,
and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
JER. XXIII, 28. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream;
and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is
the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.
1 COR. I, 21. For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom
knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save
them that believe.
DEUT. XXXIII, 10. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy
law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt-sacrifice
upon thine altar.
ECCL. XII, 9. And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still
taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out,
and set in order many proverbs.
3. MINISTERS TO BE SUPPORTED.
NUM. XVIII, 21. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the
tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they
serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
DEUT. XII, 19. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite
as long as thou livest upon the earth.
MAL. III, 9. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even
this whole nation.
10. Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be
meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out
a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
MATT. X, 9. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your
purses;
10. Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor
yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
MATT. X, 40. He that receiveth you receiveth me; and he that receiveth
me receiveth him that sent me.
41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive
a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name
of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
LUKE X, 16. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you
despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
1 COR. IX, 11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a
great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12. If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?
Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest
we should hinder the Gospel of Christ.
13. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of
the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are
partakers with the altar?
14. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel
should live of the Gospel?
15. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these
things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me
to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
GAL. VI, 6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him
that teacheth in all good things.
1 THESS. V, 12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor
among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And
be at peace among yourselves.
1 TIM. V, 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
18. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that
treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
4. DIFFERENT ORDERS IN THE MINISTRY.
PHILEMON, 1. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our
brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer.
1 TIM. III, 8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued,
not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.
1 TIM. III, 10. And let these also first be proved; then let them use
the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
1 TIM. III, 12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling
their children and their own houses well.
13. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to
themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in
Christ Jesus.
1 TIM. V, 1. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the
younger men as brethren.
1 TIM. V, 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of
double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
18. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that
treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.
19. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or
three witnesses.
1 PET. V, 1. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an
elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker
of the glory that shall be revealed.
2 JOHN, 1. The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love
in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the
truth.
3 JOHN, 1. The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the
truth.
1 TIM. III, 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers
of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away.
6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive
silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the
truth.
EPH. IV, 11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ.
TITUS _I_, 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest
set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every
city, as I had appointed thee:
6. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful
children not accused of riot or unruly.
7. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not
self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given
to filthy lucre;
8. But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy,
temperate;
9. Holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may
be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the
gainsayers.
PHIL. I, 1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all
the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and
deacons.
1 TIM. III, 1. This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a
bishop, he desireth a good work.
5. MINISTERS TO BE EXAMPLES TO THE CHURCH.
1 THESS. II, 10. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and
justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.
1 TIM. IV, 12. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of
the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in
faith, in purity.
13. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine.
14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy
profiting may appear to all.
16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear
thee.
2 TIM. II, 3. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of
Jesus Christ.
4. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this
life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
2 TIM. IV, 5. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the
work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
TITUS II, 7. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in
doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8. Sound speech, that can not be condemned; that he that is of the
contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
CHAPTER III.
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.
BAPTISM.
Christian baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ himself. The
authority and obligation of baptism, as a universal ordinance of the
Christian Church, is derived from the commission of Christ, "Go ye,
therefore, and teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
That baptism is obligatory is evident from the example of Christ, who,
by his disciples, baptized many that by his miracles and discourses
were brought to profess faith in him as the Messiah, from his command
to his apostles after the resurrection, and from the practice of the
apostles themselves. That it was administered to all Gentile converts,
and not confined to the Jews, appears from Matthew xxviii, 19, 20: "Go
ye, therefore, and teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with
you always, even unto the end of the world;" and from Acts x, 47: "Can
any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have
received the Holy Ghost as well as we;" and that the baptism of the
Spirit did not supersede water baptism appears clearly to have been
the judgment of Peter and of those that were with him.
_As to the design and benefits of baptism_ various views are held by
different bodies of professing Christians. The following are the
principal ones:
1. _That it is a direct instrument of grace._ This is the view of the
Roman and Eastern Churches, and of what is known as the High Church
Party in the Protestant Episcopal and Lutheran Churches, and also of
the Reformers or Campbellites, who regard baptism as the remitting
ordinance of the Gospel, or the appointed means through which the
penitent sinner obtains the assurance of that remission of sins
purchased by the death of Christ.
2. That held by the Socinians; which is, "_That baptism is neither an
instrument nor seal of grace, but simply a ceremony of initiation into
Church membership._"
3. _That it is a token of regeneration_, to be received only by those
who are really regenerated. This is the view held by the Baptists.
4. _That it is a symbol of purification_, the use of which simply
announces that the religion of Christ is a purifying religion. This
opinion is held generally by Congregationalists.
5. _That it is a rite of initiation into the visible Church, and that,
though not an instrument, it is a seal of grace._ This is the view
taken by a majority of the confessions of the Reformed Churches.
The Westminster Confession holds that "baptism is a sacrament of the
New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn
admission of the party baptized into the visible Church, but also to
be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his
ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of
his giving up to God through Jesus Christ to walk in newness of life;
which sacrament is by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in the
Church to the end of the world."
In the seventeenth article of the Methodist Episcopal Church, it is
declared that "baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of
difference whereby Christian men are distinguished from others that
are not baptized, but it is also a sign of regeneration, or the new
birth. The baptism of children is to be retained in the Church." The
same language is substantially used in the Articles of Religion of the
Church of England, and with some addition by the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of America.
Richard Watson, in his Institutes, Vol. II, page 646, says: "Baptism
introduces the adult believer into the covenant of grace and Church of
Christ, and is the seal and pledge to him, on the part of God, of the
fulfillment of all its provisions in time and in eternity; while on
his part he takes on him the obligation of steadfast faith and
obedience. To the infant child it is a visible reception into the same
covenant and Church, a pledge of acceptance through Christ, the
bestowment of a title to all the graces of the covenant as
circumstances may require, and as the mind of the child may be capable
or made capable of receiving it, and as it may be sought in future
life by prayer, when the period of reason and moral choice shall
arrive. It conveys also the present blessing of Christ; of which we
are assured by his taking children in his arms and blessing them,
which blessing can not be merely nominal, but must be substantial and
efficacious. It secures, too, the gift of the Holy Ghost in those
secret spiritual influences by which the actual regeneration of those
children who die in infancy is effected, and which are a seed of life
in those who are spared, to prepare them for instruction in the Word
of God, as they are taught it by parental care to incline their will
and affections to good, and to begin and maintain in them the war
against inward and outward evil, so that they may be Divinely
assisted, as reason strengthens, to make their calling and election
sure. In a word, it is both as to infants and adults, the sign and
pledge of that inward grace which, though modified in its operations
by the difference of their circumstances, has respect to, and flows
from, a covenant relation to each of the three persons in whose one
name they are baptized--acceptance by the Father, union with Christ as
the head of his mystical body, the Church, and the communion of the
Holy Ghost. To these advantages must be added the respect which God
bears to the believing act of the parents, and to their solemn prayers
on the occasion, in both of which the child is interested, as well as
in that solemn engagement of the parents, which the rite necessarily
implies, to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord."
Dr. Schaff remarks: "The ultimate authority for infant baptism in the
bosom of a regular Christian community, and under a sufficient
guarantee of pious education--for only on these terms do we advocate
it--lies in the universal import of Christ's person and work, which
extends as far as humanity itself. Christ is not only able, but
willing, to save mankind of all classes, in all circumstances, of both
sexes, and at all stages of life, and, consequently, to provide for
all these the necessary means of grace. [Com. Gal. iii, 28.] A Christ
able and willing to save none but adults would be no such Christ as
the Gospel presents. In the significant parallel, Rom. v, 12, sq., the
apostle earnestly presses the point that the reign of righteousness
and life is, in its Divine intent and intrinsic efficacy, fully as
comprehensive as the reign of sin and death, to which children, among
the rest, are subject; nay, far more comprehensive and availing; and
that the blessing and gain by the second Adam far outweighs the curse
and the loss by the first. When the Lord, after solemnly declaring
that all power is given to him in heaven and earth, commands his
apostles to make all nations disciples by baptism and instruction,
there is not the least reason for limiting this to those of maturer
age. Or, do nations consist only of men, and not of youth also, and of
children? According to Psalm cxvii, 1, 'all nations,' and according to
Psalm cl, 6, 'every thing that hath breath should praise the Lord;'
and that these include babes and sucklings is explicitly told us in
Psalm viii, 2, and Matt. xxi, 16. With this is closely connected the
beautiful idea, already clearly brought out by Irenæus, the disciple
of Polycarp, and the faithful medium of the apostolic tradition
descending from John's field of labor--the idea that Jesus Christ
became a child for children, for youth a youth, for men a man; and by
thus entering into the various conditions and stages of our earthly
existence, sanctified every period of life, infancy as well as
manhood. The Baptist view robs the Savior's infancy of its profound
and cheering significance."
1. BAPTISM A CHRISTIAN DUTY.
ACTS II, 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.
41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the
same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
MARK I, 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism
of repentance for the remission of sins.
MATT. XXVIII, 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
JOHN III, 22. After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the
land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
ACTS VIII, 12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women.
ACTS VIII, 36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain
water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to
be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God.
38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down
both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
ACTS IX, 17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and
putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus,
that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that
thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales:
and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
ACTS XVI, 14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of
the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the
Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of
Paul.
15. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us,
saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my
house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
16. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel
possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her
masters much gain by soothsaying.
ACTS XXII, 16. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
ACTS XIX, 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of
repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him
which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
ACTS II, 41. Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
2. DESIGN OF BAPTISM.
GAL. III, 27. For as many of you as have been baptized unto Christ
have put on Christ.
1 PET. III, 20. Which sometime were disobedient, when once the
long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a
preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, (not
the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
ROM. VI, 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like
as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even
so we also should walk in newness of life.
5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death,
we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
COL. II, 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen
with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised
him from the dead.
3. EXAMPLES OF BAPTISM.
ACTS II, 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that
are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.
41. Then they that gladly received his Word were baptized: and the
same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were
done by the apostles.
44. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men,
as every man had need.
46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness
and singleness of heart,
47. Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord
added to the Church daily such as should be saved.
ACTS VIII, 36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain
water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to
be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God.
1 COR. X, 1. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be
ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all
passed through the sea;
2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
ACTS X, 46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Then answered Peter,
47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days.
ACTS XVI, 14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of
the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the
Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of
Paul.
15. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us,
saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my
house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
ACTS XVI, 29. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came
trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house.
32. And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were
in his house.
33. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their
stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before
them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
ACTS XVIII, 8. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed
on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing
believed, and were baptized.
ACTS XIX, 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of
repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him
which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus.
ACTS XXII, 16. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
JOHN III, 23. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim,
because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
MARK I, 4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism
of repentance for the remission of sins.
MATT. III, 5. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all
the region round about Jordan,
6. And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his
baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned
you to flee from the wrath to come?
8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.
MATT. III, 11. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he
that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy
to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
4. BAPTISM OF HOUSEHOLDS.
ACTS XVI, 14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of
the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the
Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of
Paul.
15. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us,
saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my
house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
ACTS XVI, 33. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed
their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before
them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
1 COR. I, 16. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides,
I know not whether I baptized any other.
17. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect.
1 COR. VII, 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your
children unclean; but now are they holy.
5. THE SPIRITUAL IMPORT AND SCRIPTURAL MODE OF BAPTISM.
ACTS I, 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
ACTS II, 18. And on my servants, and on my handmaidens, I will pour
out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
ACTS II, 33. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and
having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath
shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
ACTS II, 15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as
on us at the beginning.
16. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John
indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy
Ghost.
1 COR. X, 1. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be
ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all
passed through the sea;
2. And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
1 COR. XII, 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have
been all made to drink into one Spirit.
TITUS 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;
6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
EZEK. XXXVI, 25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye
shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols,
will I cleanse you.
ISAIAH XLIV, 3. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and
my blessing upon thine offspring.
ISAIAH LII, 15. So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall
shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall
they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
MARK VII, 2. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with
defiled, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they found fault.
3. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands
oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not.
And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as
the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.
HEB. IX, 10. Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers
washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of
reformation.
HEB. IX, 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of
a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the
flesh:
14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from
dead works to serve the living God?
HEB. X, 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of
faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our
bodies washed with pure water.
HEB. XII, 24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to
the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of
Abel.
1 PETER I, 1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
CHAPTER IV.
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
An ordinance instituted by our Savior in the place of the Passover,
and immediately after celebrating that rite with his disciples for the
last time. The Passover was an eminent type of our Lord's sacrifice
and of its benefits, and since he was about to fulfill that symbolical
rite, which from age to age had continued to exhibit it to the faith
and hope of ancient saints, it could have no place under the new
dispensation. Christ, in person, became the true Passover, and a new
rite was necessary to commemorate the spiritual deliverance of men,
and to convey and confirm its benefits. The circumstances of its
institution are explanatory of its nature and design.
On the night when the first-born of Egypt were slain the children of
Israel were commanded to take a lamb for every house, to kill it, and
to sprinkle the blood upon the posts of the doors, so that the
destroying angel might _pass over_ the houses of all who had attended
to this injunction. Not only were the first-born children thus
preserved alive, but the effect was the deliverance of the whole
nation from bondage in Egypt, and their becoming the visible Church
and people of God by virtue of a special covenant.
In commemoration of these events the feast of the Passover was made
annual, and at that time all the males of Judea assembled before the
Lord in Jerusalem; a lamb was provided for every house, the blood was
poured under the altar by the priests, and the lamb was eaten by the
people in their tents or houses. At this domestic and religious feast
every master of a family took the cup of thanksgiving, and gave thanks
with his family to the God of Israel.
As soon, therefore, as our Lord, acting as the master of the
family--the disciples--had finished this, the usual Paschal ceremony,
he proceeded to a new and distinct action. "He took bread, [the bread
then on the table,] and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them,
saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance
of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, [the cup with the wine
which had been used in the Paschal Supper,] saying, This cup is the
new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." Or, as St. Matthew
expresses it, "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to
them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new
testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." "This is
my body"--that is, bread represents my body, according to the style of
the sacred writers--thus, Genesis xi, 12, "The three branches are
three days;" Galatians iv, 24, St. Paul, speaking of Sarah and Hagar,
says, "These are the two covenants;" thus, in the grand type of our
Lord, Exodus xii, 11, God says of the Paschal lamb, "It is the Lord's
passover." Thus our Lord, in substituting the holy communion for the
Passover, uses the same expressions the Jews were accustomed to use in
celebrating the Passover.
Mr. Watson--Institutes, Part IV, volume ii, page 661--says:
"That this was the institution of a standing rite, and not a temporary
action to be confined to the disciples then present with him, is made
certain from 1 Corinthians xi, 23-26: 'For I have received of the Lord
that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same
night in which he was betrayed, took bread: 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. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this
cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.' From these words we
learn, 1. That St. Paul had a special revelation as to this ordinance,
which must have had a higher object than the mere commemoration of an
historical fact, and must be supposed to have been made for the
purpose of enjoining it upon him to establish this rite in the
Churches raised up by him, and of enabling him rightly to understand
its authority and purport, where he found it already appointed by the
first founders of the Churches. 2. That the command of Christ, 'This
do in remembrance of me,' which was originally given to the disciples
present with Christ at the last Passover, is laid by St. Paul upon the
Corinthians. 3. That he regarded the Lord's Supper as a rite to be
'_often_' celebrated, and that in all future time, until the Lord
himself should 'come' to judge the world. The perpetual obligation of
this ordinance can not, therefore, be reasonably disputed."
The bread and wine used in the sacrament are signs of the body and
blood of Christ, which are not locally present, and these signs, being
a memorial of the sacrifice once offered on the cross, are intended to
produce a moral effect; and, to all who by faith remember Christ in
the use of these symbols, is he spiritually present. "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?"
The blessing pronounced does not change the elements used, but to all
who join with becoming affection in the thanksgiving then uttered in
the name of the congregation Christ is spiritually present, and to
those who worthily partake, his body and blood, being spiritually
present, convey the same nourishment to their souls, the same
quickening to their spiritual life, as bread and wine do to the
natural life. It is very clear that the _Lord's Supper_ is a
_covenant_ rite, and consequently a sacrament--"a visible sign and
seal on the part of Him who made the covenant, that it was established
in and ratified by the sacrificial death of Christ."
1. ITS INSTITUTION.
MATT. XXVI, 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed
it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat;
this is my body.
27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
Drink ye all of it;
28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many
for the remission of sins.
29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of
the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's
kingdom.
30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of
Olives.
MARK XIV, 22. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and
brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
23. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to
them: and they all drank of it.
24. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament,
which is shed for many.
25. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the
vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
LUKE XXII, 14. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve
apostles with him.
15. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this
passover with you before I suffer:
16. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be
fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and
divide it among yourselves:
18. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine,
until the kingdom of God shall come.
19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto
them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in
remembrance of me.
20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1 COR. XI, 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he
was betrayed, took bread:
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew
the Lord's death till he come.
2. THE OBLIGATION UPON CHRISTIANS TO OBSERVE IT.
1 COR. XI, 24. 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.
25. 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.
26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew
the Lord's death till he come.
MATT. XXVI, 27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to
them, saying, Drink ye all of it.
MARK VIII, 38. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my
words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the
Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with
the holy angels.
LUKE XXII, 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and
gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this
do in remembrance of me.
MARK XIV, 23. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he
gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
MATT. X, 32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will
I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny
before my Father which is in heaven.
MATT. V, 14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill can not be hid.
15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
ISAIAH XLIV, 5. One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call
himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his
hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
DEUT. XXVI, 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 his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
18. And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar
people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his
commandments.
3. THE ELEMENTS TO BE USED.
1 COR. X, 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?
17. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all
partakers of that one bread.
LUKE XXII, 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and
gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this
do in remembrance of me.
20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
MATT. XXVI, 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed
it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat;
this is my body.
27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
Drink ye all of it;
28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many
for the remission of sins.
29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of
the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's
kingdom.
BOOK VI.
CHRISTIAN DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES.
CHAPTER I.
PRAYER.
1. PRAYER A DUTY.
MARK XI, 25. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught
against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you
your trespasses.
26. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in
heaven forgive your trespasses.
MATT. V, 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you.
MATT. XXVI, 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the
spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
LUKE XVIII, 1. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men
ought always to pray, and not to faint.
EPH. VI, 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints.
COL. IV, 2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with
thanksgiving.
PHIL. IV, 4. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my
prayers,
5. Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord
Jesus, and toward all saints;
6. That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
1 THESS. V, 17. Pray without ceasing.
1 TIM. II, 1. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is
in Christ Jesus.
2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others
also.
3. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
JAMES IV, 3. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye
may consume it upon your lusts.
1 TIM. II, 8. I will therefore that men pray every-where, lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
HEB. IV, 15. For we have not a high priest which can not be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin.
16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
JAMES I, 5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is
like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the
Lord.
2. VOCAL AND AUDIBLE.
DAN. IX, 19. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do;
defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people
are called by thy name.
20. And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and
the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the
Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God:
21. Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I
had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly,
touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
22. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am
now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth,
and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore
understand the matter, and consider the vision.
PSALM LV, 16. As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save
me.
17. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and
he shall hear my voice.
PSALM LXXXVI, 3. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee
daily.