The Divine Right of Church Government: Wherein it is proved that the Presbyterian government, by preaching and ruling elders, in sessional, Presbyterial and synodical assemblies, may lay the only lawful claim to a divine right, according to the Holy Scriptures
Religion
The Divine Right of Church Government: Wherein it is proved that the Presbyterian government, by preaching and ruling elders, in sessional, Presbyterial and synodical assemblies, may lay the only lawful claim to a divine right, according to the Holy Scriptures
Presbyterian Church -- Government
IV. Do you seriously and heartily desire and endeavor never to sin more;
but to walk with God unto all well-pleasing continually? Col. i. 10. And
do you pray earnestly that God would work in you that which is
well-pleasing in his sight, Heb. xiii. 21, that you may in all your ways
honor and glorify him, as the end of your living in this world? 2 Cor.
v. 15. Would you indeed live to the praise of his glorious grace, be an
ornament unto his name and gospel, and be fruitful in every good word
and work? Are these things the scope, aim, and intent of your hearts and
souls (in some good measure and degree) daily, in duties and ordinances,
and at other times?
V. Do you seriously and heartily choose and desire communion with
Christ, and in truth endeavor to obtain and keep it? Do you so seek for
it in the way of gospel obedience, and in observing your duty in keeping
Christ's commandments? And do you prefer it to all earthly, carnal
things? Do your hearts breathe and pant after it, and are you willing to
deny self, and all self-interests to get it? Are you glad when you find
it, and sad when by your own carelessness you lose it? Doth it when
obtained quicken your love to and zeal for Christ? Doth it warm your
hearts, and cause them for a time to run your race in gospel obedience
cheerfully? Doth it lead you unto, and cause your hearts to centre in
Christ? and doth it oblige and bind them faster unto him and stir you up
to thankfulness?
VI. Do you sincerely and heartily desire, seriously choose, and
earnestly endeavor, to be filled with gospel sincerity towards God and
man, and would you rather be true-hearted towards God than seem to be so
towards man? Would you much rather have the praise of God, and be
approved of by him, than the praise of men, and be extolled by them? Is
it the great thing you aim at, in your profession and practice, to
attain sincerity and uprightness in heart? Is all hypocrisy hateful and
abominable unto you? Are you afraid of it, and do you watch and strive
against it, as against an enemy to God and your own souls, and are you
grieved indeed when you find it in you?
VII. Do you desire and choose Jesus Christ for the great object of your
love, delight, and joy? and do you find him to be so in some measure? Do
you desire and endeavor to make him the object of your warmest
affections, and to love him sincerely, heartily, spiritually, fervently,
and constantly; and do you express your love to him by keeping his
commandments? Are you grieved in spirit, because you can love him no
more? and do you earnestly pray unto him to shed abroad his love into
your hearts by the Holy Ghost, that you may love him as ye ought? Rom.
v. 5. Doth his love and loveliness attract your hearts to him, and cause
you to yield the obedience of faith to his holy laws?
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