A brief view of the doctrines of the Christian religion

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Preface

Experience has proved that, in the present constitution of our nature, the human mind, without proper cultivation, is more likely to be productive of noxious weeds, than of those fruits which evince love to God and benevolence to man; hence the Scriptures enjoin that children should be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and the apostle Paul speaks in commendation of Eunice, the mother of Timothy, who, it appears, had instilled into his youthful mind, that knowledge which makes "wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

The author hopes that those parents or tutors who are thus endeavouring to enlarge the kingdom of the Redeemer among men, may derive some assistance from this little work. In compiling it, although his primary object has been the instruction of youth, yet his views have not been confined to this class ; for (whatever deficiencies may appear in the following attempt to illustrate the truths of the Gospel,) Christian Redemption is a subject peculiarly interesting to all, because it embraces our most important interests iv PREFACE.

in time, and in eternity. Indeed, whether we consider the unfathomable love wherein it originated, or the height of happiness to which it is designed to raise fallen, degenerate man, it demands of us every sentiment of gratitude, adoration and praise, to an all-wise Creator, who is called, and whose nature is, Love.

Chapter I

Sect. 1. Happiness the principal object pursued by mankind ; how it is to be attained. § 2. Of the Deity. — Proofs of his existence. — He reveals himself to man by his Holy Spirit, and also by the Holy Scriptures. § 3. The Scripture account of the creation of the world. — Of the creation of irrational animals, and lastly of man. § 4. Adam's fall from the image of God in which he was created. — Its effects upon himself and his posterity. 5 5. God has compassion on fallen man, and provides a Saviour to restore him. — Jesus Christ is this Saviour. § 6. That God did, previously to the coming of Christ, reveal his will to man, 1st. By the Patriarchs : 2ndly. By the Law : 3dly. By the Prophets : also universally by the Spirit of Christ. § 7. Of the Patriarchs — Abraham leaves his native country in obedience to a Divine command — His faith in the promises of God — On the fulfilment of these promises. Page 9 — 31.

Chapter II

Sect. 1. God reveals himself to the children of Abraham, particularly to Moses. § 2. Of the revelation of the Divine will to Moses. — Of the law given by Moses to the Israelites.

6 CONTENTS.

5 3. The Mosaic Law considered, 1st. As political ; its exclusive application to the Israelites as a nation : 2ndly. As ceremonial ; which is typical or figurative of the mediatorial work and office of the . Messiah : 3dly. As moral ; this part of the Law stated as set forth in the Ten Commandments — and continues of universal obligation at the present day. — Of the Christian Sabbath. — Of the substance of the Law as expressed by Christ and his apostles. — Of man's ability to keep the commandments of God. 5 4. Of the prophets subsequent to Moses. — Moses and the prophets foretell the coming of Christ.— Isaiah's description of the person and mediatorial office of Christ.

Chapter III

Sect 1. The prophecies concerning Christ fulfilled. He assumes human nature, becomes our Atonement or Mediator — triumphs over sin by offering up his life as a sacrifice for sin, and by his subsequent resurrection — All men partake of the benefit of Christ's death. § 2. Christ offers himself to mankind as a Saviour from sin, by his spirit, by the Scriptures, and by his servants. Faith, what it is— The New Birth necessary to Salvation. § 3. Of Repentance — Forgiveness of sins or Justification — Sanctification or justification to be experienced only through the righteousness of Christ. — Victory over sin — Perfection or freedom from sin — Possibility of falling away from a state of grace. § 4. Faith made manifest by good works — Of good works, what they are — Faith and works inseparable, and necessary to Justification, but not the cause of it — this to be ascribed to the New Birth — Of Perseverance. § 5. The difference between the spiritually-minded man and the carnallyminded man — Their respective prospects after death — The day of Judgment. Page 50 — 84.

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Sect. 1. The nature of true Worship — the public worship of God a duty — the advantages that result from it — Prayer and praise a part of Divine worship — their nature. § 2. The qualifications of a gospel minister — the benefits attendant on a gospel ministry. § 3. Of the Baptism of Christ — Of Water Baptism — the latter not enjoined by Christ — the practice of the apostles on this subject considered. § 4. The nature of the Supper which Christ ate with his disciples the night before his crucifixion — reasons for considering the celebration of it as not now obligatory. — The Supper of the Lord, of which Christians partake, inward and spiritual. Page 85 — 110.

A BRIEF VIEW, &c.

Section I

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

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

2nd. Q. — How is true happiness to be attained ?

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

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

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

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

1 Cor. ii. 9. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him. 10. But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit.

Section II

3d. Q.— Who is God ?

A — God is the infinite, eternal, and invisible Being or Spirit, who created and who upholds all things.

John iv. 24. God is a Spirit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deut. iv. 35. The Lord, he is God, there is none else besides him.

John i. 1. The Word was God. 18. No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John x. 30. I and my Father are one.

John xiv. 23. If a man love me, he will keep my words : and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things.

John xv. 26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.

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.

Gal. iv. 6. God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

2 Cor. xiii*. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

5th Q. — What are the proofs we have of the existence of a God?

A. — They are of two sorts, 1st. The works of creation. 2ndly. The revelation God has made of himself to man.

6th Q. — What are the proofs derived from creation ?

A. — They are innumerable: the earth we live upon abounds with them; which, with the sun, the moon and the stars, and the various revolutions in the planetary system, proclaims the existence of an all-wise, all-powerful Being, by whom they must have been created, and by whose power they continue to be upheld. Thus when we see a house, we are certain that it could not have made or built itself, but must have been the work of some man ; so when we behold things indicative of design that far exceed the ability of man, we reasonably attribute them to a Superior Power.

Psalm civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches.

Psal. xix. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handy work. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. 3. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.

Acts xiv. 17. He left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Rom. i. 20. The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead.

Psal. cxxxix. 14. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made ; marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.

7th Q. — How does God reveal himself to man?

A. — By his Holy Spirit, which checks us when we incline to do evil, and incites and encourages us to do good. #

* " How often," says the pious Grove, " are good thoughts suggested, heavenly affections kindled and inflamed ! How often is the 'Christian prompted to holy actions, drawn to his duty, re-

Deut. xxx. 11. For this commandment which I command thee this day, is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 14. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart, that thou mayst do it.

Neh. ix. 20. Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them.

Rom. ii. 14. When the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15. Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing, or else excusing, one another.

Rom. x. 6. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven ? (that is, to bring Christ down from above :) 7. Or, who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 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.

8th Q. — Has not God also revealed his will to man by the Holy Scriptures ?

A. — Yes, inasmuch as they were written for the instruction of mankind by men inspired of God.

2 Tim. iii. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of stored, quickened, persuaded, in such a manner, that he would be unjust to the Spirit of God, to question his agency in the whole ! Yes, O my soul ! there is a Supreme Being, who governs the world, and is present with it ; who takes up his more special habitation in good men, and is nigh to all who call upon Him, to sanctify and assist them ! Hast thou not felt Him, O my soul ! like another soul, actuating thy faculties, exalting thy views, purifying thy passions, exciting thy graces, and begetting in thee an abhorrence of sin and a love of holiness] And is not all this an argument of his presence, as truly as if thou didst see him ?*' Hints on Regeneration, by Richard Phillips, second edition, p. 41.

God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Rom. xv. 4. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience, and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.

2 Pet. i. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

John xv. 15. All things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you. 16. I have chosen you and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. 27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

1 Cor. iv. 1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 John i. 1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life; 2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us ;) 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you.

9th Q. — What do the Holy Scriptures declare of God ?

A. — That he is the Creator of all things, and perfect in power, wisdom and holiness; that he abhors sin : that he is the fountain of every thing lovely, yea, that he is love itself. That he dispenses his goodness to all his creatures according to their capacities, and willeth not the destruction of sinners, but that they should return to him, repent and live.

1 Chron. xxix. 11. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty ; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Exod. xv. 11. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders ?

Rev. iv. 8. And they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.

Psal. v. 4. Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness ; neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight : thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

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.

Psal. xxxiii. 5. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Psal. cvii. 8. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men ! 9. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Matt. v. 45. He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Isai. Iv. 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Ezek. xxxiii. 11. As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked ; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.

2 Pet. iii. 9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness ; but is long. suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

SECTION III. 10th Q. — How do the Scriptures describe the creation ?

A. — They inform us that God created the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all things that are therein, whether animate or inanimate, by the Word of his power.

Gen. i. 1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Neh. ix. 6. Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and ail that is therein, and thou preservest them all.

Psal. xxxiii. 6. By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made : and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Heb. xi. 3. The worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

1 lth Q. — Do not the Scriptures describe the creation of man as differing in its manner from that of other creatures ?

A. — The irrational animals Avere created by the divine Word calling them into existence, but the language of the Almighty previously to the creation of Adam, was, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:" then we are informed that he created man in his own image, even in the image of God.

Gen. i. 24. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind : and it was so. 26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him.

12th Q. — What is to be understood by the image of God in man ?

A. — A breath of life which was breathed into him by God, by which he was made a partaker of the divine nature, and had union and communion with God.

Gen. ii. 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life ; and man became a living soul.

2 Cor. iii. 18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Eph. iv, 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Col. iii. 10. And [ye] have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

2 Pet. i. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises ; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.

1 John i. 3. Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

13th Q. — Did Adam remain alone?

A. — No, the Lord saw that it was not good that he should be alone, and therefore formed a woman to be an help meet for him, whom Adam called Eve, and God gave them dominion over all the creatures.

Gen. ii. 18. And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone ; I will make an help meet for him. 21. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. 22. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. See also 1 Cor. xi. 8.

Gen. iii. 20. And Adam called his wife's name Eve ; because she was the mother of all living.

Gen. i. 28. God said unto them, Have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

14th Q. — Where did Adam and Eve dwell?

A. — In a garden eastward in Eden; in which grew every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, and in the midst of the garden grew the tree of life, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Gen. ii. 8. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden ; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food ; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Section IV

15th Q. — Did Adam evince his love and gratitude to his Creator for all these blessings?

A. — No, for though the Almighty allowed him freely to eat of every tree of the garden in which he was placed, except the tree of knowledge of good and evil, of which God forbade him to eat, saying, that on the day he ate of it he should surely die, yet notwithstanding this injunction he did eat of it.

Gen. ii. 16. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayst freely eat ; 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

See also the proofs to the two next Answers.

16th Q. — What induced Adam to eat the forbidden fruit ?

A. — The serpent or devil tempted Eve, and she took of the fruit and did eat, and she gave to Adam, and he also ate thereof.

Gen. iii. 4. And the serpent said unto the woman, Yo shall not surely die: 5. For God doth know, that, in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened ; and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat ; and gave also unto her husband with her ; and he did eat.

John viii. 44. He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own : for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1 John iii. 8. He that committeth sin, is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.

Rev. xii. 9. And the great dragon was east out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.

17th Q. — Did Adam and Eve die in the day they ate of the forbidden fruit ?

20 BEVAJVS* VIEW.

A. — They did not cease to exist as creatures, but they died to that spiritual life or divine image in which thev had communion with God.

Rom. vi. 23. The wages of sin is death.

Rom. v. 12. By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.

Rom. viii. 6. To be carnally minded is death ; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace : 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God.

James i. 15. When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin : and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

John v. 24. He that heareth my word, and believeth

on him that sent me, is passed from death unto life.

25. The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God ; and they that hear shall live.

Epb. ii. 1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.

Eph. v. 14. Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

1 Tim. v. 6. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

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.

Rev. iii. 1. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.*

18th Q. — What were the consequences of this spiritual death to our first parents ?

A. — They lost the righteousness and purity, the love, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit,

* Though most of these texts may not appear to apply personally to Adam, they prove that the death which is the consequenc e of sin, which Adam's was, is a death of a deeper import than merely that of the body.

which were the fruits of the divine image in which they were created, and were brought under the dominion of the evil inclinations which have ever since abounded in the world, and, having yielded themselves to the power of sin, they became liable to temporal death and eternal misery.

See the proofs to the 20th Answer.

19th Q. — Has the earth suffered any change in consequence of the fall of man?

A. — The ground was cursed in consequence of it, so that it produces thorns and thistles, and man was turned out of the garden of Eden, and is doomed to till the ground, and with sorrow to eat of the fruit of it, to the day of his death, when his body is to return to the dust whence it was taken.

Gen. iii. 17. And unto Adam he [God] said, Because thou hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it ; cursed is the ground for thy sake ; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. 18. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee ; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground, for out of it wast thou taken ; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 23. Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

20th Q — Are all mankind involved in the effects of Adam's disobedience ?

A. — Yes, for as Adam had effaced the divine image in himself, and become wholly degenerate, so his children can have no good thing as belonging to their nature, which he from whom they derive their common nature, had not to communicate.*

Gen. vi. 5. And God saw that every imagination of the thoughts of his [man's] heart was only evil continually.

Jer. xvii. 9. The heart is deceitful ahove all things, and desperately wicked ; who can know it?

Rom. viii. 7. The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.