It is a judicial action of the church, consisting in two things here noted: first, in examination of false doctrine and false teachers; secondly, in condemnation afterward. The examination of them is set down in these words: “and hast examined them that say they are apostles, and are not” (Rev. 2:2); and their condemning or sentence giving in the words following, “and has found them liars” (Rev. 2:2).… Read More How To Combat False Teachers
What does the Bible mean by the terms “stumbling block,” “offence,” and “scandal” (Matthew 18; Acts 15; Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8; 1 John 2:10; Revelation 2:14; etc.)? The following excerpt is from James Durham’s A Treatise Concerning Scandal (pp. 4-17). James Durham’s rich and exhaustive treatise was last published by Naphtali Press in 1990,… Read More What Does “Stumbling Block” Mean?
A Short Treatise on Deaconsby James Guthrie (1612?–1661) That we may also understand what doth belong unto deacons, we shall speak of them briefly, after the same order. (1.) Of their name. (2.) Of their institution. (3.) Of their calling. (4.) Of their duty and qualification. Of the Name, Deacon. The word “deacon” [διακονέω, διάκονος], largely taken,… Read More The Duties of Deacons
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” (Matthew. 9:13)… There is much to be learned from God’s expressing himself in his word that he likes mercy to them that stand in need of it, better than the offering of the richest sacrifice. Three things especially we learn in it: 1. The respective value and preference of duties. 2. The guise of hypocrites, as our Saviour pinches and taxes the Pharisees often by this point. 3. The excellence of mercy.… Read More Moral Duties Before Ritual
The Young Man’s Friend and Guide through Life to Immortality, Success or Failure in Business By John Angell James (1785-1859) He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. (Proverbs 10:4) In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)… Read More Ecclesiastes: Hard Work & Prosperity
Richard Baxter’s Rules & Directions for Family Duties. Shewing how every one ought to behave himself in a Christian behaviour, suitable to that Relation in which God hath placed him. Wherein is set forth the duty of Parents (required of God) towards their Children; likewise Children’s duty to their Parents. Husbands to their Wives, and… Read More Rules & Directions for Family Duties
Samuel Rutherford, Lex Rex, The Law and the Prince (1644), Question XXXI. Whether or no self-defence against any unjust violence offered to the life, be warranted by God’s Law, and the law of nature and nations. Self-preservation in all creatures in which is nature, is in the creatures suitable to their nature. The bull defendeth… Read More A Biblical and Reasonable Defense of Self-Defense
The Well-Ordered Family: Wherein the Duties of its various Members are described and urged. A small, but very comprehensive piece, suitable to be in the hand of every Householder; and may be especially seasonable in the present day. By that eminently pious and learned Divine, Mr. Isaac Ambrose, Minister of the Gospel at Preston. “But… Read More The Well Ordered Family
Dr. George DownameThe Christian’s Sanctuary, pp. 29-49 Inward and spiritual exercise of prayer joined with repentance What then is the spiritual exercise and the inward fast, whereunto the outward abstinence must be referred? It is an humbling of our souls in a solemn exercise of prayer, joined with repentance, for the obtaining of our special… Read More The Christian Duty of Fasting: 3. The Inward Fast
Dr. George DownameThe Christian’s Sanctuary, pp. 18-29 Thus we have heard that the religious fast is a solemn exercise of religion, to be undertaken of us, when we are humble suitors to the Lord, upon some urgent occasion. Let us now consider wherein this exercise doth consist, which is expressed in the rest of the… Read More The Christian Duty of Fasting: 2. The Outward Fast
