Seven Reasons God Sends Affliction

Every affliction upon the servants of God has some special goodness in it. This is a ground of comfort for the Christian. “We know that all things work together for good unto them that love God” (Rom. 8:28). And in regard hereof, the crosses which are endured by God’s children, are so far from being prejudicial to their salvation, that they are rather helps and a furtherance of the same. Now this goodness is perceived two ways: first, by the fruits and effect of it; and, second, by the quality and condition thereof. In both respects, afflictions are good.… Read More Seven Reasons God Sends Affliction

The Gospel Call Binds The Conscience

God in the gospel generally reveals two points unto us: the first, that there is perfect righteousness and life everlasting to be obtained by Christ; and the second, that the instrument to obtain righteousness and life eternal is faith in Christ. Moreover, when this gospel is dispensed and preached unto us, God reveals unto us two points more: the first, that He will make us particularly to be partakers of true righteousness and life everlasting by Christ; and the second, that He will have us without doubting to believe thus much of ourselves. And for this cause, every man to whom the gospel is revealed is bound to believe his own election, justification, sanctification, and glorification in and by Christ.… Read More The Gospel Call Binds The Conscience

Rome Denies the Mediatorial Offices of Christ

By consequence of doctrine Roman dogma abolishes Christ, as I have shown. Papists in word confess Him to be “Our Lord,” but with this condition, that the Servant of Servants [i.e. the Pope] may alter and change His precepts, whose power (they say) is of the greatness, that he may be judged of none, and that he can open or shut heaven to whom he please. They confess Him to be “Jesus Our Savior,” yet a Savior in us, in that He gives us this grace, that by our own merits we may be our own saviors, borrowing also (if need be) a supply from martyrs and the rest of the saints. They confess Him to be “crucified, dead, and buried” for us, yet with this condition, that the fault being pardoned, we ourselves must satisfy for some part of the punishment, either in this world or in purgatory. They confess that, “He sits at the right hand of God the Father,” to be unto Him the Mediator of intercession for us. And yet withal, they hold that His mother is the queen of heaven, having authority to control and command her Son. What a Christ is He that, in sundry actions pertaining to our redemption, has partners or fellows joined with Him? For this cause, we reject this religion, because it turns our only and perfect Redeemer into a feigned Christ of man’s devising.… Read More Rome Denies the Mediatorial Offices of Christ

New Covenant Tribulations

First, God’s Word threatens plagues and punishments to the disobedient and the transgressors of His commandments. Secondly, because these are the last times, and Satan sees that he has but a short time to continue, therefore he bestirs himself. Thirdly, the church of God has always been subject to the cross, and none must marvel if it be. How can the world love them that hate it and have little acquaintance with it and are on the earth as pilgrims, waiting every day for happy passage through the troublesome sea of this life to their own home, even to the heavenly city of Jerusalem?… Read More New Covenant Tribulations

The Efficacy of the Sacraments | William Perkins

William PerkinsReformed Catholic, Works VII, pp. 134-138Of the Efficacy of the Sacraments I. Our Consent Conclusion 1. We teach and believe that the sacraments are signs to represent Christ with His benefits unto us. Conclusion 2. We teach further, that the sacraments are indeed instruments whereby God offers and gives the foresaid benefits unto us.… Read More The Efficacy of the Sacraments | William Perkins