XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

XXV.

XXVI.

XXVII.

XXVIII.

Sect.

Why we say, I believe the Church, not-in the Church

By that expression, we profess our faith of the perpetuity

of the Church

The different periods of which, and the wonderful admi.

nistration of God respecting them, we should devoutly

consider

We are also to cultivate communion with the Church
From which we ought not to be deterred by some ble

mishes, or by the faults of others
Provided she prove herself a true Church of Christ, by

the profession of evangelical truth
Which is nowhere more uncorrupted than in the society

of those who are usually called The REFORMED
Whatever be the idle clamours of the Romanists with re-

gard to its being a society newly sprung up XXIX. XXX.
Internal communion with the spiritual Church is neces-

sary to a solid hope of salvation
Several properties and characteristics of this Church de-
tailed

XXXII. XXXV.

Believers, for their own comfort, should meditate on the

happy condition of the Church

Since each of them shares of it, according to his measure xxxvIL

Faith respecting the Church, infers the offices of Charity

towards her

XXXVIII. XXXIX.

The article of the COMMUNION OF Saints, being nearly

the same with that of the Church, is omitted in many

ancient copies of the Creed

God, Angels, Men, are called Holy

All of these have a certain communion with each other

But in the Creed, the Communion of holy men is chiefly

intended, which is either that of those in heaven with

one another

XLIII.

Or of those who live on the earth, with the inhabitants of

heaven

Or of saints living on the earth, amongst themselves XLV.
Improvement of this article

XLVI.XLVIII.

XXXVI.

XL.

XLI.

XLII.

XLIV.

DISSERTATION XXV.

On the Forgiveness of Sins.

Pages 385–406.

SECT.

The Church, how holy soever, has always her faults on

earth, and needs the forgiveness of sins

The chief heads of this Dissertation

A description of Sin

In all sin there is infelicity and misery, which are express-

II.

III.

חטאה ed by the Hebrew word

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

As also a stain and guilt

In what sense guilt can, or cannot, be separated from sin VI.

The forgiveness of sins

VII.

As to its substance, it is a blessing of the covenant of grace

equally pertaining to all believers in every age VIII.-XII.
With regard to circumstances, however, it is diversified

according to the difference between the Old and the

New dispensation
Even the forgiveness enjoyed chiefly under the New dis-

pensation, is distinguished by several steps

The faith of the forgiveness of sins comprises, 1. Con-

fession of the debt

2. Giving glory to God as able to justify the ungodly in

a manner worthy of his perfections

3. The soul's betaking itself to Christ to obtain pardon in

him

Which can only be done, according to the order God has

prescribed

4. Assurance of having obtained forgiveness

XIX.
Which is to be carefully distinguished from bold presump-

tion, by certain signs-Antecedent

Concomitant

Consequent

The condition of those whose sins are not forgiven is ex-

tremely wretched

XXIII-XXVII.

The state of those that are partakers of this blessing, is
truly happy

XXVIII-XXX.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

DISSERTATION XXVI.

I.

II.

IV.

v.

VI.IX.

XXIV.

XXII. XXVII.

XXVIII. XXXIII.

On the Resurrection of the Body, and the

Life Everlasting

Pages 407-483.

SECT.

A threefold Resurrection

Civil

Spiritual

III.

And that of the body
The resurrection is the great support of Christians
That there will be a resurrection of the body, is the doce

trine of Scripture, in both Testaments
Reason gives her suffrage, after she is subdued to the obe-

dience of faith
The same body, in regard to substance, is to rise again XV.-XXI.
It is vain to object the barbarity of Cannibals, and eaters

of one another's flesh

The body will be endowed, however, with very different

qualities

There will be a resurrection of all men, both righteous

and wicked

And that at one and the same time

Rev. XX. 4–6. not inconsistent with this assertion

LIFE EVERLASTING, the final object of our hope, denotes

not merely existence, but the endless felicity of the

whole man

It has its beginnings here
But greater happiness awaits separate spirits ; which, af.

XXXIV.XLVI.

XLVII-XLIX.

L.LVIII.

Sect.
IMPROVEMENT. 1. From this sublime doctrine, let us
learn the Divine origin of the Gospel

LXXIX.LXXXII.

2. Let us carefully inquire, whether we ourselves have a

solid hope of this glorious felicity

LXXXIV.--LXXXVII.

3. Let us labour diligently, lest we come short of

it

LXXXVIN. LXXXIX.

4. Let us comfort ourselves with the hope of it, amidst

all our adversities

5. Let us walk worthy of it, by leading a heavenly life

in this world

XCI. .

XC.

1. Amongst the precious promises with which the God of heaven was graciously pleased to favour the people of Israel, that in which he assured them that he should “ walk in the midst of them,”a is entitled to hold a distinguished place. The Lord made good this promise in various ways, and by several steps. Ist, He caused the tabernacle of the congregation to be erected, and the ark of the testimony and covenant to be made, and gave them to Israel as symbols of his special presence. With regard to the tabernacle he said: “ This shall “ be a continual burnt-offering throughout your gene“rations, at the door of the tabernacle of the congre

gation, before the LORD; where I will meet with you “ to speak there unto thee. And there I will meet “ with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall “ be sanctified by my glory.—And I will dwell amongst