Prefaces and Prologues to Famous Books - with Introductions, Notes and Illustrations by Unknown
page 65 of 561 (11%)
page 65 of 561 (11%)
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constitute one person--That the office of Christ, appointed for the
acquisition and application of complete salvation by his merit and efficacy, is sacerdotal, regal, and prophetical--Next follows the manner in which Christ executed his office, or actually performed the part of a Mediator, being an exposition of the Articles respecting his death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.--Lastly, the Author shows the truth and propriety of affirming that Christ merited the grace of God and salvation for us. III. As long as Christ is separate from us, he profits us nothing. Hence the necessity of our being ingrafted into him, as branches into a vine. Therefore the doctrine concerning Christ is followed, in the third part of the Creed, by this clause, "I believe in the Holy Spirit," as being the bond of union between us and Christ. So in the third book our Author treats of the Holy Spirit, who unites us to Christ--and consequently of faith, by which we embrace Christ, with his twofold benefit, free righteousness, which he imputes to us, and regeneration, which he commences within us, by bestowing repentance upon us.--And to show that we have not the least room to glory in such faith as is unconnected with the pursuit of repentance, before proceeding to the full discussion of justification, he treats at large of repentance and the continual exercise of it, which Christ, apprehended by faith, produces in us by his Spirit--He next fully discusses the first and chief benefit of Christ when united to us by the Holy Spirit that is, justification--and then treats of prayer, which resembles the hand that actually receives those blessings to be enjoyed, which faith knows, from the word of promise, to be laid up with God for our use.--But as all men are not united to Christ, the sole Author of salvation, by the Holy Spirit, who creates and |
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