2 c/?Declarationofthe GlorZoLJ My ST E RY fay they, theprincipalArticle ofour cbri f ian faith was declared and deter- mined by Peter, whereunto all the reff o the Apojiles, as in Duty theywere obliged, didgive their confent andfufrage. This was done, as they fup- pofe,:that a rule and law might be given unto future ages, how to enaft and determine articles of faith. For it is to be done by thefuc- cefórs ofPeter prefiding in councils, as it was now done by Peter in this affembly of Chrift and his Apostles. Put they Teem to forget that Chriff himfelf was now prefent, and therefore could have no Vicar, Peeing he prelided in his own perfon. All the claim they lay unto the necefiity of fuck a vifible head of the church on the earth, as may determine articles of faith , is from the abfence of Chriff lince his afcenfion into heaven. But that he lhould alfo have a fubflitute whilft he was prefent, is fotnewhat uncouth. And whilft they live they fhai! never make the pope prefident where Chrifi is prefent. The truth is,_he doth not propofe untö his difciples the framing of an article of truth, but enquires after their own faith, which they expreffed in this confeffion. Such things as thefe will prejudice car- nal intereft, and the prepoffeffion of the minds of men with corrupt imaginations, caufe them to adventure on, to the fcandal, yea, ruin of religion. This Ihort, hut illustrious, confeliion of Peter, comprizeth eminently the whole truth concerning the perfon and o/hes of Chrift. Of his per- fon, in that although he was the Son of Man, under which appellation he made .his enquiry, (Whom do Men fay that I the Son of Man am 1) yet was he'`not only fo, but the eternal Son of the Living God. Of his ofee, ";that he was the Chrift, he whom God had anointed to be the Saviour of the church, in the difcharge of his kingly, prieftly and prophetical power. Inftánces of the like brief confefíions we have elfe- where in the fcripture, Rom. x. 9. If thou fhalt confefs with thy mouth the Lord Jeff's, and fait believe in thy heart that God railed him from the dead, thou f/olt be faced r joh. iv. 2. Eve fpirit that confeffetb that. jefus Chrifi is come in the fiefb, is of God. And every firie that confef Beth not that Nits Chrift is come in the flefh, ibnot of God. And it is manifeft, that all divine truths have fuch a concatenation among themfelves, and do all of them fo center in theperPon of Chriff, as vetted with his offices towards the church, that they are all virtually compri- zed in this confelhon : And they will be fo accounted unto all who de- stroy them not by contrary errors and imaginations incontinent with them; though it be the duty of all men to obtain the exprefs knowledge of them in particular, according unto the means thereof which theydo enjoy. The danger of men's fouls lyeth not in a difability to attain a comprehenfion of longer or more fubtle confeflions of faiths, but in em- bracing things contrary unto, or inconfiftent with, thisfoundation thereof. Whatever it be, whereby men ceafe to hold the bead, how final! foever it .teem, that alone is pernicious, Col, ii. 18, 09. This confeon therefore, as containing the fum and fubftance of that faith, which they were called to give teltimony unto, and concerning which their trial was approaching, is approved by our Saviour: And not only fo, but eminent privilegesare granted unto him that made it, and_ inhim unto the whole church, that lhould live in the fame faith and con.- felon, ver. 07. 18. And Jefas anfwered and faid unto him, Blefedart thou Simon Bar-jona, forfefli and blood bath not revealed it unto thee, but my father which is in heaven. AndI fay alfo unto thee, that thou art Pe- ter, and upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell flooll. not prevail again/I it. Two
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=