by William Ames
in epub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Thanks to Bill Gross for his painstaking efforts to hand-type this true classic Christian book which he also mildly updated for modern readers. The 1279 footnotes alone would have been quite a task.
Preface
A Brief Premonition or forewarning of the Author touching the reason of his purpose.
Although I do not assume to comprehend in my mind all the thoughts of evil speakers, yet I foresee diverse exceptions which this, my endeavour, will fall into (proceeding certainly from a very good intent) pro seculi genio, according to the disposition of the world – the chief of which I purpose to address briefly.
Some, and those indeed are not unlearned, dislike this whole manner of writing – that the sum of Divinity should be brought into a short compendium. They desire great volumes in which they may loosely either dwell or wander. I desire to consider those who do not have so great a leisure, nor so vast a wit, as to hunt the partridge in the Mountains and the Woods. But the condition of many rather requires that the nest itself, or the seat of the matter which they pursue, be shown without any more ado.
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Some do not dislike this way, if the chief heads are handled in a rhetorical way; they think that every particle is not to be insisted on so punctually.1 But indeed, when the speech is carried on like a swift stream, although it catches many things of all sorts, yet you can hold fast only a little, you can catch only a little; you cannot find where you may constantly rest. But when certain rules are delivered, the Reader always has, as it were at every pace, the place marked where he may set his foot.
There will also be some who condemn the care of Method and Logical form as curious 2 and troublesome. But to them a sounder judgment is to be wished, because they remove the art of understanding, judgment, and memory from those things which deserve only to be understood, known, and committed to memory.
On the other side, there will not be lacking some who require more exactness in the art of Logic, whom, through my own imperfection, I could not fully satisfy even if I would; nor indeed would I do so much as I could, because of the weakness of others. I imagine there will not be a few who will think that
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setting forth such institutions as these is superfluous, after so many labours of learned men, of the same kind; and it is to do only what has been done before. I would readily be of such an opinion if anything of this kind were extant, and which pleased all in every respect.
Notwithstanding this, I would not have so taken to hope any such thing of this writing, as if it even came into my mind. But I am not out of hope that it may come to pass that two or three or so, may fall upon this work of ours, who may find something here more fitting to instruct and stir them up to piety, than they have observed in the more learned writings of others. If this conjecture does not fail me, I will think I have done a work worth the labor.
I can only expect to be blamed for obscurity by those who are not so skilful, whom I desire would learn from Cyrus, Radiorum ta<v dia fa>seiv latis luminibus non tam esse suaves, that is, ‘The diffused brightness of the beams of the Sun is not so pleasant in large windows.’ Certainly a contracted light, though it may seem small, yet it enlightens more (if a man comes near and observes) than that which is, as it were, dispersed by being enlarged too much.
The dryness of the style, and harshness of
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some words will be greatly blamed by the same persons. But I prefer to exercise myself in that heresy, that when it is my purpose to Teach, I think I should not say in two words what may be said in one; and that key is to be chosen which opens best, even though it is made of wood, if there is not a golden key with the same efficacy.
Lastly, if there are any who desire to have some practical things more largely explained, especially in the latter part of this Marrow, we shall endeavor to satisfy them later (if God gives leave) in a particular Treatise which at this time we have an affection for, touching questions which are usually called cases of conscience.
If there are any who still find fault with this, or who desire other things, I would entreat them to candidly impart their thoughts to me, which may afford desired matter for a just apology, or a due amendment.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
A Brief Premonition or forewarning of the Author touching the reason of his purpose.
To the Reader.
Table of Definitions
THE FIRST BOOK OF DIVINITY
Chapter 1. Of the Definition or Nature of Divinity
Chapter 2. Of the Distribution or parts of Divinity
Chapter 3. Of Faith.
Chapter 4. Of God, and his Essence.
Chapter 5. Of the Subsistence of God.
Chapter 6. Of the Efficiency of God.
Chapter 7. Of the Decree and Counsel of God.
Chapter 8. Of Creation.
Chapter 9. Of Providence.
Chapter 10. Of Special Gubernation about intelligent Creatures.
Chapter 11. Of Man’s Apostasy, or Fall.
Chapter 12. Of the consequents of Sin.
Chapter 13. Of Original Sin.
Chapter 14. Of Actual Sin.
Chapter 15. Of Corporal Death.
Chapter 16. Of the Consummation of Death.
Chapter 17. Of the Propagation of Sin.
Chapter 18. Of the Person of Christ, the Mediator
Chapter 19. Of the Office of Christ
Chapter 20. Of Satisfaction.
Chapter 21. Of the Life of Christ being humbled.
Chapter 22. Of the Death of Christ.
Chapter 23. Of the Exaltation of Christ.
Chapter 24. Of the Application of Christ.
Chapter 25. Of Predestination
Chapter 26. Of Calling.
Chapter 27. Of Justification.
Chapter 28. Of Adoption.
Chapter 29. Of Sanctification.
Chapter 30. Of Glorification.
Chapter 31. Of the Church mystically considered.
Chapter 32. Of the Church Instituted.
Chapter 33. Of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Church.
Chapter 34. Of the Holy Scripture.
Chapter 35. Of ordinary Ministers, and their Office in Preaching.
Chapter 36. Of the Sacraments.
Chapter 37. Of Ecclesiastical Discipline.
Chapter 38. Of the Administration of the Covenant of Grace before the coming of Christ.
Chapter 39. Of the Administration of the Covenant from Christ to the end of the World.
Chapter 40. Of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.
Chapter 41. To the end of the World.
THE SECOND BOOK OF SACRED THEOLOGY.
Chapter 1. Of Observance in General
Chapter 2. Of Virtue.
Chapter 3. Of Good Works.
Chapter 4. Of Religion.
Chapter 5. Of Faith.
First Commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.
Chapter 6. Of Hope.
Chapter 7. Of Charity.
Chapter 8. Of Hearing the Word.
Chapter 9. Of Prayer.
Chapter 10. Of an Oath.
Chapter 11. Of a Lot.
Chapter 12. Of Tempting God.
Chapter 13. Of Instituted worship.
Second Commandment: You shall make no graven image
Chapter 14. Of the manner of Divine worship.
Third Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain
Chapter 15. Of the time of worship.
Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath
Chapter 16. Of Justice and Charity toward our neighbour.
The Second Tablet: Justice and Charity
Chapter 17. Of the honour of our Neighbour.
Fifth Commandment: Honour your Father and Mother
Chapter 18. Of humanity toward our Neighbour.
Sixth Commandment: You shall not Murder
Chapter 19. Of Chastity.
Seventh Commandment: You shall not commit Adultery
Chapter 20. Of Commutative Justice.
Eighth Commandment: You shall not Steal
Chapter 21. Of telling Truth. Veracity.
Ninth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness
Chapter 22. Of Contentment.
Tenth Commandment: You shall not Covet
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HT Bill Gross Onthewing.org
