Book Description

Excerpt from A Foundation and Plain Instruction of the Saving Doctrine of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Briefly Compiled From the Word of God; Translated From the Dutch Language Into the German, Together With Other Instructive Treatises Beloved reader: We live in a period of time in which 'many writings are circulated among the people, which generally are more injurious than beneficial, since the greater part contain not the pure and uncorrupted truth of the gospel, although it is the only rule, in accordance with which every thing should be regulated, Written and taught, as St. Paul testifies Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (gal. If its directions were fol lowed, there would not be so many scorners oi the Christian reli gion; for, by the pious, virtu'ous, and godly life Of its professors, they would be convinced that something true and substantial is in its composition; as Paul teaches, that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believe th. (rom. Yea, it is so powerful an Operator in all those who truly believe, that their hard hearts become softened, renewed, and enlivened, so that, as they were formerly carnally minded, so they have now become spiritual and heavenly-minded; and as they have been proud, imp e. Rious, envious, and implacable against 'those who may have ag grieved them, so they are now humble, mild, condescending, patient, peaceable, and forgiving towards their opponents, accordingto the example of their Lord and Saviour J esus Christ, and the instruo tions of his word. But this salutary in uence is to be found and per ceived in so small a degree among the present Christians, that the reverse is much more in vogue, from which circumstance it, conse'. Quently, arises that atheism, the rejection of all revealed religion, advances with such rapid strides. For, say its advocates, were the' professors of Christianity firm believers in the truth of scripture, they would conduct their lives according to its tenor, as Christ and his apostles have inculcated; but since this conformity is but seldom evinced, they conclude it to be the work ofman, and a fabric of impos ture, and exclaim: Our bonds are in twain and we are free; we will none of us go without his part of our volup tuousness, for this is our portion, (to. Such things do they imagine, and are deceived for their own wickedness hath blinded them, so that the mysteries of God they know not; neither hope they for the wages of righteous ness, nor discern a reward for blameless souls. (wisd. Oh! How deplorable that so many profess Christ with the lips, but yet'by their works deny both him and his doctrine, whence, in the eyes of God, they are not better than the manifest scorner of his word; although comforting themselves, and being comforted by their u'nl' About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."