Westminster Assembly

Westminster Assembly

Acts 6:4

"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word."

..

..

1 Timothy 4:6-16

" If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 1 Tim 4:6-16 (KJV)

The Continental Journal Newspaper, March 11, 1779

Sunday, June 19, 2011
If all things succeed as already agreed,
And immutable impulses rule us;
To preach and to pray, is but time thrown away,
And our teachers do nothing but fool us.


 If we're driven by fate, either this way or that, 
As the carman whips us his horses,
Then no man can stray-all go the right way,
As the stars that are fix'd in their courses.


But if by free will, we can go or stand still,
As best suits the present occasion;
Then fill up the galls, and confirm him and ass
That depends upon Predestination.


This answer appeared two weeks later in the same newspaper.




If an all perfect mind rules over mankind,
With infinite wisdom and power;
Sure he may decree, and yet the will be free,
The deeds and events of each hour.


If Scripture affirms in the plainest of terms,
The doctrine of Predestination'
We ought to believe it, and humbly receive it, 
As a truth of divine revelation.


If all things advance with the force of mere chance,
Or by human free will are directed'
To preach and to pray, will be time thrown away,
Our teachers may be well rejected.


If men are deprav'd, and to vice so enslav'd'
That the heart chuses nothing but evil;
Then who goes on still by his own corrupt will, 
Is driving post haste to the devil.


Then let human pride and vain cavil subside,
It is plain to a full demonstration,
That he's a wild ass, who over his glass,
dare ridicule Predestination.

0 comments:

Post a Comment