A Body of Divinity
A BODY OF DIVINITY:
WHEREIN THE DOCTRINES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ARE EXPLAINED AND DEFENDED.
BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF SEVERAL LECTURES ON THE ASSEMBLY’S LARGER CATECHISM.
BY THOMAS RIDGLEY, D. D.
WITH NOTES, ORIGINAL AND SELECTED,
BY JAMES P. WILSON, D. D.
IN FOUR VOLUMES.
VOL. IV.
FIRST AMERICAN, FROM THE THIRD EUROPEAN EDITION.
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED BY AND FOR WILLIAM W. WOODWARD, CORNER OF CHESNUT AND SOUTH
SECOND STREETS.
1815.
THE CONTENTS OF THE FOURTH VOLUME.
Quest. CXXXVII, CXXXVIII, CXXXIX. An Explication of the Seventh Commandment. Page [9]
THE government of the affections [10]
All uncleanness forbidden ibid
Polygamy was ever unlawful [11]
The aggravations of uncleanness [13]
The occasions of it [14]
Of Theatres—a note [15]
Quest. CXL, CXLI. An Explication of the Eighth Commandment [16]
Of frugality and diligence [17]
Of justice in our dealings [19]
Of charity to the poor [20]
To whom to be extended ibid
And in what proportion [21]
Quest. CXLII. The Sins forbidden in the Eighth Commandment [22]
Of theft and breach of trust [23]
Of borrowing and not paying ibid
Whether Israel was guilty of it [24]
Of plunder in war and oppression [25]
Of unjust law-suits [26]
Of sinful usury [27]
Restitution a duty. Objections answered ibid
Quest. CXLIII, CXLIV, CXLV. An Explication of the Ninth Commandment [28]
The duties required [29]
Sins forbidden [31]
Of bearing false witness [32]
Of lying. The definition of a lie [33]
Its various kinds ibid
The midwives report, in Exod. i. 19. no lie [34]
Of Rahab’s lie, Josh. ii. 4, 5. ibid
Of Jacob’s deceit, in Gen. xxvii. 19. [35]
Elijah’s treatment of the Syrian host [36]
Paul’s answer relating to the high priest [37]
David’s lie to Ahimelech, in 1 Sam. xxi. 2. [38]
His feigned madness at Gath, ver. 13-15. ibid
Of hypocrisy [39]
Paul and Daniel vindicated [40]
Of reproach. It differs from reproof [42]
Things unjustly made the matter of it [43]
Aggravations thereof [44]
Elisha reproached at Bethel Ibid
Of backbiting. Instances of it [48]
Quest. CXLVI, CXLVII, CXLVIII. An Explication of the Tenth Commandment [50]
Contentment required in every state [50]
Motives to it under various troubles [51]
The corruption of Nature forbidden [56]
Of covetousness and its aggravations [58]
Excuses for it answered [59]
Remedies against discontent [61]
Quest. CXLIX. Of man’s inability to keep the Commandments of God [62]
How man sins daily [63]
Of sinful thoughts [64]
The kinds, causes and cure of them ibid
Of sinful words and actions [66]
Quest. CL. All sins not equally heinous [67]
Quest. CLI. The aggravations of sin, and whence they arise [67]
From the parties offending or offended [68]
From the nature and quality of the offence [70]
From the circumstances of it [72]
Quest. CLII, CLIII. Of the Desert of Sin, and of the means of escaping God’s wrath [74]
Wrath of God not passion [75]
How faith and repentance are the means of salvation [76]
Note on procrastination [78]
Quest. CLIV. Of the Ordinances, or outward means of grace [79]
Ordinances described ibid
By what ordinances Christ communicates his benefits [81]
Singing God’s praises of divine institution [82]
A gospel ordinance [83]
To be public and united [84]
Of musical instruments, a note [85]
It is necessary to sing with understanding ibid
David’s Psalms still proper to be sung [89]
Imprecations therein how used [91]
Of hymns of human composure [95]
Scripture Psalms and hymns preferable [96]
Quest. CLV. How the Word is made effectual to salvation [99]
It enlightens and convinces of sin [101]
It humbles and drives out of self [102]
It draws to Christ [103]
Other instances of its efficacy [104]
Quest. CLVL, CLVII. The Word of God to be read by all [106]
The Word is to be read publicly [107]
In families also, and in private [108]
How the Papists oppose this [109]
Their objections answered [110]
Translation of scripture vindicated [112]
How the scripture should be read [113]
Expositions to be consulted [117]
And various translations ibid
Of marginal references [118]
Of supplemental additions [119]
Texts to be compared with their contexts [121]
One part of scripture illustrates another [122]
Parallel scriptures to be compared [124]
Rhetorical figures used in scripture [130]
References there to different governments [135]
To the civil affairs of Jews and others [136]
To civil and religious officers [139]
Of Publicans, Pharisees, Sadducees, Samaritans [140]
General rules for explaining scripture [144]
Quest. CLVIII, CLIX, CLX. Of preaching and hearing the Word [146]
The qualifications of ministers [147]
How the word is to be preached [151]
Diligently, plainly, faithfully [152]
Wisely. Wherein this consists [154]
Zealously and sincerely [155]
Duties to be performed [157]
Before hearing [158]
In hearing, and after it [159]
Quest. CLXI, CLXII, CLXIII, CLXIV. Of the Sacraments [160]
Sacrament. Its meaning [161]
Its nature and matter ibid
How a sign or seal [163]
To whom to be administered [166]
Benefits conveyed therein [167]
How effectual to salvation ibid
By whom to be administered, in note [168]
Various sacraments of old [171]
Now but two [172]
Quest. CLXV. Of Baptism. [174]
Baptism a gospel ordinance ibid
Instituted by Christ [177]
Note, Βαπτιζω a generic term [175]
In whose name to be performed [178]
What signified in it [179]
An expectation of privileges [181]
An acknowledgment of obligations ibid
The right of children to it—in a note [182]
Quest. CLXVI. Of the subjects and mode of Baptism [183]
To whom Baptism is not to be administered ibid
Infants of believers, their right to baptism [186]
By covenant—a note [187]-193
May be dedicated in faith [187]
Are included in the covenant [194]
Are termed holy [196]
Were circumcised [198]
And ought to be baptized [199]
Objections answered, taken
From infants’ want of grace [200]
From the want of precept or example [201]
From Christ’s own Baptism [206]
Infant baptism no novelty [207]
Practised by the ancient church ibid
Baptism an ordinance of dedication [186]
An objection answered ibid
How believers may dedicate their infants in faith [187]
An objection answered [194]
Of the mode of Baptism [216]
Baptism, the meaning of the word ibid
To be performed by pouring or sprinkling [218]
Objections answered [219]
Persons going down into the water [220]
John’s baptizing at Ænon [222]
Our being buried with Christ [225]
Of the sign of the cross [228]
Of sureties in Baptism ibid
Quest. CLXVII. How Baptism should be improved [229]
Quest. CLXVIII, CLXIX, CLXX. Of the Lord’s supper [234]
The Lord’s supper is a gospel ordinance [236]
It was instituted by Christ ibid
By whom to be administered [237]
Of the elements, how consecrated ibid
The actions to be performed [238]
The gesture to be used [239]
Of some Popish irregularities [240]
Things signified in the Lord’s supper [242]
What faith should then fix on [244]
Qualifications of communicants [245], [263]
Quest. CLXXI. Of preparation for the Lord’s supper [246]
Of self examination ibid
Things to be enquired into. Our state [247]
How this may be known ibid
Our sense of sin [248]
Our wants [249]
Our knowledge of divine things [251]
The truth and degree of our graces [253]
Our love to the brethren [255]
How this may be discerned [256]
Quest. CLXXII, CLXXIII. Who fit to be Communicants [258]
Doubting Christians, their case [259]
Encouragement for them ibid
Promises made to them [260]
Advice offered them [262]
The wicked to be kept from the Lord’s table [263]
Objections answered [264]
Quest. CLXXIV, CLXXV. Of the duties required in and after receiving the Lord’s supper [268]
What meditations proper at this ordinance [269]
Graces to be then exercised [270]
We are to rejoice in Christ’s love [273]
Properties of his love ibid
To renew our covenant, and how [275]
To express a love to all saints [276]
What behaviour unsuitable ibid
Vows, how to be made there [278]
How to be fulfilled ibid
A frequent attendance, how encouraged [280]
Quest. CLXXVI, CLXXVII. Wherein Baptism and the Lord’s supper agree, and wherein they differ [281]-284
Quest. CLXXVIII. Of Prayer [285]
Of the kinds and parts of prayer [287]
Confession of sin the duty of all [288]
An objection answered ibid
How to be performed [290]
What sins to be confessed ibid
The sin of our nature ibid
And all actual transgressions [291]
Thankfulness for mercies, a duty [293]
In every age and condition of life ibid
For relative and personal mercies [294]
Quest. CLXXIX, CLXXX, CLXXXI. To whom, and in whose name we must pray [298]
We are to pray to God only [299]
What it is to pray in Christ’s name [300]
Why we are to pray in his name [301]
Quest. CLXXXII, CLXXXIII, CLXXXIV. Of the Spirit’s help in prayer; for whom and for what we are to pray [302]
The Spirits assistance in prayer [303]
What this supposes ibid
It respects the matter of prayer ibid
The inward frame of heart [304]
And the success of the duty [306]
Of raised affections in prayer [308]
Persons to be prayed for, are
The whole church militant [309]
The ministers of Christ [311]
Our enemies, and all men living [312]
Purgatory a fiction [315]
The dead are not to be prayed for [314]
The opinion of the ancients about it [315]
Nor they who have sinned the sin unto death [318]
What that sin is ibid
Whether now committed [319]
Doubts about it resolved [320]
What things we are to pray for [322]
Quest. CLXXXV. How we are to pray [323]
With a suitable frame ibid
In the exercise of grace [324]
What necessary thereunto [334]
Of faith in prayer [329]
Promises of help in prayer [330]
Promises of God’s hearing prayer [331]
Objections against praying answered [332]
Love to God to be exercised in prayer [333]
Discouragements from praying removed [336]
Quest. CLXXXVI, CLXXXVII. Of the Rule for our direction in prayer [338]
How the word of God directs herein [339]
What expressions equivalent to promises [342]
Promises of outward blessings [344]
Of spiritual and temporal [345]
Promises to the afflicted [346]
To the depressed in prayer [347]
Respecting ordinances [349]
Of grace and peace [350]
How these are of use in prayer [351]
Reproofs are of use in prayer [353]
So are prayers recorded in Scripture [354]
Inferences from these directions [355]
The Lord’s prayer a special direction [356]
Quest. CLXXXVIII, CLXXXIX. The Preface of the Lord’s Prayer explained [359]
God, how a Father to men [360]
First known, then addressed as such [362]
How to be prayed to as being in heaven [365]
Child-like dispositions required in us [364]
Quest. CXC. The first Petition explained [368]
God’s name, what meant by it [369]
How he sanctifies it himself ibid
How sanctified in redemption [370]
How under the legal dispensation [371]
How under the gospel [373]
What intended by, Hallowed be thy Name [375]
What to be prayed for, that we may do it [376]
What to be deprecated to that end [379]
When God’s name is hallowed [381]
How, when things are disposed to his glory [382]
Quest. CXCI. The second Petition explained [384]
Of God’s providential kingdom [385]
Of his kingdom of grace [386]
Satan’s kingdom, how to be destroyed [387]
How we are to pray for its destruction [388]
Christ’s kingdom, how to be advanced [389]
How we are to pray for its advancement [390]
And that his kingdom of glory may come [394]
Quest. CXCII, The third Petition explained [396]
Of prayer to an unchangeable God—in note [397]-402
Our averseness to the will of God [402]
Of praying that his will may be done [403]
Quest. CXCIII. The fourth Petition explained [407]
What supposed in praying for daily bread [407]
What intended in praying for bread [409]
Why we call it ours [410]
What we are to understand by this day [411]
This petition respects ourselves and others [412]
Quest. CXCIV. The fifth Petition explained [414]
The case of man when charged with guilt [415]
Pardon, none but God can give it [417]
All are to pray for it [418]
How God is to be considered when we pray thus [420]
Of our forgiving others [425]
What meant thereby [424]
Arguments to induce thereunto [426]
Of doing it without satisfaction ibid
An objection answered [428]
When a sign of God’s forgiving us [429]
Quest. CXCV. The sixth Petition explained [431]
What this Petition supposes [432]
How God tempts, and why [433]
God not the cause of sin—in note [433]-435
Deliver us from evil, how understood [438]
Temptations arise from prosperity [439]
From adversity [441]
From the flesh [442]
From Satan [443]
When from him, and when from ourselves [445]
Remarks upon Satan’s temptations [446]
They increase sin [448]
Are suited to every age [449]
And to the tempers of men [451]
He endeavours to prevent conviction [452]
To hinder preaching the gospel [453]
To prevent closing with Christ [454]
He injects blasphemous thoughts [457]
He tempts to despair [458]
How we are to pray against temptation [461]
Quest. CXCVI. What the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teacheth [465]
The Doxology explained [466]
The pleas contained in it [467]
The meaning of the word Amen [468]
Whether all should say aloud, Amen [471]