A Body of Divinity: Volume 2
Overview
This second volume includes Ridgley’s observations on questions sixty-five through one hundred ninety–six. Topics include calling of the saints, communion with Christ, doctrines of justification, sanctification, adoption, and faith, perseverance of the saints, the role of assurance in faith, judgment and punishment, as w ell as an exposition of the Ten Commandments. He provides commentary on the sacraments of baptism, prayer, and communion. Ridgley also goes into great detail on the Lord’s Prayer and the use of the word, "amen."
- Of the Benefits which the Invisible Church Enjoy Christ
- Of Effectual Calling
- Of Communion with Christ in Grace
- Of Justification
- Of Justifying Faith
- Of Adoption
- Of Sanctification
- Of Repentance Unto Life
- Wherein Justification and Sanctification Differ
- Of the Imperfection of Sanctification in this Life
- Of the Saints’ Perseverance in Grace
- Of Assurance of Salvation
- Some True Believers Destitute of Assurance
- Of Communion in Glory with Christ Enjoyed in this Life
- Of Death
- Of the Saints’ Communion with Christ in Glory after Death
- Of the Doctrine of the Resurrection
- Of the Punishment of the Wicked
- Of the Privileges and Honors of the Saints at the Last Day
- Of Man’s Obligation to Obedience
- Of the Moral Law
- The Moral Law, where Summarily Comprehended
- Rules for Understanding the Ten Commandments
- The Sum of the Ten Commandments
- The Duties Required in the First Commandments
- The Sins Forbidden in the First Commandment
- An Explication of the Second Commandment
- An Explication of the Third Commandment
- An Explication of the Fourth Commandment
- Of Sanctifying the Sabbath or Lord’s Day
- Of Sins Forbidden in the Fourth Commandment
- The Sum of the Six Commandments
- An Explication of the Fifth Commandment
- The Duties of Superiors
- An Explication of the Sixth Commandment An Explication of the Seventh Commandment
- An Explication of the Eighth Commandment
- The Sins Forbidden in the Eighth Commandment
- An Explication of the Ninth Commandment
- An Explication of the Tenth Commandment
- Of Man’s Inability to Keep the Commandments of God
- All Sins Not Equally Heinous
- The Aggravations of Sin
- Of the Desert of Sin, and of the Means of Escaping God’s Wrath
- Of the Ordinances, or Outwards Means of Grace
- How the Word is Made Effectual
- The Word of God is to be Read by All
- Of Preaching and Hearing of the Word
- Of the Sacraments
- Of Baptism
- Of the Subjects and Mode of Baptism
- How Baptism Should be Improved
- Of the Lord’s Supper
- Of Preparation for the Lord’s Supper
- Who Fit to be Communicants
- Of the Duties Required in and after Receiving the Lord’s Supper
- Wherein Baptism and the Lord’s Supper Agree, and Wherein They Differ
- To Whom, and in Whose Name We Pray
- Of the Spirit’s Help in Prayer; for Whom and for What We are to Pray
- How We are to Pray
- Of the Rule for Our Direction in Prayer
- The Preface of the Lord’s Prayer Explained
- The First Petition Explained
- The Second Petition Explained
- The Third Petition Explained
- The Fourth Petition Explained
- The Fifth Petition Explained
- The Sixth Petition Explained
- What the Conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer Teacheth
Top Highlights
“These are all reducible to what we call, in general, the law of nature; which, because it is agreeable to the dictates of reason, is called by way of eminence the moral law. Thus when we consider ourselves as creatures, we are led to confess that we are subject to God, and therefore bound to obey him. When we think of him as a God of infinite perfection, our obedience must be agreeable to that perfection. Because he is a Spirit, our obedience must be performed in a spiritual manner; and as he is a holy God, he is to be worshipped with reverence and holy fear.” (Page 299)
“Though, however, this vision of God shall be unspeakable, so that much more shall be known of his perfections than we can attain to in this life; yet the saints shall not have a comprehensive view of it; for that is not consistent with the idea of them as finite creatures. Thus concerning the immediate vision of God.” (Page 293)
“Sin may be charged on the conscience, and the guilt of it make it very uneasy, so that a person may apprehend himself under the condemning sentence of the law; and yet he may receive no saving advantage. He may have a sight of sin, and not be truly humbled for it or turned from it.” (Page 303)
“Indeed, every duty which is to be performed by God’s express command, and which he has designed to be a pledge of his presence, and a means of grace, is a branch of religious worship, and may be truly styled an holy ordinance.” (Page 484)
“We must also inquire whether there are not some sins which more frequently and easily beset us; what they are, and whether we are daily watchful against them, and use our utmost endeavours to avoid them.” (Page 529)
- Title: A Body of Divinity: Volume 2
- Author: Thomas Ridgley
- Series: A Body of Divinity
- Publisher: Robert Carter & Brothers
- Publication Date: 1855
- Pages: 686