(To the Christian Reader)
ESPECIALLY HEADS OF FAMILIES.

Lesson 1. (Lack of family instruction, a great pillar of the devil’s kingdom)

As we cannot but with grief of soul lament those 1. multitudes of errors, blasphemies, and all kinds of profaneness, which have in this last age, like a mighty deluge, overflown this nation; so, among several other sins which have helped to open the flood-gates of all these impieties, 2. We cannot but esteem the disuse of family instruction one of the greatest. The two great pillars upon which the kingdom of Satan is erected, and by which it is upheld, are 3. ignorance and error; the first step of our manumission from this spiritual thraldom consists in having our eyes opened, and being turned from darkness to light, Acts xxvi. 18. How much the serious endeavours of godly parents and masters might contribute to an early seasoning the tender years of such as are under their inspection, is abundantly evident, not only from their 4. special influence upon them, in respect of their authority over them, interest in them, continual presence with them, and frequent opportunities of being helpful to them; but also from the sad effects which, by woeful experience, we find to be the fruit of the omission of this duty. It were easy to set before you a cloud of witnesses, the language of whose practice hath been not only an eminent commendation of this duty, but also a serious exhortation to it. As Abel, though dead, yet speaks by his example to us for imitation of his faith, &c., Heb. xi. 4; so do the examples of Abraham, of Joshua, of the parents of Solomon, of the grandmother and mother of Timothy, the mother of Augustine, whose care was as well to nurse up the souls as the bodies of their little ones; and 5. as their pains herein was great, so was their success no way unanswerable. We should scarce imagine it any better than an impertinency, in this 6. noon-day of the gospel, either to inform or persuade in a duty so expressly commanded, so frequently urged, so highly encouraged, and so eminently owned by the Lord in all ages with his blessing, but that our sad experience tells us, this duty is not more needful, than it is of late neglected.

1. Distinguish heresy and heathenism. Demonstrate the use of the confession in restraining these diabolical forces.
2. The importance of family instruction. Subsequent application.
3. Whence cometh unbelief from ignorance and error. Demonstrate the use of the Confession herein also. 
4. The special influence of parents over their children.
5. Application. The labor and reward of instruction.
6. Historical observation. The age of English Puritanism called noon day. Subsequent application. Woe unto us for slighting the gospel and making light of THE light. 

Lesson 2. (The Restoration of the duty of Family Instruction)

For the 1. restoring of this duty to its due observance, give us leave to suggest this double advice. The first concerns heads of families in respect of themselves; That as 2. the Lord hath set them in place above the rest of their family, they would 3. labour in all wisdom and spiritual understanding to be above them also. It is an uncomely sight to behold men in years babes in knowledge; and how unmeet are they to instruct others, who need themselves to be taught which be the first principles of the oracles of God, Heb. v. 12. 

Intro. Read and Review, L1.3. The principle of teaching. “from fairest creatures we desire increase” 

1. The goal in mind. A high goal. A noble goal. A goal with God’s seal of approval. 
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Gen. 18:19
2. The authority of men in general and husbands and fathers in particular. App. a. Feminism abolished. b. Pray for a wife who will listen to instruction and obey. 

Lesson 3. (The Nature and Duty of Family Instruction)

Review. History of WCF. Reformation and Puritans. The goal of the teacher. 

Definition of family instruction. Distinguish between general and religious instruction/education. Secular, intelligence, emotional intelligence. IQ vs EQ. One depends on the other. One is worthless without the other. Means of grace. Strive for excellence for your children. Religious. Doctrine and practice. Theology and the decalogue. 

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Phil. 4:9 

Lesson 4. (The Labor Required by Heads of Families)

That as the Lord hath set them in place above the rest of their family, they would 1. labour in all wisdom and spiritual understanding to be above them also.

Intro.

1. The work set before us. 
a. It is great. The rarity of true faith.
b. It is difficult. The ignorant and depraved mind.
c. It is commanded by God. And accompanied with His blessing. 

Relationship between study/labor and faith. i. Faith depends on knowledge of Christ. Regeneration. ii. The Spirit necessary for all growth. iii. Knowledge cannot be obtained without study. iv. Love for Christ manifests itself in the diligent study of the word. v. Therefore, study the word. Labor to understand. 

“Let us study therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is living, and mighty in operation, and sharper than any two edged sword, and entereth through, even unto the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit, and of the joints, and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and the intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:11, 12

Lesson 5. (The necessity of Spiritual Knowledge in Family Instruction)

Knowledge is an accomplishment so desirable, that the devils themselves knew not a more taking bait by which to tempt our first parents, than by the fruit of the tree of knowledge; So shall you be as gods, knowing good and evil. 1 . When Solomon had that favour shewed him of the Lord, that he was made his own chuser what to ask, he knew no greater mercy to beg than wisdom, 1 Kings iii. 5, 9. 2. The understanding is the guide and pilot of the whole man, that faculty which sits at the stern of the soul: but as the most expert guide may mistake in the dark, 3. so may the understanding, when it wants the light of knowledge: Without knowledge the mind cannot be good, Prov. xix. 2; nor the life good, nor the eternal condition safe, Eph. iv. 18. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Hos. iv. 6.  It is ordinary in scripture to set profaneness, and all kind of miscarriages, upon the score of ignorance. Diseases in the body have many times their rise from distempers in the head, and exorbitancies in practice from errors in judgment: and indeed in every sin there is something of both ignorance and error at the bottom: for did sinners truly know what they do in sinning, we might say of every sin what the Apostle speaks concerning that great sin, Had they known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; did they truly know that every sin is a provoking the Lord to jealousy, a proclaiming war against Heaven, a crucifying the Lord Jesus afresh, a treasuring up wrath unto themselves against the day of wrath; and that, if ever they be pardoned, it must be at no lower a rate than the price of his blood; it were scarce possible but sin, instead of alluring, should affright, and instead of tempting, scare. 

Intro.
Review, the use of spiritual knowledge. 

1. The excellency of knowledge. Knowledge is freedom from slavery. Knowledge is freedom from tyranny. Knowledge is a crown to those who wear it. Knowledge is a fortress. 
“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things.” Proverbs 2:10-12

Lesson 6. (The Theological Implications of Spiritual Knowledge)

Review where we are in the preface. Where we are in the world. 

Proverbs 2./Heb. 4:11, 12 NGB

Intro. The practical use of spiritual knowledge. For the head. For the body.” And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.” Mal. 1:8, Romans 12:1
A. Knowledge and justification. (cause and effect. Pardon and peace of conscience.)
B. Knowledge and sanctification. (instrumental. Sanctified through knowledge.) 
C. Knowledge and adoption. (Privilege) 

1. The use of knowledge in understanding scripture. (the law and the gospel, the old and new Testaments, the decalogue, general to particular)
2. The use of knowledge in meditation. (a deliberate act, circumstantial musing, unraveling an enigma)
3. The use of knowledge in prayer. (addressing the Father through Christ. What do we pray for?)
4. The use of knowledge in teaching. (imparting knowledge to others. Abstract to concrete)
5. The use of knowledge in singing. (hymns or Psalms, self centered or tears of affliction) 6. The use of knowledge in relations. (how to treat a non believer, a heretic, a Christian)
7. The use of knowledge in judgment. Lawful (to rebuke heresy and condemn hypocrisy) , indifferent (drinking, recreation, using the world) , unlawful (swearing, stealing, lying, the soul).
8. The use of knowledge in resisting temptation. (we are not ignorant of his devices, the 5 senses, using relations, Adam, Job)
9. The use of knowledge in discerning providence. (Is prosperity a blessing? Affliction a curse?) Psalm 73, Ecc. 9:1-12
10. The use of knowledge in worship. (giving glory to God) 

Knowledge is light to our path, speed to our walk, warmth to our condition, sustenance to our soul, life to our religion. 

2 Chron. 1:11-12

Lesson 7. (An Anatomy of Deceit, that arch-device of Satan to prevent Family Instruction)

1. It is one of the arch devices and principal methods of Satan to deceive men into sin: thus he prevailed against our first parents, not as a lion, but as a serpent, 2. acting his enmity under a pretence of friendship, and tempting them to evil under an appearance of good; and thus hath he all along carried on his designs of darkness, by transforming himself into an angel of light, 3. making poor deceived men in love with their miseries, and hug their own destruction. 4. A most sovereign antidote against all kind of errors, is to be grounded and settled in the faith: persons unfixed in the true religion, are very receptive of a false; and they who are nothing in spiritual knowledge, are easily made any thing. Clouds without water are driven to and fro with every wind, and ships without ballast liable to the violence of every tempest. 

Intro. The nature of ignorance/deceit, like darkness. Ignorance is the subject of deceit. Proverbs 2:6-13 

Review, the use of knowledge and resisting temptation (deceit).

(The lure of the pompous worship of the masses, the love of the world) The use of knowledge and discerning providence (deceit). (All things for good? The lure of prosperity. A singular comfort, knowledge of salvation) The use of knowledge and repentance. (Actual sins in need of pardon. Knowledge to know where we err so as to repent.) Job 34:31-32

1. The nature of the devil (to deceive).
App. Beware that ye be not deceived by him, others, or yourself.
2. The nature of deceit (to appear pleasing).
App. Beware that you follow not that path because it is pleasant to the flesh. Self-preservation vs self love. 
3. The nature of fallen man in bondage to ignorance (to be deceived, after the fall, deceived in all things. After regeneration, liable to be deceived) It is easy to be deceived. It is hard to be instructed. Knowledge comes easy, but with resistance. “The flesh lusts against the Spirit.”
App. Strive to get right knowledge. 
4. The nature of knowledge (to strengthen faith).
App. Get that understanding that is according to the doctrine of faith.

Lesson 8. (The effectual nature of Spiritual Knowledge)

But yet the knowledge we especially commend, is not 1.a brain-knowledge, a. mere speculation; this may be in the worst of men, nay, in the worst of creatures, the devils themselves, 2. and that in such an eminency, as the best of saints cannot attain to in this life of imperfection; 3. but an inward, a savoury, an heart knowledge, such as was in that martyr, who, though she could not dispute for Christ, could die for him. This is that spiritual sense and feeling of divine truths the Apostle speaks of, Heb. v. 1,1, 4. Having your senses exercised, &c.

Review. The nature of deceit and spiritual warfare. The necessity of valor. The devil seeks whom he may devour. He has legions at his command. There is never a time but we must be on guard.

1. Knowledge pertaining to scripture is not in every case saving. Profession vs possession. The bare facts of scripture history (evangelicalism) vs the purpose of the incarnation (original sin, limited atonement). Knowledge puffs up? Context of 1 Cor. 8. Spiritual knowledge is profitable to our neighbor. There is no doctrine in scripture that is not followed by application. 
True knowledge is consonant and whole. Do we believe all of scripture? Natural knowledge results in pride and error. 
2. Natural knowledge is a gift to men in order to destroy them. 
3. Knowledge of the truth is ever accompanied by love for the truth. The first commandment. 
4. App. Continue in the exercise of knowledge. 

Read scripture daily. Read godly literature daily. There is no alternative but to strive for the heavenly kingdom. 

Lesson 9. (The Necessity to Labor against Ignorance and False Religion)

But, alas, we may say of most men’s religion what learned Rivet speaks concerning the errors of the fathers, 1. “They were not so much their own errors, as the errors of the times wherein they lived!’ Thus do most men take up their religion upon no better an account than Turks and Papists take up theirs, because it is the religion of the times and places wherein they live; and what they take up thus slightly, 2. they lay down as easily. Whereas an inward taste and relish of the things of God, is an excellent preservative 3. to keep us settled in the most unsettled times. 4. Corrupt and unsavoury principles have great advantage upon us, above those that are spiritual and sound; the former being suitable to corrupt nature, the latter contrary; the former springing up of themselves, the latter brought forth not without a painful industry. 5. The ground needs no other midwifery in bringing forth weeds than only the neglect of the husbandman’s hand to pluck them up; the air needs no other cause of darkness than the absence of the sun; nor water of coldness than its distance from the fire; because these are the genuine products of nature.

Review. Different kinds of knowledge. Knowledge of things natural, knowledge of God, knowledge of the gospel. Gospel knowledge must be supernatural because it teaches men who by nature love themselves to loathe themselves. Knowledge that reaches the affections vs knowledge not applied or misapplied. 

Intro. What is religion? Do all men possess it? 

1. Men by nature take up the false religion of their present culture (whatever is advantageous). 
2. They are not consistent in their principles. (even those hypocrites who profess the true religion deny it by their actions and corrupt conclusions) 
3. True knowledge of the word keeps us from the hypocrisy of the world and false church. (How rare a thing for a Christian to be armed with true faith/ knowledge in times of general apostasy.)
4. Corrupt and erroneous doctrine is pleasing to the natural lusts. True knowledge must be cultivated and zealously obtained. 
5. The antithesis between neglect of duty and Christian zeal and knowledge. (Abide in me) read John 15.

Lesson 10. (The Difficulty of Acquiring True Knowledge)

Were it so with the soul, (as some of the philosophers have vainly imagined,) 1. to come into the world as an abrasa tabula, a mere blank or piece of white paper, on which neither any thing is written, nor any blots, it would then be equally receptive of good and evil, and no more averse to the one than to the other: but how much worse its condition indeed is, were scripture silent, every man’s experience does evidently manifest. For who is there that knows any thing of his own heart, and knows not thus much, that 2. the suggestions of Satan have so easy and free admittance into our hearts, that our utmost watchfulness is too little to guard us from them? whereas 3. the motions of God’s Spirit are so unacceptable to us, that our utmost diligence is too little to get our hearts open to entertain them. Let therefore the 4. excellency, necessity, difficulty of true wisdom stir up endeavours in you 5. somewhat proportionable to such an accomplishment; Above all getting, get understanding, Prov. iv. 7; and search for wisdom as for hidden treasures, Prov. ii. 4. It much concerns you in respect of yourselves.

Review.

Intro.
The conversion of the soul, and the resistance of the flesh. The knowledge of God being difficult to acquire.
a. It is impossible for us. 
b. It is easy for God. 
c. It is difficult according to the weakness of our faith. 

The final section on heads of families in respect of themselves. A final warning, a final exhortation. The heart is deceitful, the work is great. 

1. The natural state of man towards the knowledge of God is not neutral but averse.
(Original sin vs tabula rasa)
App. Therefore salvation from beginning to end is all of grace. Titus 3:3
2. Our hearts are naturally inclined towards the devil’s suggestions. App. Therefore we must be vigilant and pray to God for safety.
3. Our hearts are naturally averse to the Spirit’s influence. App. Therefore humble yourselves and let your life be in continual repentance.
4. Knowledge is excellent, necessary and difficult. App. Therefore above all things, labor for these jewels.
5. If we see the way is difficult and the opposition insurmountable, let it encourage us to labor, not discourage us to doubt. God leads His people to the bank of the sea (to test our faith and resolve), before He tears the waters open for them to walk safely on. (fulfills His promises)
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Lesson 11. (The Duties of Masters and Parents Augmented by Their Office)

Whatever hath been said already, though 1. it concerns every private Christian that hath a soul to look after; yet, 2.upon a double account, it concerns parents and masters, 3. as having themselves and others to look after…

Review. 

Let therefore the excellency, necessity, difficulty of true wisdom stir up endeavours in you somewhat proportionable to such an accomplishment.
Polemical: The legalists maintain that sound doctrine is not for the average Christian. App. Let us strive to prove them wrong. 

Intro. 
Doctrine. Every soul is subject to God to render an account of all things done in the body.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 
2 Corinthians 5:10
App. Therefore keep your soul with all diligence. 

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Daniel 12:3
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Isaiah 64:4

The Purpose of Knowledge is Sanctification.
(to love God is to bear affection for the image of God in the saints and serve them as is proper for our station, to wait for God is to submit to His sovereignty and patiently wait for His salvation, neither doubting nor striving in our own power to fulfill his will .) 

1. The duty of the individual. 
Every Private Christian is accountable to God for his own soul in particular. 
They are commanded to receive good doctrine, lay it to heart and memory and continue in the faith in all boldness and steadfastness, maintaining a good conscience before God and a good name among men. 

2. The augmentation of duty. 
God looks with a keener eye upon masters, leaders, those with peculiar gifts, those with knowledge to do good. 
“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
John 13:17

“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and immediately forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. ” James 1:23-26

3. The duty of the master. 
They will give an account to God not only concerning themselves but also concerning those under their care. Fathers to children. Pastors to their hearers. 
App. Therefore how solemn and serious is this undertaking. How straight and sober we are to be. How alert and watchful over our own hearts and the hearts of others. How necessary is daily prayer. How needful is daily worship and the reading of the scripture and godly works. 
If without knowledge we cannot benefit those under our care, let us be single minded in this pursuit. 

Lesson 12. (Ignorance and Indolence a Deadly Combination)

Whatever hath been said already, though it concerns every private Christian that hath a soul to look after; yet, upon a double account, it concerns parents and masters, as having themselves and others to look after: 1.some there are, who, because of their ignorance, cannot; others, 2. because of their sluggishness, will not mind this duty. 3. To the former we propound the method of Joshua, who first began with himself, and then is careful of his family. 4. To the latter we shall only hint, what a dreadful meeting those parents and masters must have at that great day, with their children and servants, when all that were under their inspection shall not only accuse them, but charge their eternal miscarrying upon their score. 

Review.

God hath created us for the purpose of obedience. “The chief end of man” “what do the scriptures principally teach” “what we are to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man” 
App. Therefore obey. But in our sin we cannot, therefore the gospel is necessary.

Intro. 
Sinners are in a woeful condition. We are delivered through knowledge. 
Doctrine and practice vs ignorance and laziness.

1. The woeful condition of ignorance. We cannot help our neighbor. We cannot be instruments of grace to our family.
“if the blind lead the blind.”
App. Beware of ignorance, and knowledge for the sake of boasting. 

2. The woeful condition of indolence. We are under constant scrutiny. We have need to press into the kingdom. Laziness is unacceptable. Irresistible poverty.
App. Beware of indolence, and zeal without knowledge. 
Proverbs 24:30-34

3. We are not left without a guide. 
The witness of scripture. 
The witness of history. (The use of the Confession) 

4. The end of ignorance and indolence is death. The loss of our soul, the loss of the souls under our care. Not every loss is charged to our account. Be sure that it is not. 
“The wages of sin is death.”
“lust when it hath conceived bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death.” (relationship of ignorance to lust, indolence to lust) 
There is no path to heaven but zeal and holy courage. 
“the violent take it by force” 

The tendency of our Lord’s statement is to show, that those who pass by in a contemptuous manner, and as it were with closed eyes, the power of God, which manifestly appears both in the teacher and in the hearers, are inexcusable. Let us also learn from these words, what is the true nature and operation of faith. It leads men not only to give, cold and indifferent assent when God speaks, but to cherish warm affection towards Him, and to rush forward as it were with a violent struggle.
-Calvin 

App. The importance of looking to that day rather than this day. This day only for that day.  

Lesson 13. (The Truth and Mercy of God Revealed in the Formulation of the Confession)

1. Never did any age of the Church enjoy such choice helps as this of ours. 

Intro.
Review, the violent take it by force.

Thomas Watson:
This violence concerns men as Christians. Though heaven be given us freely, yet we must contend for it, Eccles. ix. 10. ‘What thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.’ Our work is great, our time short, our Master urgent. We have need therefore to summon together all the powers of our souls and strive as in a matter of life and death, that we may arrive at the kingdom above: We must not only put forth diligence, but violence… What violence is meant here – it is a holy violence. This is twofold. 1. We must be violent for the truth. Here Pilate’s question will be cited, “What is truth?” Truth is either the blessed Word of God which is called the Word of truth; or those doctrines which are deduced from the Word, and agree with it as the dial with the sun or the transcript with the original; as the doctrine of the Trinity, the doctrine of the creation, the doctrine of free grace, justification by the blood of Christ, regeneration, resurrection of the dead, and the life of glory. These truths we must be violent for, which is either by being advocates for them or martyrs. Truth is the most glorious thing; the least filing of this gold is precious: what shall we be violent for, if not for truth? Truth is ancient; its grey hairs may make it venerable; it comes from him who is the ancient of days. Truth is unerring, it is the Star which leads to Christ. Truth is pure, Psalm cxix. 140. It is compared to silver refined seven times, Psalm xii. 6. There is not the least spot on truth’s face; it breathes nothing but sanctity. Truth is triumphant; it is like a great conqueror; when all his enemies lie dead, it keeps the field and sets up its trophies of victory… This holy violence is also when we are violent for our own salvation, 2 Peter i. 10. ‘Give diligence to make your calling and election sure’ The Greek word signifies anxious carefulness, or a serious bearing of one’s thoughts about the business of eternity, such a care as sets head and heart at work. In this channel of religion all a Christian’s zeal should run. 3. The third thing is, what is implied in this holy violence? It implies three things: 

1. Resolution of will. 
2. Vigor of affection. 
3. Strength of endeavor.

We must intend to do it. (Sound doctrine) 
We must ardently desire it. (holiness and sincerity) 
We must endure to the end with the same strength in which we began. “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

Hebrews 3, see this endurance twice repeated. verse 6 and 14. 
The body grows weaker with age. The spirit only stronger. 
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16

1. The mercy of God in the dispensation of His Spirit. 
a. To be given the knowledge of God is a singular gift. See the history of the patriarchs. Gen. 17. Exodus 33-34 (Bullinger) 
App. We know God by His promises and the performance of them. His goodness and mercy to promise. His faithfulness and truth to perform it. 
b. To be given an apt expression of the gospel is a greater gift. See Isa. 53, Jer. 31:31.
c. To be given the clear light of the gospel even greater. See 2 Corinthians 4:6, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:1-10, 
d. To be given clear words that eminently and manifestly declare the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ therefore is the greatest gift and a sure manifestation of God’s grace. See the whole WCF and Catechisms. (exhortation to read them daily, and continually, connect the context with Christian zeal for the truth) 
App. We cannot know God apart from doctrine. We cannot know Christ apart from doctrine. Anyone who denies the chief articles of the faith as declared in this Confession is guilty of high treason against God, denying His witness, heresy of the first order, and is condemned by scripture as a rebel and a despiser of his holy word. Acts 13:41
(see Obadiah Sedgwick on the nature and danger of heresy) 
It is unacceptable to resort to heresy under the pretense of ignorance when there are so many helps available to prevent it. The grace of God is necessary to keep us from error. The Confession leaves us without excuse for it and is a sure help for the Christian. 

Lesson 14. (The Nature of Confessions of Faith)

Intro.
Review. 

1. Never did any age of the Church enjoy such choice helps as this of ours. 

a. To be given the knowledge of God is a singular gift. See the history of the patriarchs. Gen. 17. Exodus 33-34
App. We know God by His promises and the performance of them. His goodness and mercy to promise. His faithfulness and truth to perform it. 
b. To be given an apt expression of the gospel is a greater gift. See Isa. 53, Jer. 31. 
c. To be given the clear light of the gospel even greater. See 2 Corinthians 4:6, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 3
d. To be given clear words that eminently and manifestly declare the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ therefore is the greatest gift and a sure manifestation of God’s grace.

1. Every age of the gospel hath had its Creeds, Confessions, Catechisms, and such breviaries and models of divinity as have been 2. singularly useful.

1. The nature of the Confession. To briefly and concisely set forth the doctrine and duty of Christians. 
App. i. Believe the confessions, don’t stray from their strict and precise language. 
ii. Those who do stray are outsiders of the faith. Either these divines were sent by God, or you are required to bring forth proof of disagreement with scripture. The Confession is furnished with proof texts. 
2. The use of Confessions. To establish us in the faith. 
App. Therefore use them in private devotion and reading, and family worship. Read a portion of scripture and a portion of the confession or catechism at family worship, declaring that this doctrine is ratified and confirmed by the family as authoritative doctrine.