Sam > Recent Status Updates

Great so far. Finished book I. I should probably go read the preface though.

Book I is a great intro to the foundation of natural law.

Skipped the biography by Walton and introductory material, most of the way through book I of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity.

Excellent so far. The content and distinctions are similar to Junius’s Mosaic Polity.

Finished book 3. On to book 4

“I am in favor of the most rigid discipline. We must first sternly discipline ourselves, otherwise we shall not have the right to discipline the nation. . . Discipline must be accepted. If it is not, it must be imposed. We put aside the democratic dogma that one must forever proceed by sermonizing and lecturing in a more or less liberal manner.“ pg. 130

Finished chapter 2 of book 1: Directions to Weak Christians for their Establishment and Growth.

In sum: avoid arrogance, avoid being overzealous, leave controversies to wiser people, be careful of holding firm first opinions, avoid schism, pursue godliness as the best life, pick good teachers, read good books, live in the Bible, don’t assume you’ll live long, let God be first, last, and all.

Finished Directions of the unconverted, graceless Sinners, for the attaining of true saving Grace.

Direction XVI is quite good, taking hold of helps appointed by God to attain true saving Grace. He already assumes the reader is baptized earlier, and this is about getting someone truly converted and to Confirmation, so he doesn’t mention sacraments, but praying, reading, public worship and holy companionship.

So far so good. I am on chapter 1: Directions to the Unconverted, Direction 8. Good advice on turning from sin to Christ. Holiness is “living in heavenly conversation.”