The Sum of Saving KnowledgeIn 1639 the Church of Scotland's General Assembly directed that every minister should have weekly catechizing in his parish, in addition to his sermons on the Lord's Day. The General Assembly of 1649 instructed the ministers to make catechizing an occasion to present "the chief heads of Saving Knowledge, in short view." In response to the Assembly's action, David Dickson and James Durham composed and dictated this "Sum of Saving Knowledge" around 1650. It came to be printed in Scottish editions of the Westminster Standards. Robert Murray M'Cheyne acknowledged it as the work which first brought him to a clear understanding of the way of acceptance with God.NOTE: I will be posting each title of each section as a seperate post so that there can be meaningful conversation towards each point. Each section below will be hyperlinked to each corresponding thread as it is posted. I think the comparion of this doctrinal statement with much of our modern day preaching will show the lack of our day and why there are so many false converts.---Contents:HeadsHead 1. Our woful Condition by Nature.Head 2. The Remedy provided in Christ Jesus.Head 3. The Means provided in the Covenant of Grace. Head 4. The Blessings conveyed by these Means.The Use of Saving Knowledge1. For Convincing of Sin by the Law.2.Of Righteousness by the Law.3. Of Judgment by the Law.For convincing of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment by the Gospel.Of Righteousness to be had only by Faith in Christ.For strengthening a Man's Faith, &c.Warrants and Motives to Believe.1. God's hearty Invitation.2. His earnest Request to be reconciled.3. His Command, charging all to believe.4. Much Assurance of Life given to Believers, &c.Evidences of True Faith 1. Conviction of the Believer's Obligation to keep the Moral Law.2. That the Believer practise the Rules of Godliness and Righteousness.3. That Obedience to the Law run in the right Channel of Faith in Christ.4. The keeping of strait Communion with Christ the Fountain of all Grace and good Works.For strengthening the Believer in Faith and Obedience, by these Evidences.
