The Puritans: From William Perkins
Of the Body of Scripture
The body of Scripture is a doctrine sufficient to live well. It comprehendeth many holy sciences, whereof one is principal, others are hand-maidens or retainers.
The principle science is Theology. Theology is the science of living blessedly for ever. Blessed life ariseth from the knowledge of God. John 17:3. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Isaiah 53:11, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant [viz. Jesus Christ] justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. And therefore it ariseth likewise from the knowledge of ourselves, because we know God by looking into ourselves.
Theology hath two parts: the first of God, the second of His works.
---William Perkins, from The Order of Salvation and Damnation: The manner in which men are saved. Read a short biography of William Perkins, who is often called the "father of Puritanism" here.
The body of Scripture is a doctrine sufficient to live well. It comprehendeth many holy sciences, whereof one is principal, others are hand-maidens or retainers.
The principle science is Theology. Theology is the science of living blessedly for ever. Blessed life ariseth from the knowledge of God. John 17:3. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Isaiah 53:11, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant [viz. Jesus Christ] justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. And therefore it ariseth likewise from the knowledge of ourselves, because we know God by looking into ourselves.
Theology hath two parts: the first of God, the second of His works.
---William Perkins, from The Order of Salvation and Damnation: The manner in which men are saved. Read a short biography of William Perkins, who is often called the "father of Puritanism" here.
posted by Rebecca Stark at 2/11/2005 08:37:00 AM
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