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"Whatsoever is not commanded is forbidden." This, the Scriptural law of worship, is the acropolis of the Church’s liberties, the palladium of her purity, and her God-given moorage. Let the Protestant Church, in creed or conduct, in profession or practice, depart from this divine principle, and she has weighed her sheet-anchor only to find its flukes sundered and herself adrift on the high seas, a craft without compass or chart or polestar, in the midnight darkness of rationalism and ritualism, with her prow pointing to ‘Rome’ as her probable landing-place. - William S. McClure, from The Scriptural Law of Worship, Ch 4 of The Psalms in Worship, ed. by John McNaugher, 1907
- B. Leviticus 10:1-3: Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified'" (emphasis added). Carefully note that the nature of the sin committed by Nadab and Abihu was that they offered profane fire before the Lord "which He had not commanded them." God did not say they offered profane fire "which was forbidden them." The fact that He had not commanded the use of the strange fire meant it was forbidden (God's silence in the matter meant an express prohibition of all profane fire). According to Leviticus 16:12 it would appear that the coals for the incense offering were to come from the fire on the altar of burnt offering. The priest then brought the coals from the altar of burnt offering into the Tabernacle, and on the altar of incense he spread the coals out mixing the coals and the incense which then filled the Holy Place. Apparently in a rather spontaneous act of worship (with perhaps "good intentions" cf. Lev. 9:22-24) they took fire from another source to praise God. God had just consumed the burnt offering by a miraculous display of fire, and all the people were in an enthusiastic state of shouting and falling on their faces before the Most High God. Leviticus 10:1 immediately follows with "Then." It may be that in all of the excitement, Nadab and Abihu, quite overcome by the demonstration of God's awesome power took fire from the quickest and nearest source available to them and immediately went into the Tabernacle to offer incense to the Lord God. They took liberties in worship which God had not given them, and they were slain. They added to the worship of God an act that was not specifically authorized by God. They brought their own man-made worship into the house of God, and His anger burned against them. - FOUNDATION FOR REFORMATION: THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE OF WORSHIP, by Greg Price (Free Online Book About Sola Scriptura and the Regulative Principle of Worship)
These four messages make up some of the best teaching you will ever hear on the second commandment, Puritan and Reformed worship, and the regulative principle of worship.
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John Calvin: "God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions, since he condemns by this one phrase, "I have not commanded them," whatever the Jews devised. There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions, than that they are not commanded by God: for when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to his commands, they pervert true religion. And if this principle was adopted by the Papists, all those fictitious modes of worship, in which they absurdly exercise themselves, would fall to the ground. It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by performing their own superstitions. There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying his word, they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. The Prophet's words then are very important, when he says, that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind; as though he had said, that men assume too much wisdom, when they devise what he never required, nay, what he never knew." - John Calvin on the Puritan Hard Drive
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John Calvin wrote, "If it be asked, then, by what things chiefly the Christian religion has a standing amongst us, and maintains its truth, it will be found that the following two not only occupy the principal place, but comprehend under them all the other parts, and consequently the whole substance of Christianity, viz., a knowledge first, of the right way to worship God; and secondly of the source from which salvation is to be sought. When these are kept out of view, though we may glory in the name of Christians, our profession is empty and vain." - Cited in, Carlos Eire, War Against the Idols: The Reformation of Worship, p. 198, citing John Calvin's great book, On the Necessity of Reforming the Church (FREE ONLINE)
Why Most Worship Is Actually Idolatry, Which God Hates, According To the Bible (the Second Commandment Or The Regulative Principle Of Worship, RPW) By John Calvin, Pastor Jim Dodson, John Calvin, , the Westminster Assembly, Dr. Steven Dilday, John Owen, W.J. Mencarow, Jonathan Edwards, Kevin Reed, Thomas Watson, Greg Price and Others (Free MP3s, Videos, Etc.)
What's Wrong With Worship In Most Churches? -- False Worship (Violations Of the Second Commandment Or the Regulative Principle of Worship) and Well Intentioned Idolatry Brings God's Wrath and Even Death, by Jim Dodson, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Greg Price, John Calvin, Kevin Reed, David Steele, William J. Mencarow, John Flavel, Dr. Steven Dilday, John Girardeau, John McNaugher and Others (Free MP3s, Videos, Books, Kindle, Etc.)
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John Calvin on the Regulative Principle of Worship: "...which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart." "...God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions, since he condemns by this one phrase, "I have not commanded them," whatever the Jews devised. There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions, than that they are not commanded by God: for when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to his commands, they pervert true religion. And if this principle was adopted by the Papists, all those fictitious modes of worship, in which they absurdly exercise themselves, would fall to the ground. It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by performing their own superstitions. There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying his word, they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. The Prophet's words then are very important, when he says, that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind; as though he had said, that men assume too much wisdom, when they devise what he never required, nay, what he never knew." - John Calvin, Commentary on Jeremiah 7:31
Classic Calvinist Worship, What Is It? by John Knox, Greg Price, John Calvin, Dr. Steven Dilday, Jonathan Edwards, Jim Dodson, Samuel Rutherford, Kevin Reed, John McNaugher, W.J. Mencarow, David Steele, Dr. Reg Barrow, George Gillespie and Others (Free MP3s, Videos, Books)
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We glorify God by believing. Rom 4:20. 'Abraham was strong in faith, giving glory to God.' Unbelief affronts God, it gives him the lie; 'he that believeth not, maketh God a liar.' 1 John 5:10. But faith brings glory to God; it sets to its seal that God is true. John 3:33. He that believes flies to God's mercy and truth, as to an altar of refuge; he engarrisons himself in the promises, and trusts all he has with God. Ps. 31:5. 'Into thy hands I commit my spirit.' This is a great way of bringing glory to God, and God honours faith, because faith honours him. It is a great honour we do to a man when we trust him with all we have, when we put our lives and estates into his hand; it is a sign we have a good opinion of him. The three children glorified God by believing. 'The God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and will deliver us.' Dan 3:17. Faith knows there are no impossibilities with God, and will trust him where it cannot trace him. - Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity, p.12 (on the Puritan Hard Drive), emphases added. This quotation was located using the Master Search Index on the Puritan Hard Drive, during a search for word "unbelief."
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Completely refutes Amillennial from Scripture, while defending Biblical Postmillennialism.
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Because of their outlook upon the future all Scottish missionary leaders took the long-term view in evangelization, that is to say, they did not regard the number of individual converts in the present as the first consideration, but rather that energy should be deployed in work which would have the maximum influence upon nations in subsequent generations. - Iain Murray, The Puritan Hope: Revival and the Interpretation Of Prophecy
- "Another instance in which posterity is recognized in covenant obligation is found in Joshua 9:15. This covenant was made between the children of Israel and the Gibeonites. Between four and five hundred years after that time, the children of Israel are visited with a very severe famine, in the days of David. 2 Sam. 21:1. And it is expressly declared by the Lord that, 'It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.' And at the same time, v. 2, that very covenant is recognized, and the breach of it is stated, as being the formal reason of the divine displeasure. Now, had it not been for this covenant, the extirpation of the Gibeonites would not have been imputed to Israel as a thing criminal; for they were comprehended in Canaanitish nations, which God had commanded them to root out." - William L. Roberts, The Reformed Presbyterian Catechism (1853, emphases added), pp. 139-140, on the Puritan Hard Drive
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There is not a word we whisper but God hears it. “There is not a word in my tongue—but lo, O Lord, you know it altogether.” There is not the most subtle thought that comes into our mind—but God perceives it. “I know their thoughts.” Thoughts speak as loud in God’s ears—as words do in ours. All our actions, though ever so subtly contrived, and secretly conducted, are visible to the eye of Omniscience. “I know their works.” Achan hid the Babylonish garment in the earth—but God brought it to light. Minerva was drawn in such curious colors, and so lively pencilled, that whichever way one turned, Minerva’s eyes were upon him. Just so, whichever way we turn ourselves, God’s eye is upon us!
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"Any sin is more or less heinous depending upon the honor and majesty of the one whom we had offended. Since God is of infinite honor, infinite majesty, and infinite holiness, the slightest sin is of infinite consequence. The slightest sin is nothing less than cosmic treason when we realize against whom we have sinned." - Jonathan Edwards on the Puritan Hard Drive
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"Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee" (Job 22:21). "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty glory in his might, let not the rich glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth, and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord" (Jer 9:23,24). A spiritual and saving knowledge of God is the greatest need of every human creature.
Many more free SWRB Reformation resources follow the loan offer below. Join with us in spreading the best Puritan and Reformed resources worldwide, free of charge, by taking part in our loan offer below. Click on the big blue banner below to email us to get started. Thanks!
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Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. - Mark 9:23, KJV
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This series is a splendid overview of the history of Puritan and Reformed thought on Revelation, referencing many Reformation source documents. A great place to start if you are wondering what the book of Revelation is all about.
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If you are looking for a detailed contemporary Reformed audio commentary on Revelation, with much practical application, this is the best you will find.
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Now, Christians, the more great and glorious things you expect from God, as the downfall of antichrist, the conversion of the Jews, the conquest of the nations to Christ, the breaking of all yokes, the new Jerusalem's coming down from above, the extraordinary pouring out of the Spirit, and a more general union among all saints, the more holy, yea, the more eminently holy in all your ways and actings it becomes you to be. - Thomas Brooks, The Crown and Glory of Christianity, 1662, Complete Works (on the Puritan Hard Drive), 1867, p. 444
This is the first of 12 free MP3 sermons covering Islam in Revelation in Dr. Dilday's fine audio commentary of the book of Revelation. See the 11 sermons that follow this sermon at "Revelation Audio Commentary by Dr. Steven Dilday" for much more detail about what the book of Revelation teaches about the rise and fall of Islam.
Antichrist Unmistakably Revealed, by Pastor Greg Price, John Calvin, Dr. Steven Dilday, John Owen, W.J. Mencarow, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, J.A. Wylie, Richard Bennett, John Foxe, George Gillespie, David Steele and Others (Free Reformed MP3s, VIdeos and Books)
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Antichrist Unmistakably Revealed, by Pastor Greg Price, John Calvin, Dr. Steven Dilday, John Owen, W.J. Mencarow, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, J.A. Wylie, Richard Bennett, John Foxe, George Gillespie, David Steele and Others
David Steele, in his classic Notes on the Apocalypse includes Mason among his list of "distinguished and approved interpreters of the book of Revelation."
If you are looking for a detailed contemporary Reformed audio commentary on Revelation, with much practical application, this is the best you will find.
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Postmillennialism (Free Reformation MP3s, Puritan Books and Reformed Quotes), by Jonathan Edwards, John Murray, Samuel Rutherford, Dr. Steven Dilday, Iain Murray, Thomas Brooks, Greg Price, Pastor Jim Dodson, Dr. F.N. Lee, David Silversides and Others
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