Blessings in the Beloved to you and yours as you seek to follow the Living Word by His Written Word and Spirit.

Why should we be surprised at the present state of the nations who are in open defiance against God and encouraged in it by those who should be leading in truth and righteousness?

Neither Christian nor Atheist can disregard the law of God written on the heart at Creation, that forms conscience. If there is enough natural revelation to make men without excuse what of those who have been privileged with special revelation in the visible Church?

John 7:16-19 “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law?” Sins of omission lead to sins of commission. By omitting to honor God's right as his Father & Sovereign to command his perfect, perpetual obedience, Adam fell from his first estate. Which commandments address the worship of God as He has commanded?

Man's salvation is trust on design based on God's character. As in between the lines quoted "If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other. These two truths, I do not believe, can ever be welded into one upon any human anvil, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring." (CHS)

I will say however the longer we lie in error regarding anything, the more difficult it is to pull up out of its effects on our households. It's necessary to search many things out for ourselves in a day of so many mixed messages.

Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Psa 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
Psa 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
Psa 8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
Psa 8:9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

jackhammers and lawn mowers would better accomplish their work the other 6 days. The laborers need their rest and the gospel preached; as do those who'd like to hear it over their noise, better without that one day in 7.

Not sure other than the article why you are emphasizing *loud*. I read the article but found it a mixed picture that confuses the topic of 'religious freedom?'we aren't discussing. I believe the discussion is instrumental music in worship or is it eschatology? That would be helpful to know regarding a response, if that is what you're looking for?

Sometimes children surprise you. When in the process of reforming, psalms only in family worship and cancelled holy days the children were okay with. It's when you keep a Christian Sabbath AND subtract holy days that the battle begins, now you're really bucking the system. My culpability in this the Lord showed me in 1998, when heart searching in answer to a young man's question.
It was the way I viewed my children as unrelated to my responcibility & the 4th Command

The Scripture promise was related to warfare and war is ugly but he gives more grace. I believe that was the point. I only questioned the Anglican communion because I didn't know what you believe-quoting Ryle.

Don't think that is what you mean pennned?

EB, Why make a distinction concerning papists but not their Anglican daughters? What you call elect, I call the invisible Church -"The grace of God in its omnipotence is put forth for the overflow of evil in every form: hence the certainty of triumph. Certain of our sins find chariots of iron in our constitution, our former habits, our associations, and our occupations. Nevertheless we must overcome them. They are very strong, and in reference to them we are very weak; yet in the name of God we must master them, and we will. If one sin has dominion of us we are not the LORD's free men. A man who is held by only one chain is still a captive. There is no going to heaven with one sin ruling within us, for of the saints it is said, "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Up, then, and slay every Canaanite, and break to shivers every chariot of iron! The LORD of hosts is with us, and who shall resist His sin-destroying power?” from today's Checkbook of Promises Jos. 17:18, Jos 17:17 for context

The List of Nehemiah 10: ... we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons: .. if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.. we made ordinances for us (as civil leaders), to charge ourselves yearly .. for the service of the house of our God; ... for all the work of the house of our God... (worship was set in order and provision made for the ministry) as it is written..

Anyway, I found interesting what was stated in 2Ch 15:17 “But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.” Because..In just these three chapters there is three different instances of a prophet going to the king. He responded positively in two out of three cases 'But' in 2Ch 16:7-10 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people..