the Conjunction and Vnity of the Eternal Son of God in and with the Man Christ Jesus A. And the Word was made Flesh dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1. 14. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God for God giveth not the Spirit by Measure unto him Joh. 3. 34. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power who went about doing Good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him Acts 10. 38. For it pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell Col. 1. 19. For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2. 9. In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Col. 2. 3. Q. For what End did Christ appear in the World A. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh Rom. 8. 3. For this Purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil And ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins 1 Joh. 3. 8 5. Q. Was Jesus Christ really Crucified and Raised again A. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ dy'd for our Sins according to the Scriptures And that he was buried and that he arose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Q. What End do the Scriptures asscribe unto the Coming Death and Sufferings of Christ A. For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People A Light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel Luke 2. 30 31 32. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the Forbearance of God Rom. 3. 25. And walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Savour Ephes. 5. 2. And having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven And you that were sometimes alienated and Enemies in your Minds by Wicked Works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death to present you Holy Unblamable and Unreprovable in his Sight Col. 1. 20 21 22. Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves but by his own Blood he entered in once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offer'd himself without Spot to God purge your Consciences from Dead Works to serve the Living God Hebr. 9. 12 14. For Christ also hath once suffered for Sins the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God being put to Death in the Flesh but quickened by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3. 18. Hereby perceive we the Love of God because he laid down his Life for us 1 John 3. 16. And for this Cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of Death for the Redemption of Transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance Hebr. 9. 15. Q. Is Christ then the Mediator A. For there is One God and One Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. Was not Christ the Mediator until he appeared and was crucified in the Flesh A. He is the Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the VVorld Rev. 5. 12. and 13. 8. Q. Is it needful then to believe that the Saints of old did partake of Christ as then present with and nourishing them A. Moreover Brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud and all passed through the Sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea and did all eat the same spiritual Meat and did all drink the same spiritual Drink for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. Q. But whereas most of these Scriptures before-mentioned do hold forth that the Death and Sufferings of Christ were appointed for the destroying removing and remitting of Sin Did he so do it while he was outwardly upon Earth as not to leave any thing for himself to do in us nor for us to do in and by his Strength A. For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his Steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Whereof I Paul am made a Minister who now rejoyce in my Sufferings for you and fill up that whiâ—h is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23 24. Always bearing about in the Bâ—dy the Dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body For we which live are alway delivered unto Death for Jesus's sake that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal Flesh 2 Cor 4. 10 11. And that he dyed for all that they which live should not hence-forth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and also rose again 2 Cor. 5. 15. That I may know him and the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable to his Death Phil. 3. 10. CHAP. IV. Of the New Birth the Inward Appearance of Christ in Spirit and the Unity of the Saints with him Question DOth Christ promise then to come again to his Disciples A. I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you John 14. 18. Q. Was this only a special Promise to these Disciples or is it not the common Priviledge of the Saints A. For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is Holy I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a Contrite and Humble Spirit c. Isa. 57. 15. For ye are the Temple of the Living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6. 16. Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me Rev. 3. 20. Q. Doth the Apostle Paul speak of the Son of God his being revealed in him A. But when it pleased God who separated me from my Mother's Womb and called me by his Grace to reveal his Son
Father No man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God For the Things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Now the Saints have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that they might know the things which are freely given them of God For the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father sends in Christ's Name he teacheth them all things and bringth all things to their Remembrance ARTICLE II. Concerning the Guide and Rule of Christians CHrist pray'd to the Father and he gave the Saints another Comforter that was to abide with them forever even the Spirit of Truth whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not nor knoweth him but the Saints know him for he dwelleth with them and is to be in them Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God For this is the Covenant that God hath made with the House of Israel he hath put his Laws in their Mind writ them in their Hearts and they are all taught of God And the Anointing which they have received of him abideth in them and they need not that any man teach them but as the same Anointing teacheth them of all things and is Truth and is no Lye ARTICLE III. Concerning the Scriptures VVHatsoever things were written afore time were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope Which are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture being given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be Perfect throughly furnished unto all Good Works No Prophecy of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation for the Prophecy came not in old time by the Will of man but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ARTICLE IV. Concerning the Divinity of Christ and his Being from the Beginning IN the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the Beginning with God All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Whose Goings forth have been from of old from Everlasting For God created all things by Jesus Christ Who being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God And his Name is called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Who is the Image of the Invisible God the First-born of every Creature The Brightness of the Father's Glory and the express Image of his Substance Who was cloathed with a Vesture dipt in Blood and his Name is call'd The Word of God In him dwells all the Fulness of the God head bodily And in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom Knowledge ARTICLE V. Concerning his Appearance in the Flesh. THe Word was made Flesh For he took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham being in all things made like unto his Brethren Touched with a feeling of our Infirmities and in all things tempted like as we are yet without Sin He dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures and he was buried and he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures ARTICLE VI. Concerning the End and Use of that Appearance GOD sent his own Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh For this Purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Being manifested to take away our Sins For he gave himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a Sweet-smelling Savour Having obtained Eternal Redemption for us And through the Eternal Spirit offered up himself without Spot unto God to purge our Consciences from dead Works to serve the living God He was the Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the World Of whom the Fathers did all drink for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his Steps For we are to bear about in the Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body being alway delivered unto Death for Jesus's sake that the Life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our Flesh That we may known him and the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable to his Death ARTICLE VII Concerning the Inward Manifestation of Christ. GOd dwelleth with the Contrite and Humble in Spirit For he hath said he will dwell in them and walk in them And Christ standeth at the Door and knocketh if any man hear his Voice and open the Door he will come into him and sup with him and he with him And therefore ought we to examine our selves and prove our own selves knowing how that Christ is in us except we be Reprobates For this is the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery which God would make known among or rather IN the Gentiles Christ Within the Hope of Glory ARTICLE VIII Concerning the New Birth EXcept a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Therefore ought we to put off the Old Man with his Deeds and put on the New Man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him and which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness For henceforth know we no man after the Flesh yea though we have known Christ after the Flesh yet now henceforth know we him no more For if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature old things are past away behold all things are become new For such have put on the Lord Jesus Christ And are renewed in the Spirit of their Minds Sith as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth abideth forever And glory in nothing save in the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified unto them and they unto the World For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Uncircumcision but a new Creature ARTICLE IX Concerning the Unity of the Saints with Christ. HE that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all
thou shalt have Praise of the same for he is the Minister of God to thee for Good But 〈◊〉 thou do that which is Evil be afraid for he beareth not the Sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth Evil Wherefore we must needs be subject not only for VVrath but also for Conscience sake for for this Cause pay we also Tribute for they are God's Ministers attending continually upon this very thing Render therefore to all their Dues Tribute to whom Tribute is due Custom to whom Custom Fear to whom Fear Honour to whom Honour Therefore are we to submit our selves to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake whether it be to the King as Supream or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the Punishment of Evil-Doers and for the Praise of them that do well for so is the Will of God that with Well-doing we may put to Silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men Yet it is right in the Sight of God to hearken unto him more then unto them And though they straighly command us not to teach in Christ's Name we ought to obey God rather then Men ARTICLE XXIII Concerning the Resurrection THere shall be a Resurrection of the Dead both of the Just and Unjust They that have done Good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done Evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption Nor is that Body sown that shall be but God gives it a Body as it has pleased him and to every Seed his own Body It is sown in Corruption it is raised in Incorruption it is sown in Dishonour it is raised in Glory it is sown in Weakness it is raised in Power it is sown a Natural Body it is raised a Spiritual Body CHAP. XVII A Short Expostulation with and Appeal to all other Professors COme let us reason with you all ye Professors of Christianity of what sort or kind soever and bring forth your Catechisms and Confessions of Faith to that which by most of your selves is accounted the Touch-Stone or Rule And suffer your selves no more to be blinded and to Err through your Ignorance of the Scriptures and of the Power of God But freely acknowledg confess to that Glorious Gospel and Light which the Scriptures so clearly witness to and your Experience must needs answer as also to these other Doctrines which consequentially depend upon the Belief of that Noble and truly Catholick Principle wherein the Love of God is so mercifully exhibited to all men and his Justice and Mercy do like Twins so Harmonously concord his Mercy in the oft tendering of his Love through the Strivings and Wreslings of his Light during the Day of every man's Visitation and his Justice both in the destroying and cutting away of the Wicked Nature and Spirit in those that suffer themselves to be redeemed through his Judgments and in the utter Overthrow of such who rebelling against the Light and doing Despight to the Spirit of Grace hate to be reformed Now not only this Fundamental Principle is clearly held forth in this Treatise but all these that depend upon it as the real and inward Justification of the Saints through the Power and Life of Jesus revealed in them their full and Perfect Redemption from the Body of Death and Sin as they grow up by the Workings and Prevalency of his Grace and yet lest Security should enter there is great need of Watchfulness in that they may even depart after they have really witnessed a good Condition and make Ship-wrack of the Faith and of a good Conscience with all the Parts of the Doctrine of Christ as they lie lincked together like a Golden Chain which doth very much evidence the Certainty and Vertue of Truth above all Heresies Error and Deceit however so cunningly gilded with the specious Pretences thereof for Truth is intire in all its Parts and consonant to it self without the least Jar having a wonderful Coherence and notable Harmony answering together like the Strings of a well-tuned Instrument whereas the Principles of all other Professors though in some things most of them come near and divers acknowledge that which is Truth yet in most things they stray from it so that their Principles greatly contradict jar one against another and though they may alledge Scriptures for some of their Principles yet they are put strangely to wrest it and to deny it for others My Appeal then to and Expostulation with all sorts of professors is not to prove some one or two Points by the Scriptures for there be some general Notions of Truth which most if not all agree to but the whole Body of our Principles as they stand in relation to each other which none of them all is able to do for among the many Professors their Catechisms and Confessions of Faith I find none save the Dispensation of Truth now again revealed but such as in most of their substantial Principles differ greatly and in many contradict grosly the plain Text and Tenour of the Scripture I confess there be certain men in this Age who with some plausible Appearance of Reality undertake this Task These are they that joyn with and own not wholely any Imbodied People but while they pretend a general Love to all yet find Fault with some part of every sort while in the mean time they scarce can give any Account of their own Religion and most of them prove at bottom to have none at all These men I say may perhaps acknowledge some general Truths and also hold to the Letter of the Scripture in some other things so as thereby to take Occasion largly to judge others while themselves offer not to bring these good things to practise they blame others for the Want or Neglect of But such an Enterprize from these men will not when weighed prove a fulfilling of this Master seeing it is not enongh to acknowledge many Truths but also to deny and witness against all Error and likewise not to fall short of any Truth which ought to be acknowledged Whereas these sort of men for the most part cannot give account of their Faith in many things needful to be believed and whatever things they may acknowledge to be true they err most grievously and contradict a Truth most needful to be minded and answered as is proved hereto in that they stand not forth to appear for any of these Discoveries they pretend they have but make a shift to hide their Heads in Times of Tryal so as not to suffer for nor with any And through these fine Pretences above mentioned through their Scruples of joyning with any they can cunningly shun the Difficulties of Persecutions that attend the particular Sects of Christians and yet by their general Charity and Love to all claim a Share in any
profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all Good Works 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Q. Wherein consisteth the Excellency of the Scriptures A. Knowing this first that no Prophecy of the Scriptures is of any private Interpretation For the Prophecy came not in Old Time by the Will of Man but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. Q. The Scriptures are then to be regarded because they came from the Spirit and they also testifie that not they but the Spirit is to lead into all Truth In what respect doth Christ command to search them A. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life and they are they which testifie of me Joh. 5. 39. Q. I perceive there was a Generation of old that greatly exalted the Scriptures yet would not believe nor come to be guided by that the Scriptures directed to How doth Christ bespeak such A. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father there is One that accuseth you even Moses in whom ye trust For had ye believed Moses ye would have believed me for he wrote of me But if ye believe not his Writings how shall ye believe my Words John 5. 45 46 47. Q. What ought then such to be accounted of notwithstanding of their Pretences of being ruled by the Scriptures A. In which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own Destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. CHâ—P III. Of Jesus Christ's being manifest in the Flesh the Use and End of it Question VVHat are the Scriptures which do most observably prophesie of Christ's Appearance A. The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy Brethren like unto me unto him ye shall hearken Deut. 18. 15. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a Sign Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his Name Immanuel Isa. 7. 14. Q. Was not Jesus Christ in being before he appeared in the Flesh What clear Scriptures prove this against such as erroneously assert the contrary A. But thou Beth-lehem Ephratah though thou be little among the Thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel whose Goings forth have been from of Old from Everlasting Mic. 5. 2. In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God The same was in the Beginning with God All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made John 1. 1 2 3. Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Before Abraham was I am John 8. 58. And now O Father Glorifie thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was John 17. 5. And to make all men see what is the Fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the VVorld hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ Ephes. 3. 9. For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers All things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. God hath in these last dayes spoaken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds Hebr. 1. 2. Q. These are very clear that even the World was created by Christ But what Scriptures prove the Divinity of Christ against such as falsly deny the same A. And the Word was God Joh. 1. 1. Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed forever Amen Rom. 9. 5. Who being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God Philip. 2. 6. And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an Understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and Eternal Life 1 John 5. 20. Q. What are the Glorious Names the Scripture gives unto Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God A. And his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor The Mighty God The Everlasting Father The Prince of Peace Isa. 9. 6. Who is the Image of the Invisible God the First-born of every Creature Col. 1. 15. Who being the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person or more propâ—rly according to the Greek of his Substance Hebr. 1. 3. And he was cloathed with a Vesture dipt in Blood and his Name is called the Word of God Rev. 19. 13. Q. After what manner was the Birth of Christ A. Now the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise Whenas his Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost Mat 1. 18. And the Angel said unto her Fear not Mary for thou hast found Favour with God And behold thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called The Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David Then said Mary unto the Angel How shall this be seeing I know not a Man And the Angel answered and said unto her The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the Power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee Therefore also that Holy Thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke 1. 30 31 32 34 35. Q. Was Jesus Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary and supposed to be the Son of Joseph a True and Real Man A. Forasmuch as the Children are Partakers of Flesh Blood he also himself took part of the same that through Death he might destroy him thath hath the Power of Death that is the Devil Hebr. 2. 14. For verily he took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren that he might be a Merciful and Faithful High Priest c. Hebr. 2. 16 17. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all Points tempted as we are yet without Sin Hebr. 4. 15. And the Gift by Grace which is by one Man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many Rom. 5. 15. But now is Christ risen from the Dead and become the First Fruits of them that slept for since by Man came Death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead 1 Cor. 15. 20 21. Q. After what manner doth the Scripture assert
Judgments to Deal Truly he is just 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 surely Live saith the Lord God Ezek. 18. 5 6 7 8 9. For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels and then he shall Reward every Man according to his Works Mat. 16. 27. Then Peter opened his Mouth and said Of a Truth I perceive that God is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Acts 10. 34 35. The Righteous Judgment of God who will render to every man according to his Deeds To them who by Patient Continuance in Well-doing seek for Glory and Honour and Immortality Eternal Life But Glory Honour and Peace to every man that worketh Good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2. 6 7 10. For we must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. VVhich is a manifest Token of the Righteous Judgment of God that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which ye also suffer 3 Thes. 1. 5. But who so looketh into the Perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful Hearer but a Doer of the Work this man shall be blessed in his Deed James 1. 25. Cast not away therefore your Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward Hebr. 10. 35. And if ye call on the Father who without Respect of Persons judgeth according to every man's Work pass the time of your sojourning here in Fear 1 Pâ—t 1. 17. And behold I come quickly and behold my Reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have a Right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Rev. 22. 12 14. Q. It should seem that the Purpose of God in sending his Son the Lord Jesus Christ was not simply to save Man by an Imputative Righteousness altogether without them but also by the Washing of Regeneration or any inward Righteousness What saith the Scripture further of this A. And thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1. 21. Looking for that Blessed Hope and the Glorious Appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of Good Works Tit. 2. 13 14. CHAP. VII Concerning Perfection or Freedom from SIN Question I Perceive then by all these Scriptures afore-mentioned that Christ as well as he hath purchased Pardon for our Sins hath also obtained Power by which we may even here be cleansed from the Filth of them may we expect then in this Life to be freed from the Dominion of Sin A. For Sin shall not have Dominion over you Rom. 6. 14. Q. For what Reason A. For ye are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. 14. Q. How cometh the Apostle then to cry out and complain of Sin saying Who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death Doth he speak that as a Condition always permanent to him and other Saints or only that which he had passed through What saith he afterwards A. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall Tribulation or Distress or Persecution or Famin or Nakedness or Peril or Sword as it is written For thy sake we are killed all the Day long we are accounted as Sheep for the Slaughter Nay in all these things we are more then Conquerors through him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 1 2 35 36 37 38 39. Q. What saith that Apostle then unto such who taking Occasion from his words should plead for Continuance in Sin for term of Life and think to be saved by the Imputative Righteousness of Christ as being under Grace A. What shall we say then shall we continue in Sin that Grace may abound God forbid Rom. 6. 1 2. VVhat then shall we Sin because we are not under the Law but under Grace God forbid Q. Is not the Apostle then so far from supposing that Condition of being alwayes under Sin to be his own constant Condition or that of all the Saints that he even supposes many of the then Church of Rome to whom he wrote to be free of it How bespeaketh he them as in relation to this Matter A. How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newnes of Life For if we have been planted together in the Likeness of his Death we shall be also in the Likeness of his Resurrection knowing this that our Old Man is crucified with him that the Body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve Sin for he that is dead is freed from Sin Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not Sin therefore reign in your mortal Body that ye should obey it in the Lusts thereof Neither yield ye your Members as Instruments of Unrighteousness unto Sin but yield your selves unto God as those that are alive from the Dead and your Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves Servants to obey his Servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness But God be thanked that ye were the Servants of Sin but ye have Obeyed from the Heart that Form of Doctrine which was delivered unto you being then made free from Sin ye became the Servants of Righteousness I speak after the manner of men because of the Infirmity of your Flesh For as ye have yielded your Members Servants to Uncleanness to Iniquity unto Iniquity even so now yield your Members Servants to Righteousness unto Holiness For when ye were the Servants of Sin ye were free from Righteousness What Fruit had ye then in these things whereof ye are now ashamed for the End of these things is Death But now being