what it hath it must have from flesh and blood which is corruption or from the father it is in a state of death and all it hath is under the same before Christ hath raised it 1 Cor. 15.40 Flesh and blood shall not inherit the Kingdome of God 1 By Kingdom of God here is meant the Church as it doth comprehend the dispensations of the spirit within and of Christ in the Church Discipline without 2 By flesh as before is meant the body 3 By blood the soule of the naturall man 4 By these untill the spirit be quickened no man on earâ—â— can lay claime to the Kingdome of God but is by the institution of God debarred it and therefore faith one of the fruits of the spirit in those are quickened is said to be that by which men were admitted to the Kingdome Gal. 1.16 I consulted not with flesh and blood 1 I In his spirit now quickened when the Adam had no power over it to restrain it 2 This power is so far by the quickening of the spirit destroyed in him as that he immediately consults not with it but discovers it to be an enemy to Christ and his own felicity 3 By flesh and blood is meant his soul and body who had before conspired so together against the Lord and his truth 4 The revealâ—ng of Christ in him was the raising of his spirit from that death it lay in as it was said of Christ he was revealed to be the Son of God by his raising from the dead which in us is called the power of his resurrection Phil. 3.10 2 Cor. 5.16 We know no man according to the flesh 1 For blood it is said clearly God hath made all men of one blood hence the prohibition in marriages did arise to prevent its confusion A thing of speciall note 2 The flesh which is of a more externall concernment 1 He shews one man is not better according to the flesh then an other nor fitter for the Kingdome 2 It is prohibited by any prerogative it can have of the Kingdome 3 That it were the gifts of God not the inward endowments of nature or the outward beauty of the body was in the administrations of the Gospell to be respected Heb. 2.14 For as much as the Children are partakers of flesh and blood be also himselfe tooke part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death 1 By flesh and blood the natural mans body and soule are in this place set out of which Christ was a real partaker being made like to us in all things sin only excepted 2 As far as Christ was flesh and blood he suffered death 3 By this death of his he destroyed him that had the power of death which is the Devill which death was the pouring out of his soule to death 4 Without the right understanding in what and how Christ died no true nor right use of his death can be made The understanding of flesh and blood in this sence opens many hid Truths 1 That when the spirit of God names the body the soule is usually added to it when flesh then blood sets out the soule 2 As flesh and blood are together so soule and body are as appears in the Scripture dialect Note Moses sprinkling the people with the blood of the beasts called the blood of the Covenant sprinkled them with the soule of the beasts and the blood of the new Covenant is the blood of the soule of Christ though not the soule 1 Cor. 11.27 He is guilty of the body and blood of Christ 1 If by blood be meant the soul how necessary is the cup Christ gave not his flesh but blood also how doe the Papists abuse poor men in keeping it away 2 If by the blood be meant in the Scripture the soul multitudes of Scripture are not yet understood but in a carnal sence which wil spiritually in glory appear on their manifestation 3 Luk. 13.1 Pilats sin namely in mixing mans blood with the blood of the beasts which hee sacrificed to Satan aggravates the sinne 4 If the body comprehends the blood or the blood be spoke of as of the body only why are they thus distinguished in a word it is to set forth the Lords death who dyed in soul as well as body Job 2.4 All that a man hath will be give for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his soule ver 6. He is in thy hand but spare his soule And this agrees with that of Christ What shall a man give in exchange of his soule Acts 20.24 I account not my soule dear to my selfe 1 The regenerate part speaks the spirit which was above the soul 2 It speaks its esteem of his soule 3 On what account it speaks so it would not speak so upon any other occasion whatsoever Ezek. 18.20 The soule that sinneth it shall dye Orig. 13 Tom. on John pag. 191. 1 The spirit dyed in Adam in Adam all die by that which is called Original sin 2 The soule that lives by another life in the body and is under the law Morall the transgressions whereof were death so that â—ere is intended the Lords mediate punishing of man with death by the Magistrate or else immediate by himselfe In V. 3. Ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb the Fathers have eate sowre grapes and the Childrens teeth are set on edge 1 This proverb was true in the spirits death by that sin is called originall in Adam 2 God saith it should be so no more 3 Now the next death is of the soule to which in the after Scripture he only alludes Ver. 4. All soules are mine as the soule of the Father so of the Son the soule that sinneth it shall dye 4 No soule by justice dyeth but for breach of the moral Law â—â—one which is properly its by act not imputation 5 It is clear each man hath a particular soul as well as spirit or â—ody if any two bodies had one soule it were the Father and â—on which the word doth say are distinct 6 If yee understand by death eternal death only then yee make void the Law of God 7 There is a notable distinction used by the Apostle 1 Cor. 6.18 Fornication is sin unto the body of all other sin and James sin ariseth from lust 1 Pet. 1.24 All flesh is grasse and all the glory of man as the flower of the grasse the grasse withereth and the flower thereof falleth 1 The body is the flesh the grasse 2 The soule the flower and glory of man 3 As the grasse withereth the flower falleth 4 The end of the one and the other seem to differ as they differ in themselves but fade and fall together 5 The grasse and flower are of one nature and subject to change though differing in their forme and beauty Object 1. 1 Pet. 4.19 Commit the keeping of their soules to him in well doing Hence men are to commit their soules
as the spirit 4 No Scripture says that any soule is yet in heaven Christ is the first fruits of them that sleep Second part of the difference is between these Scriptures say 1 That the souls dye 2 That they only sleep Note In this is the great controversie for by the one it is mortall and the other it seems not to be so 1 For reconciliation we are to distinguish between the differing nature of Death in these parts of man for as the parts differ in themselves so their deaths differ the spirit is dead while in the body and the soule and body alive but never suffers corruption as the body doth in its death whose death is a totall privation of life sence and motion ending in corruption 2 The soules death differs from that of the spirit and that of body 1 Gods leaving the spirit it dies by withdrawing the spirits operation from it which when by Christ it returned into man he is raised from the spirit death 2 The soule leaving the body it dyes 3 The spirit leaving the soule it suffers its death as the body lives by the soule so the soule by the spirit so that when the spirit is gone the soule is dead as the body moves not without the soule so the soule acts not without the spirit be in her who is its life in it s as well natural as spiritual being Conclusion 1 Unbeleevers and all men by nature are subject to this death of soul as that of spirit and body as being the way and means designed of God for their dissolution 2 Beleevers now though their spirits forsake the soule yet the spirit of Christ being with their soules and they said to sleepe in Jesus it is a sleepe to them though a death to others 3. As somnum is imago mortis it shews the difference seems not much between these there is at least the image of the one in the other though not the other 4 This is a further clearing of the preciousness of the first resurrection and Christs so oft saying to his people they should not see death nor taste of death Vse To shew what a sweet use of Christ in mans forsaken condition is lost and unknown Now if Christ bee with us and wee in Christ though in the grave what matters it we are safe enough whiles in Christ 5 The death of the soule is that it is not with God nor God with it in the absence of its spirit its naturall life and body but sin and death hath dominion over them which it hath not over those asleep in Christ Object Christs soule is said to dye Resp 1. Christs soule was left of its spirit as ours which was one part of this death 2 Hee cries out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me which was that other part God forsook the creature the soule in Christ of which O how sensible was hee though wee are not of the spirits death 3. This is more clear Thou wilt not leave my soule in grave that is no longer but the appointed time of three dayes and after God and his spirit would come to the soule and also raise the body 4 This was he in soul to suffer with man that he might become a ransome for and redeem men from death and the grave where hee indured what man by sinne should suffer under death in the grave 5 Hence those that beleeve not and are not in Jesus doe not sleep in Jesus but are dead and so only are ye to understand the Scriptures when it speaks of the dead in soul and body it cals them dead only but of the beleevers as of men that sleep and sleep in Christin the soule 6 When as the Scriptures speak of the dead in Christ then they cheifly respect the bodies not the soules of Saints Vse Shews what multitudes of lyes and errors are taught in the name of Christ and how destructive the doctrine now taught is 2 How obscure the faith of Christ and the Gospel is in this and multitudes of other cases is not seen nor credited 3 Vse Confirmation of this is deduced hence The spirit dieth and the body dyeth and by the argument of the souls mortality that though God hath said in many Scriptures the soul doth dye and the soule that sinneth shall dye 4 The wages of sin is death and the soul that sinneth shall dye and yet it must not dye how contrary this is to Gods word and Justice and mans desert let the world be judge 5 It is set down in the future tence shall die and shews that it is to be another death on the soule then what was on man by Adams fall Object They make the soul doth dye but it is in Hell hereafter Resp That death of soule is a death in which spirit and body doth partake with it and is after the resurrection as they confesse 1 But that death is called the second death Rev. 21.8 2 In that it is called the second death and soule body and spirit are to die therein it is cleare all these must first suffer a first death before this second which by the now doctrine the soule doth not 1 Thes 4.14 16. In one the soules are said to sleep in Jesus in the other the body dead in Jesus the same persons being spoken of Reasons why the Soules of Saints sleep but of Vnbeleevers are dead FIrst The beleeving soule through the seed of faith and hope sleeps only and is not dead as those without hope Secondly The soule though it be left of its own spirit yet it is in the spirit of Christ Thirdly In this is fulfilled that the beleever seeth not nor doth hee tast of death he being by his faith in the name of the Son of God kept from the power of death Fourthly Christ hath by his souls death redeemed theirs from that death the souls of unbeleevers dye 1 This is in Lazarus set forth John 11.4 This sicknesse is not to death his soul not dying Ver. 11. Our friend Lazarus sleepeth they not understanding the soules sleep Ver. 14. he spake more plainly he is dead speaking of his body Ver. 4. if not thus understood is a mystery that the sicknesse was not to death and yet hee dyed 2 This is seen in Stephen Act. 7.59 Hee commends his spirit to Christ ver 60. his soule is made asleep his body chap. 8.2 is committed to the grave the significancy of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for his death chap. 8.1 is exceeding great and signifies his resolution as the taking down of a house The life of the soule is maintained within it by hope and differenceth the dead and living soules 1 Hence hope is said to be the anchor of the soule Heb. 6.19 2 The Apostles 1 Thes 4.13 I would not have you ignorant Brethren concerning those that sleep that they mourn not as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those others those that have no hope Thus Mark. 5.39 Why lament yee and
because it is the Spirit must teach the flesh to profit by Christ or he gains nothing by it Vid. Aug. Lib. Quaest Cap. 67. Anselm on the words Gregor Mor. lib. 4. cap. 30. lib. 8. cap. 4. Rom. 8.19 The expectation of the creature that is mans body as in Phi. 1.20 from without waiteth for the revelation of the Sons of God 1 John 3 2. It being not untill then glorified but corrupt Ver. 20. The creature man is subjected to vanity it not having ought but through him that hath subjected it in hope Ver. 21. For the creature it selfe by which is strictly taken the body being made after the form of the other creatures in the creation from which the spirit and soule differed shall be made free from the bondage of corruption when at the last day it shal have put on incorruption into the liberty of glory God being to be seen with these eyes that now cannot see God and live of the Sons of Gad in the flesh Ver. 22. For we know that all or the whole creature man in his spirit soule and body he before having spoken of the soule distinct in the hope and the body in its vanity nowspeaks of all groan together and travel in pain together untill now That is the body labours under the wants of the soule the soule of the body the spirit is burthened with the temptations of both Rom. 7.24 until now that is none as yet being possessed of this felicity Ver. 23. And not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the body but they the spirit and soule having the beginning of the spirit his spirit quickening our spirit that it cannot see death but is partaker of the first resurrection and the soule supported by hope sleeping in Christ is free from corruption far differing in its estate from that of the body and thence after we our selves is opposed to the body altogether before spoken of We our selves in our selves groan looking out to the felicity the redemption of our bodies Here the revelation of sons is reserved to the last day when beleevers shall be separated from unbeleevers Ver. 24. For by hope we are saved in which he alludes to the looking out and expectation of the creature ver 19 20 23 and shews man is this creature as being the only adequate object of hope Ver. 25. Who onely by patience wait for the manifestation hereof upon the perswasions of the spirit assuring man hereof by the Word of God Note verse 23. Not onely the creature the creature is added in Translation signifying the body distinct from the soule and spirit or the natural man of the first creation from the spiritual of the regeneration as after Mark 16.15 Go out into all the world preach the Gospell to every creature That the soule body and spirit is the key of Scripture and this hid the mysterie of salvation is many waies hid but especially the way of teaching it appears in this truth 1 How men corrupt the sence of the Word and loose the mind of God for here they read every creature and therefore St. Francis goeth and preacheth to the fishes and why we on this command should not preach to the beasts and fowles I know not 2 Others there are that say the Gospel is to be preached to every c. and therefore remission of sins and salvation of Christ is to be applyed to all the men on earth 1 Say they Christ redeemed all 2 The Word commands the Gospel to be preached and applied to all Note the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 usually translated omnis every as respecting the number of things but when it admits not number it is read all as in the same ver and Col. 1.6 for ye cannot say in every world there being but one in all N. Now so here teach the Gospel to every creature why no creature is capable of the teaching of the Gospel but man and therefore God enjoyned the teaching of none but him if he did as men read he did then we that teach do not well to neglect them N. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I rather therefore translate all the creature as before all the world and then shews 1. That the whole man hath sweet mercies set out in the Gospell 2. That the Gospell is to be distributed to its severall parts by the wise workman to make him perfect 1 There is Gospel to reform the body and form it to Christ with most sweet promises of its resurrection and glory 2 The soule the Gospel hath multitude of precious balmes for its wounds and instructions how to take heed of the flesh to leave the world to enjoy Christ and what the Lord is and will bee to the soule 3 The Word divides between soule and spirit and reproves the â—â—â—thinesse of that and reformes it to the glorious image of the Sons of God The Doctors Ministery was the first of these 1 Cor. 3.1 3. for as yet they were not fitted to embrace the more spiritual knowledge of the Gospel nor were they reformed in their lowest part 2 The soule the Pastors 1 Pet. 2.25 Peter was Pastor in Jerusalems Church and he faith yee are returned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto the Pastor that was an Office as ministring and the Bishop that was he was a Ruling Officer who was to reforme the affections and mind by exhortations Rom. 8.19 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God having quickened the spirit he by rules 1 Teaches the spirit as it is able to hear and know God and bear his yoake which first is concerned in the reforming the outward man or flesh and the soule in the lower parts thereof In the ministery of the Teacher Heb. 6.1 Repentance Baptism Resurrection and Judgement concerning the flesh Rom. 12.1 2. 2 In the instructing of the soule in its more excellent part of the mind affections Act. 14.22 and 15.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ver 11. fleshly lusts fight against the soul 1 Pet. 2.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Pastor is of the soule 1 Pet. 1.22 3 In the instructing of the Spirit which is the Evangelists work of ministry 1 Under which three the Beleever is to bee perfected in the first hee is as a Babe in the other as a Youth in the last as a strong man in Christ 2 These three have as by a line the word laid out to them 1 Cor. 15.29 baptized for the deads the spirit the soule the body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if the deads are not altogether raised c. 1 Hence Paul taught the Corinthians not as spiritual but carnal as babes in Christ where there are set out spiritual and carnal the carnal babes in Christ 1 Cor. 3.1 3. 2 Cor 4.10 11 12 13. 2 Hence Christ saith I have many things to say but yee cannot bear them now 3 This beginning is set out Rom. 8.13 If ye by the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the flesh ye shall live