or the Law of Christ The first of these Lawes was given to Adam in his innocent and sinlesse condition the second was given unto men in their fallen and sinfull condition and the third was given unto men either to bring them out of their sinful condition or being brought out of that estate to guide them on to their eternall happy condition Quest Wherein did the naturall Law or the Law which God gave unto Adam in his innocency consist Answ 1. In that inscription written in his heart whereby doubtlesse he knew how to serve and worship God his Creatour 2 In that vocall prohibition of eating the forbiden fruit Gen. 2.17 Object But how doth it appeare that there was any Law written in the heart of Adam in his innocency A. 1. Because that even the sinfull posterity of Adam who had neither the written Law of Moses nor the Gospell yet had and have this Law written in their hearts their consciences bearing witnesse and their hearts accusing or excusing one another Rem 2.14 15. 2 By the knowledge that he had in the nature of all creatures and therbyto name al creatures according to their natures Gen. 2.20 23. 3 Because that Adam and his children did offer unto the Lord and this must be either from inward dictates and teachings in nature or from vocall commands but we read not of any vocall commands that God gave to Adam thereto Obj. But did God give lawes to none but unto Adam before Moses time Answ Yes unto (a) Gen 6.13 Noah and doubtlesse to many others before the flood and also to (b) Gen 26.5 Abraham and the Patriarcks after the flood till the time of Moses and these lawes are called by the godly and learned Positive Lawes Qu. Was there included in that prohibition to Adam that hee should not eate of the forbidden fruit all the Morall Law or Ten Commandements afterwards given to Moses A. Though the Scripture doth not affirm that neither can it be easily inferred thence nor clearly proved yet it 's probable hee had written in his nature the substance of the Ten Commandements Qu. Why did God give a law or lawes unto men A. To shew his own Soveraignty and his creatures duty Qu. How many parts are there in the Lawes of God A. Three a (c) Ex 20.3 4 5 7 c. mandatory part a (d) Ex 19.5 Eph 6 2 promisary part and a (e) Gen. 2.17 Lev 26.16 17 18. penall part the first shewing the power the second the goodnesse and the third the justice of God Qu. Why did God give the Morall Law or Ten Commandements seeing he had before written the Law in mens hearts A. Though the Law was writter at first in the heart of Adam and though the fallen posterity of Adam had Why the Moral Law was given and still have some reliques of that Law remaining in their hearts yet it was growne so dymme and dark that in a manner it was deleated and blotted out by the sinnes of men insomuch that the Apostle accounted that time between Adam and Moses as a time wherein there was no Law for saith he untill the Law i. e. the Morall Law sin was in the world Rom. 5.13 But more particularly God gave the Morall Law First because of transgressions as the Apostle in answer to such a Question tacitely propounded saith the Law was added because of transgressions untill the seed i. e. Christ should come Gal. 3.19 For the better understanding of this consider 1 That the Law was given to discover sin for (f) Rom 3 20 by the Law is the knowledge of sinne And though (g) Rom 5 13 sin was in the world before the Law yet sin was so vailed and covered that men when they did comit sin they scarce knew that they sin'd We have the Apostle Pauls testimony and experience of this wher he (h) Rom 7 7 saith that he had not knowne sinne but by the Law for I had not known lust saith he except the Law had said thou shalt not cover Nay there would be no sin were it not for a Law for the Law gives if I may so tearme it a being unto sin and therefore is called the (i) 1 Cor 15 5 strength of sinne for if a man should sweare covet or kill and there should be no Law prohibiting the same doubtlesse it would not bee evill for the Law makes it evill So men when they doe commit sinne if they be ignorant of the Law against which they sinned they cannot come to see and know their sinnes therefore the Law is the glasse or discoverer of sin and where there is no Law there is no * i. e. No knowledge of transgression Rom 4.15 transgression Obj. But hath the Law of it selfe power to discover sin A. No not of it selfe without it be applyed by the Spirit for Paul thought himselfe (k) Phil 3.6 blamelesse as concerning the Law before his conversion But when the (l) Rom 7.9 Commandement came in spirit and power then sinne appeared as sin to him Obj. But doth the Morall Law discover unto men all their sinnes A. Yes All the sins committed against that Law but not every sin that a man is guilty of for the sin of unbeleife or not beleiving in Christ which is the sin (m) Joh. 6.29 and 16.9 1 Joh. 3.23 Neither doth the Moral law teach men to deny their owne righteousnesse against the Gospell is discovered by the Gospell and not by the Law Obj. How doth it appeare that the Law doth not discover the sinne of un beleefe or not beleeving in Christ A. Because the Law doth not command faith in Christ as hee is Mediatour neither can any man possibly preach Christ out of the Morall Law therefore it is impossible that unbeleife against him should be known or apprehended by that Law 2 The Law as it doth discover sin so also it doth aggravate sinne or make sin as the Apostle (n) Rom 7.13 saith exceeding sinfull The Law does awaken and revive and unkennell sins and make them take hold upon a mans soule As the Prophet David (o) Ps 40.12 said mine iniquities have taken hold upon mee so that I am not able to looke up Or as the Apostle (p) Ro 7.8 9 said without the Law sin was dead but when the Commandement id est the Law came sinne revived and I dyed that is his sinnes did appeare so hainous grievous and terrible to him that they were ready to make him dispaire also the same Apostle (q) Rom 5.20 elsewhere saith That the Law entered that the offence might abound 3 The Law does restraine sinne and that was a maine end wherefore it was given which is the meaning of the Apostle in the third of the Galathians 19 ver Gal. 3.19 The Law was added because of transgression Men were growne to a mighty height of transgression and wickednesse till God gave the Law
Informing Promises Deu 8.18 See Rich Silver Assuring Promises Psal 112 3. Jer 31.12 Mal 3.10 Psal 37.9 Mat 5.5 Yea the wealth of the wicked Informing Promises Pro 13.22 Assuring Promises Zach 14.14 See Spoile Weaned Assuring Promises See Esa 11.8 and 28.9 Weapon That no weapon formed against Gods people shall prosper Assuring Promises Esa Weapon Weary 1 That Gods people shall not bee weary Assuring Promises Esa 40.31 See chap. 5.27 2 To those that are weary Assuring Promises Esa 50.4 Jer 31.25 See Heavy-laden Weeks That God gives appointed weekes of Harvest Informing Promises Jer 5.24 1 To those that weep Informing Promises 2 Chron 34.27 Nehem 8.9 Jocl 2.12 Assuring Promises Psal 126.6 Jer 31.16 Luk 6.21 Weepe 2 That they shall weep no more Assuring Promises Esa 30.9 and 65.19 3 A speciall promise of weeping Assuring Promises Jer 31.9 See Sorrow Weigh Informing Promises See Prov 16.2 See Try Weight Informing Promises See Prov 11.1 2 Cor 4.17 Well That it shall be well with those that fear and obey God Informing Promises Deut 4.40 and 5.16 29 33. and 6.18 and 19.13 Jer 7.23 Ephes 6.3 Assuring Promises Psa 128.2 Eccl 8.12 Esa 3.10 Jer 15.11 and 39.12 2 That the enemy should intreate Gods people well Assuring Promises Jer 15 11. and 42.12 Well or Fountain Informing Promises See Num 21.17 18. Psal 84.6 Pro 10.11 Can 4.15 See Fountaine Assuring Promises See Esa 12.3 Joh 4.14 Wel-doing To those that continue in well-doing Informing Promises Rom 2.7 Gal 6.9 2 Thess 2.13 1 That God would give plenty of Wheate Assuring Promises Joel 2.24 Jer 31.12 Wheate 2 That God will gather his Wheate that is his chosen people into his barne Church or Heaven Informing Promises See more Psa 81.16 and 147.16 Can 7.2 Jer 23.28 Assuring Promises Mat 3.12 and 13.30 Luk 3.17 White 1 Concerning Christ Informing Promises Cant 5.10 Mat 17.2 and 28.3 Rev 1.14 and 14.14 and 19.11 and 20.11 2 To the Saints Informing Promises Rev 3.18 and 4.4 and 6.11 and 7.11 13 14. and 19.14 Psal 51.7 Assuring Promises Esa 1.18 Dan 12 10. Rev 2.17 and 3.5 Whole That Christ through faith makes men whole Informing Promises Act 9.34 and 4.9 10. Matth 9.22 Mark 6.56 Joh 7.23 Whore That the WHORE BABYLON shall be destroyed Informing Promises Rev 14.8 and 16.19 and 18.2 8. and 19.20 Assuring Promises Rev 17.16 18.8.21 22 23. Whore Wicked-one That beleevers shall overcome the wicked one Informing Promises 1 Joh 2.13 and 5.18 See Satan Widowes 1 That God takes care of widows and fatherlesse Informing Promises Deut 14.29 and 16.11 14. and 24.19 20 21. and 26.12 13 21. and 27.19 Assuring Promises Jer 49.11 2 That he doth and will avenge their cause Informing Promises Deut. 10.18 Psa 68.5 Assuring Promises Mal 3.5 3 To those that releive and deal well with such Informing Promises Jam 1.27 Assuring Promises Jer 7.6 7. and 22.3 4. Widowhood Informing Promises See Esa 54.4 Wife 1 That a good wife is the gift of God Informing Promises Prov 19.14 and 18.22 2 That the wife is sanctified to her husband and shall be fruitfull Informing Promises 1 Cor 7.13 See Woman Husband Assuring Promises Psal 128.3 Wildernesse 1 That God will make the wildernesse that is barren sinners fruitfull Informing Promises Psa 107.35 Esa 43.20 Assuring Promises Esa 32.15 Wildernesse 2 That God will guide and comfort his people in the wildernesse Assuring Promises Esa 43.19 Hos 2.14 See Esa 32.16 Ezek 20.35 Will. To those that aske and do according to Christs will Informing Promises 1 Joh 5.14 See more Mat 8.3 Joh 17.24 Heb 10.7 1 Tim 2.4 Assuring Promises Joh 7.17 and 15.7 See Aske Pray Willing 1 That God will make men willing Informing Promises Phil 2.13 Assuring Promises Psal 110.3 2 To those that are willing Informing Promises 2 Cor 8.12 See more Heb 6.17 2 Pet 3.9 1 Cor 9.17 Assuring Promises Esa 1.19 Willowes Assuring Promises See Esa 44.4 Winds That God will gather his Elect from the four winds Assuring Promises Mat 24.31 Mar 13.27 Windowes Assuring Promises See Esa 54.12 Mal 3.10 Wine Informing Promises See Pro 9.2 Assuring Promises Esa 25.6 Winter Informing Promises See Cant 2.11 Assuring Promises Zach 14.8 Wipe See Teares Wife To those that are wise Assuring Promises Psalm 107.43 Dan 12.3 10. Hos 14.9 That the Scriptures make wise Informing Promises Psa 19.7 2 Tim 3.15 Assuring Promises See Vnderstand Teach See more Informing Promises Prov 1.5 and 11.30 and 13.20 and 17.2 Wisdome To those that find wisdom Informing Promises Pro 3.13 Eccle 7.12 Of wisdome Informing Promises Dan. 2.21 Jam 1.5 Assuring Promises Luk 21.15 Witnesse 1 Christ is the faithfull witnesse Informing Promises Rev 1.5 and 3.14 Assuring Promises Esa 55.4 2 That the Ministers and Saints are and shall be the Lords witnesses Informing Promises Acts 2.32 and 3.15 and 5.32 and 10.39 41. and 26.16 Heb 12.1 1 Pet 5.7 See more Rom 8.15 Heb 10.15 1 Joh 5.10 Assuring Promises Acts 1.8 Rev 11.3 Woolfe See Lambe Woman Informing Promises See Pro 11.16 and 12.4 and 14.1 and 31.10 30. Esa 49.15 and 54.6 Matth 15.28 Luk 7.44 45 46 50. and 8.43 47. and 11.27 and 13.11 12. Joh 4.19 21. and 8.9 10. and 20.13 1 Cor 11.7 Assuring Promises Jer 31.8 Women Informing Promises Cant 1.8 and 5.8 and 6.1 Heb 11.35 Assuring Promises Zach 8.4 Womb That God will give the fruit of the womb Informing Promises Deut 7.13 Psal 127.2 Wood. Assuring Promises See Mich 7.14 Zach 12.6 See Tree Word Informing Promises See Hear Passe Keepe Voyce See more Informing Promises Psal 68.11 and 147.19 Esa 44.26 Joh 15.2 Ephes 5.26 Assuring Promises Esa 30.21 and 55.21 Works 1 That God workes in his children Informing Promises 1 Cor 12.6 Eph 3.20 Phil 2.13 Col 1.26 1 Thes 2.13 Assuring Promises See Esa 43.13 2 That God directs and inables his children in their workes Informing Promises Esa 26.12 Mar 16.20 Assuring Promises Esa 61.8 Joh 14.12 3 That the works of Gods people are accepted with him Informing Promises Act 10.35 Eccl 7.9 Assuring Promises Esa 64.5 4 That their works shall bee rewarded Informing Promises 1 Cor 3.14 Heb 6.10 Assuring Promises 2 Chron 15.7 Jer 31.16 Esa 40.10 and 62.11 5 That for all that men are not justified and saved by their workes Informing Promises Rom 3.27 and 4.2 6. and 9.11 and 11.6 Gal 2.16 Ephes 2.9 2 Tim 1.9 Tit 3.5 See more of this word Informing Promises Psal 111.3 Esa 49.4 and 60.21 1 Cor 3.14 Joh. 4.34 1 Sam 14.6 Rom 8.28 Hag 2.4 Joh 5.17 and 9.4 World 1 That God will judge the world in righteousnesse Informing Promises Psal 9.8 and 96.13 and 98.9 2 That Christ is the light of the world Informing Promises Joh 8.12 and 9.5 and 1.9 and 3.19 and 9.5 and 12.46 See Saviour Assuring Promises Joh 12.25 31. See more of this word Informing Promises Esa 26.9 and 5.14 Joh 1 29. and 3.16 17. and 4.42 and 6.33 51. and 8.12 and 9.2 1 Cor 3.22 Gal 1.4 Jam 2.5 1 Joh 4.17 Assuring Promises Psal 22.27 Worm Informing Promises See Esa 41.14 Worship 1 That men shall worship the Lord. Informing Promises Psal 66.4 and 86.9 Joh 4.23 24. Assuring Promises Psal 22.27 Esa 27.13 and 66.23 and 49.7 Worship 2 That they should not worship the Creatures Informing Promises See more Heb 1.6 and 10.2 Rev 4.10 and 5.14 Assuring Promises Mich 5.13 Wrinckle See Spot Write That God will write his Lawes in the hearts of his people Informing Promises See more Rev 14.13 and 19.9 and 21.5 Psal 87.6 Assuring Promises Jer 31.33 Heb 8.10 and 10.16 See Rev 3.12 Written Informing Promises See 2 Cor 4.13 Rom 15.4 1 Pet 1.16 Rev 21.27 Wrong That God will not suffer his people to be wronged Assuring Promises 1 Chron 16.21 Psa 105.14 Wroth. That God will not be wroth with his people Assuring Promises Esa 54.9 and 57.16 Y Yeares Informing Promises See Psal 65.11 Esa 61.2 Luk 3.41 Joh 5.5 Assuring Promises Psal 102.24 27. Pro 9.11 Esa 63.4 Joel 2.25 Zac. 14.16 Yesterday Informing Promises See Heb 13.8 Yoak God will breake the yoake of his people Assuring Promises Esa 10.27 and 14.25 See Hos Yoak Young-man Informing Promises See Visions Also Psal 119.9 and 148.12 Pro 20.29 1 Joh 2.13 Assuring Promises Zach 9.17 Esa 62.5 Young-ones Assuring Promises See Esa 11.7 and 40.11 Youth Informing Promises See 1 King 18.12 Job 29.4 Psal 71.5 and 103.5 Jer 3.4 Ezek 16.22 Assuring Promises Esa 54.6 Hos 2.15 Z Zeale 1 God hath zeale for his people Informing Promises 2 King 19.31 Isa 9.7 and 37.32 See Esa 59.17 and 63.15 2 Saints zealous Informing Promises See Col 4.13 2 Cor 7.11 9.2 1 Cor 14.12 Gal 4 18. 3 To those that have zeale Assuring Promises Rev 3.19 20. Zion 1 That God shall come to Zion Informing Promises Zach 8.3 Assuring Promises Esa 35.10 51.11 Jer 3.14 and 50.5 2 That the Law shall go forth out of Zion Assuring Promises Esa 2.3 Mich 4.2 3 To Zion Informing Promises Psa 87.2 6. and 102.13 16. and 128.15 Esa 14.32 Zach 1.10 Esa 51.3 Assuring Promises Psa 69.35 Esa 1.27 and 2.3 and 30.19 FINIS
in which he freely and absolutely conveyes all his estate riches benefits blessings and merits to be divided distributed and disposed among his poore friends the children of men that beleeve in him And that this Testament might bee of force Christ the Testator dyes otherwise the Testament (z) Heb. 8.16 17. could not bee of force and the holy Spirit is (a) Joh. 16.13.14 appointed by Christ as Executor to see this his will performed Q. Was there no necessity for Christ to dye save onely to confirme the Covenant A. Yes there were many other ends and reasons of Christ his death Q. What are they A. First To (b) Lu. 24.44 fulfill the Scriptures viz. the Ceremonies (c) Mat 26.56 Prophesies and (d) Mat. 5.17 Commandements or morall Law and that this was a maine end of Christs death it clearly appeares by our Saviours (e) Mat 26.54 owne words when Peter would have defended him with the sword but how then saith Christ to him shall the Scriptures be fullfilled (f) Lu. 24.44 Ioh. 19.36 again all things saith he must be fullfilled that are written in the Law of Moses in the Prophets and in the Psalmes concerning me Q. How did Christ by his death fullfill the Ceremoniall Law A. The Ceremonial Law which confisted in types and shadowes as in slaying and offering of sacrifices in shedding of blood when Christ who was the (g) Ich. 1.7 truth here is put in opposition to ceremonies truth and substance of them suffered they were expired finished executed in which sense the word fulfilled is (h) Act. 13.25 Rev. 15.8 taken yea the whole bulke and body of that law with all that belonged thereunto was as I have hinted before so absolutly and perfectly (i) Eph. 2.15 the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies destroyed taken away and (k) Col. 2.14 nailed to Christs crosse that those Ceremonies were afterwards to bee looked upon in respect of observance as if they never had been at all and no more to be (l) Col. 2.20.21 22. by ordinances is meant the ceremonies Heb. 9.1.20 used then if they had never beene commanded by God Obj. If they were so done away by the death of Christ why had they not beene put out of the Bible A. They are not left in the bible that men may retaine and use those Ceremonies now in Gospel dayes as Prelaticall and Demi-Jewish-Priests did and stil do maintaine viz. a materiall Temple or Church therefore Temple or church-Church-worship Altars therefore offerings and sacrifices Piests therefore Tythes and Oblation but they are left that Jewes and Gentiles may compare the Type with the Antitype that they might beleeve Likewise to shew the great difference between the administration of the Law which the Jewes were under and the administration of the Gospell which the Gentiles are now under and that wee Gentiles may praise God for our freedome from such Obj. If they were done away by the death of Christ why then did the Apostles after his death use any of them A. 1. The Apostles did use but very few of them and that very seldome and but for a short time neither then to allow of them or confirme them but partly because that the Jewith people were not as yet (n) Ac 13.45 46 47. rejected nor unchurched and partly because of their (o) 1 cor 9.20 21 22. weaknesse hoping thereby to win them But wee do not find that the Apostles did ever do this among the Gentiles as I remember but once that (p) ga 2.12.13 Peter did conforme out of feare and dissimulation and then Paul reproves him (q) v. 11. 14. publickly and that justly too for it 2. The Apostles did both (r) Act 15.6 7 10 12 19 20. joyntly and (s) Ac 17 24 7.48 severally (t) Ac 21.21 teach and (u) Ac 21.25 write against the observation of those Ceremonies making the (w) 2 cor 11 14. with Gal 6 12. Phil 3.2 teachers thereof false and the (x) Gal 5 2. 4 9 11. observers thereof faith lesse Obj. Nay the Apostles were so farre from taking away all the Ceremonies that at a publicke Assembly they rather establish some of them Act 15.29 as blood and things strangled and things offered to Idols they do prohibite to be eaten which things were Ceremoniall and prohibited in that Law A. 1. You are to understand that the Church of Antioch and some other Churches to whom the Apostles wrote and sent their decrees consisted both of Jewes and Gentiles and so were guilty of giving offence each to other as some by Fornication others by eating things offered to Idols things strangled and blood The Apostles for the reconciling of them each to other and likewise to subdue sinne amongst them joyn eating of things offered to Idols things strangled and blood being now but things indifferent with Fornication which was absolutely evill that so both parties without upbraiding each other might close in love and eschew sin Note also that in three Greek copies there is this added at the end of the (e) Staphanus Greek Testament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b. 1 so after the word fornication in the 20 verse 20 verse that whatsoever ye would not have done to you do ye not to others 2. Those decrees concerning meate offered to Idols things strangled and blood did not then binde their consciences For doubtlesse they might have eaten thereof without sin in case they did not offend others by eating much lesse doth it binde Christians now Therefore be not scrupulous in this but read the (f) Ro 14 14 1 Cor 8 8. 1 Tim 4.5 Act 10 14 15. These Scriptures shew that all things edible may be eaten now in Gospell days without sin Scriptures that are sufficient to resolve you herein Q. How did Christ fullfill the Prophesies by his death A. He (z) So the word is taken in Psal 20.4 1 Kin. 2.27 made good those Prophesies that foretold his death as for example compare Zach. 11.12 with Matth. 27.3 and Esa 50.6 with Matth. 26.67 and Psal 69.21 with Matth. 27.34 Esa 53.12 with 22.37 and Psa 22.18 and Mat. 27.35 These and severall other paralleld Scriptures doe plainly shew that Christs sufferings were a true and lively exposition of the Prophets and that the words of the Prophets without variation or contradiction were true in him Q But how could it possibly be that the Jewes who knew all these Prophesies did not see them fulfilled in Christ A. Doubtlesse that (a) 2 Thes 2.10.11 Scripture was verified in them Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved God sent them strong delusions that they should believe a lye they partly (b) Mar. 13.15 shut their eyes against the truth and partly (c) Joh. 12.40 Esa 6.8 God blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts and partly the (d) 2
Cor. 4.4 Devill blinded their mindes that they could not understand and beleeve 2. The Jewes did overlooke Christs state of humiliation and looked for him to come in power and great glory to deliver (e) Luk. 24.21 them out of the hands of their outward enemies which doubtlesse will bee the manner of his next comming for their conversion and restauration spoken of Mark 13.26 27. Matth. 24.30 compared with Zach. 13.10 and Rev. 1.7 Ob. But did not the Jewes know him to be the Christ and did they sinne ignorantly or knowingly and maliciously A. Without question many or most of them sinned ignorantly as (f) Tim. 1.13 Paul who was one of them said because I sinned ignorantly I obtained mercy and as the Apostle (g) 1 Cor. 2.8 else where saith If they had known him they would not have crucified the Lord of glory yet it is likely that some of the Priests and Pharisees sinned (h) Joh. 9.41 knowingly (i) Mat. 12.31 wilfully and (k) Mat. 28.11 12 13 14 15. maliciously Q. How did Christ fulfill the Morall Law or ten Commandements by his death A. He did (l) So the word fulfil is taken Ps 145.19 Ro. 13.14 satisfie and performe for men what the Law could require and exact from them and so became the (m) Ro. 10.3 end of the Law for righteousnesse or Justification to every one that beleeveth and so (n) Gal. 3.13 redeemed and freed them from the curse of the Law by being made a curse for them this I have hinted before and I handle more at large afterwards in this Treatise But I come to the second end of Christs death Remember the first was to fulfill the Scriptures Secondly The second end or reason of Christs death was to (o) Heb. 9 16. 1 Joh. 3.5 take away sinnes for as under the Law sinnes were not so much as (p) Lev. ch 4 with Heb. 9.22 typically and seemingly pardoned without shedding of the blood of those beasts and sacrifices that did signifie Christ so it was (q) Heb. 10.4 impossible that mens sinnes should be done away really and actually without the shedding of Christs owne precious (r) Heb. 13.12 blood and the offering up of his pure and perfect (s) Heb. 10.5 6 8 10 11 12 and 7.27 9.14 body Q What doe you meane by the blood of Christ A. I meane not onely nor chiefly that naturall and materiall blood which came out of Christs body when it was (t) Jch. 20.25 nailed to the Crosse or when it was (u) Joh. 19 34. pierced by the Souldiers but by Christs blood is meant his (w) Ro. 3.25 and 5 9. Mat. 27.24 death and whole sufferings Q Why then is it called the blood of Christ and not the death and sufferings of Christ A. 1. Because that the blood is the (x) Gen. 9.4 life or the (y) Lev. 17.14 life is in the blood and when the blood is shed and lost the life is gone Even so here Christs blood being as it were the fountaine of his naturall life and the pouring out of his blood being a speciall part of his sufferings Synecdoche it is put here by a figure for his whole sufferings 2. The bloud of Christ is so often mentioned by the Apostles for the whole sufferings of Christ because that most of those Epistles where there is mention made of Christs bloud as the Epistle to the Hebrewes Peters and Johns first Epistles they were written to the Jewes who were acquainted with the shedding offering and sprinkling of the bloud of the Sacrifices under the Law and it is an usuall thing with the Apostles to retaine many (z) As Sanctuary Tabernacle Altar Sacrifice Heb. 8.2 13.10.15 Old Testament-words in their writings which are to bee spiritually and not literally understood But the death of Christ and the sufferings of Christ are also frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as well as his bloud and in the same sense Q. What sins and whose sins did Christ take away by his death A. All the sins of all those whether Jewes or Gentiles that (a) Ro. 3.25 Heb. 2.15 did believe (b) Act. 13.39 doe believe or (c) Ro. 11.23 shall believe in him Q. But did not Jesus Christ take away the sins of all as well the sins of those that doe not believe d Ro. 8.33 as the sins of those that do believe A. Though I would be cautious and tender in limitting restraining or stinting the death of Christ and the efficacy of his merits or in censuring such as hold and teach universall Redemption if they doe it out of a desire and conscience to exalt Christ in the riches of his grace yet to me it appeares that Christ hath not taken away the sins of those that believe not but dye in unbeliefe and that by these Reasons Reas 1. If Christ hath taken away their sins then nothing can be laid to their charge for what can be laid to the charge of any but sin So that take away the sin and you acquit the sinner Ob. Christ hath taken away the sin of Adam from all so that his sin is not laid to the charge of any to their condemnation A. 1. If that were so then all children that dye before they act and commit sin must needs be saved Also that denies and destroyes Election But 2. If that were granted yet it would not availe you for you must hold that Christ hath taken away all the actuall sinnes of all men and not onely that virtuall sin of Adam else your Objection hath no force in it Ob. Christ hath taken away the sins of all men which they have committed against the first Covenant and those sins are no more imputed unto them neither are they damned for those sins but for their unbeliefe onely Sometimes you say that children did not sin at all in Adam and so were never guilty of that sin then you acknowledge that they were guilty A plaine contradiction but that Christ took away that guilty from all now you say that Christ tooke away all sins but unbeleif and that men are damned onely for that sin A. 1. The Scripture doth no where say that Christ tooke away some of a mans sins and not all or all his sinnes save unbeliefe or that God pardons some of a mans sins and not all No the Scripture speaks (e) Tit. 2 14. Jer 33 8 Mic 7.29 contrary 2. Men are not damned for Vnbeleefe onely but for (f) Mat 25 41 uncharitablenesse (g) Ro 1.32 coverousnesse malice hardnesse of heart c. And God saith he will give to every man (h) Ec. 12.14 2 Cor 5.10 according to his works and if unbeliefe be the only cause of condemnation then consequently all the Heathens which have not the Gospell are saved For unbeliefe is a sin against the Gospell for neither the law nor the creatures Sun Moon Starres
and rule in the consciences of his people for his Fathers [t] Col. 3.15 peace [u] Rom. 14.17 owne righteousnesse and his spirits joy is to dwell and rule in their hearts and consciences Fourthly Believers are dead to the law and freed from it as it is a King that can pardon such as offend against it Now marke this believers have nothing to doe to sue or to seeke for pardon from the law neither can the law or will the law pardon any transgression whatsoever Fifthly Believers are dead to and free from the law as it is a Husband The law hath no longer dominion over a man then he liveth viz. in the state of nature and out of Christ Nay as in marriage if either party be dead whether the man or the woman yet the nuptiall knot is broken and the marriage tye and engagement is quite and for ever dissolved And this is the doctrine and comparison of the Apostle in the 7th of the Romans Rom. 7.1 to the 7. the six first verses Consider this seriously that if you be believers and married to Christ the law hath no more power over you then a dead husband hath over his relict and liveing wife Object That is true Object the law hath no correcting power but yet sure it hath a commanding power Answ Not so for then the comparison would not hold for Husbands have no power to correct their wives at all therefore of necessity it must be understood of a commanding and controuling power which the law hath not over a believer Object Object Nay if you say that the law hath no commanding power over a believer you fling the law out of doores and give believers scope enough to doe what they list for I am sure if there be no law we shall quickly fec men take their full scope in sin Answ Answ Though the law should be dead to a believer and a believer dead to the law yet it doth thence follow that they should sin must sin or will sinne no more then it followes that a woman must needs be a Harlot because her Husband is dead Marke this that though the law the former husband be dead to a believer yet a believer is no widdow much lesse a Harlot for he is married to Christ and is under the [w] Gal. 6.2 law of Christ which is love as I shewed before and [x] 1 Cor. 9.21 under the law to Christ Observe how the Apostle argues-from believers being dead to the law he saith not I am dead to the law that I might live to sinne but I am dead to the law that I might live to God And in another place he propounds a question in detestation to sinne having said before they were not under the law but under grace what then saith he or what 's the issue of this doctrine that men are freed from the law [y] Rom. 6.15 Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace God forbid What shall a woman be more dutifull and obedient to an imperious husband that did controule and correct every day then to another kinde and loving Husband that loves her as his owne flesh and tenders her as his owne life This is the true state of a believer that hath been formerly married to the law which since is dead and is now married to Christ A true believer will be so farre from abusing this blessed and happy freedome that nothing will engage him more to be holy then this Thus having demonstrated how believers are freed from the authority and Soveraignty of the law now it followes to shew how they are dead to and free from the Mosaical administration of it Quest Wherein did the Mosaicall administration of the law consist from which believers are freed Answ 1. In the fiery and terrible delivery of it (z) Deut. 33.2 and therefore called a fiery law or in hebrew a fire of law The delivering of the law upon Mount Sinai and the delivering of it upon Mount Zion doe much differ For upon Mount Sinai it was to the people as the [a] 1 King 19 22 23. voyce of thundring was to Eliaâ— The sight and noise was so terrible that Moses though a Mediator [b] Heb. 12.21 said I exeeedingly feare and quake But the law as it is now delivered and administred unto us by Jesus Christ on Mount Zion is with such calmenesse sweetnesse and melodiousnesse that it hath rather an affecting and attracting then a terrifying property and effect And it was propheci'd of Christ [c] Esa 42.2 That he should not cry nor lift up nor cause his voyce to be heard in the streets and it s said that the Iles should wait for his law Though Christ doth give his law through fire yet it is through the fire of his spirit and it is with that love and meeknesse that they that heare it doe sing and not cry and they doe not say as the Israelites let not the Lord speake unto us but they desire rather that the Lord would speak unto them Secondly the Mosaicall administration was rather an apposition and hinderance unto men then any way a furtherance As the Apostle calls the law the [d] Col. 2.14 hand-hand-writing of ordinances which was against us And the law in this place is granted by many to and doubtlesse doth comprehend the morall law as well as the ceremoniall Obj. Object But how was that administration of the Law against them that were under it Answ It was accompanyed with so many carnall and outward ordinances that it was as a yoke [e] Acts 15.10.28 and burden as it is called unto the poore believers and disciples that were under it for they were to doe so much duty and to goe so farre viz. three times a yeare to Ierusalem from all the parts of Iudca and they were to be at such charges also that all these things being put together that Church might well be said to be in [f] Gal. 4.25 bondage with her children Thirdly that administration was but a literall administration or the administration of the letter but this administration that we are speaking of is a spirituall administration then the law was [g] 2 Cor. 3.3 written in stones but now in the fleshly tables of the heart Object Object But here you speake of the difference between the administration of the Law and the administration of the Gospell and not of the difference betweene the two administrations of the law the one before Christ and the other since Answ Answ Note this well that all the law and all the Gospell which they had before Christ it was considered as one and the same administration and so all the Gospell and all the law which we have since Christ is but one administration Therefore be cleare and sure in this that the whole administration of the Jewes is [h] Heb. 8.6 Zac. 8. 9.8 abrogated and