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
the Spirit for the Law of the Spirit of Life maketh free from the Law of Sin and Death For such are become dead unto Sin and alive unto Righteousness and being made free from Sin are become Servants of Righteousness Therefore ought we to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect For the Yoak of Christ is easie and his Burthen is light And his Commandments are not grievous And whosoever will enter into Life must keep the Commandments Hereby do we know that we know God if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Lyar and the Truth is not in him Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him Let no Man deceive us he that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous He that committeth Sin is of the Devil whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God For not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of the Father which is in Heaven Circumcision is nothing and Uncircimcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandments of God ARTICLE XV. Concerning Perseverance and Falling from Grace VVE ought to give Diligence to make our Calling and Election sure which things if we do we shall never fall For even Paul kept under his Body and brought it into Subjection lest by any Means when he preached to others he himself become a Cast-away Let us therefore take Heed lest there be in any of us an evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from the living God Likewise let us labour to enter into that Rest lest any Man fall after the same Example of Unbelief For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were made Partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted of the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come if they shall fall away to renew them again unto Repentance For he that abideth not in Christ is cast forth and is withered Yet such as overcometh he will make as Pillars in the Temple of his God and they shall go no more out And these are perswaded that nothing shall be able to separate them from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus ARTICLE XVI Concerning the Church Ministry THe Church of God is the Pillar and Ground of Truth Whereof the Dear Son of God is the Head From which all the Body by Joynts and Bands having Nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the Increase of God Which Church of God is them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus Who when he ascended up on high gave Gifts unto Men And he gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry Who ought to be blameless vigilant sober of good Behaviour given to Hospitality apt to teach not given to Wine no Strikers not greedy of filthy Lucre but patient not Brawlers not covetous Lovers of good Men sober just holy temperate holding fast the faithful as they have been taught that they may be able by found Doctrine both to exhort and to convince Gain-sayers Taking heed to themselves and to the Flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them Overseers to feed the Church of God Taking the Oversight thereof not by Constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready Mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but as being Ensamples to the Flock And such Elders as rule well are to be counted worthy of double Honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine And to be esteemed very highly in Love for their Works sake As every Man hath received the Gift so ought the same to be ministred if any Man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God if any Man minister let him do it as of the Ability which God giveth Preaching the Gospel not with the Wisdom of Words lest the Cross of Christ be made of none Effect Nor yet with enticing Words of Man's Wisdom but in Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power that the Faith may not stand in the Wisdom of Men but in the Power of God Howbeit such speak Wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the Wisdom of this World nor of the Princes of this World which cometh to nought but they speak the Wisdom of God in a Mystery even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the World to their Glory VVhich things they also speak not in the Words which man's Wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth For it is not they that speak but the Holy Ghost of Spirit of the Father that speaketh in them Who if they sow spiritual things ought to reap carnal Things for so the Lord hath ordain'd that they â—hâ—ch preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel for the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzle the Mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn and the Labourer is worthy of his Reward Yet a Necessity is laid upon them yea VVo is unto them if they preach not the Gospel and their Reward is that when they preach the Gospel they make the Gospel of Christ without Charge Not coveting any Man's Silver or Gold or Apparel but their Hands minister to their Necessities that so labouring they may support the Weak remembring the VVords of the Lord Jesus how he said It s more blessed to give then to receive For they are not of the greedy Dogs that can never have enough Nor of the Shepherds that look to their own VVay every one his Gain from his Quarter That feed themselves and not the Flock That make the People err biting with their Teeth and crying Peace and preparing VVar against all such as put not in their Mouths teaching for Hire and divining for Money Nor yet of those which teach things which they ought not for fiâ—thy Lucres sake That run greedily after the Error of Baâ—aâ— for Reward loving the VVages of Unrighteousness And through Covetousness with feigned VVords making Merchandize of Souls Men of corrupt Minds destitute of the Truth supposing that Gain is Godliness But they know that Godliness with Contentment is great Gain and having Food and Rayment they are therewith content ARTICLE XVII Concerning Worship THe Hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they which worship him must worship in the Spirit and in the Truth For the Lord is nigh to all them
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
as to the Word Is there any Scripture speaks of the Light 's being inward A. God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shin'd in our Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. But we have this Treasure in earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Q. But seeing it is also call'd the Seed of the Kingdom is the Kingdom of God also within A. The Kingdom of God comes not with Observation neither shall they say Lo here or Lo here for behold the Kingdom of God is within you Luke 17. 20 21. CHAP. VI. Concerning Faith Justification and VVorks Question VVHat is Faith A. Faith is the Substance of things hoped for and the Evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. Q. Is Faith of absolute Necessity A. Without Faith it is impossible to please him for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11. 6. Q. Are we justified by Faith A. Wherefore the Law was our School-Master to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by Faith Gal. 3. 24. Q. What is the Nature of this Faith that availeth to Justification A. For in Jesus Christ neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Uncircumcision but Faith which worketh by Love Gal. 5. 6. Q. Are Works then necessary to Justification as well as Faith A. But wilt thou know O Vain Man that Faith without Works is dead Was not Abraham our Father justified by Works when he had offered Isaac his Son upon the Altar Seest thou how Faith wrought with his Works and by Works was Faith made perfect And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for Righteousness He was called the Friend of God Ye see then how that by Works a man is justified not by Faith only Jam. 2. 20 21 22 23 24. Q. If then both be equally required in Justification what are these â—orks which the Apostle excludes so much A. By the Deeds of the Law there shall no Flesh be justified in his Sight Rom. 3. 20. Q. But though we be not justified by the Deeds of the Law is not thâ—s to exclude Boasting that the Grace of God may by exalted A. For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God not of Works left any man should boast for we are his VVork manship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works Eph. 2. 8 9 10. Q. Are even the Works which are performed by Grace excluded are we never said to be saved or justified by them A. Not by Works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the Washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour That being justified by his Grace we should be made Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life Tit. 3. 5 6 7. Q. I perceive then that to be justified by Grace is to be justified or saved by Regeneration which cannot exclude the Works wrought by Grace and by the Spirit How doth the Apostle add in the next Verse for the maintaining this against these that Cavil about the Law A. This is a Faithful Saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly that they which believed in God might be careful to maintain good VVorks these things are good and profitable unto men But avoid Foolish Questions and Genealogies and Contentions and Strivings about the Law for they are unprofitable and vain Tit. 3. 8 9. Q. Doth the Apostle Paul that is so much against justification by the Works of the Law speak any where else of being justified by the Spirit A. But ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6. 11. Q. But since the Law gives not Power nor Ability to obey and so falls short of Justification Is there no Power under the Gospel by which the Righteousness of the Law comes to be fulfilled inwardly A. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his own Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 3 4. Q. Seeing thâ—n there is Power in the Spirit is not Works through it a Condition upon which Life is proposed under the New Covenant A. For if ye live after the Flesh ye shall dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the Deeds of the Body ye shall live Rom. 8. 13. Q. Do not the Apostles then frequently propose Life to People upon Condition of Repentance and other Works A. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out Acts 3. 19 And if Children then Heirs of God and joynt Heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we also may be glorified together Rom. 8. 17. It is a faithful Saying For if we be dead with him we shall also live with him If we suffer we shall also reign with him If a man therefore purge himself from these he shall be a Vessel unto Honour sanctified and meet for the Master's Use and prepared unto every good Work 2 Tim. 2. 11 12 21. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and Repent and do the first Works or else I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy Candle stick out of his place except thou Repent Rev. 2. 5. Q. It appears clearly by these Passages that the Apostle excludes only our Righteousness which he elsewhere explains as being the Righteousness of the Law from being necessary to Justification and not such Works as the Law of the Spirit of Life leads to and are not so much ours as Christ in us are not such good Works rewarded though they require no absolute Merit as being the Fruits of free Grace yet doth not God judge according to them and may they not be said to have a Reward A. But if a man be Just and do that which is Lawful and Right and hath not eaten upon the Mountains neither hath lift up his Eyes to the Idols of the House of Israel neither has defiled his Neighbour's Wife neither hath come near to a Menstruous Woman and hath not oppressed any but has restor'd to the Debtor his Pledge hath spoiled none by Violence hath given his Bread to the Hungry and hath covered the Naked with a Garment he that hath not given forth upon Usury neither hath taken any Increase that hath with drawn his Hand from Iniquity hath executed True Judgment between man and maâ— hath walked in my Statutes and hath kept my
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
Benefits or Advantages that accrew to one and all Such then cannot honestly lay claim to justifie their Principles and practices from the Scriptures But I leave these Straglers in Religion and come again to the divers Sects To begin with these that are most numerous I think I need not say much to the Papists in this Case for they do not so much as pretend to prove all their Dogmaes by the Scriptures sith it is one of their chief Doctrines That Tradition may Authorize Doctrines without any Authority of Scripture Yea the Council of Constance hath made bold to command things to be believed Non obstante Scriptura i.e. Though the Scriptures say the contrary and indeed it were their great Folly to pretend to prove their Doctrines by Scripture seeing the Adoration of Saints and Images Purgatory and Prayer for the Dead the Precedency of the Bishop of Rome the Matter of Indulgencies with much more Stuff of that kind hath not the least Shadow of Scripture for it Among Protestants I know the Socinians are great Pretenders to the Scriptures and in Words as much exalt them as any other People And yet its strange to see how that not only in many things they are not agreeable to them but in some of their chief Principles quite contrary unto it as in their Denying the Divinity of Christ which is as expresly mentioned as any thing can be And the Word was God Joh. 1. As also in Denying his Being from the Beginning against the very Tenour of that of John 1. and divers other as at large is shown in the third Chapter of this Treatiâ—e Divers other things as to them might be mentioned but this may suffice to stop their Boasting in this Matter The Arminians are not more successful in their Denying the False Doctrine of Absolute Reprobation and in Asserting the Vniversal Extent of Christ's Death for all then they are short in not placing this Salvation in that Spiritual Light where with man is enlightned by Christ but wrongously asscribing a Part of that to the Natural Will and Capacity which is due alone to the Grace and Power of God by which the Work is both begun carried on and accomplished And herein they as well as both the Socinians and Pelagians though they do well in Condemning their Errors yet they miss in setting up another and not the Truth in place thereof and in that respect are justly reproved by such Scriptures as their Adversaries who otherwise are as far wrong as they bring against them in shewing the Depravity of man's VVill by Nature and his Incapacity to do any Good but as assisted by the Grace of God so to do On the other hand It s strange to observe how many Protestants the first Article of whose Confession of Faith is to assert the Scripture to be the Only Rule should deny the Universal Extent of Christ's Death contrary to the express words of Scripture which saith He tasted Death for for every man or the Universality of Grace and a sufficient Principle which the Scriptures assert in as many positive words as except we may suppose the Pen-men intended another thing then they spoke it was possible to do viz. A Manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal The Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared unto all men and many more be ore-mentioned The like may be said of their denying the Perfection of the Saints and asserting the Impossibility of any falling away from real Beginnings of true and saving Grace contrary to so many express Scriptures as are heretofore adduced in their proper Place But to give all that defire to be undeceived a more full Oportunity to observe serve how the Devil has abused many pretending to be wise in making them cloak with a Pretence of Scripture false and pernicious Doctrines I shall take a few of many Instances out of the Confession of Faith and Catechism made by the Divines at Westminster so called because the same is not only most universally received and believed by the People of Britain and Ireland but also containeth upon the Matter the Faith of the French Churches and of most others both in the Nether-Lands and else-where that it may appear what wild Consequences these Men have sought both contrary to the naked Import of the words and to all common Sense and Reason to cover some of their Erroneous Principles CHAP. XVIII A Short Examination of some of the Scripture-Proofs alledged by the Divines at Westminster to prove divers Articles in their Confession of Faith and Catechism IT is not in the least my Design in this Chapter to offer so large an Examination of any of their Articles as might be done nor yet of so many as are very obvious but only of two or three to give the Reader a Taste of them for Example's sake whereby as ex ungue Leonem he may judge of most of all the rest if he will be at the pains narrowâ—ly to look over and examine them I shall begin with the first Chapter Sect. 1. where they assert two things First That God has committed his Will now wholely to writing Secondly That the former Wayes of God's revealing his Will as by Immediate Revelation are now ceased The Scriptures they bring to prove are first Prov. 22. 19 20 21. Vers. 19. That thy Trust may be in the Lord I have made known to thee this day even to thee Vers. 20. Have not I written to thee Excellent Things in Counsels Knowledge Vers. 21. That I might make thee know the Certainty of the Words of Truth that thou mightest answer the Words of Truth to them that send unto thee Luke 1. 3 4. Vers. 3. It seemed good to me also having had perfect Vnderstanding of all things from the very first to write unto thee in Order most excellent Theophilus that thou mightest know the Certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed Rom. 15 4. For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope Mat. 4. 4 7 10. But he answered and said It is written Man shall not live by Bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God 7. Jesus said unto him It is written again Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God 10. Then saith Jesus unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Isa. 8. 19 20. 19. And when they shall say unto you Seek unto them that have Familiar Spirits and unto Wizards that peep and that mutter Should not a People seek unto their God for the Living to the Dead To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them But is it not matter of Admiration that men should be so beside themselve as to imagine these