nature, hearts, and lives"; so as, examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and the perfection of his obedience". It is likewise of use to the regenerate, to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin 9; and the threatenings of it serve to show what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse thereof threatened in the law. The promises of it, in like manner, show them God's approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereofs, although not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works: so as a man's doing good, and refraining from evil, because the law en vii. 19. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Gal. v. 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. See in the Bible. "Rom. vii. 7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Rom. iii. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. • James i. 23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: Ver. 24. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. Ver. 25. But whoso 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. Rom. vii. 9. For I was alive without the law onee; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. Ver. 14. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. Ver. 24. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? P Gal. iii. 24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Rom vii. 24. [See before in letter o. Verse 25. in letter m.] Rom. viii. 3. 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; Ver. 4. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. 9 James ii. 11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now, if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. Psal. exix. 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. Ver. 104. Throuch thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Ver. 128. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts con cerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. r Ezra ix. 13. And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; Ver. 14. Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? Psal. Ixxxix. 30. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; Ver. 31. If they break my statutes, and keep not my co nmandments; Ver. 32. Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Ver. 33. Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithful iess to fail. Ver. 34. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. 8 [Lev. xxvi. to the 14th Verse.] With 2 Cor. vi. 16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Eph. vi. 2. Honour thy father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise,) Ver. 3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Psal. xxxvii. 11. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. With Mat. v. 5. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Psal. xix. 11. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward. Gal. fi. 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Luke xvii. 1. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. gourageth to the one, and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law, and not under grabend, t VIL Neither are the forementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the gospel, but do sweetly comply with it the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God revealed in the law requireth to be done, bo to tri sot sitt to dorsun menor dirt o TAKT to odsting merba, hib j moit yet the deant formaatiod at ampang Rap) 11 and you or Y, Houw gem to tondutora ute sa 1qCHAP. XX Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience...time THE liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin, from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, "the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation; as also in their TH Rom. vi, 12. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Ver. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.V 1 Pet. iii. 8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, haying compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Ver. 9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. Ver. 10. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Ver. 11. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. Ver. 12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. With Psak xxxiv. 12. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Ver. 13. Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile, Ver. 14. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Ver. 15. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry, Ver. 16. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Heb, xii. 28, Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Ver. 29. For our God is a consuming fire. VII, w Gal. iii. 21. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. en & * Ezek. xxxvi. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Heb. viii 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. With Jer. xxxi. 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts and will be their God; and they shall be my people.y to I. Tit. ii. 14. Who gave himself for us," that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Thess. i. 10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the deady even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath tonicome Gal. iii 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every/ one that hangeth on a tree neby Gali. 4. Whe gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. Col. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of dark ness, and hath translated us into the king dom of his dear Sony Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from/ darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Rom. vi. 14. For sin shall not have dominion over your for ye are not under the law, but under grace. b) to eRom. viii. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Psal: cxix: 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that In might learn thy statutes Con xv. 5 So when this corruptible shalb have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall b brought to pass the saying that is writ ten, Death is swallowed up in victory. free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love, and willing mind. All which were common also to believers under the law; but under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace", and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake ofi. II. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship!. Ver. 55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Ver. 56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. Ver. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. d Rom. v. 1. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Rom. viii. 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Ver. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 1 John iv. 18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. f Gal. iii. 9. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Ver. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ: that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 8 Gal. iv. 1. Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Ver. 2. But is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father. Ver. 3. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. Ver. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Ver. 7. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Gal. v. 1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Acts xv. 10. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Ver. 11. But we believe that, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, even as they. b Heb. iv. 14. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Ver. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. x. 19. Hav ing therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Ver. 20. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; Ver. 21. And having an high priest over the house of God; Ver. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. i John vii. 38. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Ver. 39. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given: because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 2 Cor. iii. 13. And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. Ver. 17. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Ver. 18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. II. James iv. 12. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Rom. xiv. 4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth; yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 1 Acts iv. 19. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Acts V. 29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 1 Cor. vii. 23. Ye are bought with a price: be not ye the servants of men. Mat. xxiii. 8. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Ver. 9. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Ver. 10. Neither be ye called D So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of consciencem; and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also". III. They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practise any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life °. IV. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God". And for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of masters for one is your Master, even Christ. 2 Cor. i. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy for by faith ye stand. Mat. xv. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Col. ii. 20. Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Ver. 22. (Which all are to perish with the using,) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Ver. 23. Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will - worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Gal. i. 10. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Gal. ii. 4. And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: Ver. 5. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Gal. v. 1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Rom. x. 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. xiv. 23. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Isa. viii. 20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. John iv. 22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Hos. v. 11. Ephraim is op pressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. Rev. xiii. 12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth, and them which dwell therein, to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Ver. 16. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: Ver. 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Jer. viii. 9. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them? III. Gal. v. 13. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 1 Pet. ii. 16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 2 Pet. ii. 19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. John viii. 34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Luke i. 74. That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, Ver. 75. In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. IV. P Mat. xii. 25. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and very city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 1 Pet. ii. 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Ver. 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Ver. 16. As free, and not using your liberty for nature, or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation; or to the power of godliness; or such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the church; they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against by the censures of the church, and by the power of the civil magistrate'. a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. [Rom. xiii. 1. to the 8th Verse.] Heb. xiii. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Rom. i. 32. Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. With 1 Cor. v. 1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. Ver. 5. To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Ver. 11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. Ver. 13. But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 2 John, ver. 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. Ver. 11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. And 2 Thess. iii. 14. And if any man obey not our word by this .epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. And 1 Tim. vi. 3. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; Ver. 4. He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Ver. 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, suppos ing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. And Tit. i. 10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Ver. 11. Whose mouths must be stopped; who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. Ver. 13. This witness is true: wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. And Tit. iii. 10. A man that is an heretick, after the first and second admonition, reject. With Mat. xviii. 15. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Ver. 16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Ver. 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 1 Tim. i. 19. Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck: Ver. 20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Rev. ii. 2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. Ver. 14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Ver. 15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Ver. 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Rev. iii. 9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. [Deut. xiii. 6. to the 12th.] Rom. xiii. 3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Ver. 4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if 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 doeth evil. With 2 John, verses 10, 11. [See in letter .] Ezra vii. 23. Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why |