Christian See to Thy Conscience, Treatise · Chapter 43
CHAP. 43. Of the Goſpell binding the Conſcience of the Regenerate.
THe regenerate mans Conſcience is not onelyonly tyed by naturall Principles as all mens be, nor by the Law of Moſes, as moraliſts in the Church be; but alſo by the authority and power of the Goſpell.
Section 1. That the Goſpell hath a binding power.
FIrſt, for the Goſpell is a Law, 1. Chr. 16. 17. Pſal. 105. 10. and called the Law of faith, Rom. 3. 17. now it is the nature of the Law to bind according to the authority of the Law-giuer, God himſelfe, whoſe power is not leſſe in the Law of faith, and his will in the Goſpell, then in that morall law. Secondly, the Goſpell doth not onelyonly promiſe, but alſo commandeth and requireth obedience to it. It commands faith, 1. Ioh. 3. 23. repentance. Ma. 1. 15. LoueLove, Ioh. 13. 34. and 18. 12. Charitie, and bowels of mercy, kindneſſe, humility of mind, meekneſſe. Col. 3. 12. to deny our ſelues, Mar. 8. 34. to mortifie the deeds of the fleſh, Col. 3. 5. to ſeeke the Kingdome of God, and the ritheouſneſſe thereof, Mar. 6. 33. to hauehave our conuerſation in Heauen, Phil. 3. 20. and to waite with louelove for the appearing of the Lord Ieſus, Luk. 12. 35. 36. Mar. 13. 33. 34. 2. Tim. 4. Theſe and many moe precepts doth the Goſpell command, which the moraliſt neuer thinks of, nor euer can attaine vntounto. Thirdly, The Goſpell condemneth vnbeliefe, Ioh. 16. 9. 1. Ioh. 5. 10. and other ſinnes. Fourthly, it denounceth vengeance againſt the contempt of it, and more ſeuere wrath, then againſt the tranſgreſſours of the law. 2. Th. 1. 8. Heb. 10. 29. Laſtly men ſhall be iudged by the Goſpell. Rom. 2. 16. Therfore it is of a binding power.
For the renewed mind, being acquainted with the Goſpell, propounds Euangelicall precepts to the regenerate Conſcience, which it vſeth and applyeth to enforce the Regenerate man to a true and ſincere obedience, according to the Goſpell.
Section 2. Whom it bindeth.
THe Goſpell hath not ſo large an extent as the Law, which is in nature, and ſo binds all mankind, but the Goſpell bindeth ſuch as do receiue it; for the receiuing argueth two things, firſt the enlightening of the vnderſtanding to conceiue the doctrine of the Goſpell, and then faith to embrace it: which two together bind conſcience to the obedience of that which the Goſpell commandeth: Thus it bindeth all profeſſors of it; but moſt powerfully the regenerate, to whom it is moſt effectuall by the ſpeciall operation of Gods Spirit.
Section 3. To what it bindeth vsus:
THe Goſpell doth bind vntounto the precepts which it preſcribeth; ſuch are thoſe before mentioned to beleeue, to repent, to louelove the brethren, to receiue the holy Sacraments, with the reſt of the Commandements of the Goſpell. It bindeth alſo vntounto the law, to make it a rule of righteouſneſſe: for the Goſpell, Firſt, commendeth the law vntounto vsus, as ſpirituall, holy, iuſt, righteous, and good. Rom. 7. 12. 14. 1, Tim. 1. 8. Secondly, It repeateth the Commandements with approbation and for continuing vſe. Rom. 13. 9. Thirdly, it interpreteth the Commandements and the impoſed duties therein more largely, in a more ſpirituall ſenſe, Mat. 5. and 6. 1. Ioh. 3. 15. Fourthly, it vrgeth the duties commanded by the law to be done. Eph. 5. and 6. Col. 3. and 4. Rom. 13. 1. Tit. 3. 1. 1. Pet. 2. 13. and ſuch vertues as it preſcribeth. Phil. 4. 6. Eph. 4. 32. 1. Tim. 6. 11. 18. 2. Pet. 1. 5. 6. 7. Fifthly, theſe are vrged in Chriſts name, as his commandements, Eph. 6. 6. 1. Th. 4. 1. 2. 3. and as his wholſom words, 1. Tim. 6. 3. Sixthly, the doing of ſuch duties are commended by Chriſt himſelfe, Mat. 5. 19. By Saint Iames, cap. 2. 8. and by Saint Paul, 1. Cor. 7. 19. and by Saint Peter 2. Pet. 1. 8. 9. Seuenthly, the miniſters of the Goſpell are commanded to teach ſuch duties, 1. Tim. 6. 2. Tit. 2. 13. and 3. 1. 8. Laſtly the ſinnes forbidden by the law are condemned in the Goſpell, and diſſwaded from 1. Th. 5. 15. Eph. 4. 28. 31. Col. 3. 9. 1. Cor. 7. 8. 14. 1. Ioh. 5. 21. And to auoid ſuch ſinnes, the Apoſtle ſaith, was the commandement of Chriſt, 1. Theſ. 4. 2. 6. and to teach otherwiſe is contrary to wholſome doctrine, 1. Timoth. 6. 3. & 1. 10. 11. Yea, Chriſt condemneth the breach of the Law, Matth. 5. 19. and in the Goſpell wrath is denounced againſt ſuch as liue in wicked tranſgreſſion againſt the Law, Rom. 2. 8. Ninthly, they erre therefore that teach, that wee vnderunder the Goſpell are not tyed to the Precepts of the Law, to obſerue them as a rule of life: for the Law is eſtabliſhed, Rom. 3. 31. it remaineth perpetually, Matth. 5. 18. Chriſt came to fulfill it, not to deſtroy it; and condemneth ſuch as teach the breach of the leaſt Commandement, Matth. 5. 17. 19.
Queſt. Here it may bee asked, in what manner doth the Goſpell bind the regenerate Conſcience to the Law.
Anſw. It doth it not as the Law requireth, to wit, to obey it in the rigour thereof, to bee thereby iuſtified, or elſe to remaine accurſed: but it bindeth, according to it owne nature, as the word of grace, that is, Euangelically; and this is, firſt, to take it now as from the hand of Ieſus the Law-giuer to vsus, who hath written it, by the new Couenant in our hearts by his holy Spirit. Secondly, to obſerue it onelyonly as a rule of life; we hauing already attained to the righteouſneſſe of the Law in full perfection, through faith in Chriſt. Thirdly, to performe the preſcribed duties thereof, by vertueIoh. 15. 4. 5 Gal. 2. 20. Pſal. 40. 8. from Chriſt, in obedience to him, willingly, without any ſeruile feare, in vprightneſſe of heart, though imperfectly performed & done, to adorne the doctrine of the Goſpell of God our Sauiour Chriſt in all things. To this Euangelicall obedience the Goſpel bindeth vsus, and not otherwiſe to the Law.
Section 4. From what things the regenerate mans Conſcience, by this power of the Goſpell, is freed in reſpect of the Law.
VPonUpon the Goſpell thus binding to the Law Euangelically, the Conſcience of the Regenerate is free from the Ceremoniall Law; becauſe it is bound by the Goſpell to make him ſtand faſt in the libertie purchaſed by Chriſt, Gal. 5. 1. who hath aboliſhed the law of Commandements of ordinances, Eph. 2. 15. and blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances againſt vsus, Col. 2. 14. 16.
Hence is it, that the conſcience of the Regenerate troubles him not about meates, holy dayes, nor offering vp any legall ſacrifices, Heb. 10. 2.
It is alſo quit from the morall Law, in reſpect of the rigorous dominion of it, in reſpect of iuſtification by perſonall fulfilling it, in reſpect of the malediction, and the irritation thereof, of which the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, Rom. 7. 8.
Hence likewiſe it is, firſt, that the Regenerate conſcience cannot vrge vsus to the exact fulfilling of the Law, nor can condemne vsus for that wee doe not perfectly in our ſelues fulfill it. Becauſe the Goſpel and Law of faith binds the Regenerate conſcience (as it is regenerate) to the contrary, to wit, to witneſſe that we fulfill it in Chriſt, that therefore in him wee cannot bee condemned, Rom. 3. 1. 4. 32 33. for this: but if it accuſe, it accuſeth for want of ſincerity ſometime, and for failings, but cannot condemne vsus for not perfectly fulfilling the Law.
2. Hence is it, that it vrgeth not iuſtification by workes, nor condemneth vsus for not ſo ſeeking to be iuſtified. Becauſe by the Goſpell the Regenerate is bound to caſt off righteouſneſſe by the works of the Law, Gal. 2. 16. and 5. 14. And to ſeeke by faith to be iuſtified (which is the righteouſneſſe taught by the Goſpell) Rom. 3. 21. 22. without the workes of the Law, Verſ. 28.
3. Hence is it, that the Regenerate Conſcience doth not condemne the regenerate man for the irritation, by reaſon of ſinne taking occaſion from the commandement to worke all manner of concupiſcence, as it doth in others, duplicate page duplicate page Rom. 7. 5. 8. Becauſe the Conſcience of the Regenerate is bound to beare him witneſſe, and ſo doth witneſſe, through the worke of the Spirit by the Goſpell, that after the inner man hee delighteth in the Law of God, and hath a will to doe it, Rom. 7. 22. Pſal. 1. 2. and 40. 8. that he would doe more good then he can, that he hateth the euill hee doth, Rom. 7. 15. 18. 19. that he hath an vnfeigned reſolution to keepe Gods Commandements, Pſal. 119. 57. 107. and that in ſtudying the Law, by grace receiued from the Goſpell, hee is more delighted in it, and more deſirous to doe it. Of all theſe conſcience beareth the Regenerate man witneſſe, and therfore cannot condemne him for that irritation by the Law, through inbred corruption to grow worſe.
4. And laſtly hence is it, that it cannot, nor doth not conclude the malediction and curſe of the Law vponupon the man regenerate; becauſe now this his Conſcience is bound by the Goſpell to witneſſe his faith in Chriſt, by whom he is freed from that curſe, Gal. 3. 13. that hee is the Child of God, Rom. 8. 15. and that therefore belongeth to him the bleſſing with Abraham, Gal. 3. 14. and eternall life by Ieſus Chriſt, Rom. 6. 23.
Thus may we ſee what a happy acquittance the regenerate Conſcience hath by the power of the Goſpell from the Law.
Section 5. Why the Regenerate man is yet ſo much troubled about the Law.
THis before being ſo, and the Conſcience ſo freed by the authoritie of the Goſpell, it may bee demanded here, Why a Regenerate man in his Conſcience is more troubled about his legall omiſſions, and committing of euill againſt the Law, then for his omiſſions & commiſſions againſt the Goſpell, hee not being now vnderunder the Law, but vnderunder grace, Rom. 6. 14.
To this I anſwer, firſt, Becauſe the law is better knowne then the Goſpell, the one being naturall, the other ſpirituall. Secondly, for that the one is more preſſed vponupon Conſcience, and more often laid to heart, then the other. Thirdly, becauſe the remainder of ſeruile feare ſooner apprehēdeth wrath by breach of the Law, then filial feare the obſeruance of dutie from Gods goodneſſe and merciemercy. Fourthly, becauſe of ſcandalls which are ſooner taken, when they are giuen, and more marked of the worſt, when the regenerate doe fall in tranſgreſſing the law, then omiſſion of euangelical duties or euils againſt the goſpell cōmitted, which world lings, and naturaliſts take no notice of. Fifthly, becauſe of the more frequent vſe of the law for morall vertues within, for oeconomicall duties, and offices of louelove to be performed one to an other, and in commerce with men daily abroad, wherein a regenerate man findeth his often failings, by reaſon hee knowes the law in a high and ſpirituall ſenſe; Sixthly, becauſe Euangelicall precepts, of knowing Chriſt, of belieuing in him, of repenting for ſinne, of Chriſtian louelove, do expreſſe themſelues in obſeruing the duties commanded in the law, of which the regenerate failing, Conſcience will accuſe him. Seuenthly, becauſe the law more eaſily bindeth and worketh vponupon the Conſcience naturally; when the Goſpell, though it bind, yet it doth it ſupernaturally, and that not without the ſpeciall worke of grace euen in the regenerate man. Eighthly, becauſe the regenerate, in their failings to the law, conſider them only, and that too often, as ſinning againſt the law, without any apprehenſion of any their default therein towards the Goſpell, when in deed, and truth, their failing in obedience to the Goſpell maketh them tranſgreſſours of the Law: for let a man hauehave the vertue of Chriſt, hauehave a liuely faith, Euangelicall repentance and louelove; hee will not eaſily faile of his duty commanded in the law: but if he doe, he will quickly ſee, by his ſinning againſt the law, that he hath been diſobedient againſt the Goſpell.
Section 6. Of the difference betweene the Conſcience regenerate and vnregenerate.
SEing the regenerate Conſcience vnderunder the Goſpell will yet accuſe and trouble a regenerate man for tranſgreſſion of the law, it may bee demanded how the ſame differs from the Conſcience vnregenerate?
I anſwer, they differ firſt in the binding power: the vnregenerate onelyonly by the law, as a Naturaliſt, but not by the Goſpell; for it hath no power nor command ouer his conſcience to work in him obedience, by reaſon, Firſt, of their ſtrong corruptions not abated. Secondly, for want of the ſpirit of illumination with ſanctification. Thirdly, the vneffectuallneſſe of the Goſpell in them, and laſtly, becauſe they doe conceit the Goſpell a law of liberty, not requiring obedience at all. But the Conſcience of the Regenerate is bound both by the law and Goſpell to obedience. Secondly they differ in excuſing, and witneſſing for one. The vnregenerat mans Conſcience, though neuer ſo morally honeſt, cannot excuſe him, nor witneſſe his righteouſneſſe before God. Rom. 3. 19. 23. But the regenerate Conſcience will, by vertue of the Goſpell. The vnregenerate Conſcience cannot witneſſe for the vnregenerate any one of theſe three things, that he liueth in new obedience to God, by Chriſt liuing in him, as the regenerate conſcience will. Gal. 2. 20. That he hath the Spirit of adoption, as the regenerate conſcience doth with the aid of Gods ſpirit. Rom. 8. 15. And that, if he doe fearefully fall, yet he loueth the Lord; as the regenerate Conſcience in Peter willIoh. 21. 15. do, after true and heartie repentance. Thirdly, they differ in accuſing. The vnregenerate Conſcience in accuſing may driue the vnregenerat from the meanes of ſaluation, as it did the Phariſies, make ſome tremble,Ioh. 8. 9. Acts 24. as a Felix, but not reforme them, it fills them with legall ſorrow, as a Iudas to repent, but not with Euangelical. But now the conſcience of the regenerate accuſing neuer driueth them from the meanes, the miniſtery of the word, but it worketh reformation, a godly ſorrow in them as it2. Sam. 12. 24. did in Dauid, and alſo in Peter, Mat. 27. and in the prodigall ſonne, Luk. 15. And thus much for the regenerate Conſcience; now follow the many differences thereof, as the tender Conſcience, the wounded Conſcience, the quiet conſcience, the vpright, the pure, the iuſtifying, and confident Conſcience.