A Key to the Key of Scripture, Chapter 3 · Exposition of verse 23
Verſe 23. For there is no difference: for all hauehave ſinned, and are depriued of the glory of God.
THus much of the ſubiect of iuſtification, beleeuers, and of the quality of that faith that iuſtifieth: followeth now the reaſon, prouing neceſſity of faith to iuſtification in all both Iewes and Gentiles. And is taken from the equall ſtate of guiltineſſe in all for tranſgreſſion of the law. Summa est; if all be equally guilty of tranſgreſſing the law, then is faith neceſſary for all to iuſtification: but all hauehave ſinned; Ergo. Reaſon of the conſequence ſee Annot. capit. 1. ver. 17. declaration of the aſſumption: ſee cap. 3.9. Now the aſſumption is amplified by a conſequent or effect of ſinne? all hauehave ſinned, and by ſinne are depriued of the glory of God.
Senſe: By glory of God, ſome vnderſtand the glorious image of God, ſtanding in our likeneſſe vntounto him in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſegEphe. 4.24. 1 Cor. 3.18., but not ſo fitly: for, firſt, glory of GOD is neuer put in Scripture for image of God: Secondly, it ſeemes not ſo pertinent to the queſtion of iuſtification, here, almoſt to mention the image of God: ſome others, by glory of God; that glorying or boaſting in the preſence of God, that, as they ſuppoſe, man not ſinning, might hauehave had in innocencie: but firſt, glory of God, no where ſignifies boaſting before God: ſecondly, euen man in innocencie, had had no cauſe of ſuch glorying, ſaue onelyonly in God; and therefore I take it, by glory of God, wee may beſt vnderſtand, that glorious eſtate whereof through grace in Chriſt we ſhall be partakers in the kingdome of heauen. Compare Rom. 82. & 2.7. and from enioying whereof we were iuſtly excluded by our diſobedience.
Obſer. Hence then me thinkes the collection is ſound; that man, if he had ſtood in innocencie, ſhould hauehave had fruition of heauenly happineſſe; the ſame …or ſubſtance, which Gods children now partake through Chriſt. The Lord propounded it to man as the price of his obedience, had he continued that courſe; and that man lacks it, comes to paſſe for his breaking of that courſehRom. 7.10.: the law was giuen for life; that is, that through obſeruing thereof, we might obtaine eternall lifeiRom. 2.7. Leuit. 18.5.. And ſurely if death not onelyonly bodily, but eternall and helliſh was threatned to tranſgreſſion, me thinkes it is more then probable, that life not onelyonly earthly, but heauenly, was promiſed to obedience in the legall couenant. It is curioſitie to enquire how or in what time man ſhould hauehave had admiſſion to that reward prom…ſed; perhaps by a kinde of tranſlating, ſuch as was vouchſafed to Henoch, and Elias; or, not vnlike that aſſumption of our SauiourlAct. 1.; or anſwerable perhaps to that change of ſuruiuers at the ſecond comming of Chriſt 1 Theſ. 4.17. 1 Cor. 15.51.52.
And me thinks they are too idle quiddities of ſome, that with a preface of non constat è ſcripturis (a cunning tricke of conuaying errours into the Church) ſpread this, and like nouelties amongſt their admiring Auditours; that man th…ugh he had ſtood in inno…encie, ſhould not hauehave had poſſeſſion of the kingdome of heauen: quorſum ista? ſurely their end I know not; the fountaine me thinkes I ſee; the good olde way, euen for oldneſſe diſlikes vsus; nouelties though neuer ſo odde or impertinent, muſt be hunted after, if we will ſeeme great in the eyes of the people.
But let vsus ſee the puniſhment of loſſe, inſeparably accompanying tranſgreſſion; how heauy and fearefull it is; depriued of the glory of God: not to enquire curiouſly as ſchoole-men, whether be the greater puniſhment, that of ſenſe or this of loſſe; how vexeth it reprobatesmLuc. 13.28., to behold the admiſſion of Saints into the kingdome of God, and themſelues thruſt out of dores?