Animadversions on William Dells Book, Section 7
SECT. VII.
NOw if any deſire to know how we may attain to be thus Crucified with Chriſt?
I anſwer, that the true faith of Gods Elect, is the only way through which we can attain to this crucifying. (A) For through faith we receive the living Word of God to dwell in us; and in this Word we partake of the Spirit; and this Word and Spirit dwelling in us, do (as hath been declared) crucifie us with Chriſt.
(B) Indeed Hypocrites and carnal Chriſtians, receive and profeſſe a word that will not crucifie them with Chriſt, but do receive a word and doctrine that will ſtill ſuffer them to live their own lives, and after their own luſts. For the word they receive, is only an outward word, conſiſting of divers queſtions, opinions, and Doctrines; and is alſo without the Spirit, and ſo it leaves them as it found them in reference to their Natures and corruptions.
(C) But the word that faith receives, is the Word of righteouſneſſe and life; a word that is alwayes accompanied with the Spirit: and when this is ingrafted into the ſoul, and abides in it, it preſently mortifies and crucifies it, and deſtroyes a mans ſelf out of himſelf. (D) And therefore in 1 Cor. 1.18. it is called foreign, The word of the croſſe; and that not only becauſe it expoſes us to afflictions in the world, but alſo becauſe it dwelling in our hearts by faith, doth crucifie us. And this crucifying word in the ſame verſe, is called alſo foreign, the power of God: for that Word that crucifies our fleſh, ſubdues and deſtroyes the whole ſtrength of corruption out of us, muſt be ſuch a Word as is alſo the Power of God: and ſo it is not only in tſe…f, but alſo becauſe the Spirit of God dwels in it. And this Word thus apprehe…d…d, will crucifie us with Chriſt.
Now this word of faith, which is the word near us, even in our hearts, will crucifie us▪
1. Throughly; It will crucifie the whole man throughout, and that according to his mind, will, and affect…o…s; (E) for this Word of God is quick and powerful, and ſharper then any two edged ſword, and is piercing to the dividing aſunder both of the ſoul and ſpirit, and of the joynts and marrow, and is a curious diſcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, &c. And all the Tribulations and Torments in the world, yea, all the ſorrows and pains of Hell, cannot ſo crucifie and ſubdue our evil natures and lives, as this Living Word in our hearts, with whom we have to do. This will crucifie us till we be dead with Chriſt, as Chriſt was dead (which was the fulleſt and compleateſt death that ever was) that is, till our outward and inward man be wholly and fully ſubject to the only Will of God.
2. (F) This word of faith will crucifie us daily and conſtantly, as Paul witneſſes, 1 Cor. 15.31.ſaying, foreign, I die daily: for the word of righteouſneſſe dwelling in us, is clean contrary to our corrupt nature, and all the operations of it, and doth without intermiſſion put forth its ſtrength and efficacy againſt both. That as in the firſt break of day, the light is ſtill mortifying the darkneſſe, till it have wholly diſpelled it; ſo the Word of righteouſneſſe deals with our corruptions till their place ſhall be no more found.
Now becauſe this our crucifying with Chriſt is ſo contrary to the fleſh, that the fleſh is alwayes mourning under it, and murmuring againſt it; therefore for our encouragement in ſo difficult a work as this, I ſhal propound ſome choice and excellent advantages that believers have by being truly crucified with Chriſt. For by this means
1. We are freed from the Law. (G) For as the humanity of Chriſt being crucified by the Word and Spirit, by this means became dead to the Law, and the Law loſt all its power over him; (H) ſo all the faithful that are thus crucified with him, are through this crucifying ſet free from the Law; (I) for their own life being extinguiſhed by the living Word and Spirit, and they living in that word and ſpirit, a life not their own, but Christs, are as truly freed from the Law as Chriſt himſelf was. (K) And this Paul doth plainly teach us, Rom. 7.1. ſaying, that the Law hath Lordſhip over a man all the time he lives, and no longer. But when he is once crucified with Chriſt, and dead with Chriſt, the Law hath no more Dominion over him. So then as long as we live our own life, the Law hath power over us; but when we are dead to our ſelves through the Life of Chriſt, we are ſet quite without the reach of the Law, and the Law hath no more to do with us the Members, then with Chriſt the Head.
2. (L) By being crucified with Chriſt, we are freed of ſin. For one of the chief ends of the indwelling of the Word & Spirit in Believers, is to free them, and ſave them from ſin: (M) and though ſin hath its ful power in our own humane life, yet it hath no power over Chriſts life in us, which we live through Faith. Wherefore ſaith Paul, Rom. 6.6. 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; and verſe 12. ſaith he, Let not ſin therefore reign foreign, in your mortal or dead body; which he cals dead, not in reference to the common mortality of the world, but in reference to our crucifying with Christ; and in the body that is crucified with Chriſt, ſin is not to reign. And ſo you ſee, that through our crucifying with Chriſt, we are dead to ſin alſo. (N) For it is impoſſible that Christ and ſin ſhould live together in ſtrength, in the ſame fleſh; but if ſin live in our fleſh, it will crucifie us to Chriſt; and if Christ live in our fleſh, he will crucifie us to ſin.
3. By being crucified with Chriſt, we are freed from death, that death that ariſes of ſin, and carries the wrath of God in it: For through the death of the ſecond Adam, we are ſet free from the death of the firſt Adam, and through that death to die unto life Ʋnbelieving fleſh is the fuel of death, as wood is of fire; and death reigns and hath its full Dominion in the fleſh of all unbelievers; (O) but when we by faith are made members of Chriſts body, of his fleſh and bones, then life reigns in Christs fleſh, as death in ours. And ſo being crucified with Chriſt, death hath no more dominion over us.
4. By being crucified with Chriſt, we are alſo freed from the power of the Devil, The Devil ha…h power over our fleſh, or humanity whileſt it is our own, and under the Law, ſin and death. But when our fleſh is united to Christ, and is crucified by the Word and Spirit, then Satan comes, and hath nothing in it, as he came to Christ, and had nothing in him. (P) The devil then can finde nothing in us to do us harm, or whereby he may prevail againſt us, when we are truly crucified with Chriſt.
5. (Q) The fleſh that is crucified with Chriſt, is only Chriſts own fleſh. For whileſt we live our own lives in unbelief, we are only the fleſh of the firſt Adam; (R) but when the living Word and Spirit dwell in us and crucifie us, then our fleſh becomes the fleſh of the ſecond Adam; and ſo far as it is crucified through the Word, it is Chriſts fleſh more then ours.
6. (S) This crucified fleſh, is the only temple and habitation of God, wherein he dwels and manifeſts himſelf in this world: For as God dwelt in Chriſts fleſh, which was thus crucified, and made it his temple, ſo he dwels in the crucified fleſh of Believers, and makes that his Temple, as Paul ſaith to Believers, Ye are the temples of the living God, as God hath ſaid, I will dwell in them, and walk in them. And God dwels in none of the fleſh of all the ſons of men, but only in that which is crucified with Chriſt; and that fleſh that is not thus crucified, is not Gods Habitation, but the Devils.
7. (T) This crucified fleſh only, keeps the true Christian Sabbath, or the everlaſting reſt of the new World, which is to ceaſe from our own works, and to do the works of God. Whereas that fleſh that is alive to it ſelf, and lives its own life in it ſelf and the creatures, never enters into the true reſt, nor keeps the true Sabbath, but it alwayes works its own works, and doth all things from it ſelf, and for it ſelf, and ſo long God will not uſe it. (V) But when the fleſh is crucified through the Word, then God doth all in it, and takes it out of its own life and works, into his life and his works. And the more any fleſh is crucified with Chriſt, the more doth God delight to uſe it, and to work his own excellent works by it; for ſuch fleſh will render no reſiſtance to God in his working, and alſo it will do the works of God meerly for the glory of God and good of his brother, being dead to all ſelf ends and intereſts.
8. (W) This crucified fleſh only is able to endure the will of God and to ſuffer for his Name. For till the fleſh be crucified with Chriſt, and killed by the Word, it will ſuffer nothing for God, but will by all poſſible means avoid the croſſe; but when it is truly crucified, it will endure the greatest evils that can be inflicted on it, either by men or devils, or by the Lord himſelf, and that with much willingneſſe and cheerfulneſſe. As we have ſeen in Chriſt the Head, and Believers the Members: what grievous things they have ſuffered for the name and truth of God in their crucified fleſh; And as this crucified fleſh will ſuffer any thing for God, ſo it wil ſuffer it aright, that is, Firſt, In obedience to God, as Chriſt laid down his life, not by neceſſity but willingly. Secondly, In meekneſs and patience, as Chriſt, who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he ſuffered he threatened not, but committed his cauſe to him that judgeth righteouſly. And thirdly, In Love, and that to very perſecutors, ſo as to pitty them & pray for them: This is glorious ſuffering indeed, and no fleſh can ſuffer thus, but this crucified fleſh.
9. (X) This crucified fleſh, as it is able to ſuffer all things, ſo alſo to overcome all things That fleſh that lives its own life, is ſoon certainly conquered by all the evils that aſſault it; but when it is crucified with Chriſt, it is alſo quickened with him to overcome all things. So Chriſt, who was thus crucified by the Word, though he ſeemed to the world in his death and croſs to be quite vanquiſhed, yet even then he ſpoiled Principalities and Powers, and triumphed openly over them; yea, and overcame all things in that crucified fleſh of his. For that fleſh that is crucified by the Word and Spirit, is thereby made Superiour to all things in that exaltation and might, which the Word and Spirit communicate to it.
10 (Y) This crucified fleſh hath the very glory of Jeſus Chriſt upon it; and no fleſh is ſo glorious in the Church, as that which is moſt crucified with Chriſt: for in that, you ſhall ſee little of it ſelf, and moſt of Chriſt; little of the firſt Adam, and moſt of the ſecond. Look among all the ſons of God and you ſhall ſee them that were moſt crucified with the Word, moſt glorious; the clear beauty of holineſs being ſeen upon them: whereas, that fleſh that lives much in it ſelf. in its own wit, will, reaſon, prudence, mind, affections, and the things of its firſt nature, though there may be ſomething of Chriſt in it, yet all theſe things are ſo much uncomelineſs and deformity upon it, and are nothing but a thick vail and covering to obſcure Christ himſelf. But that Chriſtian that is moſt dead and crucified to theſe things, he it is that ſhines moſt gloriouſly in the Kingdom of Chriſt.
(Z) Laſtly, this crucified fleſh, is the only ſubject of the glorious Reſurrection: For as the living Word and Spirit that crucified Chriſts fleſh, did again raiſe up that crucified fleſh of his from death, and ſet it at the right hand of God; and thereby did plainly manifeſt him to be the Son of God; ſo the ſame Word and Spirit that crucifie our fleſh, ſhall as certainly raiſe it up with Christ into the fulneſs of the life and glory of God. And this time the Apoſtle cals the day of the manifeſtation of the ſons of God. For the Word and Spirit whileſt they dwel in us and crucifie us, they make it only known to us, and to them that live in the ſame faith & ſpirit with us, that we are the children of God: but when they ſhal raiſe up this fleſh of ours (which they have firſt crucified) from death and the grave, into the life, glory and eternity of God, then it ſhall be manifeſt to all the world that we are his children.
And ſo our crucifying with Chriſt, is a certain pledge of our Reſurrection with him: and this the Apoſtle teſtifies, Rom. 8.11. ſaying, He that raiſed up Chriſt from the dead, ſhall quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwels in you: and Rom. 6.8. If we be dead with him, we believe we ſhall alſo live with him. If we be dead with him, that is, through the Word and Spirit, firſt crucifying our fleſh, and then offering it up to death. (A) We believe we ſhall live with him that very life which the Word and Spirit of God did communicate to his fleſh, when it raiſed him from the grave, and fully tranſlated him into the immediate Kingdom of God. And for this cauſe, Col. 1.18. Chriſt is called the firſt born from the dead, that is, the firſt whom the Word and Spirit did raiſe from death and the grave, and did carry into the Immediate preſence of God, as the first fruits and pledge of their Reſurrection, who have the ſame word and ſpirit dwelling in them.
ANIMADVERSION VII.
(A) I Find no ſuch thing affirmed in the Scripture, that through Faith we receive the living Word to dwel in us, underſtanding thereby preciſely, the Godhead of our Saviour: But it is plain that through Faith we receive Chriſt the Son to dwell in us, and the Father alſo by the Spirit, Epheſ. 2.22. 1 John 4.12,13. John 14.23.
(B) Indeed the word of God in the Scriptures, and the Goſpel preached according to the Scriptures, is an outward word, conſiſting in doctrines, which hypocrites and carnal chriſtians may have, and profeſſionally receive, and ſtil live their own lives, and after their own luſts. But that this word is without the ſpirit unto believers (not now to diſpute how far the Spirit may work in the word, to the cōviction of unbelievers) to deny that it is a means whereby they receive the Spirit, and whereby the ſpirit crucifieth the fleſh in them is plainly to deny the Scriptures, Gal. 3.2. Eph. 6.17. 2 Cor. 10.4,5. And to give up thoſe who by faith receive and make uſe of this outward word of God to dwel in them, for the crucifying of their fleſh, for hypocrites and carnal chriſtians, is certainly to condemn the generation of Gods children, Pſal. 119.11. Col. 3.16.
(C) It is as clear as light from the text, that by the ergrafted word (James 1.21. where this phraſe is only found) is meant the word of the Goſpel outwardly diſpenſed; In theſe words, therefore Mr Dell ſeems unwarrantably to confound the Godhead of our Saviour with the Goſpel outwardly diſpenſed, or to put one for another, which is a very ſtrange miſtake: And certain it is, that the word which faith receiveth is the Goſpel outwa…dly preached, which is not alwayes accompanied with the ſpirit in thoſe that hear it, Mark 16.16. Heb. 4.2. Rom. 10.8.
(D) If here be not a preſident of racking the Scripture to purpoſe, I am much miſtaken; The Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 1.18. called the word which he preached (which Mr Dell nameth an outward word) the word of the croſſe, not for either of the two reaſons here mentioned, becauſe it expoſeth men to afflictions, or becauſe it doth crucifie us, but plainly becauſe it held forth Chriſt crucified to the world, as is moſt apparent, verſe 23. of that chapter; and 1 Cor. 2.2,3,4. And yet Mr Dell, with much confidence, brings forth the words of the Apoſtle, as if they had been undoubtedly written, not of the word preached by him, but of the living word or Godhead of our Saviour; to which for certain the Apoſtle had no eye in that place.
(E) The words found, Heb. 4.12. are here by Mr Dell confidently applied to the living word of God, or Godhead of our Saviour, which by the general conſent of almoſt all interpreters, and by the argument of that place appears to concern the word of God outwardly adminiſtred; which though Mr Dell maketh light of it, yet as it is made effectually by the ſpirit of God, hath all that teſtified of it in the Scripture, which Mr Dell here affirmeth of the word of God in his ſence, 1 Cor. 14.24,25. 2 Cor. 10.4,5. John 17.17.
(F) If the word of the croſſe be as it is, and is here called by Mr Dell, the word of faith, then it is the word of the Goſpel preached, Rom. 10.17. which Mr Dell ſleightingly calleth an outward word; and leaveth to hypocrites and carnal chriſtians. And to as thoſe words, 1 Cor. 15,31. here alledged; I find no expoſitor, underſtanding them of an inward dying to ſin. The context plainly importeth that the Apoſtle by dying dayly, intended a daily apprehenſion and expectation of death, together with a daily expoſure of himſelf to deadly afflictions for Chriſt and his Goſpel ſake, 2 Cor. 4.10,11. The dying therefore mentioned in this Scripture, is altogether different from the dying which Mr Dell here ſpeaks of.
(G) The Law had a regulating power over our Lord Chriſt in the dayes of his fleſh, Mat. 5.17. Mat. 3.15. and therefore loſt not all its power over him at that time, as is here peremptorily aſſerted by Mr Dell.
(H) So alſo (how boldly ſoever Mr Dell affirms the contrary) the Law hath a regulating power over all the faithful, who keep it, and fulfil it through love wrought in their hearts by the ſpirit, Pſal. 119.1. 1 John 5.3.
(I) Believers own life, if that be their humane life, is not extinguiſhed by the living word and ſpirit, Mr Dell being judge, whoſe words very ſoon after, are theſe, though ſin hath its ful power in our humane life. But in this caſe there needs no appeal; Res ipſa loquitur. All the world ſees and knows that believers retain their own humane life, the faculties and actings thereof, after they live the life of Chriſt through the Spirit. I would gladly therefore underſtand Mr Dell in this place, of the extinguiſhing only of the life of ſin in believers, and the then refining, purifying and ſpiritualizing of their humane life and faculties, by the ſpirit of Chriſt, unto a new life of holineſſe, wherein Chriſt may be truly ſaid to live in them, and they to live to God; but that the native intent of Mr Dels words here looks to a much higher, and his after words in this book contain a plain and peremptory refuſal of ſo low a ſenſe.
(K) Paul in the place here alledged, Rom. 7. teacheth that the condemning and ſin irritating power of the Law ceaſeth, towards thoſe who are ſpiritually dead with Chriſt, which is no doubt a branch of their true freedom from the Law acknowledged, and joyed in by thoſe whom Mr Dell ſleights, as Jewiſh zelots: what more Mr Dell fetcheth from that Scripture is of his own putting into it, as I think.
(L) It is an acknowledged truth, that they who are crucified with Chriſt are freed from ſin, and the indwelling of the Goſpel, Col. 3.16. James 1.18. together with the ſpirit of Chriſt, carrieth on this bleſſed freedom in them: If this would content Mr Dell he might have the company of his brethren in the old way of truth: But if this ſeem too low for him, he muſt not think ſtrange that he obtains not general applauſe amongſt men of underſtanding in his ſublime notions.
(M) Sin hath not its full power in the humane life of believers (as is here affirmed by Mr Dell) and this the texts here produced by himſelf, do infallibly prove, which teach that the old man of ſin is crucified in believers, to be deſtroyed, and the dominion of it removed from them, and therefore it doth not retain its fulpower in their humane life in any ſence.
(N) If Chriſt and ſin cannot live together in ſtrength (which I believe) Then ſin hath not its ful power in their humane life, in whom Chriſt lives, which yet Mr Dell in this ſame paragraph hath affirmed, Ipſe viderit.
(O) Hath a believer two fleſhes then, one Chriſts, another his own? I take it that the Scripture teacheth the direct contrary; namely, That a believer hath but one fleſh or body in property of ſpeech, which is a member of Chriſt, the temple of the holy Ghoſt; and as to right of poſſeſſion not his own, 1 Cor. 6.15,19,20. Coloſ. 2.1.5. In which body or fleſh of a believer, death reigneth not in any ſence, though as an enemie, bodily death ſhall for a while impriſon it in the grave, 1 Cor 15.25,26.
(P) The Devil finds ſo much corruption in Chriſts crucified ones, that he too often prevaileth by temptation, to lead them into ſin, Gal 6.1. 1 John 2.1,2. Now ſin is very hurtful to the people of God, at leaſt in point of comfort, Pſal. 51.8,12. the Devil therefore, whatever Mr Dell ſaith, can do Chriſts crucified ones harm, though not deſtroy them.
(Q) This is plainly oppoſite to Scripture doctrine; namely, That the fleſh which is crucified with Chriſt, is the old man, Rom. 6.6. which luſteth contrary to Chriſt and his ſpirit, Gal. 5.17. and therefore cannot poſſibly be Chriſts own fleſh, as Mr Dell here affirms.
(R) Let Mr Dell ſhew one Scripture which teacheth, that the fleſh which is crucified in believers, is the fleſh of the ſecond Adam: Believers themſelves, not the fleſh which is crucified in them, are intended by the Apoſtle, when he writes that we are of his fleſh and of his bones, Epheſ. 5.30.
(S) Mr Dell ſhould produce that Scripture, which calleth the fleſh which is crucified in a believer, the temple and habitation of God: As to the text here alledged it ſpeaketh to, and of the perſons of believers themſelves, not of the fleſh crucified in them, which are things of a very different conſideration; as all know who know any thing of Scripture doctrine.
(T) That fleſh which is crucified in believers, doth never keep the true ſabbath, underſtanding thereby, as Mr Dell doth, a ceaſing from our own works of ſin, but it oppoſeth the keeping of that ſabbath continually, Gal. 5.17. Eph. 2.3.
(V) Let Mr Dell ſhew a Scripture which ſpeaketh any of theſe things, of the fleſh crucified in believers, which are in this place heaped together by him; Indeed all that is here ſaid, is true of believers, in whom the fleſh is crucified; But believers and the fleſh crucified in them, are things as much different, as Saints and the body of death in them, which I think no rational Chriſtian can miſtake for the ſame thing.
(W) In direct oppoſition to this poſition, it is as apparant as the noon-light, that the fleſh which is crucified in a believer, in the reliques of it, which are daily to be mortified, Col. 3.5. doth by all poſſible means oppoſe ſuffering for Gods name, Rom. 8.7. and a believer, ſo far as he is inabled by the ſpirit of God, to mortifie the deeds of the body, and reſiſt the luſts of the fleſh which is crucified in him, ſo far he is carried on in cheerful readineſſe to bear the croſſe of Chriſt, and no further; Is it poſſible that Mr Dell ſhould all along miſtake the fleſh crucified in believers, for believers themſelves, in whom the fleſh is crucified? If that may be imagined to be his meaning, contrary to his words; I would then ſay of the difference between Mr Dels ſtrange poſitions concerning the crucified fleſh, and the doctrine of other Divines; what Auſtin ſpake (de predeſtinatione Dei, cap. 5.) in another caſe: If the book be his, His oppoſitionibus in literatura nulla eſt reconciliatio, in intelligentia, nulla eſt repugnantia. There is no reconciling of theſe oppoſitions in word, no repugnancy between them in deed.
(X) If Mr Dell had minded the old language and doctrine of the Scriptures, he would never, I think, have broken out into theſe new and ſtrange commendations of the fleſh crucified in believers; A little Scripture proof amidst this confident affirming would do wel.
(Y) Mr Dell ſhould ſhew a Scripture which affirmeth, that the fleſh crucified in believers, hath the very glory of Jeſus Chriſt upon it; which is a poſition ſo new and ſtrange, that it needs to be well proved before it be received. The fleſh which is crucified in believers is called the old man, and the body of ſin, Rom. 6.6. which hath no part nor portion in the glory of Jeſus Chriſt.
(Z) This poſition of Mr Dell is clearly oppoſite to the form of Scripture doctrine, which teacheth that the fleſh in believers is crucified with Chriſt, to be more and more mortified in them till it be utterly deſtroyed; and therefore it cannot poſſibly be the ſubject of the glorious reſurrection: And to take the mortal body of a believer, which ſhall be the ſubject of the glorious reſurrection, 1 Cor. 15.44. for the fleſh which is crucified in him, and in reference whereunto, he is ſaid to be crucified with Chriſt, ſeems to be ſuch a miſtake, as no man could be ſubject to, who taketh any heed to the old language of the Scripture.
(A) If we be dead with Chriſt, we believe we ſhall alſo live with him ſpiritually in this life, gloriouſly in that which is to come, Rom. 6.8. But that believers ſhall live with Chriſt that very life which the word and ſpirit of God did communicate to his fleſh, when it raiſed him from the grave, and fully tranſlated him into the immediate kingdom of God, is a poſition raiſed by Mr Dell to a very high pitch, wherein yet I ſhall not oppoſe him, if he admit (as I hope he will) a preheminency of life unto our Saviour, as being the head of the Church, anointed with the oyl of gladneſſe above his fellows, Heb. 1.8,9. For whilſt our Saviour hath his peculiar preheminence of degree allowed him as the head; I take it we may ſafely believe that his members ſhall be ſharers with him in that very life of bleſſedneſſe and glory which is communicated to his fleſh, or humane nature, ſince the Apoſtle teacheth us that God hath raiſed us up together, and made us ſit togother in heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus, Epheſ. 2.6. and again, that if whilſt we live we are delivered to death for Jeſus ſake, the life alſo of Jeſus ſhall be made manifeſt in our mortal body, 2 Cor 4.11. for when Chriſt who is our life ſhall appear, we alſo ſhall appear with him in glory, Coloſ. 3.4.