Abstract of Commentary on Galatians, Text 1
AN ABSTRACT TAKEN out of a Commentary of Doctor Martyn Luther, upon the Epiſtle of Saint Paul to the Galathians.
1. THere is a politicall or civil righteouſnes, which Emperours, Princes of the world, Philoſophers, and Lawyers deale withall.
Secondly, there is a Ceremoniall righteouſneſſe, which the Traditions of men doe teach, this Parents and Schoole-Maſters may teach, in regard they doe not attribute to it, any power to ſatisfie for ſinne, to pleaſe God, or to deſerve grace; but teach ſuch Ceremonies, as are neceſſarie for the correction of manners and life.
Thirdly, There is a Righteouſnes of the Law, or of the tenne Commandements, which Moſes teacheth, which we teach after the doctrine of faith.
Fourthly, there is a Righteouſnes aboue all theſe, to wit, the Righteouſnes of faith, or Chriſtian Righteouſnes, which wee muſt diligently diſcerne from the former, for they are contrary to this righteouſnes, conſiſting in works which are active, but this is a paſſive Righteouſnes. Of all things in the world, the Law is moſt excellent, yet is it not able to quiet a troubled conſcience, but increaſeth Terrors, and driveth it into deſperation. For by the Law ſinne is made above meaſure ſinfull: I abandon my ſelfe from all active Righteouſnes, both of my owne, and of Gods law, and embrace only that paſſive Righteouſnes of grace, mercy, and forgiveneſſe of ſins: Therefore the greateſt wiſedome of a good Chriſtian is, not to know the law, to be ignorant of workes, and of the whole active righteouſnes, eſpecially when the conſcience wreſtleth with the Iudgements of God; But it is è contrario, to thoſe who are not of Gods people, for the law is not given to a righteous man, but to the law leſſe and diſobedient: And both the word of Grace, and of wrath, muſt be rightly divided, according to the Apoſtle, 2 Tim. 2. which is, To ſet forth the Law and workes to the Old man, and the promiſe of forgiveneſſe of ſinnes, and of Gods mercy to the New man, Rom. 10.4. The law continued unto Chriſt, who being come, Moſes ceaſeth with his law, Circumciſion, the Sacriſices, the Sabbaths, and all the Prophets: He that is borne of God cannot ſinne, 1. Ioh. 3.18. it the Article of Juſtification be once loſt, then is all true Chriſtian doctrine loſt, the law ought to have dominion only over the fleſh: whoſoever is aſſuredly preſwaded that Chriſt is his Righteouſnes, it is impoſſible but he ſhould doe all things well. Grace and Peace comprehend in them whatſoever belongeth to Chriſtianitle; grace releaſeth ſinne, and peace maketh the conſcience quiet. The two fiendes that torment us are Sinne but ſinne is rather increaſed by workes, for there is no meanes to take away ſinne but grace alone. The peace of the world, granteth not king but the peace of our goods, and bodies. I am the way, the truth, and the life, No man commeth to the father but by me, Ioh. 14.6. wherefore in the matter of Iuſtification we muſt look upon no other God, but only this god incarnate, clothed with mans nature, who ſaith, Math. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will refreſh you. In Chriſt are hid all the Treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge, For in him dwelleth the fulneſſe of the Godhead bodily, Col. 2.3.9. The world is ignorant of this, For no man knoweth the father but the Soune, and he to whom the Sonne will reveale him, Mat. 11.17. Chriſt giveth not grace and peace as the Apoſtles give them, but he giveth them as the Authour and Creatour. The giftes which we receive of the father and which we receive of the Sonne are all one, Behold the lambe of God, who taketh away the ſinne of the world, Ioh. 1.29. which ſhews that we cannot put them away by our owne workes; Chriſt was not given for the holy, righteous, worthy, and ſuch as were his friendes; but for wicked ſinners, for the unworthy, and for his enemies, who have deſerved Gods wrath, and everlaſting death, Who gave himſelfe for our ſinnes, Gal. 1.4. God ſo loved the World, that he gave his onelyonly be gotten Sonne, that whoſoever beleeveth in him, ſhould not periſh but have everlaſting life, John 3.16. The Lord hath laid all our iniquitie upon him: For the tranſgreſſion his people was he ſmitten, Eſay 53.6.8.
Chriſt is the Sonne of God, and of the Virgin,Definition. delivered and put to death for our ſinnes; therefore he is no Tyrant or Judge, which will condemne us for our ſinnes, hee is no caſter downe of the afflicted, but a raiſer up of thoſe that are fallen, a mercifull releiver and comforter, of the heavy and broken hearted. The World is the Kingdome of the Devill; Every one that teacheth that works doe juſtifie, is a troubler of the Church, and of mens conſciences: Chriſt and the Law, can by no means agree and raigne together in the conſcience; for the righteouſneſſe of the Law, and the righteouſneſſe of Grace are contrary: And if thou canſt not beleeve, that God will forgive thy ſinnes for Chriſts ſake, whom he ſent into the World to be our high Prieſt; how then wilt thou beleeve, that he will forgive the ſame for the workes of the Law, which thou couldeſt never performe. It ſeemeth to be a light matter, to mingle the Law and the Goſpell, faith and workes together; but it doth more miſcheife, then mans reaſon can conceive: There is nothing in us, able to deſerve grace, and the for giveneſſe of ſinnes; But we obtaine this grace by the free mercy of God, onelyonly for Chriſts ſake: The knowledge of Chriſt, and of Faith, is no worke of man, but ſimply the gift of God. We may more ſafely attribute too much unto God, then unto man; Mans reaſon hath the Law for his object; but faith being in her owne proper office, hath no other object but Jeſus Chriſt: It ſaith not, What have I done? What have I offended? What have I deſerved? But what hath Chriſt done? What hath hee deſerved? Whereunto the truth of the Goſpell anſwereth thee, hee hath redeemed thee from thy ſinne, from the Devill, and from eternall death, which faith acknowledgeth and beleeveth; And whoſoever turneth away his eyes from this object, hath no true faith, but a fantaſie, and a vaine opinion, and turneth his eyes from the promiſe to the Law, which terrifieth and driveth to deſperation. For a true and ſtedfaſt faith, muſt lay hold on nothing elſe but Chriſt alone, who juſtifieth, and needs not to be furniſhed with charity, as Popiſh Schoolemen teach. The proper office of the Law teacheth, what I ought to doe; The Goſpell teacheth what Jeſus Chriſt the Sonne of God hath done for me, to wit, that he ſuffered and dyed, to deliver me from ſinne and death. We muſt not truſt or glory in any earthly thing, but in God alone: Non patitus ludum, fima, fides, oculus.
Faith maketh a man here like unto God, who is immutable, ſo is faith, and therefore may ſuffer nothing, give place to no man.
Nothing fighteth more ſtrongly againſt Faith, then the Law and reaſon, which we muſt conquer if we will be ſaved; For the conſcience muſt be free from the Law, but the body muſt be obedient to the Law.
There is as great difference between the righteouſneſſe of the Goſpell, and of the Law, as God hath made betweene Heaven and Earth, light and darkneſſe, day and night: The Goſpell juſtifieth in Heaven, and the Law on Earth.
To abſtaine from certaine meates for conſcience ſake, is to deny Chriſt, and to overthrow the Goſpell. God never gave to any man grace and everlaſting life for the merit of Congruence or worthineſſe; For grace cannot be deſerved by workes, for whatſoever is not of faith is ſinne. Wherefore hee that would deſerve Grace by workes going before faith, goeth about to pleaſe God with ſins.
The firſt part of Chriſtianity is the preaching of Repentance, and the knowledge of our ſelves; And the ſecond part is, not to ſeeke ſalvation by workes.
Chriſt is no Law-giver, but a forgiver of ſinnes, and a Saviour; For wee are juſtified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Chriſt Jeſus, whom God hath ſet forth to be a reconciliation unto us through faith in his blood, Rom. 3.24, 25.
Theſe three things, Faith, Chriſt, Acceptation or Imputation, muſt be joyned together; To him that beleeveth, ſinne is pardoned, and righteouſneſſe imputed; but not for the merit of congruence and worthineſſe: Hee that honoureth me, I will honour, they that deſpiſe me, ſhall be deſpiſed, 2 Sam. 2.30. By the deeds of the Law no fleſh ſhall be juſtified; Chriſt is the end and fulfilling of the Law unto righteouſneſſe.
The Papiſts by their doctrine, make Chriſt Moſes, and Moſes Chriſt, turning Grace into the Law, and the Law into Grace; But it is the proper office of Chriſt to deliver from ſinne and death; for he is our reconciliation, righteouſneſſe, peace, life, and ſalvation: And therefore we are juſtified and reputed righteous before God by faith onelyonly in Chriſt; for we muſt be dead to the Law, if we will live to God.
But when I have apprehended Chriſt by faith, and through him am dead to the Law, juſtified from ſinne, delivered from death, the Devill and Hell; then I doe good workes, I love God, I give thankes to him, I exerciſe charity towards my neighbour; But this charity or workes following, doe neither forme nor adorne my faith; but my faith formeth and adorneth charity; For this is the victorie that overcommeth the World, even our Faith. 1 John 5.4.
Whileſt Chriſt is the Law, he is alſo liberty, whileſt hee is ſinne, he is righteouſneſſe, and whileſt he is death, he is life; For in that hee ſuffered the Law to accuſe him, ſinne to condemne him, and death to devoure him, hee aboliſhed the Law, he condemned ſinne, he deſtroyed death, he juſtified and ſaved mee.
The Law is crucified, and dead unto thoſe onelyonly which beleeve in Chriſt; Therefore in the matter of Juſtification, thou muſt not ſeparate the perſon of Chriſt from thy perſon: By faith we are ſo joyned together, that wee are become one fleſh and one bone, Epheſ. 5.30.
Good workes ought to be done, not as the cauſe, but as the fruits of righteouſneſſe; The Tree maketh the Apple, but not the Apple the Tree; I live by faith in the Sonne of God, who loved me, and gave himſelfe for me, confutes the doctrine to bee able to doe meritorious workes before Grace, Ex puris naturalibus, &c.
Workes of ſupererogation the Papiſts call thoſe, which they doe of their owne devotion more then God requireth: Ʋltra poſſe viri, non vult Dous ulla requiri, and ſuch like ſentences, properly pertaine to the government of Common-wealths and Families, and are not to be applyed to the Church.
Chriſt is infinite mercy and goodneſſe, freely given, and bountifully giving unto us.
To reject and refuſe the grace of God, is to ſeeke righteouſneſſe by the Law.
The holy Ghoſt was not given by the Law, but by the hearing of the Goſpell, Cornelius received not the holy Ghoſt, by the Almes which he gave, but when Peter had opened his mouth, and was yet in ſpeaking, the holy Ghoſt fell upon all them, which with Cornelius heard the word, Acts 10.44.
God gave the holy Ghoſt to the Gentlles, who lived without the Law, and to the Jewes by the preaching of the Goſpell, or hearing of Faith in Chriſt preached, and not at the preaching of the Law, nor by the workes of the Law; So it appeareth, that the Law never bringeth the holy Ghoſt, but onelyonly teacheth what wee ought to doe, therefore it juſtifieth not; But the Goſpell bringeth the holy Ghoſt, becauſe it teacheth what we ought to receive.
The Gentiles juſtified without the Law, as the Nine vites, And the Ninevites beleeved God, and proclaimed a Faſt; and put on Sack-cloth, Jonah 3.5. Naaman the Syrian, Job and diverſe others. Received yee the holy Ghoſt, by the workes of the Law, or by the hearing of faith preached, ſaith Saint Paul? Gal. 3.2.
A man is made a Chriſtian not by working, but by hearing; and when he hath received the Goſpell, let him afterwards exerciſe himſelfe in thoſe good workes which are commanded by the Law, ſo that the Law and workes may follow faith; Feare not little flock, for it is your Fathers pleaſure to give unto you, loe to give unto you a Kingdome, Luke 12.22. Martha, Martha, thou careſt and art troubled about many things, but one thing is needfull, Mary hathchoſen the good part, which ſhall not bee taken from her, Luke 10.41, 42.
Abraham was juſtified before God, not becauſe he did worke, but becauſe he did beleeve, Galat. 3.6. For Abraham beleeved God, and it was imputed to him for righteouſneſſe, Gen. 15.6. Saint Paul by theſe wordes, Abraham beleeved, Of faith in God, maketh the cheifeſt worſhippe, the cheifeſt duty, the cheifeſt obedience, and the cheifeſt ſacrifice: For faith is an almighty thing, and the power thereof is infinite and ineſtimable: Chriſtian righteouſneſſe conſiſteth in two things, in faith of the heart, and in Gods imputation for Chriſts ſake; Faith killeth reaſon, Chriſt is our cloudie Piller for the day, and our Piller of fire by the night, leaſt God ſhould ſee our ſinne, Exod, 13.21. Hee hath loved us, and given himſelfe in very deed for us, hee was made accurſed for us, &c. Galat. 3.13. Chriſt is called our object, becauſe the eye of our faith is directed unto him: There is no damnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſu; with faith alwayes muſt bee joyned a certaine aſſurance of Gods mercy for Chriſts ſake, The ſeed of the Woman ſhall bruiſe the Serpents head, Gen 3.15.
The promiſe of bleſſing was given unto Abraham before Circumciſion, and foure hundred and thirty yeares before the Law; Abraham which ſaw my day and rejoyced, John 8.56. In thee ſhall all the Nations bee bleſſed, Gen. 12.9. There is great difference betweene Chriſt bleſſing and redeeming, and Chriſt working, and giving example; So there was betweene beleeving and working Abraham; they which are of faith, are bleſſed with faithfull Abraham, ſaith Saint Paul: And as many as are of the workes of the Law are accurſed, which is not a corporall but a ſpirituall curſe; They therefore that hold on the Law, and ſeeke to be juſtified thereby, deſpiſing the promiſe, are accurſed: The true doer of the Law is hee, who receiving the holy Ghoſt through faith in Chriſt; beginneth to love God, and doe good unto his neighbour. For without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb 11.6. So that faith incorporateth the worke and giveth it his perfection. All ſentences in Scripture concerning workes and rewardes muſt be Spiritually expounded; If thou beleeve ſinne, death, and the curſe, to be aboliſhed, thev are aboliſhed; for Chriſt hath vanquiſhed and aboliſhed all theſe things; and whereſoever is a true faith, in him, there ſinne is aboliſhed, dead, and buried. Learne in all tentations, to tranſlate ſinne, death, the curſe, and all evils which oppreſſe us, from our ſelves unto Chriſt, and againe from him unto our ſelves, righteouſneſſe, mercy, life, and bleſſing; God the Father caſt the iniquities of us all (as Eſay the Prophet ſaith) upon him, which he tooke willingly upon him, that hee might fulfill the will of his Father, by which wee are ſanctified for ever: Let Chriſt be alwayes before thine eyes, as a certaine ſummary of all Arguments for defence of faith, againſt the righteouſneſſe of the fleſh, againſt the Law, and againſt all workes and merits whatſoever. The Law was added for tranſgreſſions, ſaith Saint Paul; wherefore the firſt uſe of the Law was to bridle the wicked, leaſt the courſe of the Goſpell, ſhould be hindered by the tumults, and ſeditions of the wicked, outragious and proud men, which is civill. The other uſe of the Law is divine and ſpirituall, which is, as Saint Paul ſaith, To increaſe tranſgreſſions, that is, to reveale unto a man his ſinne, thereby to beate downe the opinion of righteouſneſſe which abideth in man; and is a Miniſter that prepareth the way unto grace: The Law with his office, helpeth by occaſion to Juſtification, in that it driveth a man to the promiſe of grace, and maketh the ſame ſweet and comfortable unto him, and is a true and profitable Miniſter, which driveth a man to Chriſt; For God is preſent unto the afflicted and broken hearted; and this is the beſt, and moſt perfect uſe of the of the law, Rom. 10.4. So farre forth as I doe apprehend Chriſt by faith, ſo much is the law aboliſhed unto me; But my fleſh, the world, and the Divell, doe hinder faith in me, that it cannot be perfect, He gave power to as many as beleeued in him, to be the children of God, Ioh. 1.12.
So many as are juſtified, are not juſtified by the obſervation of mans lawes, or Gods lawes, but by Chriſt alone, who hath aboliſhed all lawes; Jeſus Chriſt is one yeſterday, and to day, and ſhall be the ſame for ever; Chriſt is the end of the law unto righteouſnes, to every one that beleeveth; Chriſt was made a curſe for us, that he might deliver us from the curſe of the law. I came not to judge the world, but that the world ſhould be ſaved by me, Ioh. 12.47.
Evill inſtruction, will increaſe and confirme the pernicious error of blind reaſon, which naturally iudgeth Chriſt to be a lawgiver, and printeth that error mightily in our mindes, that without great travaile and difficulty, it can never be aboliſhed.
O law! thou haſt no power over me, and therefore thou doeſt accurſe and condemne me in vaine; for I beleeve in Jeſus Chriſt the Sonne of God, whom the father ſent in to the world to redeeme us miſerable ſinners, oppreſſed with the tiranny of the law, he gave his life and ſhed his blood for me; therefore feeling thy terrors and threatnings O Law, I plunge my conſcience in the wounds, blood, death, reſurrection and victory of my Saviour Chriſt, beſides him I will ſee nothing, I wil heare nothing,
This faith is our victory, whereby we overcome the terrour of the Law, ſinne, death, and all evils, and yet not without great Conflicts: Come unto me (ſaith Chriſt) all ye that labour under the Yoke of the Law, Mat. 11.28. for I have vanquiſhed the Law by double right and authority, firſt as the Sonne of God and Lord of the Law; Secondly in your perſon, which is as much as if yee had overcome the Law your ſelves, for my victorie is yours. If any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, the ſame is none of his. Rom. 8.9.
If a man be uncertaine, and ſtand in doubt of the grace and favor of God towardes him, then Chriſt profiteth nothing, for he that doubteth of Gods favour towardes him, muſt needs doubt alſo of the promiſes of God and ſoe conſequently of the will of God, and of the benefites of Chriſt, namely that he was borne, ſuffered, died, and roſe againe for us, &c.
If we could fully aſſure our ſelues, and conſtantly beleeve, that God is our Father, and we his ſonnes and heires, then ſhould we overcome the Law your ſelves, for my victorie is yours. If any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, the ſame is none of his, Rom. 8.9.
If a man be uncertaine, and ſtand in doubt of the grace and favour of God towardes him, then Chriſt profiteth nothing, for he that doubteth of Gods favour towardes him, muſt needs doubt alſo of the promiſes of God and ſo conſequently of the will of God, and of the benefites of Chriſt, namely that he was borne, ſuffered, died, and roſe againe for us, &c.
If we could fully aſſure our ſelves, and conſtantly beleeve, that God is our Father, and we his ſonnes and heires, then ſhould we utterly contemne this world, with all the glory, righteouſnes, wiſedome and power, and with al the riches and pleaſures thereof, neither ſhould wee be ſo carefull for this life.
Whoſoever apprehendeth, the ſon and me, and my promiſe in him by faith, to him I am a God, to him I am a father, him doe I accept, juſtifie and ſave. Chriſt is the finiſhing and accompliſhing of the Law to righteouſnes to every one that beleeueth Ro. 10.4 They that beleeve in him ſhal be bleſſed with faithfull Abraham they are the ſonnes and heires of God, who giveth the word, which when we hauehave received by faith given from above, we are new borne, and the ſonnes of God; for there is no other name given unto men under heaven, whereby they muſt be ſaved.
The heart being furniſhed with this confidence, or aſſurance, to wit, that for Chriſtes ſake we are righteous, hath the true forme of Chriſt, which is given by the Miniſtrie of the word, as it is ſaid, 1. Cor. 4. J have begotten you through the Goſpell, that is to ſay in ſpirit, that ye might know Chriſt and beleeue in him.
We muſt diſtinguiſh the heavenly and ſpirituall bleſſing, from the earthly; for the earthly bleſſing is to have a good civil government, both in Common-wealthes and Families, to have children, peace, riches, fruits of the earth, and other temporall commodities: But the heavenly bleſſing is to be delivered from the Law, ſinne and death, to be juſtified and quickned to life, to have peace with God, to have a faithfull heart, a joyfull conſcience, and ſpiritual conſolation, to have the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt, to have the gift of prophecy & the revelation of the ſcriptures to have the guifts of the holy Ghoſt, and to reioyce in God; Theſe are the heavenly guifts which Chriſt giveth to his Church.
A Chriſtian laying hold of the benefits of Chriſt through faith, hath no Law; but all the Law is to him aboliſhed, with all his terrors and torments; For Chriſt hath made us free, not civilly nor carnally, but divinely; That is to ſay we are made free in ſuch ſort, that our conſciences are now free and quiet, not fearing the wrath of God to come.
And certainly this chriſtian libertie, ſwalloweth up at once and taketh quite away the whole heape of evils, the Law, ſinne, death, Gods wrath, and breifly the ſerpent himſelfe, with his head and whole power; and in ſtead thereof it placeth righteouſnes, peace, and everlaſting life &c. Therefore bleſſed is hee that underſtandeth and beleeveth.
And let us learne to magnifie this our libertine purchaſed by Jeſus Chriſt the ſonne of God, by whom all things were created both in heaven & earth; which libertie he hath purchaſed, with no other price then with his own bloud; To deliver us not from any bodily or temporall ſervitude, but from a ſpirituall and everlaſting bondage, under mightie and invincible Tyrants, to wit, the Law, Sinne, Death, and the Devill, and ſo to reconcile us to God his Father.
This libertie then, is not given us by the Law, or for our righteouſnes, but freely for Chriſts ſake; Therefore according to the Apoſtle, Galath. 5.1. Stand faſt in that libertie wherein Chriſt hath made you free; And in the 8. of John 36. If the Sonne ſhall make you free, ye ſhall be free indeed; And Chriſt himſelfe, Math. 9.2. ſaith, Be of good comfort my ſonne, thy ſinnes are forgiven thee.
Wherefore it is impoſſible for the Iuſticiaries, which ſeeke to winne heaven, life, and ſalvation, by workes and merits, to know what the liberty and deliverance from ſinne is.
And Gal. 5.2. Saint Paul ſaith, Be not intangled againe with the yoke of Bondage; where the Apoſtle ſeemeth to compare thoſe who ſeeke righteouſnes by the Law to Oxen; For like as Oxen draw in the yoke with great toile, and receive nothing thereby but forrage or paſture, and when they bee able to draw the yoke no more, are appointed to the ſlaughter: Even ſo they that ſeek Righteouſnes by the Law, are Captives and oppreſſed with the yoke of bondage, that is to ſay, with the Law, and when they have tired themſelves a long time in the works of the Law, with great and greivous toyle, in the end this is their reward, that they are miſerable and perpetuall ſervants of ſinne, death, Gods wrath, and the Devill.
For the confidence and righteouſnes of workes are nothing, but maketh Chriſt unprofitable; The Devill being the father of lying, and the Enemy of Chriſtian libertie, wherein Chriſt hath made us free; But J know Chriſt to be profitable unto me, therefore I will not make him unprofitable; which I ſhould doe, if either I ſhould preſume to purchaſe my ſelfe favor and everlaſting life by my good workes, or ſhould deſpaire becauſe of my ſinnes.
For it is impoſſible that Chriſt and the Law, ſhould dwell together in one heart, for either the Law, or Chriſt, muſt give place; And to have this perſwaſion, that it is Chriſt alone that iuſtifieth me, both againſt my evill deeds, and without my good workes, is to lay hold of the true Chriſt; But if I think that he exacteth the Law and workes of me to Salvation, then he becommeth unprofitable to me, and I am utterly ſeperated from him.
And though it be true, that onelyonly faith juſtifieth, yet after it hath juſtified, it is not idle, but occupied & exerciſed in working through love; So that the whole life of a Chriſtian Man, conſiſteth inwardly in faith towardes God, and outwardly in charity and good workes towardes our Neighbour; Hee being a perfect Chriſtian inwardly through faith before GOD, who hath no need of our workes, and outwardly before men, whom our faith profiteth nothing, but our Charitie, or our workes.
Chriſt is ſet out in the Scriptures as an Example, and as a Gift, and is to be ſet forth unto thoſe who are alreadie caſt downe, and bruiſed through the heavy burden and weight of their ſins, as a Saviour and a gift, and not as an example or a Law-giver; But to thoſe who are ſecure and obſtinate, he muſt be ſet forth as an example.
Faith is as a bright Sunne beame comming downe from heaven, which lighteneth, directeth and guideth us; But both faith and charitie, have their truſt and beleife, but after divers ſorts, by reaſon of the diverſitie of their objects; Faith truſteth in God and therefore cannot be deceived; Charity beleeveth in man, and therefore it is often deceived.
And let the godly remember, that as in conſcience before God they be free from the curſe of the Law, from ſinne, and from death, for Chriſts ſake; So as touching the body, they are ſervants, and muſt ſerve one another, according to Saint Paul, Galath. 5.13. ſerve ye one another through love: which wordes, do not ſet the Chriſtians at liberty, but ſhut them under bondage as touching the fleſh, which doctrine carnall men cannot conceive, but good Chriſtians gladly receive and obey it.
For the ungodly doe moſt careleſly ſhake of the yoke and bondage of the fleſh, and turne the libertie of the ſpirit, into wantonnes and fleſhly libertie, not obſerving the commandement of charitie, which is not to render evill for evill, but to overcome evill with good, according to the Apoſtle, Love thy neighbour as thy ſelfe.
Faith and hope muſt continue, that by the one we may be juſtified, and by the other be rayſed up in adverſities, and endure unto the end; For in reſpect of the fleſh we are ſinners, but in reſpect of the ſpirit we are righteous, and ſo we are partly ſinners and partly righteous, but our righteouſnes, if we walke according to the ſpirit is much more plentifull then our ſinne, becauſe the holines and righteouſnes of Chriſt our Mediator doth farre exceed the ſinnes of the whole world, and eaſily ſwalloweth up all ſins, But the fleſh luſteth againſt the ſpirit, and the ſpirit againſt the fleſh, and theſe are contrary one to the other; So that yee cannot doe the things that yee would doe, ſaith Saint Paul, Gal. 5.17. Deſpaire not therefore in temptations, but reſiſt the fleſh ſtrongly, and fulfil not the luſt thereof; Thus doing thou art not under the Law; For God is mercifull to thoſe that beleeve for Chriſts ſake, and imputeth not unto us this ſinne, which cannot be put away by ſatisfaction, workes or righteouſnes, but onelyonly by the death of Chriſt.
All ſinne is damnable as touching the fact it ſelfe; But in that it is not damnable to him that beleeveth, it commeth of Chriſt, who by his death hath taken away ſinne; But to him that beleeveth not in Chriſt, not only all his ſinnes are damnable, but even his good workes are alſo ſinne, according to that ſaying, whatſoever is not of faith, is ſinne.
The faithfull aſſureth himſelfe by faith, that his ſinne is forgiven, and not imputed unto him, for as much as Chriſt hath given himſelfe for it. according to the Apoſtle, Galat. 5.18. If yee bee led by the Spirit, yee are not under the Law; But all worſhippings, and ſervices of God, and all Religions without Chriſt, are Idolatrie and Idoll ſervice; For in Chriſt alone the Father is well pleaſed; He is the perfection of the Law unto righteouſneſſe, to all that doe beleeve.
Wherefore let all the godly glory and rejoyce in the Croſſe of Chriſt Jeſus, and not in the mouth of other men; And if there be any that praiſe them, let them receive this glory, but as a ſhadow of true glory, and let them thinke the ſubſtance of glory, to bee indeed the teſtimony of their owne Conſcience: And if wee ſeeke firſt the glory of God, then ſurely our glory will follow, according to that ſaying, Hee that bonoureth me, I will glorifie.
And let all Miniſters and Paſtors endeavour purely and faithfully to teach the Word, and let them have an eye to nothing elſe, but the glory of God, and ſalvation of ſoules, then ſhall their worke be faithfull and ſound.
We are taught out of the Word of God, that there is nothing under the Sunne, which availeth unto righteouſneſſe before God, but Chriſt onelyonly, or as Saint Paul ſaith, Gal. 6.15. A new Creature.
Politique Lawes, Mens Traditions, Ceremonies of the Church, yea and the Law of Moſes, are ſuch things, as are without Chriſt, therefore they availe not unto righteouſneſſe before God; We may uſe them as things both good and neceſſary, but in their place and time; But if we talke of the matter of Juſtification they availe nothing, but hurt very much.
Wherefore in Chriſt Jeſu, or in the matter of Juſtification, we muſt not diſpute of the lawes either of the Jewes, or of the Gentiles; But we muſt ſimply pronounce, that neither Circumciſion or Vncircumciſion availeth any thing, in the cauſe of Faith and Salvation; underſtanding by Circumciſion all the Jewes, by Vncircumciſion all the Gentiles, with all their force, and all their glory.
For if Lawes be ſo ſet forth, and urged, as though the keeping of them did juſtifie a Man, or the breaking thereof did condemne him, they ought to be taken away and aboliſhed; For then Chriſt looſeth his office and his glory, who onelyonly juſtifieth us, and giveth us the holy Ghoſt.
And a new Creature is the gift of the holy Ghoſt, which cleanſeth our heart by faith, and worketh the feare of God, love, chaſtity, and other Chriſtian vertues, and giveth power to bridle the fleſh, and to reject the righteouſneſſe and wiſedome of the World.
This being the onelyonly and true rule wherein wee ought to walke, namely the new Creature, which is neither Circumciſion nor Vncircumciſion; But the new man created unto the Image of God, in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe, is he, who inwardly is righteous in the ſpirit, and outwardly is holy and cleane in the fleſh.
To them who walke after this Rule belongeth peace, that is, the favour of God, forgiveneſſe of ſinnes, quietneſſe of conſcience, and mercy; That is to ſay, helpe in afflictions, and pardon of the remnants of ſinne which remaine in our fleſh; Yea, although they which walke after this Rule be overtaken with any ſinne, yet for that they are the children of grace and peace, mercy upholdeth them, ſo that their ſinne and fall ſhall not be laid to their charge.
God is not a Merchant, that will ſell unto us his grace, for our workes and merits; But hee accounteth us righteous by faith onelyonly in Chriſt, which cauſeth the godly to rejoyce and glory in the onelyonly truſt and confidence of Gods mercy through Jeſus Chriſt, who is the onelyonly high Prieſt and Saviour of the World.
Therefore let us pray that he preſerve and eſtabliſh us, that we daily growing more and more in the knowledge of his grace, and faith unfained, may be found unblameable, and without fault in the day of our Redemption; To whom with the Father, and the holy Ghoſt, be glory world without end, Amen. 1 Tim. 1. Ʋnto the King everlaſting, immortall, inviſible, unto God onelyonly wiſe, be honour and glory for ever and ever, Amen.