A30579:389
Gospel-conversation
Gospel-conversation: wherein is showed, I. How the conversation of believers must be above what could be by the light of nature. II. Beyond those that lived under the law. III. And suitable to what truths the Gospel holds forth. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to Stepney and Cripplegate, London. Being the third book published by Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simpson, Philip Nigh, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.Gospel-conversation: wherein is shewed, I. How the conversation of believers must be above what could be by the light of nature. II. Beyond those that lived under the law. III. And suitable to what truths the Gospel holds forth. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel to Stepney and Criplegate, London. Being the third book published by Thomas Goodwyn, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simpson, Philip Nye, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1650
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Oh they will say, No. Why? Because Christ hath satisfied the Lawfully, and how can God require it in them?
I confess the Law cannot; I but Jesus Christ in His administration as He is King, not as He is the Judge of the Law, but as He is the King over them, He may inflict chastisements upon them; they may in Christs kingdom have some chastisements, they cannot be carried out of that kingdom to have the chastisements of the Law, but in Christs kingdom Jesus Christ many times inflicts spiritual chastisements upon them, by hiding his face from them for sin, and by many spiritual desertions; and such men as are but by outward profession under the kingdom of Christ, and do seem to be His Subjects, and are not so indeed, the Lord inflicts spiritual judgments upon them, as hardness of heart, blindness of mind, reprobate senses; and I beseech you observe it, The Lord Christ doth not so much observe the way of outward judgements upon wicked men that are in the bosom of the Church, as He doth observe to inflict outward judgments upon the Heathens and others that are out of the bosom of the Church; no, Christ hath other manner of punishments for those that are in the Church, though now and then Christ doth inflict outward judgments upon them; but the main thing that Christ looks at in His Church, is, To reward with spiritual rewards; as righteousness and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost and the like; so He doth inflict spiritual punishments; Those that are professors in the Church & naught and vile, it may be God may prosper them for a while as well as others outwardly, Oh but the punishments of Christ in His kingdom they are spiritual, your souls are bound over to eternal death, your hearts are hardened, your consciences are benumbed, and that's more dreadful wrath a great deal than if the Lord Christ should punish your bodies, or take away your estates, those are punishments in Christs providential Kingdom, but the penalties as Christ is the King of the Church they are ever spiritual punishments which we should more fear and tremble at a great deal. Thus the kingdom of Christ is not of this world.
I confess the Law cannot; I but Jesus Christ in His administration as He is King, not as He is the Judge of the Law, but as He is the King over them, He may inflict chastisements upon them; they may in Christs kingdom have some chastisements, they cannot be carried out of that kingdom to have the chastisements of the Law, but in Christs kingdom Jesus Christ many times inflicts spiritual chastisements upon them, by hiding his face from them for sin, and by many spiritual discertions; and such men as are but by outward profession under the kingdom of Christ, and do seem to be His Subjects, and are not so indeed, the Lord inflicts spiritual judgments upon them, as hardness of heart, blindness of mind, reprobate sences; and I beseech you observe it, The Lord Christ doth not so much observe the way of outward judgements upon wicked men that are in the bosom of the Church, as He doth observe to inflict outward judgments upon the Heathens and others that are out of the bosom of the Church; no, Christ hath other manner of punishments for those that are in the Church, though now and then Christ doth inflict outward judgments upon them; but the main thing that Christ looks at in His Church, is, To reward with spiritual rewards; as righteousness and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost and the like; so He doth inflict spiritual punishments; Those that are professors in the Church & naught and vile, it may be God may prosper them for a while as well as others outwardly, Oh but the punishments of Christ in His kingdom they are spiritual, your souls are bound over to eternal death, your hearts are hardned, your consciences are benum'd, and that's more dreadful wrath a great deal than if the Lord Christ should punish your bodies, or take away your estates, those are punishments in Christs providential Kingdom, but the penalties as Christ is the King of the Church they are ever spiritual punishments which we should more fear and tremble at a great deal. Thus the kingdom of Christ is not of this world.