A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Q. What is meant by all Sin?

A. That is, from original, and actual sins, from sins of Omission, and Commission, it cleanseth us from the sins of our Birth, and of our Life, of Youth, and of riper years, Rom. 5.9. now we could not be justified, if any sin were unpardoned, Heb. 9.14. if it be a dead work, or sin of Omission, our Conscience is purged from it, for if the blood of Bulls and Goats cleansed from all sins of the flesh, much more the blood of Christ from all sin; no sin but we are cleansed from by Christs blood, except the sin against the Holy Ghost, Heb. 10.26. because, v. 29. they tread under foot the blood of the Covenant. For the proof of this point, see Rom. 8.1, 2. Rom. 6.6.

A. That is, from original, and actual sins, from sins of Omission, and Commission, it cleanseth us from the sins of our Birth, and of our Life, of Youth, and of riper years, Rom. 5.9. now we could not be justified, if any sin were unpardoned, Heb. 9.14. if it be a dead work, or sin of Omission, our Conscience is purged from it, for if the bloud of Bulls and Goats cleansed from all sins of the flesh, much more the bloud of Christ from all sin; no sin but we are cleansed from by Christs bloud, except the sin against the Holy Ghost, Heb. 10.26. because, v. 29. they tread under foot the bloud of the Covenant. For the proof of this point, see Rom. 8.1, 2. Rom. 6.6.

Reas. 1. From the wonderful efficacy of Christs blood, in respect of the Divinity of his Person; the reason why it is so effectual is, because it is the blood of the Son of God, Heb. 9.14.

Reas. 1. From the wonderfull efficacy of Christs bloud, in respect of the Divinity of his Person; the reason why it is so effectuall is, because it is the bloud of the Son of God, Heb. 9.14.

Use 1. To reprove the Papists, who teach that the Mass, being celebrated for the dead and living, justifies from sin, but if the blood of Christ cleanse us from all sin, there is no need of the Mass to cleanse us from any sin; and they teach that the Mass is an unbloody Sacrifice; now it must be a bloody Sacrifice that must cleanse, Heb. 10.10. & 14. but if it be often offered, it doth not exceed the Sacrifices of the Law, Heb. 10.1. to 5.

Ʋse 1. To reprove the Papists, who teach that the Masse, being celebrated for the dead and living, justifies from sin, but if the bloud of Christ cleanse us from all sin, there is no need of the Masse to cleanse us from any sin; and they teach that the Masse is an unbloudy Sacrifice; now it must be a bloudy Sacrifice that must cleanse, Heb. 10.10. & 14. but if it be often offered, it doth not exceed the Sacrifices of the Law, Heb. 10.1. to 5.

Use 2. To refute the Popish Purgatory, if Christs blood cleanse us from all sin, what need a Purgatory to expiate any sin? This is a Blasphemy against Christs blood.

Ʋse 2. To refute the Popish Purgatory, if Christs bloud cleanse us from all sin, what need a Purgatory to expiate any sin? This is a Blasphemy against Christs bloud.

Q. Do not Temptation, and Affliction, and Word, and Sacraments, and Faith, and other Graces, purge us from sin, and purify us? It is said of Afflictions, Heb. 12.11.

Q. Do not Temptation, and Affliction, and Word, and Sacraments, and Faith, and other Graces, purge us from sin, and purifie us? It is said of Afflictions, Heb. 12.11.

A. It is true, there are many means to purge us from sin, but no efficacy in any of them, except by virtue of Christs Blood; therefore those in Hell have no benefit, because Christs blood reacheth not thither, so that if any be bettered by Afflictions, or Word, or Sacraments, it is from the virtue of Christs blood, and if Christs blood be sprinkled on Purgatory, we will not reject it.

A. It is true, there are many means to purge us from sin, but no efficacy in any of them, except by virtue of Christs Blood; therefore those in Hell have no benefit, because Christs bloud reacheth not thither, so that if any be bettered by Afflictions, or Word, or Sacraments, it is from the virtue of Christs bloud, and if Christs bloud be sprinkled on Purgatory, we will not reject it.

Use 3. Of refutation of the opinion of many godly Divines, that hold we are purified from the sin of our Birth by the purity of Christs Birth; from Sins of Omission by his active obedience, from Sins of Commission by his passive obedience, but we must know there is thus much in the purity of his Birth, in his Obedience, in his Passion, that it makes us fit to be cleansed, but yet we must hold the Blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin, that brings this fitness to perfection. A Lamb defiled in the old Law was never accepted, though it were slain for a Sacrifice, and if it had been without spot and blemish, yet if it had not been slain it would not have been accepted neither; so had not Christ been a Lamb spotless and undefiled, his death would not have cleansed us from our sins, and though he were spotless and undefiled, yet he must be slain, or else we could not be cleansed ⟨p. 35⟩neither, the purity of Christs Nature doth not cleanse us from sin; but we must take all jointly together, all his active obedience was passive, and all his passive obedience was active, Gal. 4.4, 5. that he was obedient to the Law was part of his Passion, and by the obedience of Christ to the death, we are cleansed from all sin.

Ʋse 3. Of refutation of the opinion of many godly Divines, that hold we are purified from the sinne of our Birth by the purity of Christs Birth; from Sinnes of Omission by his active obedience, from Sinnes of Commission by his passive obedience, but we must know there is thus much in the purity of his Birth, in his Obedience, in his Passion, that it makes us fit to be cleansed, but yet we must hold the Bloud of Christ cleanseth us from all sin, that brings this fitnesse to perfection. A Lamb defiled in the old Law was never accepted, though it were slain for a Sacrifice, and if it had been without spot and blemish, yet if it had not been slain it would not have been accepted neither; so had not Christ been a Lambe spotlesse and undefiled, his death would not have cleansed us from our sins, and though he were spotlesse and undefiled, yet he must be slain, or else we could not be cleansed ⟨p. 35⟩neither, the purity of Christs Nature doth not cleanse us from sin; but we must take all joyntly together, all his active obedience was passive, and all his passive obedience was active,

Use 4. To refute some that say we are justified by faith, as it is a work in us, they say we are justified not by the works of the Law, but by faith, Rom. 11.5, 6. but if we be justified by faith, as it is a work in us, how doth the blood of Christ cleanse us from sin? but it is faith as it lays hold on the blood of Christ.

Ʋse 4. To refute some that say we are justified by faith, as it is a work in us, they say we are justified not by the works of the Law, but by faith, Rom. 11.5, 6. but if we be justified by faith, as it is a work in us, how doth the bloud of Christ cleanse us from sin? but it is faith as it lays hold on the bloud of Christ.

Use 5. For comfort to all such as walk in the light, let them not be discomforted; you will say, your hearts are full of impatience, and covetousness, and uncleanness, these are great sins indeed, but the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin▪ there is no number nor measure limited.

Ʋse 5. For comfort to all such as walk in the light, let them not be discomforted; you will say, your hearts are full of impatience, and coveteousness, and uncleannesse, these are great sins indeed, but the bloud of Christ cleanseth from all sin▪ there is no number nor measure limited.

Object. He cleanseth not all men, how shall I know whether my sins be cleansed?

Object. He cleanseth not all men, how shall I know whether my sinnes be cleansed?

A. Why, do you walk in the light as God is in the light? if you do, then his Blood cleanseth you from all sin; therefore if a man would have comfort, he must consider whether he live in any sin voluntarily, and walk in darkness, if he do, he hath no part in Christs Blood; but if there be no sin, but he is willing to avoid it; no duty, but he desires to perform it, and amend all, it is a sign he walks in light; if you see what is amiss and labour to mend it, then you walk in the light, and then assure your selves the blood of Christ will cleanse you from all your sins.

A. Why, do you walk in the light as God is in the light? if you do, then his Bloud cleanseth you from all sin; therefore if a man would have comfort, he must consider whether he live in any sin voluntarily, and walk in darknesse, if he doe, he hath no part in Christs Bloud; but if there be no sin, but he is willing to avoyd it; no duty, but he desires to perform it, and amend all, it is a signe he walks in light; if you see what is amisse and labour to mend it, then you walk in the light, and then assure your selves the bloud of Christ will cleanse you from all your sins.

Use 6. For instruction, if Christs blood cleanseth from all sin, then no sin is venial, is that sin venial that cannot be cleansed but by Christs blood?

Ʋse 6. For instruction, if Christs bloud cleanseth from all sin, then no sin is venial, is that sin venial that cannot be cleansed but by Christs bloud?

Use 7. To show us the reason why the blood of Christ is called precious, 1 Pet. 1.19. it is more precious than the blood of Bulls and Goats, &c. so all silver and gold in the world cannot remit one sin, or save one soul from Hell, Psal. 49.6, 7, 8. Heb. 12.24.

Ʋse 7. To shew us the reason why the bloud of Christ is called precious, 1 Pet. 1.19. it is more precious than the bloud of Bulls and Goats, &c. so all silver and gold in the world cannot remit one sin, or save one soul from Hell, Psal. 49.6, 7, 8. Heb. 12.24.

Use 8. To teach Christians notwithstanding all former sins, to walk boldly in a Christian course; we are much troubled in our spirits by reason of our sins, the multitude and greatness of them; why in consideration of this, let us be bold, Heb. 10.19. to 23. we may be bold to approach to Gods Throne, bold to enter into Heaven, let no sin discourage us, for his blood cleanseth from all sin.

Ʋse 8. To teach Christians notwithstanding all former sins, to walk boldly in a Christian course; we are much troubled in our spirits by reason of our sins, the multitude and greatnesse of them; why in consideration of this, let us be bold, Heb. 10.19. to 23. we may be bold to approach to Gods Throne, bold to enter into Heaven, let no sin discourage us, for his bloud cleanseth from all sin.