A57980:1574
A survey of the spiritual antichrist opening the secrets of familism and antinomianism in…A survey of the spirituall antichrist opening the secrets of familisme and antinomianisme in…
A survey of the spiritual antichrist opening the secrets of familism and antinomianism in the antichristian doctrine of John Saltmarsh and Will. Del, the present preachers of the army now in England, and of Robert Town, by Samuel Rutherfurd ...A survey of the spirituall antichrist opening the secrets of familisme and antinomianisme in the antichristian doctrine of John Saltmarsh and Will. Del, the present preachers of the army now in England, and of Robert Town, by Samuel Rutherfurd ...
London: printed by J.D. & R.I. for Andrew Crooke, 1648
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.
CHAP. LII. That we are not freed from outward Ordinances, nor is it Legal to be under them, as Antinomians say.
CHAP. LII. That we are not freed from outward Ordinances, nor is it Legall to be under them, as Antinomians say.
Antinomians pick a quarrel against the Law, and 1would have us freed from it, because it sanctifieth not, and cannot give us grace to obey; but by this we are not under the Gospel, because the Gospel of it self, or any word of grace without the Spirit cannot work faith, or give grace or sanctify. But I know Antinomians think that the Spirit freeth us from all outward ordinances, from any obligations, that an outward command can lay on us, whether of Law, or Gospel. For Saltmarsh bteacheth us, That the Spirit of Adoption worketh Legally, not freely; when we do things merely as commanded from the power of an outward Commandment, or precept in the word, that brings forth but a Legal, or at best, but a mixed obedience, and service of something, a finer hypocrisy. But if he mean, by a mere outward command, the letter only pressing obedience, without the acting of the Spirit, or any influence of the life of Christ; this is a dead work, and cannot come at all merely from the power of an outward ⟨p. 74⟩command; for the very outward command of the Gospel holdeth forth to the understanding, in the very Letter (which is a signification of Gods good and holy will) the authority of God, the love of Christ; as this, Peter, lovest thou me, feed my Lambs: and none can out of the conscience of the majesty, authority, and love of Christ, obey this command, without the influence of the Spirit of grace; so he refuteth not us, for we teach no such thing.3 But Saltmarsh his meaning is, that the mere outward Letter of the sweetest Gospel-command or promise; such, as (He that believeth in the Son hath life, and shall never come to judgement,) (him that cometh, I will in no sort cast away, but will raise him up at the last day, &c.) layeth no obligation of obedience on us at all; but the Spirit acting, and immediately moving us effectually to obey, layeth on all the obligation, and all alongs. M. Town