But if Antinomians state the difference between Law and Gospel, aright to speak against us; the truth is, the Gospel commands not,1 by their way of obedience to the ten Commands to a believer, so as the believer doth sin against any Command, or Law of God, (call it as you will) or violate any authority of the Law-giver, if he disobey. 1. Because the Law-giver, in the Gospel, gives up all his authority as Law-giver, to command believers, as well as he resigneth his Law-giving Authority to curse and condemn believers: for the same way that God by no Law can condemn and curse believers, because Christ was condemned, and made a curse for them; so neither can the Lord command by the authority of a Law-giver, any duty in the ten Commandments to a believer, as a believer. For saith dTown, with the Antinomians; What Christ performed for us, that we are freed from by him, but Christ not only was made a curse for us; but also performed completely all active obedience that the Law commanded us. Therefore we are freed from all active obedience to the Law. So 1. as an arbitrary command is not properly a command, but rather a will-counsel and free advise, that one friend giveth to another; so that the friend refusing the counsel, sinneth against no Law; just so is it here. Antinomians may say, Believers sinning against Gospel-hortations, (for commands of God they are not) sin against the love, and deepest, and broadest grace of God, which is a higher offence, then to sin against a Law of God, and so its not arbitrary to them to obey. I answer. 1. Sin is no sin, if it be not now under the New Testament, a transgression of the Moral Law; but we are no more under the Law, say Saltmarsh, Crisp, Town, and Den, then an Englishman can fail against the Laws of Spain, and where there is no Law; to the same purpose, saith eSaltmarsh, there is no ⟨p. 122⟩transgression, nor trouble of mind for sin. 2. If offending against the love of Christ be a greater sin then offending against the Law, then it is a sin; but this is false, for sure if it were a sin in them, God who seeth all, should see it to be a sin in them; now this God cannot do, for there is no more sin in a believer, (say fthey) then in Christ; then the Gospel-exhortations must be arbitrary Commandments, that is, no Commandments of God.
But if Antinomians state the difference between Law and Gospel, aright to speake against us; the truth is, the Gospel commands not,1 by their way of obedience to the tenne Commands to a beleever, so as the beleever doth sinne against any Command, or Law of God, (call it as you will) or violate any authority of the Law-giver, if he disobey. 1. Because the Law-giver, in the Gospel, gives up all his authority as Law-giver, to command beleevers, as well as he resigneth his Law-giving Authority to curse and condemne beleevers: for the same way that God by no Law can condemne and curse beleevers, becaus• Christ was condemned, and made a curse for them; so neither can the Lord command by the authoritie of a Law-giver, any duty in the ten Commandements to a beleever, as a beleever. For saith dTowne, with the Antinomians; What Christ performed for us, that wee are freed from by him, but Christ not onely was made a curse for us; but also performed compleatly all active obedience that the Law commanded us. Therefore wee are freed from all active obedience to the Law. So 1. as an arbitrary command is not properly a command, but rather a will-counsell and free advise, that one friend giveth to another; so that the friend refusing the counsell, sinneth against no Law; just so is it here. Antinomians may say, Beleevers sinning against Gospel-hortations, (for commands of God they are not) sinne against the love, and deepest, and broadest grace of God, which is a higher offence, then to sinne against a Law of God, and so its not arbitrary to them to obey. I answer. 1. Sinne is no sin, if it be not now under the New Testament, a transgression of the Morall Law; but wee are no more under the Law, say Saltmarsh, Crisp, Towne, and Denne, then an Englishman can fail against the Lawes of Spaine, and where there is no Law; to the same purpose, saith eSaltmarsh, there is no ⟨p. 122⟩transgression, nor trouble of minde for sinne. 2. If offending against the love of Christ be a greater sinne then offending against the Law, then it is a sinne; but this is false, for sure if it were a sinne in them, God who seeth all, should see it to be a sinne in them; now this God cannot doe, for there is no more sinne in a beleever, (say fthey) then in Christ; then the Gospel-exhortations must bee arbitrary Commandements, that is, no Commandements of God.
- 1The Gospel commandeth not any thing by the Antinomian way.The Gospel commandeth not any thi•g by the Antinomian way.
- dTown· asser. of grace, pag. 140.
- eSaltmarsh free grace, pag. 44.
- fHoney comb cap. 3 25.Honey combe cap. 3 25.
