Certain select cases resolved specially tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

I answer,¹ Every believer hath a double being or standing, and so there may be put upon him a double respect.

I answer,¹ Every beleever hath a double being or standing, and so there may be put upon him a double respect.

1. 1Answ.

First, he may be considered as united to, and having a spiritual being on Christ; and so it is §1true, he is under grace, and the Covenant of Grace, and not under the Law, nor the Covenant of works; and hence not being under the Law, nor bound to keep it as a covenant of life (though it be a rule of life) no sin can condemn him, there being no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8. 1. But as Christ is above condemnation, and law, and death, and curse, so is he. And this truly understood, is the foundation of a Christians joy and peace, and glory every day; yet so, as though sin doth not condemn him, yet he hath good reason to say, it is mercy, and mere mercy, Lord, that I am not consumed, that I am condemned. For sin is the same; nay grace and Gods love aggravates sin; for to sin against the law deserves death without recovery, but to sin when grace hath received me, and loved me; when the blood of Christ hath bin shed abundantly to deliver me from sin; Oh this makes the most secret silent sin a crying one • So that if you do consider this well, you may see what little cause there is to have your heart rising against the deepest humiliation for the least sin, though you be in Christ, and under grace: For as Daniel when he was put into the Lions den, had not he cause to wonder that he was not torn in pieces by them? and why? because it was not from any defect on their parts to tear him in pieces, but from the omnipotent power, and mercy,