Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

The Exhortation.

FRom the Premises, I hold my self obliged to admonish and exhort all Christians to look well to their goings; For let us know assured∣ly, that the days are perilous, because the time is come wherein that Doctrine which according to Godliness, even the words of our Lord Je∣sus Christ, yea, that form of sound words which was delivered to the first Christian Churches by the Apostles, which also was obeyed from the Heart, Rom. 6. that Faith once delivered to the Saints, is now in eve∣ry place greatly opposed and disgusted, or lightly regarded; whilst Men are turned in to Fables and Visions of their own hearts, as was also fore∣declared in the Word of Truth.

And knowing these things before, let us beware lest at any time we be led away with the Errors of these days, and so fall from that stedfast∣ness in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship, to which through the Grace of God we have attained.

And above all, let us diligently beware of those, who either directly or indirectly deny the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, whilst they believe not his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, together with his second coming according to the Scriptures. But instead there∣of, labour to refer by obscure ways, and a fair shew of words, all these things to the Work of Mortification, and what they vainly pretend to themselves, as if they could now evince that Mortality is swallowed up

of Life; which vain boasts my ears have heard from some of the * 1.1 Qua∣kers; and yet it is certain they shall die like other Men, and in that very day they will find these vain thoughts to perish.

Labour therefore to have a sound and distinct understanding of the great Work of Man's Redemption by Christ's Death and Blood-shed, and the Work of his Holy Word and Spirit in sanctifying the Children of God. Hold fast the first by Faith, and labour to live in the latter by bles∣sed experience, waiting for the Adoption, as it respects the redemption of your Bodies in the glorious Resurrection of the Just, according to that working whereby our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father is able to subdue all things unto himself.

And be not deceived by any means, with the empty boasts of those who pretend they are perfect, so as to have passed through the Resur∣rection; for it is one thing to rise with Christ to newness of Life, (which I hope you have attained, but I beseech you abound more and more); and another thing to be raised from Mortality to a state of Glory. And for a help in this, consider, that even Paul himself, in his greatest Attainments, wherein he heard things too hard to be ut∣tered to the Churches, yet he tells us, He had not attained to the Re∣surrection of the Dead, but laboured if by any means he might attain it, Phil. 3.

Beware also of those who by consequence deny Jesus Christ to be come in the Flesh: and they are of two sorts; either those who labour to introduce Legal Ceremonies, which Christ came to abrogate, of whom there were many in the Apostles times, and I fear there are some in these days; or, who deny Christ's Institutions, for Christ de∣nies that any can rightly call him Lord, Lord, when they do not the things which he says. And indeed, as that Holy Man, William Jeffery (Messenger to the Baptized Churches in Kent) hath well observed,

That those who deny those. Ordinances which came in being when Christ came in the Flesh, and which do so plainly hold him forth as come in the Flesh, do therein in effect deny Christ to be come in the Flesh.

Now by those things which declare Christ to be come in the Flesh, I do not mean any part of the Gospel, or the Gifts thereof, exclusively from the rest, but I mean the whole form of Godliness, with the Power thereof, delivered and established by Christ, the Mediator of the New Te∣stament; and in particular these things following.

1. Such Preaching as holds forth Christ Crucified, according to the Scriptures.

2. Such Prayer as is Spiritual, made to God in the Name of Jesus Christ.

3. Such Baptism in Water as sets forth the Death of Christ, his Buri∣al, and Resurrection; and our Death to Sin, and rising to a new Life.

4. Such Prayer, with Imposition of Hands, as shews forth the Saints Interest in that Promise of the Holy Ghost, which Christ obtained for the comfort of the Gospel Church.

5. Such a Table of the Lord, as shews the Death of Christ upon the Cross.

6. And such a Discipline as gives evidence of Christ's Authority, to purge his Church from Corruption, and to preserve Her in the purity of Doctrine and Conversation.

And thus the Holy Gospel being duly and religiously received and walked in, according to all the parts of it respectively, being attended with a constant waiting for the Son of God from Heaven, even Jesus who was raised from the Dead; ye shall be found unto Praise, and Ho∣nour, and that you have faithfully kept Christ's Ordinances, and added to your Faith, Vertue; even so an entrance shall be ministred to you abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For if any Man serve Christ, him will the Father honour, John 12. 26.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vin. Fro∣theringham.