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 ...

SECT. I.

TO know the Lord Jesus Christ aright, in order to Life Eternal, con∣sideration must first be had of the wretched Estate of Mankind, by reason of Sin entring into the World; and that he is unable, of his own strength, to recover his Fall; so that of necessity he must seek an Helper, and one that is able to save to the uttermost, or else be lost eternally. For, that Mankind is design'd to an Eternal Estate, may be understood; From his Creation, being made the Image of God, after his Likeness; and not the least intimation of Mortality attending him, in case he per∣severed in his Integrity; Mortality being threatned upon Disobedience, and not otherwise as we read of.

Secondly, The Redemption of Mankind speaks forth this Truth; for that clearly respects a State of Eternity; and therefore presupposes that the State he lost was such: and as Sin put him out of his former Happi∣ness, so Sin may prevent his attaining the Eternal Happiness held forth by the Redeemer, who hath brought Life and Immortality to light by the Gospel. Not but that God had designed his creature Man to an Eter∣nal Estate before the Gospel was preached; Hence I suppose it is called the Mystery, which from the beginning of the World was hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. So that whether we rightly consider the Creation or Redemption of Mankind, from thence it will appear, that God design'd him for a State of Eternity, and put him into a present capacity to enjoy it: But he falling from that Glory wherein he was sta∣ted, God, who is rich in Mercy, provided for his recovery a more fix∣ed state of Eternity; And by the Gospel doth now let all Men see what

is the fellowship of this Mystery which was hid in God, &c. — To the intent that now unto Principalities and Powers in Heavenly Places, might be made known by the Church, the manifold Wisdom of God, according to the Eter∣nal Purpose, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, Ephes. 3. 9, 10.

Thirdly, This very thing, that God designed Mankind to an eternal State, is perceivable from the Light which universally Men are endued with: still are they thirsting after something more durable and fixed, than what they have here; and therefore generally they labour for Immortality, though under great mistakes as to the Way by which it's most certainly attained. This is confirmed by the experience of Men generally, and might be evidenced by sundry Testimonies from Heathen Authors, who have excellently discoursed thereof: One Instance shall serve for many.

* 1.1 Hydaspes (agreeing also with Hermes, and Sybilla) saith, That Godly Righteous Men being delivered and severed from the Unrighteous, shall with tears and groans lift up their hands to Heaven, imploring the help of Jupiter, and thereupon Jupiter shall regard the Earth, hear their Prayers, and destroy the Wicked. * 1.2 Which (saith Lactantius) is all true, save one Passage, viz. He ascribes that to Jupiter, which only God shall do.

Again, This may be understood from the attempt of the Devil upon Mankind: for we do not find that he much envies our Mortal Life; And had Adams been such only, what great Conquest had he obtained? For what great matter is it for those that lived an hundred Years ago, whe∣ther some died aged Twenty, or others Forty Years, they are all now in the Dust? No, no, it was a better Estate wherein Man was created; which Satan envied; and therefore by Subtilty, prevailed to bring him out of the Favour and Enjoyment of that God, in and with whom he was now capable to live for ever, and to turn his happy Eternity to an unhappy Eternity, like his own: Here he is found a Murtherer from the Beginning, John 8. 44.

The same may be somewhat felt from the temper of wicked Men. As the thoughts of Eternity torments them, whilst wicked; so they hate above all things, that any Body should labour after it, in the way where∣in it's to be found. Now if God had not designed Mankind to a state of Eternity, the Wicked are the most illuminated, which God forbid.

Lastly, It appears from the temper of good Men; for generally such as are truly Vertuous, are bending their desires to an Eternal State, restless till there. This is certainly true by experience of such as not have, as well as those that have the Sacred Scripture, which seems to inform us, that Man's Original estate, was a state capable of Eternity; and there∣fore that way he hath a kind of Motion, unless he suppress it by Cor∣ruption, and Worldly-mindedness.

By this time we may perceive, that the Fall of Man was no such small thing in the Damage brought upon us; as some conceive; for seeing that the Life fall'n from, or lost, was in it self Eternal: Who may not think, but the Penalty for such a fault may justly be Commensurable, or of the same latitude? However, it was a fair Introduction to it, and had not Grace prevented, might have been sadly experienced. But now hath

Grace prevail'd, and Life and Immortality is brought to light by the Go∣spel, through the Knowledg of Christ, whom to know is our Way to Life; the Knowledge of whom to make manifest, is our present Business, so far as we have attained.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hydaspes. Sybilla. Hermes.
• * 1.2

  Lactantius.