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. XI. That in the interim, Christ dwells in his Church by the Holy Spirit, whose Office is to lead into all Truth, not to abbrogate what Christ taught his Church to observe, nor to introduce a Ministration distinct from that which was established by the Lord Jesus.

Nor doth our Lord Christ his personal absence from his People on Earth prejudice those whom they love, though they see Him not; and are made to rejoyce with joy unspeakable, and full of Glory. Because, according to his Promise, he hath sent them a Comforter, even the Holy Ghost to reside with them for ever, * 1.1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Consummationem seculi, to the Consummation of the World, Mat. 28. 20. Who dwelleth by his operation in the hearts of the Faithful, for their particular Comfort, Gal. 4. 6. And in the Mystical Body of Christ, by the communication of Spiri∣tual Gifts, Ephes. 4. 16. From whom the whole Body fitly joyned together, and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase in the Body, unto the edifying of it self in Love: And thus she is an Habitation of God through the Spirit. This Christ promised, John 14. I will give you another Com∣forter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth. The Church is the Temple of the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 6. The Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God: and if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Rom. 8. 9.

This Promise therefore is Universal, made to as many as the Lord shall call, Acts 2. 39. Given to all that obey him; There is one Body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling, Ephes. 4.

There are certain rules by which this Holy Spirit may be known from the spirit of Error: 1. Its property is to lead unto all Truth. It doth not stumble at any part of Truth. Gal. 5. 7, 8. Who did hinder you that you should not obey the Truth? This perswasion cometh not of him that Calleth you. Christ said, this Spirit would bring all things to Remembrance. It

does not lead the Saints to Forgetfulness. It teacheth to pray, Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven; where sure the whole Will of God is obeyed. It breatheth forth such desires as these, Psal. 119. O that my ways were directed to keep thy Precepts! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy Commandments.

2. This Spirit doth not speak of it self, John 16. 13. Howbeit, when the Spirit of Truth is come, he shall guide you unto all Truth: FOR HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF: But whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak. He shall not pretend to give any new Mi∣nistration; for this would be to dishonour Christ, as not being Head over all things to his Church: But, saith Christ, he shall glorifie Me. For he shall take of Mine, and shew it unto you, ver. 14. The Spirit of Truth is certainly known by his adhering to, or leading Men to hearken unto the Doctrine which the Apostles received from Christ. 1 John 4. 6. Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth, and the Spirit of Error.

3. As the Spirit of Truth doth not institute any thing in the Church of its own beside or contrary to the Doctrine of Christ, so neither doth it repeal any of his Laws. Gal. 3. 15. If it be a Mans Covenant, when it is confirmed, no Man disanulleth, or addeth ought thereto. This Spirit doth Anathematize an Apostle, if he make void the Doctrine which he preach∣ed by Christ's Authority; yea, it withstandeth an Angel from Heaven in like manner which shall attempt it, Gal. 1. 6, 8. And hereby are justly avoided as deceitful Spirits, 1. Those which have cumbred Chri∣stianity with such a multitude of Traditions, that it's not easie to recount them; as may be shewed in due place. 2. All those Spirits which vainly pretend to lead Men into a more sublime, or spiritual path of Gospel Obe∣dience, than Christ or his Apostles prescribed, and threwithal to neg∣lect the Footsteps of that good Shepherd, and his faithful Ministers.

These Spirits do in effect deny the Messias: For it was understood even among the Samaritans, that when he came, he would teach them ALL THINGS: And indeed, otherwise we must look for another which were upon the matter to deny him. When the Spirit saith thus to the Churches in the Person of Christ, I will lay upon you no greater Burthen than that which you have already: hold fast till I come, Rev. 2. Doth he not plainly provide against any or other further Ministrations, and confirm to the co∣ming of our Lord, what they had already? And this too, in opposition to the Doctrine of Balaam, Jezebel, and the Nicholaitans. And conse∣quently the Doctrines, or Devices of any whatever.

Thus far touching the Knowledg of Jesus Christ, whom God hath sent to save Mankind, by his Death and Resurrection, to rule them by his Word and Spirit; and in case of Rejection, to punish them with Eternal Condemnation: This is that great Law-giver, who is able to Save and to Destroy. This is he that freed Man from the Yoke of Bon∣dage, and hath established an easie Yoke, even the Law of Liberty; the Law of the Spirit of Life, to make Men free from the Law of Sin and Death. It now remaineth that we prosecute our designed Subject, name∣ly, to describe Christianity, with respect to the Internal parts thereof, which yet remains to be considered. And the first Head which occurs is this:

• 1. Concerning the denial of our selves in point of fleshly Vanities; or the true Nature of Christian Humility for Sin.
• 2. Concerning our Conformity to Christ in the Spirit of our Mind.
• 3. The Hope and expectation of a Christian, at the appearing of Jesus Christ; together with the comfortable parts of the Inheritance they here partake of by the way.

And this shall we do, if God permit; partly to help such Christians as are unmindful of that most necessary part of Religion; who as they are a reproach to the form of Godliness, so they profit nothing to themselves by their Profession. And partly to still the Adversaries of the Form of Godliness, under a specious (but most false) pretence to the Power; which operated in Christ and his Faithful Ones, directly opposite to these Mens doings.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Montan.