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. VI. That Christ did really (not phantastically) suffer Death in his own Body, for the Sins of the World, &c.

That the Death of Christ was real, and accomplished in his own Spe∣cifical Body, attended with anguish of Soul, under the burthen of the Sins of Men, and the Wrath of God, is that we have need to re∣member, and hold fast; when we consider how many there be, who labour to divert Men from the true understanding of, and due affiance in the Death and Bloodshed of Christ, which he accomplished at Jerusalem, as if it were not that Death and Bloodshed which brings Life unto the World: They boldly saying, That Blood which cleanseth from Sin, was never seen with mortal eyes; yea, and that nothing which was Mortal, was called Christ. And so would make the Death of Christ, by which he ransom∣ed the World, and the Blood which was shed for Remission of Sins not a real and bodily Death; not real and properly Blood, but a Metaphori∣cal Death and Bloodshed, viz. The suffering of the Spirit, when its mo∣tions are not obeyed, &c.

But this cannot be the mind of the Scripture, in which the Spirit of God informs us, 1 Cor. 15. That Christ Died, was Buried, and Rose again the third Day, according to the Scriptures. For after that man∣ner (I mean his being oppressed because of Sin) he may be said to have Died (if yet it be fit so to speak) ever since Sin was committed, and so daily Dieth still.

Wherefore by our asserting the reality of Christ's Death, we design to give testimony to his Death upon the Cross, Mat. 27. and only that, as being that, and only that, wherein the price of our Redemption is con∣cern'd; as it is written: Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law, being made a Curse for us; as it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree, Gal. 3. 13. And again, In that he died, he died unto sin once, Rom. 6. 10. And again, Once in the end of the World hath he Appeared, to take away sin by the Sacrifice of Himself, Heb. 9. 26. Not that he often suffered; yea, that we might especially remark the Reality of his Dying for us, the Holy Ghost hath set a special remark upon the reality of the effusion of his precious Blood, John 19. 33, 34, 35. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was Dead, they brake not his Legs, but one of the Souldiers with a Spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there-out Blood and Water. And he that saw it bare Record, and his Record is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. Surely, the Lord foresaw that some would hesitate about the reality of this Bloodshed for Remission of Sin, and therefore hath made as strong provi∣sion against that Error, as can be delivered in Sacred Scripture. It is needless to multiply Scriptures to prove this thing further; yet may it not be altogether unuseful to note, how certainly this thing was known to the World, even among the Enemies of Christ, who therefore contemned him, as the Pharisees did before them, Mat. 27. 41, 42. who were so sensible of the reality of his Death, that they exulted over him, saying, He saved others, himself he could not save: let him come down from the Cross, &c.

* 1.1 That Christ was put to an Ignomious Death (saith Hugo Grotius) is no uncertain Report, but so manifest, as that the Enemies of Chri∣stians will avouch the same. The memory of it was so fresh among the Infidels for 300 Years after, as the Queen-Mother to Constantine, hear∣ing of her Son's conversion to the Christian Faith, sent him her Letter, wherein she laid great folly upon him, in that he would place his con∣fidence in such a Man as suffered himself to be nailed to a Cross of Wood.

Thus the preaching of the Cross (to wit, Christ Crucified upon the Cross) was foolishness in the judgment of the Wise and Noble: But God forbid that we should glory in any thing save in the Cross (i. e. the Sufferings) of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which through Faith, we are reconciled to God.

Certainly, there is no other Death of Christ to be named, than that which he suffered upon the Cross, he being no way subject to Death, but as he was the Man Christ. It is therefore great Vanity, to talk of Christ being dead in Men (as some do speak in our days); for having once died, he dieth no more, Death hath no more dominion over him. Besides, should we allow a little this groundless Notion, to see what the end thereof will be; yet how should such a Death (I mean Mens opposing the Spirit of Christ) be the Redemption of the World? is the World Redeemed by the Spirits being opposed? Sure, this is the Death that crys for Vengeance, if any thing do, Acts 7. 51. Or, how are Men

said to be reconciled to God by such a supposed Death; for so we are said to be by the Death of his Son. Surely, such a Death ever did, and ever will produce another Effect, even a separation between God and Men, Isa. 59. 2.

Avoiding therefore these Vanities, let us rejoyce in the Loving-Kind∣ness of God, who spared not his own Son, but delivered him to Death for us all; so being justified by his Death, we shall be saved by his Life. Rom. 5. 10. For if when we were Enemies, we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son; much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his Life.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Grot.