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.

SElf-denyal is one of the great things which our Lord Christ held forth to his Followers, both in Life and Doctrine; and that under such an absolute necessity, as that without it none could be his Disciples, Luke 9. 23. And knowing perfectly what was in Man in respect of this, as well as in other Enormities; he labours to free him from the captivity of this Corruption, as from that Root from whence his Misery had its Original, and which tends to make it perpetual.

Self, I take to be truly expressed, or described thus: The Will of Man corrupted, and as such, made the Rule of his Actions. Whereas God ne∣ver ordain'd Man's Will to have such Dominion, but alway to be in sub∣ordination to Reason, and his Will and Reason to be subordinate to the Will of God revealed to him. Jer. 10. 23. O Lord, I know that the way of Man is not in himself; it is not in Man that walketh to direct his steps. And therefore by how much Men are actuated by the impulse of their desires, without regard to the Will of God, or Rational Princi∣ples, as regulated by the Will of God; they are so far guilty of that Iniquity, which is censured by the Apostle, Ephes. 2. 3. Among whom al∣so we all had our Conversation, in time past, in the Lusts of our Flesh, (or of the Mind) fulfilling the Wills, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, desideriis, of the Flesh, and of the Mind. In which state a Man is compared very fitly to a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoke, Jer. 31. To a wild Ass which useth to snuff up the Wind, Jer. 2. 24. To a swift Dromedary traversing her ways, Jer. 2. 23. as supposing themselves to be Masters of their own ways, say∣ing in effect, Who is Lord over us? And while the Creature is held in

this corruption or blindness of Understanding, he cannot serve God; For no Man can serve two Masters, Matth. 6. 24. A necessity therefore there is, that this Will of Man be subdued, because it produceth nothing to Godward; God's Children are not born of Flesh, neither of the Will of Man, John 1. But of the Will of God; Of his own Will begat he us, Jam. 1. 18.

Now the Design of Christ in establishing Christianity, being to destroy this corrupt Principle, the depraved Will of Man, and to advance the Will of God, to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven; we shall therefore endeavour to set forth the Work of Self-denial in its gradual and particu∣lar Operations:

• 1. Powerful conviction of Sin, and Man's wretchedness on that account.
• 2. An awful consideration of God's Majesty and Justice.
• 3. Due observation of the patience of God in waiting to be gracious.
• 4. True sense and sorrow of heart for Sin, as committed against a gra∣cious God.
• 5. Hatred against Sin in the very first thoughts or motions of it.
• 6. Humble confession to God, and application to him for mercy.
• 7. Solemn resolutions henceforth to become subject to the Will of God.

The opening of which Particulars will (I conceive) comprehend, whatsoever is generally to be found in Christian Men, (when becoming such) with respect to the Internal, or inward part of Self-denial, which is our present undertaking; referring what is concomitant thereto, in point of further actual Obedience, to its proper place, when we come to speak of the External parts of Christian Religion.