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.

THe hope of the Promise made to the Fathers, (which Paul expounds of the Effects of Christ's Resurrection, Acts 26. 6, 7, 8.) is said to be that unto which all the twelve Tribes instantly serving God hope to come; which Hope in the most glorious part we have also, as the An∣chor of the Soul both sure and stedfast, against the winds of Error and humane Fear: both which would rob us of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light; which in these days is not much set by, but seems to be an idle Tale to the Men of this World. In opposition to whom, we shall en∣deavour to set forth the blessed Inheritance of the Children of God, that all may know they are no such Bankrupts, as they are generally thought to be. Being indeed the richest for Inheritance of all others; and that whether we respect their present or future State, for that they are joint-Heirs with Christ, who is appointed Heir of all things, Heb. 1. 2. And because this Inheritance is made up of many Blessings, and is re∣ceived by sundry gradations, we shall begin with that which is first, and so proceed to the last; if so we may any way affect our own Souls, or others, with the contemplation thereof, or with Christianity it self, the way wherein such great Blessings accrue unto us. And this we shall essay to do by a brief view of the ensuing Particulars, wherein this Inheritance consists, which are these; The Heirs of God do inherit,

• 1. His Righteousness.
• 2. His Name.
• 3. His Spirit.
• 4. All the Priviledges of his House.
• 5. They are Heirs of this World.
• 6. Of that which is to come.

Of the first of these we have treated Chap. 3. Sect. 7. so that we shall say the less here. Yet because God's Righteousness is the first thing which his Children inherit from him, and that without which nothing else can be inherited, it is convenient we insist a little upon it here also. It is certain, that by Nature we were all the Children of Wrath, and fat from Righteousness. Our Inheritance was Corruption from Adam, (As it the Earthy, such are they that are Earthy); None are Heirs by that Birth∣right of Eternal Life, but must come to it by another Parentage, even

by the Adoption of Grace, and so through Christ Heirs of God, Gal. 3. ult. and so Inheritors of his Righteousness. For this is that great Bles∣sing which Noah received, who became Heir of the Righteousness which is by Faith; and consequently the rest of the Faithful were Heirs thereof as well as he, Heb. 11. 7. This is the Blessing which Abraham received, that Righteousness was imputed to him, which was written for us, to whom it shall be imputed also if we believe, &c. Rom. 4. 23, 24. To have Righteousness imputed without the Works of the Law, is the Bles∣sed Man in David's account, Rom. 4. 6. God's Righteousness to be ma∣nifested without the Law, is the great Gospel Grace in Paul's account, Rom. 3. 21, 22. Yea, it is that to which both the Law and the Pro∣phets bore witness. Our Saviour is foreshewn to advance the knowledg of this Grace in the Church of God, Psal. 40. 10. I have not hid Thy Righteousness within my Heart, I have declared thy Faithfulness and thy Salvation; I have not concealed thy loving Kindness, and thy Truth from the great Congregation. Christ fulfilled this Prophecy, Mat. 6. 33. Seek yee first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness, holding forth remission of Sins, through believing on the Name of the only begotten Son of God. This Righteousness being not acquired, but imputed, is said to be at∣tained by them that followed not after Righteousness; whilst those that fol∣lowed after Righteousness, attained not to Righteousness; and the Reason is given, because they sought it, not by Faith, but as it were by the Works of the Law, Rom. 9. 30, 31. The Jews are charged with being ignorant of God's Righteousness, but they were no more ignorant of Moral Righte∣ousness than other Men; and very skilful they were in the Righteousness of the Law, so then God's Righteousness, or the Righteousness of Faith, according to which Men are Heirs of Eternal Life, is a Righteousness which may be distinguished, both from Moral and Legal Righteousness; not so much in respect of the Work wrought, as the Person by whom the Work is wrought, (for Christ obeyed his Father in all Righteous∣ness) and in whose stead, and the manner of its being made ours, which is by Faith. Hence (I conceive) Christ is said to be the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth, Rom. 10. 3. Yea, He is the Lord our Righteousness; He is made of God unto us Righteousness; in him we freely inherit what belongs to us as Heirs of God; therefore we are Heirs of Righteousness by him, even of that Righteousness which is by Faith.