Part 2

{12} If it can be proved, that this Article has a grain of Antinomianism in it, I ask, are not these the practical truths of the gospel, which we, as Believers, are to obey, as a proof we are passed from death unto life, and are brought to serve the Lord, in newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter; not working for life, but from a principle of life received, as being not without law to God, but under the laws of our present Husband, Christ. The moral law being fulfilled in our stead, we are by faith enabled to serve him, who has done so great things for us. It is the Believer’s desire, that the moral law should be fulfilled; and, to use the language of a good and great Man, it is evident this law is fulfilled in a fourfold sense; First, “In precept and penalty, by the Redeemer himself.” Secondly, “In the Believed, when the love of God is shed abroad in his heart.” Thirdly, “In the exercise of a conscience void of offence, by the internal operations of the Spirit, enabling us to walk in our degree, as he walked.” Fourthly, “In the execution of its awful sentence upon the wicked; and Heaven and Earth shall pass away, before a tittle of this law can fail, till it be fulfilled.” It is strange, that those Ministers, who maintain the holiness, goodness, truth, and justice of the moral law, should be traduced as Antinomians; whereas, they are the only characters that handle the law, lawfully; by representing it to Believers as fulfilled in their stead, by their covenant Head and Husband; laying them under eternal obligations to love and serve him in newness of the Spirit. The term Antinomian, cannot belong to the above characters, but to all Men in a state of nature, whether professors or prophane, they are in a state of enmity against the law, and its adorable giver; and, although they may plead for it, they are enemies to it, ignorant of it, and condemned by it. It is evident, this was the case of Paul, before his conversion, “I was alive without the law once;” he was ignorant of its nature, its author, its demands, and its curse: but, when God led him to see himself in that glass, he exclaimed, “The law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.” When David was taught the same lesson, he crys out, “I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy commandments are exceeding broad.” All that are cleaving to this law, as a covenant of works, are enemies to the Lord Jesus Christ; and, all that die under it, must be judged by it. Now, because I hold forth the grand doctrines of the gospel, and enforce a knowledge of this law, by the teachings of the Spirit of God, that Sinners may be brought to see their need of a Mediator, and a Surety righteousness; for this, I am condemned as an Antinomian! But, if this Article of my Confession, teaches anything like it, I must say it is the Antinomianism of the gospel, which I shall consider as my duty to enforce, as ornamental to the Religion of the Son of God. I shall only add, that I was much pleased to see this subject ably handled, in that best of monthly publications, the Gospel Magazine: one paragraph I shall insert, see vol. 9, page 372. “The doctrine of the total abolition of the covenant of works, and the perfect deliverance of all true Believers from its power and authority, by the substitution, obedience, and atonement of Christ, breaks the arms of ungodliness, demolishes the whole empire of sin, and makes the church of the first born fruitful to God. Fruitful in heart, fruitful in life, fruitful in every good work. The proof which the Scriptures afford of the truth of these assertions, mocks all contradiction, and bids defiance to all assault.”