_A._ In _Adam_ all die, _i. e._ 1. Our bodies then became mortal. 2. Our souls died, _i. e._ were disunited from God. And hence, 3. We are all born with a sinful, devilish nature. By reason whereof, 4. We are children of wrath, liable to death eternal. _Romans_ v. 18. _Ephesians_ ii. 3.
_Q._ 16. In what sense is the righteousness of Christ imputed to all mankind, or to believers?
_A._ We do not find it expresly affirmed in scripture, that God imputes the righteousness of Christ to any: although we do find, that _faith is imputed_ to us _for righteousness_.
That text, “_As by one man’s disobedience all men were made sinners, so by the obedience of one, all were made righteous_,” we conceive means, by the merits of Christ, all men are cleared from the guilt of _Adam_’s actual sin.
We conceive farther, that through the obedience and death of Christ, 1. The bodies of all men become immortal after the resurrection. 2. Their souls receive a capacity of spiritual life: And 3. An actual spark or seed thereof. 4. All believers become children of grace, reconciled to God, and 5. Made partakers of the divine nature.
_Q._ 17. Have we not then unawares leaned too much towards _Calvinism_?
_A._ We are afraid we have.
_Q._ 18. Have we not also leaned towards _Antinomianism_?
_A._ We are afraid we have.
_Q._ 19. What is _Antinomianism_?
_A._ The doctrine which makes void the law through faith.
_Q._ 20. What are the main pillars hereof?
_A._ 1. That Christ abolished the moral law:
2. That therefore Christians are not obliged to observe it:
3. That one branch of Christian liberty, is liberty from obeying the commandments of God:
4. That it is bondage, to do a thing, because it is commanded, or forbear it because it is forbidden:
5. That a believer is not _obliged_ to use the ordinances of God or to do good works:
6. That a preacher ought not to exhort to good works: not unbelievers, because it is hurtful; not believers, because it is needless.
_Q._ 21. What was the occasion of St. _Paul_’s writing his epistle to the _Galatians_?
_A._ The coming of certain men amongst the _Galatians_, who taught, _Except ye be circumcised and keep the law of_ Moses _ye cannot be saved_.
_Q._ 22. What is his main design therein?
_A._ To prove, 1. That no man can be justified or saved by the works of the law, either moral or ritual, 2. That every believer is justified by faith in Christ without the works of the law.
_Q._ 23. What does he mean by “_the works of the law_?” _Galatians_ ii. 16, &c.
_A._ All works which do not spring from faith in Christ.
_Q._ 24. What by being _under the law_? _Galatians_ iii. 23.
_A._ Under the _Mosaic_ dispensation.
_Q._ 25. What law has Christ abolished?
_A._ The ritual law of _Moses_.
_Q._ 26. What is meant by _liberty_? _Galatians_ v. 1.
_A._ Liberty, 1. From that law; 2. From sin.
_On_ TUESDAY _Morning, June 26. was considered_.
THE doctrine of sanctification: with regard to which the questions asked, and the substance of the answers given were as follows.
_Q._ 1. What is it to be sanctified?
_A._ To be renewed in the image of God in righteousness and true holiness.
_Q._ 2. Is faith the condition, or the instrument of sanctification?
_A._ It is both the condition, and instrument of it. When we begin to believe, then sanctification begins. And as faith increases, holiness increases, till we are created anew.
_Q._ 3. What is implied in being _a perfect Christian_?
_A._ The loving the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our mind, and soul, and strength, _Deuteronomy_ vi. 5, 30, 6. _Ezekiel_ xxxvi. 25‒29.
_Q._ 4. Does this imply, that all inward sin is taken away?
_A._ Without doubt: or how could we be said to be saved _from all our uncleannesses_? ♦v. 29.
♦ Transcriber could not identify which scripture is being referenced, no book name given.
_Q._ 5. Can we know one who is thus saved? What is a reasonable ♦proof of it?
♦ “poof” replaced with “proof”
_A._ We cannot, without the miraculous discernment of Spirit, be infallibly certain of those who are thus saved. But we apprehend, these would be the best proofs which the nature of the thing ♦admits. 1. If we had sufficient evidence of their unblameable behaviour, preceding 2. If they gave a distinct account of the time and manner wherein they were saved from sin, and of the circumstances thereof, with such sound speech as could not be reproved. And
♦ “admit” replaced with “admits” per Errata
3. If upon a strict enquiry afterwards from time to time, it appeared that all their tempers and words and actions were holy and unreprovable.
_Q._ 6. How should we treat those who think they have attained this?
_A._ Exhort them to forget the things that are behind, and to watch and pray always, that God may search the ground of their hearts.
WEDNESDAY, _June 27_.
WE began to consider points of discipline: with regard to which the questions asked, and the substance of the answers given were as follows.