11. In vain, then, does the Apostle
say: “I wrote to you, in an Epistle, not to mingle with
fornicators;” 1 Cor. v. 9. and lest
perchance they should say, We are not speaking of all the fornicators
of the world, but we say that he who has been baptized in Christ ought
not now to be esteemed a fornicator, but his life, whatever it is, is
accepted of God, This was one of
the errors of Jovinian. the Apostle
has added “Not at all [meaning] with the fornicators of this
world,” and farther on, “If any that is named a brother be
a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a drunkard,
or an extortioner, with such an one not even to eat. For what
have I to do with judging them that are without?” 1 Cor. v. 10, 11. And to the Ephesians:
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, and covetousness let it
not even be named among you, as becometh saints.” Eph. v. 3. And immediately he adds:
“For this ye know, that no immodest person, nor unclean, nor
covetous, which is an idolator, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God.” Eph. v. 5. It is
clear that this is said of the baptized, for they receive the
inheritance, who are baptized into the death of Christ Rom. vi. 3. and are buried together with Him, that
they may rise again with Him. Therefore they are heirs of God,
and joint heirs with Christ: Rom. viii. 17. heirs of
God, because the grace of Christ is conveyed to them; joint-heirs with
Christ, because they are renewed into His life; heirs also of Christ;
because to them is given by His death as it were the inheritance of the
testator.