thing within our power to induce those Brethren to re-unite who had separated from us or were not inclined to live iâ— Peace when their unperswadeableness made us so unâ—happy as to be deprived of their desâ—red Society About the beginning of the Year 1691. were Pubâ—lished the â—eads of an Agreement between the Presbyterian and Congregational Ministers as then distinguish'd in and about London which were drawn up by a numbeâ— deputed by those of both Denominations of the firâ— were Mr. Hamond Mr. How Mr. Williams Mr Stretton with Dr. Annesly and Mr. Mayo who both of theâ— are now at rest in the Lord. Of the other were Mâ—â— Griffith Mr. Mead Mr. Chauncey Mr. Lobb with Mrâ— Iames and Mr. Mather which two also are now falâ—len asleep in the Lord. These Heads of Agreemenâ— were Assented to as far as we know by all the Presâ—byterian and Congregational Ministers then in and abouâ— London except Mr. Cole Mr. Mather and Mr. Rich. Tayâ—lor Among other things we therein declared Firsâ— We would meet and Consult without the least shadow of separate or distinct Parties Secondly That as to what appertains to soundness of Judgment in matters of Faith we esteem it sufficient that a Church acknowledge the Scriptures to be the Word of God the perfect and only Rule of Faith and Practice and own either the Doctrinal part of the Articles of the Church of England or the Confession or Catechisms shorter or larger Compiled by the Assembly at Westminster or the Confession agreed on at the Savoy to be agreeable to the said Rule By the first we thought our meetings of Ministers were secured and opposite Meetings prevented By the latter we provided that our Union should not be disâ—olved by every different Opinion especially such as were known to be espoused by Persons when admitted Members of the Union as the Reverend Mr. Baxter Mr. Cockain c. This Union was tollerably maintained for a while notwithstanding the attempts of some to break it as we have reason to fear and of others to make it serviceable to purposes not fit to be mentioned About October 1692. Mr. Chauncey in a meeting of the united Ministers after many warm Expressions declared he would leave their meetings and break off from their Union The Cause he alledged was our taking no Cognizance of a â—aper of Objections subscribed by Mr. Griffith Mr. Cole Mr. Mather Mr. Chauncey Mr. Trayl and Mr. Richard Taylor against Mr. Williams's Book called Gospel Truth Stated c. writen in Confutation of Dr. Crisps's unsound Opinions which had been reviv'd and divulged by his Works reprinted to which Book of Mr. Williams's an Approbation is prefixt with several of our Names There were many Reasons we should take small notice of those Objections in our Meetings seeing that three of the six Objectors were not of the Vnion The material Objections were not only ungrounded but they recited as Mr. Williams's Words in his Book what we found quite contrary to the Letter of his Expressions We might add many more But notwithstanding we were convinced That particular Brethrens subscribing Mr. Williams's Confutation of Dr. Crisp's Errors which were openly propagated to our common Danger and Reproach did not affect the Union nor the united Ministers as such and therefore could be no just cause of any Brother s deserting us yet we appointed a number of the Brethren to consider those Objections against Mr. Williams's Book who together with the Objectors accommodated that Affair by a Subscription to certain Doctrinal Propositions of which you have an account Printed 1693. called An Agreement in Doctrinals out of which we shall only collect these Passages P. 1. Whereas some differences have of late arisen occasioned by a Book written by Mr. Williams Entituled Gospel Truth Stated wherein Dr. Crisps Works reprinted are considered and by certain Books written by Mr. Chauncey in opposition thereto and by an Approbation of divers of us prefixt to Mr. Williams's Book and by a Paper Snbscribed by Mr. Griffith Mr. Cole Mr. Mather Mr. Trayl and Mr. R. Taylor in conjunction with Mr. Chauncey It is hereby declared that neither they who Subscribed that Approbation prefixed to Mr. Williams's Book did therein more than signify as their own Words express that they judg'd he had in all that was material fully and rightly stated the Truths and Errors therein mentioned as such without delivering their Sense about the Preface Explications or Proofs thereto belonging which Declaration is not to be esteemed as a disapproval of the said Preface Explications or Proofs Here it 's plain that whatever ground of difference was pretended from that Book or the Approbation to it was then considered and adjusted that being the very express and sole matter which that Agreement refers to And therefore how unaccountable is it to maintain Divisions so long after upon that same pretence P. 2. We and they say in order to the composing of matters of Controversie c. We do Subscribe these following Propositions as what do most fully provide against the Arminian Antinomian Socinian and Popish Errors c. Here was declared a full provision against those respective Errors And is it not strange that now such Phrases and Words must be the Standard of Orthodoxy which neither this Agreement the Church of England the Assemblies nor the confession of any Church require P. 15. We shall always through God's gracious assistance in our future Ministry to our utmost avoid all appearance of opposition to one another so as not to hinder or prejudice but as far as in us lies to promote the success thereof and the common benefit thereby When the following behaviour of some of our dissenting Brethren is observed in many signal instances â—t might be well suspected whether ever they subscribed an engagement so solemn or if they did what â—an be contrived to oblige them But that they subscribed See p. 16. December 16. 1692. This Day the Brethren who endeavoured to Accommodate this controversy did with Mr. Williams and Mr. Chauncy and these other five who with him objected against Mr. Wâ—lliams's Book subscribe to this agreement and these Doctrinal Propositions Daniel Williams Samuel Annesley Math. Barker Edw. Veal Iohn Iames. Stephen Lob. Iohn How George Hamond Vincent Alsop Rich. Mayo Sam. Slater Isaac Chauncy Geo. Griffith Tho. Cole Nath. Mather Rob. Trayl Rich. Taylor On December 19. This expedient was brought to a Meeting of the united Ministers who unanimously expressed their approbation in the following words Viz. That those Brethren who at the desire of the United Ministers considered some Objections against Mr. Williams's Book having brought in the above-mentioned expedient for the Accommodation of the matters in controversy the United Ministers have weighed it and approve of the same Besides it was further declared by them that whereas the United Ministers Collectively considered and as such have not been desired to approve of Mr. Williams's Book in like manner they do not by any thing in this
them in Mr. Williams's Book for Six of the Dissenters did not only object some particular Passages but they deny those to be Truths which are called Truths and such to be Errors which are called Errors In the 2.5.7.8.12.16.18 and 19. Chapters of that Book Yea they say They find not Truth and Error rightly Stated in other places besides these Thus they say Mr. Chauncyes Neonomianism unmasked Par. 3. p. 96. Whereas many of our Brethren Subscribed that each of these were rightly Stated He that will Read the Truths and Errors in those several Chapters may judge of the difference and whether any of Dr. Crisp's Errors will be disowned 2. In the forcited Articles 1694. You 'll find that when we had owned such to be Errors which they required of us yet they refused to disown those Errors which we added and therefore the difference at that time respected whatever they refused to agree with us in and was not ever since Accommodated 3. The Reporter cannot be Ignorant that September 15. 1695. This Vote unanimously passed among the United Brethren upon reading a Paper relating to several dangerous Expressions in favour of Antinomianism if that any thing objected out of Books written against Antinomianism be required to be disowned as a Term of Union that those things read this Day and further to be Collected of that kind out of the Books on the other side shall be required to be disowned Some things Collected out of the Books of Mr. Chauncy Mr. Cole Mr. Mather and Mr. Trail TO talk of a Gospel threat is a Catechresis at best and nothing else can save it from being a Bull. Pardon is rather the Condition of Faith and much more having a causal influence thereunto than Faith and Repentance are of Pardon It was sin as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Christ bore the fault of sin was laid upon Christ the sin it self as opposed to guilt Christ was reputed a Criminal not only by Man but by God As to the Elect there was never any Guilt upon them in respect of the Righteous Judgment of God in foro Dei but that which Accompanied the Letter of the Law setting in with the Conscience Justification is before effectual Vocation The Doctrine of Justification before Faith is not an Error but a Great and Glorious Truth Justification in regard of Application must be before believing The first Application ordine naturae saltem is to an ungodly Man eo nomine that he may believe we believe that we may be justified declaratively It is denied that God requires Faith as an Indispensible Qualification in them whom he will justify for Christs merits He denies that unbelief is the Cause why Men are barred from Justification and Obnoxious to Misery He saith you talk of an offer to the Non elect and that offer you say must be serious c. But I Pray where is any offer of Grace to the Non-elect at all as such And shew me any Grace given or Gospel Duties required of the Non-elect or Benefits promised to the Non-elect upon their performance of Grace and Duties c. And what if the Non-elect be in as bad a Case as the Devils Is God bound to be any better to them than to the Devils God hath not said I will save a Non-elect Person if he believe more than he hath said a Horse shall be a Man if he can use Reason or speak or a Man shall be a Horse if he hath four Feet God was reconciled to the elect at Christs Death but we are reconciled to God by the Gospel Ministry Union with Christ is before Faith at least Natura and we partake of the Spirit by Virtue of that Union there is a Compleat Union with Christ before the Act of Faith All that a believer can pray for is the further manifestation of Pardon for he knows that all his sins are Pardoned A believer is to work from Life and not for Life It 's a great Truth that God sees no sin in a believer sin can do no real hurt to a believer God is not displeased with his People and is not angry with the Persons of believers for their sins Legal Convictions before saving Faith are no more than sin it 's but the Filthy Conscience polluting guilt of sin There is no Preparatory work distinct from Gods Act in effectual Calling The Gospel is no Rule of Judgment that 's the Law only The Gospel is not any part of the Rule of Judgment at the last day that 's only the Law of Creation Denies that at the Judgment Day there will be a Tryal upon which some will be justified others Condemned Christs Precepts are not Laws with a Sanction Approves of these words sanctification is not the way of a justified Person to Heaven If you look upon Graces and Duties and Salvation as two distinct things I deny that they are necessary to give a right to Salvation All imperfect Holiness is sin Turn ye turn ye why will you dye Is but the Triumph of the Law over a Dead sinner An unsaved Person can do nothing in order to salvation God was displeased with Christ as our surety We in Christ satisfied the Justice of God We through Christs Righteousness have a right to Glory by Adams Covenant Adam for one good work should have entred into full possession and a confirmation therein To teach that a Christian upon the Actings of Graces and Performance of Duties may in the Virtue of the promise made to the exercise of those Graces or Duties expect any of those promised Blessings is to teach a low and servile Spirit The Eternal Life in which the Angels were Created and Confirmed by Christ differs from that Eternal Life which believers have in Christ the one is a Creature Life or a Created Life the other is the Eternal Life of God Communicated in time Believers are as Righteous as Christ I mean not in a way of Similitude but in a way of Equality Christs Incarnation was no part of his Humiliation we Coalesoe upon believing into one mystical Person with Christ which is distinguisht from Legal Union which is before Faith The Gospel hath no Law-Sanction it 's plainly denied that the Gospel is a Law of Grace Faith is neither a Condition nor Qualification in the Office of Justification with several things of the same sort as above recited Most of these were then included in the Paper the Vote refers to which with the other things further Collected shall be proved to be in the Printed Books of the foresaid Authors and Book and Page cited for each when it shall be required Yea at great deal more if not worse of the same sort By these things it 's manifest what the difference is about tho' a noise hath been raised about things remote from the true occasion that while we seemed to be only on the defensive part their Errors might receive Countenance as if unopposed and the abettors thereof might less appear
persevere in Faith and true Holineâ— Also declaring all impenitent Unbelievers whâ—le suâ—h to be in a state of Condemnation So by the same Gospel it is evident that none of these nor any wâ—â—k done by Men or wrought by the Spirit of God in them are under any denomination any part of thâ— Righâ—eoâ—sness for the sake or on the account whereof any Blessing is merited or procured much less Justification or Eternal life But God justifies pardons accepts and entitles Sinners to Eternal life only for the sake of the Righteousness of Christ without them imputed to them and received by Faith alone 2. O Coâ—mutation oâ—â—ersons Whereas sinners were obnoxioâ—s to suffer the Punishments threatned by the Law for their Transgressions The Lord Jesus by his Compact with the Father became our mediating Surety and as such he obeyed the Law and our Punishments were judicially transferred on him which for our Redemption he endured in our room and stead to the satisfaction of Justice that we mâ—ght be justified when we believe and be dealt with accordingly Nevertheless we deny that by a Commutation of Persons there is such a reciprocal change of condition betwixt Christ and Sinners or such an imputation or translation of qualities as implies that Christ was as Sinfull as we and we as Righteous as Christ. And though we assert that Christ hath undertaken the Elect shall in due time repent and believe yet we deny that Christ came into the room of the Elect to repent or believe for them or that Believers are accounted to have done and suffered what Christ did or that they are justified by the Law of Works See more in the next Head 3. Of the â—athers being disâ—leasâ—d with Christ Thougâ— the Phrase be not proper yet we declare The Lord Jesus having engaged in the Covenant of Redemption as our mediation Surety to suffer the punishment of our Sins for the expiating thereof He did bear the guilt of our Iniquities to suffer as Sinners suffer and to be dealt with as God threatned to deal with them whom he is displeased with as far as was consistent with Christ's being innocent and one who became subject to those Punishments by his own consent in Obedience to the Father and for the Redemption of Sinners And therefore Christ was under the wrath of God as that was his will to punish him yea he endured the weight of that wrath in the punishment of our Sins which sins as to the obligation to endure those punishments were laid on Christ It pleased the Lord to bruise him having laid on him the iniquities of us all But we deny that our Sins as to their filâ—h or fault were transferr'd on Christ or that he was inherently or in legal esteem or looked on by the Father as one contrary to his holy Nature and Will either as he was our Surety or in any other respect And therefore if by displeased with Câ—riâ—t is meant that the Father hated or abhorred Christ which is proper only to one evil in the sight of the Lord because of our sins imputed to him So the Father was not displeased with Christ. But on the contrary the Father was always well-pleased with him at all times accounting him even as our High Priest holy harmless undefiled and separate from Sinners and therefore such when he offer'd himself an expiating Sacrifice yea for that he loved him Then follows Mr. William's Concurrence in these three Points with Citations at large out of his Book that he had oft affirmed the very same and that the places objected did not at all contradict any of these things And then further declareth that as he had oft proposed it so now he is willing to an Union with the dissenting Brethren either by mutual forbearance wherein we differ in judgment or if satisfaction be insisted on as to any other expressions that have been or shall be objected out of any of his Books where he knows nothing but what is orthodox he is willing to give it in the same time and manner as Mr. Cole Mr. Mather Mr. Chauncy Mr. Trayl c shall be obliged to give satisfaction as to many material exceptions he hath made and shall yet make to what they have published in their Books But otherwise he will no farther concern himself but keep to the Voâ—e past Sept. 16. 1695. notwithstanding that now for Peace-sake he hath waved the demand thereof in Answering the above mentioned Exceptions when they are not required to do the like Lastly There is the form of Words for the Subscribers of Mr. Williams's Book which you have before p. 4 cited out of the Agreement 1692 only with this Addition That Mr. W. did not write his Book nor they subscribe the Approbation with any design to oppose our Congregational Brethren as such or to divide from them This Paper was read and received but Mr. W. desired it might be waved when a proposal was made by a Subscriber of the first Paper that we should draw up the third Paper out of this and another Paper called the first which were both voted to be laid aside altho that called the first â—aper was never read in the Meeting nor once proposed to be received there A LETTER from the Right Reverend Dr. Stillingfleet Bishop of Worcester in Answer to one from Mr. Williams who desired his Iudgment as to the following Questions because his Lordship's Book is in the first Paper aâ—d the Report pleaded against Mr. Williams SIR I Return you Thanks for the Papers you were pleased to send me by which I am able to Understand something more than formerly of the Present state of the Difference about the Change of Persons between Christ and us But I shall meddle no farther in it than I am Obliged to do it in Answer to the Questions you propose to me And I wish I may be able to do any service therein The first is about my sense of Commutation of Persons It is said in the first Paper that I do with Gâ—otius expressly affirm and irreâ—ragably prove it with the common sentiment of Protestants and that the Doctrines of Iustification and Christs satisfaction cannot be duely Explained and Defended consistently with the Denial of any Commutation of Persons between Christ and Believers This had been fairly Represented in Case there could be no other sense of Commutation of Persons than what is asserted by Dr. Crisp but there is a 3 fold sense of it very different from each other 1. Such a Change of Persons as implies that One is Appointed and allowed to Act on behalf of others and for their Advantage and this sort of Commutation of Persons the Socinians never denied as I have shewed in the Discourse of Sâ—tisfastion p. 62. 190 191. It is not therefore the Use of the Words but the sense of them is to been enquired into For some may Affirm a Change of Persons and yet be Socinians and others may deny a Change and be far enough
to the Articles they had chosen to insist upon whereas we might have provided against each of Dr. Crisp's Errors A good issue of this Paper was expected by many of us But to our grief it was rejected and no Answer sent us concerning it to this very day Yea a Coalition hereupon was chearfully hoped for by us even after their Friends had Nov. 7. 1694. Necessitated four of our Number to leave the Lecture at Pinners-Hall and all such of the dissenting Brethren who were managers of â—he reiief for Poor Ministers had deserted their Assoiates with other things not so directly belonging to the Body of United Ministers as such But alas as they had generally absented from us long before all the Breâ—hren call'd Congregational except the Reverend and Upright Mr. Barker and a very few more joyned as a separate Party from us in the Monday 's Meeting at Pinners-Hall with the Ministers who had opposed the Union ever since it was concluded The temper of our Brethrens Spirits the methods taken to expose us their disappointing us so often when we thought they had been obliged And the unsuccessfulness of so many probable attempts for Re-union might well discourage any further endeavours yet when we heard that any of these Brethren had the least disposition towards Peace we applyed our selves to an Accommodation In order thereunto the Reverend Dr. Bates Mr. Hammond Mr. Hill and Mr. Slater in concurrence with Mr. How and Mr. Williams were desired to draw up a proposal which they brought to our Meeting as that wherein they were all agreed and after we had several days considered the same it was unanimously assented to and sent by us in a Letter to our Brethren The Paper by the Report called the third Paper which was sent by the Vnited Brethren to such as had left the Vnion WHereas some unhappy Differences have arisen among us principally about the Doctrin of Justification as set forth in Mr. Williams's Book entituled Gospel Truth Stated to which several of our Names are preâ—ixt we being willing to give all reasonable satisfaction therein for the removing the present and preventing all future Differences which will otherwise tend to the dishonour of God disquiet of his Churches and danger of Souls do here by declare our Judgment concerning the same That we adhere to our former Approbation of the Doctrinal Articles of the Church of England or Confession of Faith compiled by the Assembly at VVestminster or that at the Savoy as agreeable to the word of God and particularly to the Articles collected by us out of the Confession with the Catechisms compiled by the same Assembly printed 1693. Aâ—d further declare That if any shall express himself disagreeably thereto in any momentous Points of Doctrin we will with Brotherly candour and kindness endeavour to give and receive just satisfaction therein bearing with one anothers Infirmities and different Sentiments in matters of lesser weight not contending about Logical or Philosophical Terms or meer Human Forms of Speech not judging it reasonable or just to charge upon any such consequences of any expression or opinion of his which he himself shall disown And we further declare as to the special matters in difference I. Concerning Justification That altho the express word of God do assert the necessity of Regeneration to our entring into the Kingdom of God and requires Repentance that our Sins may be blotted out and Faith in Christ that we may be justified and Holiness of Heart and Life without which we cannot see God Yet that none of these or any work done by Men or wrought by the Spirit of God in them is under any Denomination whatsoever any part of the Righteousness for the sake or on the account whereof God doth pardon justifie or accept Sinners or entitle them to Eternal Life that being only the Righteousness of Christ without them imputed to them and received by Faith alone II. Of a Commutation of Persons between Christ and us As we are to consider our Lord Jesus Christ in his Obedience and Sufferings as God and Man invested with the Office of Mediator So it is apparent this Commutation of Persons with us was not natural in respect of either nature by which his Individual Substance should become ours and ours his nor Moral in respect of Qualities or Actions whereby he should become inherently Sinful and we immediately Sinless Nor was it any change whereby his office of Mediator should be transfered on us But it is to be understood in a Legal or Judicial Sense as we may call it viz. He by agreement between the Father and Him came into our room and stead not to repent and believe for us which the Gospel requires of us as our Duty tho he hath undertaken the Eleâ—t shall in due time be inabled thereto But to answer for our violation of the Law of Works He being made sin for us that knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5 21. III. Of God's being pleased or displeased with Christ as standing and suffering in our stead We judge that God was always pleased with Christ both in his Person and execution of all his Offices which is exprest most particularly in that of his Priestly 1â— Iohn 17 18 Therefore doth my father love me because I lay down my life c. And no otherwise displeased than as having a dispassionate Will to inflict upon him the punishment of our Sins which he had undertaken to bear that God might without injury to his Justice or Honour pardon and save penitent Believers for his satisfaction and Intercession founded thereon Mr. VVilliams freely declareth his Concurrence with us in these three particulars and that his Judgment was never contrary to the sence of this Paper for which he appeals to the said Book So it is manifest that when he useth the prhase of no change of Person between Christ and the Elect it could not be intended as a denial oâ— a change of Persons between Christ and us in the General Sence but only in opposition to the Opinion of his adversary he wrote against for in that very place he expresly affirms That Christ suffer'd and dyed in our Room and stead And we do declare that whosoever shall be found to express themselves in their Preaching or Writing agreeably to this Paper and to the mentioned Articles or Confessions we shall esteem them to deliver the sincere Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and it shall be remote from us to oppose or reflect upon but we shall to our utmost Encourage and give Countenance to one anothers Ministry therein Such of us whose Names are prefixed to the said Book do declare they were given to the State of Truth and Errors as formerly exprest in the Paper intituled The agreement in Doctrine Subscribed and Published Anno Dom. 1692. They who framed this Proposal had before them two Papers one which the report calls the first
Paper which one of our Brethren had with great Condescension and Inclination to Peace concerted with some of the Dissenters Which Paper altho it was never proposed to nor read in any of our Publick Meetings of Ministers and was unanimously agreed to be laid aside with a Second Paper that had been brought unto us by another Brother Yet it 's manifest the Brethren in the framing of this Third which is our only Paper greatly Accommodated themselves to the Model of the first For they admit a new Debate concerning Mr. Williams's Book after a Solemn Accommodation of that whole matter when the Dissenters had unjustly made it an occasion of difference so many Years before they also recite two Passages of Mr. Williams as excepted against by the Dissenters and limit the Declaration of our Judgment to the Three Heads the Objectors did choose to insist upon whereas you will presently read a Vote of us united Ministers wherein we require a disowning of very many Antinomian Errors Published by several of these Dissenters whenever they shall make the disowning of any Passages out of Books Written against Antinomianism a Term of Union Yea further we retain the whole Provision of the First Paper against any of our surmized Errors in the Doctrine of Justification and what we add is in Scripture Words And in the other two Heads we come as near as we can with Truth and Freedom from Ambiguity in Points of so great Concernment and in a time when so many are at work to Propagate Crispianism and Antinomianism A Coalition could be no indifferent thing to such who to obtain it do thus condescend and deny themselves But to give our attempt a yet greater advantage we omitted not to address our selves to our Brethren with the most affectionate fervent and humble intreaties and supplications as well as perswasive Arguments as you will see in this Letter which we sent to them with the forementioned Paper Note It was declared that by the words under any Denomination whatsoever we exclude all Righteousness from being Meritorious or Attoning yea or a procuring Cause of these benefits none is at all so but the Righteousness of Christ. But we intended not to exclude what the Gospel requireth in order to our interst in those benefits given for the sake of Christs Righteousness To our Reverend and duely Respected and Beloved Brethren in our common Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ Mr. Griffith Mr. Mead Mr. Chauncey Mr. James Mr. Lobb and the rest of the Brethren of the Vnion who for some time have forborn to meet with the Vnited Ministers at Dr. Annesley's Meeting Place Reverend Brethren YOUR forbearing to meet with us at our ordinary times and places for so many months hath made a deep and smarting impression on our Spirits and filled our Hearts with Grief and Wonder With Grief because we have been so long deprived of much of that Satisfaction and Assistance which your presence with us was wont to afford us With Wonder because we could neither apprehend nor receive any certain Information of those Reasons which prevailed with you to keep off so long from our Conventions For to this day you never acquainted us directly and clearly of any Offence that was ever offered to you by the united Ministers as standing in that Capacity had you been pleased to signifie your Resentments to them they take themselves to have been obliged to have sought out proper ways and means for the removal of all Prejudices and of rendring to you reasonable and due satisfaction All the light that we have received about matters in difference between us hath been from a reverend Brother who told us that by Conference with some who forbear to come to our Meetings he under stood that they apprehended there are those in our Union who have Sentiments about the Doctrin of Justification different from the common Faith of all Orthodox Protestants and so dissonant from the Holy Scriptures and the Confessions which have been owned and approved by us The same Brother added that if there were sufficient Evidence and Assurance given them that the Body of the United Ministsrs would approve themselves sound clear and stedfast in that most weighty and important Doctrin which we all acknowledge to be Articulus stantis vel cadentis Eclesiae they would then maintain all Brotherly communion with us When this was notified to us we presently conceived great and good Hopes that all Jealousies might be easily removed and that a Redintegration of Affections would immediately follow And what should hinder For if you do attentively and deliberately weigh what is Asserted in the Article of Justification in the inclosed Paper which was unanimously agreed unto after open Reading and that upon several Days we are confident that it will evidently and undeniably appear that we perfectly agree with our Brethren in the Evangelical Doctrin of Justification even in the very Phrases and Modes of Expression Our Agreement in the Doctrin of Justification which was as the Test and Cement of our Union being so happily Established and fixed we shall need to say but little touching the other two points mentioned in the inclosed Paper which as we think are so clearly and candidly stated that we believe as we suppose upon sure and certain grounds there will be nothing remaining upon that account to obstruct our entire and hearty Union It would be superfluous to lay before you any considerations to set forth the desirableness usefulness we may add the necessity of Ministerial Concord Or to represent the sin and mischief that will inseparably cleave to our unbrotherly breaches We all find by sad experience what advantage is given thereby to some who seek occasion to reproach us and to hinder the success or acceptableness of our Ministry They do certainly wish and will endeavour to make our wound incurable But we trust the Lord will blast their Designs and Frustrate their Expectations by enlightning our Minds to receive and hold fast all Truths and specially those which are Fundamental And by his Grace most sweetly and effectually draw our Hearts to Love as Brethren That we may closely strongly and intimately knit-together in inviolable Bonds And so Guide us that we may all follow after the things that make for Peace and the things wherewith one may edify another And now Dear Brethren we do with all sincerity and ardor beseech you to meet us with the like Frame of Spirit that our only Emulation and Contention may be who shall be most Industrious to promote the interest of our Lord Redeemer Be most useful to the Souls we are set to watch over And be most forward to embrace each other in the Arms of Love That these Blessed Ends may be the more effectually pursued we do with all importunity and fervor beseech you to return to and frequent our Meetings as ye have formerly done That we may joyn with you there in your Holy Prayers Be assisted with your wholesome Counsels
Works c. Should not make Christs satisfaction possible yea and affirm it as well as their words Viz. Christ put on the Person of Sinners and came into their room and stead to Answer for them the Obligations of the violated Law of Works Putting on the Person of Sinners can have no good sense beyond Christs coming into our room and stead which we have asserted the words for them have but the same import And seeing the violated Law obliged us to dye for our Violations of that Law if Christ in our stead Answered for our Violations of that Law for which it put us under those Obligations to Dye then Christ Dyed to Answer for us the obligations of that violated Law i. e. its obligations on us to dye for our sins to which Christs satisfaction which is the point in hand refers Answ. 4. From what we observe so oft repeated by the Reporter had he justly represented the Third Paper and dealt sincerely he must have reduced all his Reasons and Arguments to prove his heavy charge against us and to justify the Dissenters refusal of that Paper to this one Argument Viz. They who in a Paper expresly affirm and explain the satisfaction of Christ omitting to mention these words Christ took upon him the Person of Sinners do pervert deny and make the satisfaction of Christ imposible But the Presbyterians in the Third Paper expresly affirm and explain the satisfaction of Christ omitting to mention these words Christ took upon him the Person of Sinners Therefore the Presbyterians do in the Third Paper pervert deny and make the satisfaction of Christ impossible Upon this Argument the true weight of the Reporters cause and charge doth hang and if the Major be true the Conseqence will be that all the Churches of Christ in their Confessions pervert and deny and make impossible the satisfaction of Christ. For to our Remembrance these words Christ took on him the Person of Sinners are omitted in the Confessions of all the Churches and we had much more Reason to omit them when we knew for what End they are insisted on by such as the Reporter Arg 4. They impose a Sense in express Contradiction to the Letter and General Scope of Mr. Williams's Book that when he saith There is no Change of Persons between Christ and the Elect It could not be intended as a denial of a Change of Persons between Christ and us in the General Sense but only in opposition to his adversary he wrote against for in that very place he expressly affirms Christ suffered and dyed in our room and stead for his words are as exclusive of a Change of Persons in every Sense as words can be c. p 37. to 41. Gospel Truth first Edition Answ. 1. Mr. Williams no where saith there is not a Change of Persons in the Plural Number but of Person Singular yet the Paper as Subscribed made him to say the first however the Report doth change it now nor is this a small mistake with him when he takes a Change of Persons to refer thus to intelligent beings Viz. Christ dying in the Room of Condemned Sinners which he affirms But a Change of Person to denote a Change as to Office Acts Qualities Adjuncts c. Really inseparable and peculiar to either Christ on the one part or Men on the other as is plain by all his Arguments against a Change of Person p. 41. There is no Change of Person between Christ and the Elect for Christ was the Saviour and never ceased to be so we are the Saved and not the Saviours Christ was the Redeemer we the Redeemed and not the Redeemers Christ was he who by his own merits forgives us but never was forgiven we are forgiven and never had merits of our own to forgive our selves or others It 's profane Arrogance for us to pretend to his Prerogatives and it's Blasphemy to debase him among them who were Enemies without strength and sinners for whom he was the dying Sacrifice it 's enough that he reserving the peculiars of a Redeemer should agree to dye for our sins it is enough that we are pardoned for his sake when we deserved endless woe and are never capable of making the least Attonement Here you have all which Mr. Williams hath written against a Change of Person wherein is not a word against Change of Persons and it 's evident he took Change of Person in the afore-recited Sense Answ. 2. When he confutes the Sense wherein Dr. Crisp explains a Change of Person he must in denying his Sense deny it under that Phrase Change of Person of which the Dr. gave that Sense Take then the Doctors words Christ himself is not so Compleatly Righteous but we are as Righteous as he nor we so compleatly sinful but Christ became as compleatly sinful as we that very sinfulness that we were Christ is made that very sinfulness before God so that here is a direct change Christ takes our Person and Condition we take Christs Person and Condition with much of this sort p. 38. Here 's the Change of Person which Dr. Crisp affirms this is the change Mr. Williams denies Answ. 3. Mr. W. is so far from denying a change of Persons in the general Sense that in that Book he oft asserts and proves what the Orthodox intend by that Phrase yea in the very places where he denies a change of Person See p. 37.39 Christs sufferings and obedience were so in our stead that God cannot exact from us any other Atonement for Sin p. 42. He thus explains the Imputation of Christs sufferings to impute to one what is suffered by another is to esteem the one undertaken for in the sufferings of the other and to deal with him as if himself had suffered the same things p. 43. Had not Christ suffered for us we could not have been absolved for the sake of his sufferings p. 47. God hath provided for his Iustice and Honour in saving true Christians by the satisfaction of Christ p. 247. The Punishment of our Sins yea the Guilt of them as an obligation to punishment was laid upon Christ our Sponsor See p. 79.13 What words can more distinctly and properly express the Orthodox Sense of a change of Persons Answ. 4. His Cavils p. 9. against Mr. Williams as not affirming the Sense of a change of Persons tho he say Christ suffered and dyed in our room and stead are weak and individious for First Mr. Williams when he had a fit occasion as the Reporter knows duely asserts Christs suretyship and proves That Christ suffered not only for our good but in our stead and that he was a proper 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See this at large Man made Righteous p. 91 c. Secondly The Racovian Catechism in the Amsterdam Edition and not only Modern Socinians affirm Christ dyed in our stead and Socinus Crelliu◠and others asserted a change of Persons between Christ and us and the Sense in which the first
very rightly and in an Orthodox manner Stated the Doctrine of Christs satisfaction And it is in perfect agreement with the Doctrine of our own and all the reformed Churches and therefore fully acquits you from the Imputation of Socinianism Thirdly As to the Doctrine of Dr. Crisp and others of that Sect who affirm such a Permutation of Persons between Christ and Sinners as if to all intents and purposes they were to be looked upon in the Room and Place of each other So that Christ is to be Accounted the Swearer Drunkard Blasphemer on one Hand and the Sinner to be perfectly Righteous on the other I cannot but look upon it to be not only false absurd impossible but likewise an Impious and Blasphemous Opinion as being highly Dishonourable to our Saviour repugnant to the Wisdom and Justice of God and tends plainly to subvert the whole design of Christianity which is hereby exposed to the just and unanswerable Reproaches of its Adversaries which can never be wiped off if the Opinion be true I would say a great deal more upon this occasion if it were necessary but what I have thus briefly suggested may I suppose be sufficient for your present purpose And if you think that what I have wrote may be any way Serviceable to the common cause of our Holy Religion I give you leave to make what use you think fit of it and in the mean time remain Sir Your assured Servant Jonathan Edwards Iesus Coll. Oxon. Oct. 28. 97. I had not given this trouble to these Great Men But that Mr. Lob makes frequent use of their Testimony against my Judgment in favour of them whom I oppose And being no Authors better understand and more effectually oppose Socinianism I was sure their Vindication of me would be past exception and therefore made bold to propose to them whether they intended more by a Commutation of Persons than I did affirm in my Books which I sent them Secondly Whether I was by the Passages excepted against in my Book by the First Paper and Mr. Lob chargeable with Socinianism Thirdly What their Judgment was concerning that Change of Persons which I oppose and Dr. Crisp and others of that Sect affirm To these Questions they were pleased to send these Answers with a Permission to Print them I think every Man will conclude from what they say that they Account our Holy Religion is struck at by what Errors I oppose and that Mr. Lob doth wrest their Books when he cites them in Confutation of what I affirm I might have added another Letter of this R. R. Bishop to the same effect and wherein he proves that God was not displeased with Christ And also of the said Reverend Doctor Edwards But these published abundantly suffice Some Animadversions on Mr. Lob's DEFENCE of the REPORT By D. W. Note I call the Author of the Rebuke Mr. R. THough I have the Testimony of the Ministers and Elders of all the Dissenting Congregations in Dublin except One for my Peaceableness and Diligence in the promoting of Union there yet being industriously branded as the great Divider in this place it 's necessary to represent the Cause of Mens Mistakes To me is ascribed the Rise of our Divisions because at the Request of several Ministers after other means were unsuccessful I wrote Gospel-Truth stated when Dr. Crisp's Re-printed Book so obtained as to threatenâ— our Ministry The Continuance of our Breaches I am charged with on no better pretence than this A beaten Man makes all that Noise which proceeds from the furious blows that fall upon his Person I consented to that Expedient 1692. wherein all objected against my Book was adjusted and gave no Cause for the Objectors to violate that Agreement Mr. Chauncy Mr. T. Mr. K. Mr. E. c. wrote Volumes against that Book to all which I replied in a Defence of Six Sheets thinking that sufficient and in hopes some Rest might be obtained by silence Mr. M. revives the Assault with a Charge of Blasphemy and Damning Errors This extorted one small book more Then by Contrivances I was voted out of the Lecture at Pinners-Hall Whereupon Dr. Bates Mr. How Mr. Alsop and my self remove to Salters-Hall About two Months after this my Morals upon a search back to my Childhood are Impeached the united Ministers unanimously adjudged and declared me clear and innocent of all that was laid to my Charge I forbear Recriminations against many for which I am furnished The same Book comes again upon the Stage with Mr. Lobs Objections which I answered in one sheet Mr. Lob rejoineth but at the Reverend Doctor Bates request I laid aside a Book ready for the Press The Doctor and I fully agree in Sense Notwithstanding he had used some Phrases which Mr. Lob hoped to divide us by They stop not here as the result of many private Meetings with my Adversaries A Paper is gotten Subscribed when I was at Bath by some at least of my Friends who fully agreed with me in Doctrine Herein there were several mistakes in matters of Fact refering to the Subscription to my Book many insinuated reflections not designed by all against the Doctrine of that Book with such Ambiguities and Omissions as endangered the Truths by me defended and those Terms proposed to me which might startle a Man they had no Power over and justly expected better treatment at least from such whose cause I pleaded Yet when this Paper was laid aside and the Third Paper agreed to I sate still tho I knew that First Paper unprinted was sent through the Nation to my great Detriment Might not one expect some quiet after such various attempts against this Book and its Author Which I do not ascribe to the Congregational as a body nor had I mentioned most of these things if I were not charged with all our divisions My hopes are disappointed Mr. Lob Printeth his Report wherein the United Ministers for my sake are branded for Socinians and therein inserts that unhappy Paper Nay he soon follows this with his Remarks to fasten his charge the deeper upon me Stops he here No in this his Defence I am still pelted my Doctrine grossly Arraigned the Learned Mr. R. Censured as a Socinian for defending me My Book sustains the Clamour because it denies the Crispian Change of Person Nay he hopeth it hath some invisible evil thing within its Bowels which if I do not bring forth for no bodv else can I must be one offensive and halting p. 88. Nay as if first in intention the last Words in his Book are whether Mr. Williams be sincere or no he must now shew it FINIS The English of this is if I be sincere I must shew my self Erroneous that they may have somewhat to justify their past Clamours for as yet they can prove nothing and yet will you not wonder he gives me p. 9. more hopes of their Charity and Communion if I will but write Errors plainly than they can now allow
and be refreshed with your much desired Society That we may with one Mind and one Mouth Glorify God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen If after the perusal of the inclosed Paper ye meet with any thing therein that may seem to need further Explanation And ye be willing to entertain a Conference about it Be pleased to appoint the time and place when and where a determinate Number of the United Ministers may meet with a like Number of the Brethren Nominated by you and we shall most readily and chearfully comply with your Proposal Howbeit we must add That we hope we have already set down our sentiments as Nakedly and Perspicuously as we could express in pursuance of our End which was to give you all possible satisfaction We conclude this Paper with two earnest requests to you 1. Upon the hopes which you have conceived that thro' the Grace and Blessing of our God the differences which have risen among us will be brought to an happy composure We importunately beseech you to use your uttermost Endeavours to perswade these Brethren who have not as yet entred into our Union that they will joyn with us in it 2. That you would assoon as conveniently you can vouchsafe us an Answer to this our Letter Finally Brethren Farewell Be Perfect be of Good Comfort Be of one Mind Live in Peace And the God of Love and Peace shall be with you Signed at Dr. Annesleâ—'s October 27. 1696. By Mr. Hammond Moderator To our Letter so Submissive Peaceable and Impoâ—tunate we received this and no other Answer Reverend Brethren HAving received from you a Letter with a Paper inclosed in Answer thereunto suffer us to acquaint you that a Paper Subscribed by a considerable Number of you and approved of by us some Months since which we have Reason to believe some of you have had the perusal of we therefore to whom your Letter is directed do not reckon it Brotherly in us to forsake them who have Subscribed the foresaid Paper but do rather Judge our selves bound in Conscience to entreat â—our hearty Concurrence with them and us in that â—â—st Paper which as we have already said hath been â—â—bscribed by very Principal and Reverend Ministers â—â—ghly esteemed both by you and us and this we hope may through the Blessing of God be the speediest way 〈◊〉 obtain the desirable End â—ubscribed in the Name of several of the Brethren to whom your Letter was Communicated THis is the Letter our reporter Complains we gave no reply to wherein we think we paid a great â—egard to them who sent it and we shall still overlook 〈◊〉 otherwise than to Note First It is more than â—robable some of us perused what a considerable Numâ—er of us Subscribed Secondly Our Brethren who â—ubscribed could not Judge it unbrotherly to be forâ—aken for laying aside the first Paper when every one â—f them had laid it aside before and joyned in the â—hird Paper and in the Letter whereto this Answer is â—â—â—en which it's strange any of the Dissenters could 〈◊〉 ignorant of Thirdly What is the desirable End â—ad they said Union it would have been more accepâ—able to us than it seemed to be to such of themselves 〈◊〉 declared in one oâ— the Meetings about this expeâ—ient that it was not intended by this attempted aâ—reement that they would joyn with us in our Meetâ—â—gs as United Ministers but that an agreement in Doctrine might be a step to further Union Yea we 〈◊〉 scarce hope they would have re-united could we 〈◊〉 submitted to their Papers because as we are inforâ—ed Mr. Cole and Mr. Mather refused their assent to 〈◊〉 And this their Letter was subscribed in the Name 〈◊〉 of several not of all to whom it was Communicaâ—â—â—â— nor as we find was any Union or Agreement â—â—gaged or expressed except in Doctrine had this expedient obtained This is the true State of the caâ—â— between our Brethren and us Could we have obtaiâ—â—ed a re-union upon mutual forbearance wherein we diâ—â—fer Had any of these Accounts of our Principles â—â—â—tisfied them Tho' we therein admit so rigid and 〈◊〉 a Tryal wherein they suspected us and propose so vâ—â—ry short and easy a Test when we affirm the Trutâ— denied by them Had our impoâ—tunity for Peace atteâ—â—ded with much Patience and Condescention been aâ—â—cepted the mischievous effects of our differences hâ—â— been prevented Nor can we guess what would pâ—â—â—vail with the Authors of tâ—ese Divisions unless thaâ— Book should be disowned which the Subscribers 〈◊〉 convinced is of great use for the Defence of the Goâ—â—pel in a time abounding with Errors And such Trutâ— betrayed as the usefulness of our Ministry and Pracâ—â—â—cal Religion depend upon things we are sure Chrâ—â—â— would not appâ—ove nor could we expect a Peace bought to prove a Blessing We were well assured that a faithful Account of 〈◊〉 State of things among us must acquit us of the blaâ—â— of those unhappy differences and prevent the advaâ—tages some made by mis-representing us Neverthâ—â—less we had still remained silent if this so unjust a 〈◊〉 pors with a Paper of remarks following it had 〈◊〉 been obtruded on the World and with Art scatterâ—â— throughout the Kingdom yea sent to Forreign Naâ—â—ions as can be proved after this indeed our sileâ—â— would proclaim us stupidly insensible and unconcernâ—â— for the common Good as well as for our own repuâ—â—â—tion and usefulness We shall proceed to consider what is material in 〈◊〉 Report First The Report saith Our differences may be reâ—â—â—ced to Christs satisfaction and the Penal Sanction of 〈◊〉 Law tho' hitherto the greatest struggle hath been about 〈◊〉 first Answ. 1. The first was no part of the difference till â—f late that Mr. Lobb contrived to make it so tho' â—ithout any Reason for Mr. Williams rightly and fully â—sserted the first in his Books And the utmost that â—an be made of the latter is that Mr. Williams asserts â—hat if the Precepts of the Law of Works be consiâ—ered as taken into the Gospel they fall under the Gospel Sanction and tho' in this respect there is a â—hange of the Sanction yet the Precepts considered â—ill as a part of the Law of Works they are under â—he same Legal Sanction as at first which is to say The Covenant of Works and the Gospel Covenant difâ—er And yet this seems to be reserved for a New Controversy if we had agreed to their very mode of expressing the point he insisteth on Answ. 2. It 's a very great mistake that our differâ—nce with them is reduced to these two points alas â—t extends to many other things Viz. Most of Dr. Crisp's Opinions as to which they refuse to give us saâ—isfaction tho' he granteth these two are all they quarrel with us about and how unjustly will presently be seen We shall detect his mistake by a brief Narrative 1. The difference Originally appeareth to be about most of those Positions called Truths and Errors in the State of