Christ and applying him to vs which is not the propertie of any other grace Thirdly by onely wee meane that in the act of iustification before God this faith onely and alone is that grace which applyeth Christ vnto vs and is the instrumentall cause of our iustification and not that hereby wee doe seclude repentance charitie and good workes from being liuely fruits and effects of faith but no causes at all of our iustification before God Yet vnderstanding these tearmes thus they hold That a man is not iustified before God onely by faith Confuted by their owne Bible 1. IT secludeth from our iustification before God three things First the Law from being able to iustifie vs Gal. 3. 11. It is manifest that in the Law no man is iustified with God Rom. 8. 3. It was impossible by the Law being weakened by the flesh Act. 13. 39. You could not be iustified by the Law of Moses Secondly All the workes of the Law Rom. 3. 20. 4. 2. Gal. 2. 16. By the workes of the Law shall no flesH be iustified before him being iustified gratis by his grace vers 24. Thirdly All a mans owne iustice in the state of grace For Saint Paul layeth aside his owne iustice which is of the Law Phil. 3. 9. yea and denyeth himselfe to bee iustified by his owne well-doing for he saith I am not guilty in conscience of any thing but I am not iustified herein 1. Cor. 4. 4. Thus wee see what is secluded from iustifying of vs. Secondly it ascribeth iustice to faith Rom. 10. 6. iustice which is of faith and this is the iustice of God in faith Phil. 3. 9. by which faith wee are iustified Rom. 3. 8. Rom. 5. 1. Gal. 2. 24. Thirdly in the act of iustification by faith it secludeth works from it saying Rom. 3. 28. We account a man to bee iustified without the workes of the Law Rom. 4. 5. Faith is reputed to iustice to him that worketh not Gal. 2. 16. A man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ How cleere are these places for iustification by faith only when they seclude workes and giue it to faith Fourthly it no where exhorteth vs to iustification For iustification is not a vertue in vs nor our worke but the worke of Christ who is our righteousnesse Ier. 23. 6. Rom. 10. 4. 1. Cor. 1. 30. But we are exhorted to beleeue Now of faith most excellent and admirable things are spoken for our euerlasting comfort By it Christ dwelleth in vs Ephes 3. 17. By it we are made the children of God Gal. 3. 26. Ioh. 3. 12. 1. Ioh. 5. 1. By it wee liue Hab. 2. 4. Rom. 1. 17. Gal. 2. 20. we stand 2. Cor. 1. 24. we walke 2. Cor. 5. 7. wee haue boldnesse accesse with confidence to God Ephes 3. 12. Rom. 5. 2. and peace with God Rom. 5. 1. and without this it is impossible to please God Heb. 11. 6. For to this is imputed iustice Gal. 3. 6. Rom. 4. 3. and 9. 31. by this are we iustified Rom. 3. 28. Gal. 3. 8. attaining to the righteousnesse of God by it Phil. 3. 9. By this doe we ouercome the world 1. Ioh. 5. 4. By this are wee kept vnto saluation 1. Pet. 1. 5. By this wee haue eternall life Ioh. 3. 36. and are saued Ephes 2. 8. wee shall not perish Ioh. 3. 16. nor come into condemnation but passe from death to life Ioh. 5. 24. Thus we see the excellencie of this faith in Christ which is called the faith of the elect Tit. 1. 1. the end where of is the saluation of our soules 1. Pet. 1. 9. And that wee might not rest vpon any other thing but vpon Christ by faith the Apostle saith Gal. 5. 6. In Iesus Christ neither circumcision auaileth any thing nor vncircumcision but faith which worketh by loue Contraried by Antiquitie Touching iustification by faith onely the ancient Fathers are very cleare for vs against the Papists Chrysost hom 3. ad Tit. If thou beleeuest why addest thou other things to faith as if faith onely could not suffice to iustifie And in Hom. 7. Rom. 3. speaking of Gods goodnesse saith he not onely saueth vs but also iustifieth and glorifieth vs vsing no works hereunto but requireth faith onely Hilar. Can. 8. in Matth. saith Faith onely iustifieth Basil Hom. de humilit saith This is true and perfect reioycing in God when a man is not lifted vp in his owne righteousnesse but knoweth himselfe to be without true righteousnesse and to be iustified by faith * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely in Iesus Christ Ambros on Rom. 3. They are iustified freely because doing nothing neither repaying againe any thing in stead thereof they are iustified onely by faith And on Rom. 4. There is no need of the Law seeing the wicked is iustified onely by faith Theophylact. on 3. chap. ad Galat. Faith onely saith hee hath in it the power to iustifie Hesychius in Leuit. 14. lib. 1. Grace is apprehended onely by faith and not by workes Primasius ad Rom. 5. ad Gal. 2. He doth iustifie the wicked by faith onely Faith onely sufficeth you vnto saluation Theodoret in Ephes 2. By faith onely he forgiueth sinnes Bernard in Cant. Serm. 22. Beleeue in God that iustifieth sinners and being iustified by faith onely hee shall haue peace with God Thus the Fathers speake according to the Scripture in our manner of speaking in plaine termes Gainesaid by themselues Aquinas on Rom. 3. lect 4. Gal. 3. lect 4. Workes be not saith he the cause why a man is iust before God but rather they are the manifestation and execution of his iustice For no man is iustified by workes but by the habit of faith infused yea iustification is done by faith onely The ordinary Glosse Iam. 2. saith That Abraham was not iustified by the workes he did but by faith onely his oblation being a worke of his faith and a testimonie of his righteousnesse Erasmus saith that the word onely which now a dayes they showt at so in Luther is reuerently heard and read in the writings of the Fathers And Bellarmine de iustific lib. 5. cap. 7. saith It is most safe to repose our whole confidence in the onely mercy and goodnesse of God which is in effect that which wee teach in this point of iustification Scriptures obiected answered 1. Cor. 13. 2. Though I haue all faith so that I could remoue mounaines and haue no charitie I am nothing Answ 1. The faith here is of working miracles and not of iustifying faith Secondly to haue faith without charitie is spoken of here by supposition for true sauing faith is that which workes by loue which wee teach and allow not of a fruitlesse faith Thirdly this is not against the tenent that faith onely iustifieth For here is no word of iustification but a condemning of a faith without loue which iustifying faith is not without For though faith onely
according to his workes Matth. 5. 12. Great is your reward in Heauen So Matth. 10. 42. Rom. 2. 6. 1. Cor. 3. 8. Reuel 22. 12. Ierem. 31. 16. Answ 1. There is Rom. 4. 4. a reward of mercy and grace which we acknowledge and not of desert and merit for a reward may be of bounty aboue any due to the partie but so cannot merit Ambrose Epist lib. 1. There is one kinde of reward of liberalitie and grace and another the wages of vertues and recompence of labours Secondly the reward here being vnderstood of eternall life must needs be of mercy for eternall life saith the Apostle is the gift of God Rom. 6. 23. and not mans purchase A gift is free and cannot be merited by workes for to him that works the reward is reckoned not of grace but of debt Rom. 4. 4. Heauen then being Gods gift cannot bee due for workes to make God become indebted to man Thirdly the Rewarder here is God Now he rewards two wayes either in meere iustice or in iustice and mercy both In meere iustice so rewardeth he the wicked iustly deseruing damnation In iustice and mercy both so beleeuers in Christ In iustice first in respect of Christs meriting reward for his secondly for that God is iust in his promise and hauing promised a reward in his iustice he will performe it In mercy yet this is to vs first in respect of our selues deseruing no such reward then in respect of the mouing cause which is his owne good pleasure to make such a promise and to accept vs in Christ and so to reward vs. Fourthly the reward here is promised to the persons He will reward euery man and not the worke for the person makes the worke accepted as Abel did his offering and not the worke the Gen. 4. Heb. 11. person with God Fifthly it is not here said for his workes as noting any cause of mans reward but according to his workes shewing the qualitie of the works as they may excell one another and how our workes should be the measure according to which God would mete and proportion out the heauenly rewards For as men here excell in vertues so shall they in glory and therefore of such as suffer for Christ hee saith Great is your reward Matth. 5. Sixtly if workes were rewarded yet is it in mercy and not for the merit of them for are they not imperfect as before is proued Againe are they not his owne fruits of his owne Spirit and can wee merit to giue to God his owne Moreouer what equalitie is there betweene heauen the reward and the worke wrought None at all And therefore the reward is in mercy and not in merit 2. Cor. 5. 10. Wee must all appeare before the Iudgement Seat of Christ that euery one may receiue the things done in his bodie according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Answ 1. Here is intended onely that in generall there shall be a retribution of reward and punishment And therefore the diuers meane of procuring both these is not specified but a phrase vsed which may extend to both according to that he hath done in either kinde Otherwise for the one namely for doing badly might truely properly haue bin said For the merit or demerit of euill workes punishment is due But because it could not be said so of the other therefore the word according is vsed And so the scope of the place reacheth onely to shew that there shall be a manifestation of our workes and retribution for them But if we will needs particularize here of the manner of rewarding good workes then wee say that the Iudge here Iesus Christ comes not to reward his according to their merit with heauen for it is said that hee giueth to them eternall life Ioh. 10. 28. By his bloud himselfe obtained it for them Heb. 9. 12. They doe not then merit that which is gift and therefore he proceeds not here according to any merit in them 1. Cor. 4. 5. Then shall euery man haue praise of God Answ 1. Here is no merit spoken of Secondly the person is praised and not his workes and this God doth of his goodnesse for our faithfulnesse Matth. 25. 21 23. but not for the worthinesse of the worke done Thirdly Saint Paul verse 4. the very next verse before saith Though I know nothing by my selfe yet am I not thereby iustified He conceited therefore no merit Fourthly the praise here intended specially is in regard of sinceritie of teaching whereby Saint Paul implyeth that other false and proud teachers were not so praise-worthy as some of the Corinthians thought being seduced by them 1. Cor. 9. 17 18. I haue a reward verse 25. They striue to obtaine an incorruptible Crowne Answ 1. This reward is of mercy and not of merit for the incorruptible Crowne that is Heauen is obtained by Christ and is his gift to vs therefore not obtained by merit Secondly our obtaining by striuing is the obtaining of the assurance of the Crowne in our selues and not the obtaining of the Crowne it selfe through the worthinesse of the striuing seeing we are commanded to striue Luk. 13. 24. Now that which is done of duty cannot merit Thirdly the Apostle first in verse 16. telleth vs that in doing his dutie he hath nothing to glory of Then in verse 17. he applyeth the reward not to the worke wrought but to his willingnesse in working yet he implyeth that there may be an vnwillingnesse and doth hee not acknowledge Rom. 7. 18. that where a will is yet there may want abilitie to performe Lastly in verse 18. hee plainely expresses what hee meaneth there by reward not heauen but in preaching to make the Gospell of Christ without charge Hebr. 11. 26. He had respect to the recompence of reward Answ 1. The blundering Friers wheresoeuer they finde in Scripture reward presently cry out that they haue found merit How oft haue we told thē out of the ancient Fathers nay out of ciuil experience that reward merit be not alwaies Relatiues that there is a reward of grace as well as of due debt Rom. 4. 4 Secondly who knowes not but that euen here men requite labours without desert Thirdly Moses had respect to the recompence vpon Gods promise made and not vpon the merit of his owne doing for hee makes not his owne act the procurer of the recompence but the certainty of the recompence the setter of him forward to the worke Psal 18. 20. The Lord rewarded mee according to my righteousnesse c. Answ 1. Dauid speaketh in his life time of that which God had done for him in deliuering him from Saul and from his enemies which dealt most vniustly with him here therefore first Dauids righteousnesse is his righteousnesse towards men which God mercifully looked vpon and not any righteousnesse of his before God for this Dauid disclaimed Psal 130. 3. and 143. 2. Secondly the reward here is not heauen but
it withereth and such a Beleeuer falleth away Luk. 8. 13. and is offended Mar. 4. 17. This is called temporarie faith Of these faiths the question is not for historicall is also in Deuils as well as men Iam. 2. Faith of miracles lasted but for a time and was the faith of some few Faith temporarie may be lost the Scriptures are plaine for it But the faith which we say cannot be lost is that precious faith 1. Pet. 1. 1. that vnfained faith which is accompanied with a pure heart a good conscience 1. Tim. 1. 5. working by loue Gal. 5. 6. that faith which iustifieth Rom. 5. 1. which saueth Eph. 2. 8. by which Christ dwelleth in vs Eph. 3. 17. and by which the world is ouercome 1. Ioh. 5. 4. through which by the power of God we are kept vnto saluation 1. Pet. 1. 5. This is called the most holy faith Iude vers 20. and is properly the faith of Gods Elect Tit. 1. 1. This faith may be shaken and the power of it sometime very greatly weakened and sometime be so made to languish as the true beleeuer may cry with the afflicted Father in the Gospell Lord I beleeue helpe thou my vnbeliefe Mar. 9. 24. the sense thereof being very little and the power thereof hardly felt for a time the partie being as it were in a swoune or traunce through the force of the temptation But yet neuerthelesse it is not lost totally nor finally so as that the elect Beleeuers cannot perish vtterly which is proued not onely from all which hath beene said before for proofe of the certainty of saluation but also by other manifold reasons of great force to perswade hereto I. From God the Father and thus First from his decree which altereth not for in him is no variablenes nor shadow of turning Iam. 1. 17. he changeth not Mal. 3. 6. no more doth his decree but his counsell shall stand Now God hath decreed who shall be saued Rom. 8. 30. and he hath decreed that such shall beleeue Act. 13. 48. that they shall be holy and blamelesse in loue Eph. 1. 4. be confirmed to the Image of his Sonne Rom. 8. 29. walke in good workes Eph. 2. 10. bring forth fruit and that the same shall remaine Ioh. 15. 16. Therefore by this decree of God neither they nor these their graces shall finally decay Secondly From his Couenant which is an euerlasting Couenant not to turne away from vs to do vs good but to put his feare in our hearts that we shall not depart from him Ier. 32. 40. Therefore by this euerlasting Couenant they cannot perish Thirdly From his gifts among which is faith to beleeue in Christ to suffer also for him Phil. 1. 29. But these gifts and callings of God are without repentance Rom. 11. 29. Therefore can they neuer be lost nor they that haue them perish Fourthly From Gods working all in vs both the will and the deed Phil. 2. 13. and all things for vs Esay 26. 12. reioycing ouer vs to do vs good Ier. 32. 41. Psal 147. 11. and 14 9. 4. and to beautifie vs with saluation Psal 149. 4. for what worke he beginneth the same will he perfect to the end Phil. 1. 6. For euery branch that beareth fruite the Father purgeth that it may bring forth more fruit Ioh. 15. 2. Such a branch then shall neuer wither or fall away Therefore the worke of our saluation being begun and continued of God and not being our worke but his who can hinder our saluation Fiftly From Gods promises which are infallible neuer failing in any thing which he hath promised Ios 21. 45. and 23. 14 15. 1. King 8. 56. Now he hath promised First that he will neuer suffer his to be tempted aboue their abilitie 1. Cor. 10. 13. Secondly that he will giue the issue with the temptation that they may be able to beare it 1. Cor. 10. 13. Thirdly that though the iust man be so ouertaken that he doth fall yet shall he not be vtterly cast downe Psal 37. 24. Therefore cannot the Elect fall finally and perish Fourthly From Gods power who establisheth and keepeth vs from euill 2. Thess 3. 3. vpholdeth all that fall and raiseth them vp Psal 145. 14. for he vpholdeth them with his hand that they may not be vtterly cast downe Psal 37. 24. and so are kept by his power vnto saluation 1. Pet. 1. Fifthly therefore except a power be to ouermaster Gods power the Elect cannot perish Sixtly and lastly From the prime cause of all this dealing of God thus with his people why he hath thus decreed couenāted giuen gifts wrought his worke made such promises and so supporteth them which is the good pleasure of his will Eph. 1. 5. his kindenesse his loue and mercie Tit. 3. 3 5. Ioh. 3. 16. without any desert of ours Tit. 3. 5. Now the same cause euerlastingly remaining in him which moued him to chuse vs is that which continueth euer his goodnesse towards vs and therefore cannot the Elect finally perish Thus farre reasons from God the Father II. From God the Sonne Iesus Christ First he is not onely the Authour but also the finisher of our faith Heb. 12. 2. Therefore our faith cannot be lost Secondly in him all the building fitly framed together groweth into a holy Temple Eph. 2. 21. That therefore which groweth doth not decay nor can perish Thirdly He saueth his people Matth. 1. 21. loseth nothing nor casteth any out that come to him Ioh. 6. 37 39. nor can any plucke them out of his hand but he giueth to them eternall life Ioh. 10. 28. How is it possible then that any of his should perish Fourthly He hath prayed God for all his whom his Father hath giuen him who either haue beleeued or shall beleeue in him Ioh. 17. 9 20. that he would keepe them through his Name from euill ver 11. 15. and he also doth still make continuall intercession for his Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. and appeareth for them in his Fathers presence Heb. 9. 24. Now vnlesse men will say that Christs prayers are not heard contrary to Ioh. 11. 42. and that God is not well pleased with him contrarie to Matth. 3. 17. it cannot be that his faithfull children should perish and lose their faith III. From God the holy Ghost who dwelleth in vs 2. Tim. 1. 14. and abideth in vs 1. Ioh. 2. 27. who is called Gods earnest in our hearts 2. Cor. 1. 22. and 5. 5. and so are we sealed therewith Eph. 1. 13. and thus not here for a time but euen vnto the day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. Therefore is it not possible for the Elect to perish except this earnest of our God and this his Heauenly Seale be of no validity IIII. From the words of Scripture speaking so confidently of true Beleeuers saluation He that beleeueth in the Sonne hath euerlasting life Ioh. 3. 36. and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death vnto
they come in Christs stead 2. Cor. 5. 20. and doe alledge these faithfull promises of God made in generall and apply them to their hearers assuring them that if they beleeue these promises shall be certainly performed Thus Peter applyed the promises Act. 2. 38 39. 3. 25 26. So did S. Paul Act. 13. 26. 16. 31. which assurance made by faithfull Ministers vpon these vndeceiueable promises of God is to bee receiued and beleeued as from Christs owne mouth because they speake not vpon any warrant of their owne but vpon the vndoubted warrant of Christ himselfe Thirdly the Hearers as many as be ordained to eternall life Act. 13. 48. beleeuing doe apprehend and by faith doe apply to themselues these promises so deliuered for that they know that they doe beleeue and truely repent of which their conscience beareth witnesse whose heart is so seasoned with grace and conformed to Gods voice as the same like an Eccho answereth thereto So that when God saith Seeke ye my face the faithfull soule answereth to God Thy face Lord will I seeke Psal 27. 8. When God saith Thou art my people it soundeth backe Thou art the Lord my God Zach. 13. 9. When Christ saith If thou beleeuest al things are possible to him that beleeueth he answereth Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeliefe Mar. 9. 23. When God requireth his will to be done and his commandements diligently to be kept the gracious soule is moued with desire therto Oh that my wayes were directed to the keeping of thy Statutes Psal 119. 4 5. and shewes it selfe ready Loe I come O God I am content to doe it yea thy Law is within my heart Psal 40. 7 8. Therefore their faith claimeth these promises and concludeth the assurance of the things promised in particular so to themselues as if they in the same promises were personally named Fourthly to this spirit of true Beleeuers the holy Ghost beareth witnesse Rom. 8. 16. and it is true 1. Ioh. 5. 6. that wee are the sonnes of God Rom. 8. 16. and that God hath giuen to vs eternall life 1. Ioh. 5. 11. which true Beleeuers doe know for the Word was written also that this they should know 1. Ioh. 5. 13. Thus we see how a true Beleeuer hath his particular perswasion not from an idle fantasie or vaine conceit but from the vndoubted Word of God and from the faithfull witnesses of Gods Spirit and his owne conscience If our Aduersaries will be yet obstinate and say that these generall promises cannot bee thus particularly applyed I demand foure things First why is it said Rom. 15. 4. Whatsoeuer things were written aforetime were written for our learning that wee through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope and in Rom. 4. 23 24. That the things written were not written for their sakes onely of whom they were spoken but for vs also if we cannot apply them as spoken to euery one Secondly why haue the Apostles applyed the generall promises to particular persons so as they haue done as before is shewed Act. 3. 26. 16. 31. 13. 26. and why haue they comforted the faithfull in generall with a promise made to one before in particular Ios 1. 9. Heb. 13. 5 And why did Zachary include himselfe in those promises made long before to Abraham as spoken to himselfe and those then liuing Luk. 1. 73 74. if faith might not apply them to a beleeuers owne speciall comfort Thirdly how can the Popish Priests from a generall Scripture Ioh. 20. 23. with such authoritie absolue their particular Penitentiaries And are either those Priests or any of their Penitentiaries named in the Text If vpon so generall words they can be bold to assure their Confitents of pardon of sinnes may not a true Beleeuer vpon the forenamed grounds hee assured particularly of his owne saluation Lastly if there can be no assured application without particular nomination how shall men become obedient to the precepts and commandements of God how shall any bee stirred vp by exhortation how shall any bee terrified by threatnings For in none of these is any man personally named more then in the promises Therefore as in hearing the other we apply them and verily take them without any doubt as spoken to vs in particular to worke obedience and feare so in hearing these promises are we to apply them as spoken to vs by name if we truely beleeue to our heauenly comfort and assurance of life Obiection Secondly they say that Gods Decree whence we fetch the ground of assurance is conditionall If we beleeue If we liue as we ought to liue and perseuer to the end Which perseuerance when God foreseeth in vs doth thereupon elect vs to saluation Answ The Decree is absolute according to the good pleasure of Gods owne will For therefore we beleeue because hee so hath ordained it Act. 13. 48. We walke in good workes because he hath so fore-ordained vs thereto Ephes 2. 10. We are in time called iustified made conformable to Christ adopted for children to bring forth fruit that also the same should remaine and so be at length glorified because he hath predestinated and ordained vs thereto Rom. 8. 30. Ephes 1. 5. Ioh. 15. 16. So as his Decree is the cause of all good to vs and not our obedience and perseuerance the cause of his Decree Obiection Thirdly this Doctrine of the certainty of saluation and that faith cannot faile maketh men secure careless of good works Answ This is a very old obiection but altogether slanderous There is indeed to be granted a kind of security or assurednesse being vnderstood spiritually for it maketh vs secure in God in the infinitenesse of his mercy towards vs through Christ in the vndoubted truth of his promises in the full perfect satisfaction made by Christ and in the vnchangeablenesse of Gods eternall Decree to saue all those which truely beleeue in Christ But this Doctrine maketh them not carnally secure which are vpon solid ground assured of their saluation which is thus manifest First this sauing faith as you haue heard is euer accompanied with other graces which maketh the true Beleeuers neither barren nor vnfruitfull 2. Pet. 1. 5 8. Secondly this precious faith doth not onely claime the promises but humbly attendeth vpon Gods will in vsing such meanes as God hath appointed in the way to Heauen Thirdly it is euident from examples in Scripture of such as were certaine of saluation as Abraham Moses Dauid S. Paul and others that they did not therefore neglect their duties And such with vs as conscionably hold this doctrine doe walke nothing lesse carefully in the wayes of Gods Commandements but doe endeuour to keepe a good conscience towards God and men And what if vaine presumptuous spirits abase this doctrine as they doe other holy and wholesome truths to their condemnation is the Doctrine therefore faulty Shall the abuse of truth make it to be iudged falshood God forbid To conclude this Doctrine of assurance is most comfortable to humbled and afflicted soules as the other is full of slauish feare and very comfortlesse For what can bee more terrour to mans heart in the time of temptation when hee hath fallen by infirmitie suddenly into some grieuous offence as Peter did and being assaulted by Satan to despaire as Iudas did then to be perswaded that Gods Decree dependeth vpon mans perseuerance that the couenāt of Grace made with his soule may be annihilated his promises fallible his power frustrated Christs strength too feeble to vphold him Christs prayers not of force to preuaile for him with Gods the holy Spirit to haue forsaken him the Seale of Gods Couenant broken off the writing cancelled Faith it selfe and the hope of heauen lost for euer This wounded spirit this soule thus perplexed this heart thus affrighted cast into such a deepe gulph of despaire who can but pittie and withall beware of that desperate Doctrine which casteth poore soules into such vnexpressible misery and sorrows of heart On the other side by the Doctrine of assurance of saluation when a poore weake Christian hath beene ouertaken by some violent storme of temptation and commeth to the sight of sin with Dauid cryeth calleth with bitter teares of repentance and faine would finde peace with God againe how comfortable will it be in such a distresse when Satan with his fiery darts assaulteth him to thinke that though he hath failed on his part and so vndone himselfe for euer as much as lyeth in him yet that God is one and the same his Decree vnalterable his Couenant not broken on his part Christ still his Sauiour his prayers prevalent for him the Spirit of God exciting him to prayer with groanes not to be expressed and his faith though shaken yet not lost O how will the meditation hereof comfort such an afflicted spirit turne his heart to seeke after God grieuing with himself that he should displease so gracious a God and after he hath once againe found some comfort to put on a resolution neuer to offend so any more in a holy zeale therefore to auenge himselfe on himselfe bringing downe his flesh in subiection to the Spirit and all this with an earnest loue to God and care to please him euen for that he hath not lost through his fall the assurance of his saluation as iustly he had deserued Thus is this Doctrine a comfort in distresse and an incouragement after a fall to rise againe and in the time of greatest peace neuer any cause of carelesse securitie but rather of spirituall ioy and an incitement to well-doing to expresse all thankefulnesse to God through Christ for the same Euen so Amen FINIS
the least omission But this obedience is impossible to be performed of any in this life for that there is both flesh and Spirit in euery man which two are such aduersaries one to another so as the best men cannot do the things which they would Galat. 5. 17. This inability through this corruption Saint Paul found and confessed to be euen in himselfe Rom. 7. 15 19. Therefore all our obedience being imperfect our workes cannot bee meritorious and cause of saluation Merit requireth perfection and admits not imperfection for cursed is euery one that keepeth not the words of the Law and fulfilleth them not in workes Deut. 27. 26. So far is man from meriting as a malediction is due if hee doe not obey the commandements Deut. 11. 28. V. It teacheth vs that therefore through this our defect good workes are secluded from being the meritorious cause of our saluation 2. Tim. 1. 9. Ephes 2. 8 9. By grace you are saued through faith not of workes that no man glory Rom. 4. 2. If Abraham was iustified by workes hee had to glory but not with God None are cleane before him Iob 25. 4 5 6. 9. 2 3. Rom. 3. 28. 9. 16. Wee account a man to be iustified by faith without the workes of the Law It is not of the willer nor of the runner but of God that sheweth mercy Psal 48. 8 9. Hee shall not In ours Psal 49. 8 9. giue vnto God his reconciliation and the price of the Redemption of his owne soule Therefore good workes though they euer accompanie those that are saued and iustified in Christ as fruits of a liuely faith yet are not the cause of saluation nor doe iustifie vs before God VI. It teacheth that God therefore to make vs accepted gaue vs his Sonne to become all in all for vs. First hee was made vnder the Law to redeeme vs from vnder it Gal. 4. 4 5. Secondly hee was made a curse for vs to redeeme vs from the curse Gal. 3. 43. Thirdly he was wounded for our iniquities and broken for our sinnes Esai 53. 5. by whose stripes we are healed 2. Pet. 2. 24. Fourthly hee himselfe bare our sinnes in his bodie vpon the tree 1. Pet. 2. 24. making Purgatorie for sinnes Heb. 1. 3. and so for vs was made sinne that we might be made the iustice of God in him 2. Cor. 5. 21. and so liue to iustice 1. Pet. 2. 24. Fiftly hereby hee is become our Wisedome Iustice Sanctification and Redemption 1. Cor. 1. 30. that we may glory in him verse 31. for in him the righteousnesse of God through faith is ours Rom. 10. 3. and 3. 22. and so there can be to vs no condemnation being in Christ Therefore hee is our merit and cause of saluation and not our owne workes VII It teacheth that the Apostle hereupon maketh mans blessednesse to consist not in his owne merits and workes but in reputing iustice without workes and in forgiuing and not imputing sinne Rom. 4. 6 7 8. which forgiuing is our keeping of the Law For as Saint Austin in retract lib. 1. cap. 19. saith All the commandements are holden to be kept when that which is not kept is forgiuen And againe All our righteousnesse saith he stands rather in the remission of our sinnes then in any perfection of iustice De ciu Dei lib. 19. cap. 27. Therefore if mans obedience and keeping be in forgiuenesse and his blessednesse stand therein without workes how is it possible to imagine workes to be the meritorious cause of our saluation VIII It teacheth that for all the graces in vs and for all our obedience to him God onely promiseth to be mercifull as in Deut. 7. 9. Thou shalt know that the Lord thy God hee is a strong and a faithfull God keeping his Couenant and mercy to them that loue him and to them that keepe his precepts So in Exo. 20. 6. Doing mercy to them that loue him and keepe his precepts Here both for the inward loue of God and outward obedience is onely promised mercy Now where mercy needeth there can be no merit Rom. 11. 6. IX It teacheth that the godly 1. acknowledge in all humilitie their sinnes Psal 51. 3 4. Esdr 9. 6. Dan. 9. 1. Secondly they vilifie themselues Iob 9. 2 3 30 31. and 42. 6. 1. Cor. 4. 4. and also those things which seeme to be of worth in them We saith the Prophet are become as one vncleane and all our iustices as the cloth of a menstruous woman Esa 64. 6. Thirdly they confesse that if God be strict in iustice none can bee able In ours Psal 130. 3. to indure Psal 129. 3. If thou shalt obserue iniquities O Lord Lord who shall sustaine it Fourthly hereupon they craue that God would not enter into iudgement with them for that so no flesh should bee iustified in his sight Psal 142. 2. Fiftly they In ours Psal 143. 2. therefore appeale from his iustice to his mercy calling and crying for it as in Psal 129. 3. With thee there is propitiation and Psal 130. 3. Psal 51. 1. saying also in Psal 50. 1. Haue mercy on me O God according to thy great mercy giuing a reason Dan. 9. 18. For not in our iustifications doe wee prostrate prayers before thy face but in thy many commiserations And therefore saith Dauid Psal Psal 119. 118. 76. Let thy mercy be done to comfort mee Hee seeketh comfort in mercy and not in merit Did these holy people of God dreame of merit and of the worth of their workes as the proud condemned Pharise did Luk. 18 or rather did they not as the poore Publican did who cryed Lord haue mercy on me a sinner and therefore went away more iustified then the other The godly know if that they should iustifie themselues their owne mouthes would condemne them Iob 9. 20. And all are by Christ Matth. 6. taught in Prayer to fly to God for mercie and to begge forgiuenesse and not to plead merit X. It teacheth that all whatsoeuer God did to Israel his people all was of his mercy Psal 135. The possession of the Psal 136. Land of Canaan was not merited by Gods people Deut. 9. 5. For saith God Not because of thy iustices and equitie of thy heart doest thou enter in to possesse thy lands I doe it not for your sake be it knowne vnto you saith the Lord but for my holy name So in Ezech. 36. 22 32. Now if the type of heauen could not bee merited by either inward grace or outward workes may we think that heauen may be merited when Saint Paul tels vs that it is the gift of God Rom. 6. 23 Gift is free and not purchased XI It teacheth that the passions of this time are not condigne to the glory to come Rom. 8. 18. If persecution and suffering Martyrdome cannot merit condignely the glory in heauen What may wee thinke of other workes whatsoeuer For neither our goods nor goodnesses is
Dauids deliuerance and Gods fauourable protection of him in his troubles Reuel 3. 4. For they are worthy Answ 1. This is spoken of the persons and not of their workes Secondly the word worthy is here indeterminately set downe and doth not shew how they are worthy Therefore before it bee determined it must bee proued by other Scriptures how they became worthy else merit cannot hence bee concluded Thirdly men by the Gospell are worthy not of themselues but through Christ who is their righteousnesse before God 1. Cor. 1. 30. Worthy they were because Christ was pleased to count them worthy as 2. Thes 1. 5. Fourthly this may be vnderstood comparatiuely in respect of others in Sardis who had defiled themselues c. Digni non ex dignitate sed dignatione Col. 2. 24. Knowing that ye shall receiue the reward of the inheritance for yee serue the Lord Christ Answ 1. Here the Apostle speakes of seruants how in doing faithfully their seruice to men they serue Christ himselfe Now for seruants to serue their Master faithfully is a duty commanded by God Ephes 6. 5 6. But imposed duties done cannot merit Luk. 17. 10. 1. Cor. 9. 16. Secondly the word for expresseth not the cause of the reward but the signe and true token to our selues of obtaining it It noteth the qualitie and condition of such as may looke for eternall life as also the way and order which they that come thereto doe obserue here in this life and not the cause thereof Gen. 15. I am thy great reward This is spoken of God himselfe Can he himselfe be merited of vs Can man by any worke bring God himselfe to bee the very due debt I tremble to thinke so Let any Pharise thus challenge God I dare not 1. Tim. 4. 8. Godlinesse hath promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Answ 1. That which is of promise commeth freely and is not merited God promised Christ Did we merit him Christ promised his holy Spirit Was it merited Secondly all promises of God made to his people are made in Christ In him all the promises of God are yea and Amen they haue their ground and performance in him and for his sake to vs. This very word cutteth the sinewes of Merit and sheweth that we claime of God fidelitie in performing his promise but not the paiment of a deserued debt 2. Tim. 4. 8. The Crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord that righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day Answ 1. Before is shewed how eternall life which is this Crowne of righteousnesse is giuen vs freely by Christ Secondly it is called the Crowne of righteousnesse because he glorifieth thus those whom hee iustifieth Rom. 8. 30. Thirdly Saint Paul disclaimed iustification by his owne righteousnesse 1. Cor. 4. 4. 9. 16. and taught saluation to bee by grace and not by workes Ephes 2. Here therefore hee speakes not of merit for so should hee be contrarie to himselfe Fourthly Saint Paul speaketh in verse 7. of nothing done by him but that which by dutie hee was bound to doe Was hee not bound to fight a good fight to finish his course and to keepe the faith Then could hee not merit by his dutie as before is proued Fifthly the Lord is said to bee righteous in rewarding not in respect either of vs or of our worke but in respect of his promise to reward which he is iust to performe for by our workes we make him not debter but he makes himselfe so of his meere goodnesse by promising for hee is not vniust to forget our works Heb. 6. 10. for his owne promise sake for hee is iust in his sayings Rom. 3. 4. Where note also that the truth of God verse 7. is called the righteousnesse of God verse 5. and he is said to be iust as well in forgiuing 1. Ioh. 1. 9. as in punishing and a mercifull righteousnesse there is in God euen his faithfulnesse towards his people in performance of his Word which is opposed to the iustice of God by which hee rewards men according to their deserts Psal 143. 1 21. Consider this well and thou shalt neuer swell with merit 2. Thes 1. 5. That yee may bee counted worthy of the Kingdome of God for which resuffer Answ 1. Touching the word worthy see before the answer to Reu. 3. 4. Secondly here it is not said that they are worthy or might be worthy but that they may be counted worthy Now to be so and to be counted so doe much differ For they bee counted so that in themselues are not so but in another as wee all bee through Christ So Saint Paul prayeth to God for this as a mercy from him towards them that hee would count them worthy Now God doth count none worthy but in Christ in whom onely hee is pleased Matth. 3. 17. Therefore the Thessalonians were not worthy by any thing in themselues Thirdly their sufferings made them not worthy of eternall life for the Apostle had taught the contrary Rom. 8. 18. XXIX Proposition Of Free-will and the strength thereof BEfore I come to propound the question that it may be truly vnderstood somethings are to be premised First that there is the facultie called the will in euery reasonable soule Secondly that this will is a free and actiue will in it selfe and to anything it willeth without enforcement Thirdly that this will hath the vnderstanding the other facultie of the soule euer going before it to bee the informer thereof Fourthly that this will hath power to chuse or refuse the thing obiected and laid before it or to pause and rest it selfe betweene both Fifthly that the vse of this free-will was to compasse all those ends for which man was made which were as manifold as mans composition who is microcosmus and to doe such things as should tend to his owne good and Gods glory but by sinning man hath left off this free-will till it be repaired by grace yet not wholly but that in diuers things some power remaineth First in all naturall actions as to eate sleepe walke sit stand and to vse all other bodily actions and vse of the senses for preseruation of life and for auoiding things hurtfull the generall gift in nature common to all vnreasonable creatures Onely whereas these moue to their end yet are they not priuy for want of reason to discerne what they doe but man as Lord of his owne actions doth what he doth out of his owne choice by knowledge and deliberation before hand Secondly in humane actions as to speake discourse learne and teach Arts and Sciences and all such things as bee common to all of mankinde that they may liue in the world as men among men in ciuill societies profitably Thirdly in Morall actions as to doe iustice to liue temperately chastely to doe good to others to relieue helpe and defend them and to doe actions of common honestie and such things as be praise-worthy and common
or in any thing is to be found in him Fiftly Saint Paul speakes of his abilitie of doing all things through Christ strengthening him thereto But where is it written that Christ strengtheneth any man perfectly to fulfill the whole Law Saint Paul found not this in him as before is noted out of Rom. 7. Nor Saint Peter when hee forswore his Master and when hee after dissembled and was openly and worthily rebuked by S. Paul Gal. 2. Nor Saint Iohn when hee fell downe and would haue worshipped an Angell Reuel 19. Luk. 1. 5 6. And they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blamelesse Answ 1. That they were righteous we acknowledge it and also before God by the Text it is cleere and so are all the regenerate at this day But how by workes Not so before God The Apostle teacheth the contrary Rom. 4. 2. and the Psalmist Psal 143. 2. But by faith in Christ Rom. 4. 3 9. Phil. 3. 9. who was made sinne for vs that wee might be made the righteousnesse of God in him 2. Cor. 5. 21. By which righteousnesse we are righteous before God and yet for all this not without sinne in our selues For was not Iohn and Iames the Apostles righteous yet both acknowledge themselues to haue sinne 1. Ioh. 1. 8 10. Iam. 3. 2. Secondly Walking in all the commandements is here added as the fruit of their righteousnesse the manifest signe thereof and declaration of thankefulnesse as in Gen. 17. and not as the cause of it For by the workes of the Law shall none be iustified before God Rom. 3. 20. Thirdly a man may walke faintly he may halt yea now and then slip and yet be in the right way Fourthly by saying in all it noteth not perfection in obedience as may appeare in Dauid though of him it be said Act. 13. 22. that he should performe all Gods will yet hee fell fearefully sometime but it set out their soundnesse of heart hauing respect to all the commandements and ordinances of God as Dauid speaketh Psal 119. 6 117. for they did not seuer the commandements in their practice but made conscience of one as well as of another Fifthly whereas it is said without blame or blamelesse This is to bee vnderstood so before men but not before God For first God strucke him dumbe for his vnbeliefe verse 20. Secondly his very office as hee was a Priest conuinceth him of sinne for the Priest sacrificed as well for himselfe as for the people Heb. 5. 3. So that he was not blamelesse before God Luk. 11. 27. Blessed are they that heare the Word of God and keepe it Answ 1. This place proueth not the point in question for wee acknowledge that the regenerate doe keepe Gods Word But how Not fully and perfectly which is the question and is not hence proued Secondly imperfect obedience through Christ is accepted and such a one may be blessed Thirdly who knoweth not what imperfections are in hearing And the same is much more in keeping Fourthly hearing and keeping are a declaration of such as bee blessed and not the cause of their blessednesse The like answer may be made to Ioh. 13. 17. 14. 23. Matth. 12. 50. Luk. 11. 2. Thy will be done as in Heauen so in Earth Answ 1. This proueth not what men here on earth doe but what they should pray for and begge of God to doe Secondly wee are not here taught to begge any thing impossible neither for the word as hath not relation to the degree of absolute perfection of obedience in heauen but to the manner of doing Gods will there willingly ioyfully faithfully and constantly which we desire to imitate here according to the measure of grace which we receiued of God The Gagger calleth this Petition a demand as if in Prayer wee were not beggers but claimers of our dues and rights from God see the proud spirit of an Antichrist 1. Ioh. 5. 3. This is the loue of God that we keepe his commandements and his commandements are not grieuous Answ 1. Wee acknowledge that the loue of God neither is nor can bee without obedience to the commandements for true loue forceth thereto obedience is the true fruit of loue and the true signe thereof So as these words This is the loue of God may be thus expounded This is the true signe of the loue of God that wee keepe his commandements Secondly this doth not proue the point for wee acknowledge also the keeping of Gods commandements but wee deny the perfect keeping fully according to the rigour and strictnesse of the Law which this place speakes not of Thirdly touching the praise of them as not grieuous or heauy This is to be vnderstood not so in respect of the commandements themselues for they are a heauy yoake according to these places Act. 15. 10. Rom. 8. 3. and 7. 14. but in respect of such as be in Christ to whom the commandements are not heauy nor grieuous First for that Christ helpeth them with his grace and holy Spirit to keepe them Secondly because they truely loue God and so are willing to vndergoe any thing for Christ and so to a willing minde nothing is grieuous Thirdly for that they haue a spirituall delight in Gods commandements feeling the peace of a good conscience in well doing Fourthly for that such men doe not in their minde esteeme them heauy or grieuous Lastly they may be said not to bee heauy and grieuous respectiuely to that which they were before Christ through the manifest incumbrances vnder Moses but now Christ hath fulfilled them for vs he hath borne the burthen remoued the curse made vs by faith fulfillers of them and thus are they not heauy nor grieuous but yet it proueth not that any man can keepe the commandements The Gagger hath collected many other places onely he citeth them but vrgeth them not Ezek. 36. 27. Walke in my Statutes and keepe my iudgements and doe them Answ Here is no mention of either the manner or measure which was the thing he should haue proued else we grant all The like answer is to Ecclus 15. 15. which booke is not Canonical Matth. 11. 30. My yoake is easie and burthen is light Answ 1. Here is no mention of commandements Secondly Christs yoake is not the Law but the doctrine of the Gospell and his owne discipline Thirdly whatsoeuer is meant by yoake and burthen the same being Christs to the regenerate it is easie and light by the former reasons alledged to the place of 1. Ioh. 5. 3. Matth. 19. 17. If thou wilt enter into life keepe the commandements Answ 1. This place imposeth a duty but proueth not performance for it is one thing for God to command and another thing for man to perform his commandement Secondly Christ speakes not here thus to this yong man as imploying abilitie in him to keepe the commandements but to answer to the pride of his heart to conuict him
iustifyeth yet it is not alone without charitie and other fruits which euer accompany it to shew it to bee sauing faith but yet not as any causes with it of our iustification Iam. 2. 24. Ye see therefore how that by workes a man is iustified and not by faith onely Answ To shew the sence and plaine meaning of these words which are the conclusion from the former discourse wee must consider First to whom Iames speaketh hee speaketh to vaine men verse 20. which boasted of their faith saying they had faith and yet were without workes verse 14. This was the occasion of the Apostles discourse Secondly the scope which was not to shew what place faith hath in iustification whether that faith onely iustifie before God for that was Saint Pauls drift to the Romanes Rom. 4. 5. but this here is onely to shew what faith it is that saueth not verse 14. Thirdly the faith here spoken of and condemned is such a faith First as stood onely in words without workes like the charitie of such who say to the poore Goe in peace be warme and filled but yet giue them nothing to warme and fill them verse 15 16. Secondly a dead faith verse 17. 20 26. Thirdly an Historicall faith which the diuels themselues haue Fourthly a faith contrary to Abrahams faith For his was an operatiue faith and which he that hath can shew by workes verse 18 21. a faith that worketh by works shewing it selfe to bee perfect that is true and sincere verse 22. By which faith Abraham beleeuing it was counted to him for righteousnesse ver 23. where note that when righteousnesse which was counted to Abraham is mentioned it is ascribed to his faith which so did shew it selfe by workes and not to his deeds done which Saint Paul makes the fruits of this his faith Heb. 11. 17. Therefore all these things premised and cleerely manifest out of the Text these words in this verse 24. carry the sense Ye see therefore by all this aforesaid how that by workes that is by faith shewed by workes that a man is iustified and not by faith onely that is by faith alone a solitarie faith which hath no workes of which the vaine man boasteth For onely here is vsed for alone For when the Greekes place the word onely after faith as here then it signifieth alone but before faith it signifieth only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And this interpretation first is agreeing to the scope of the Apostle Iames here Secondly it doth not oppose S. Pauls Doctrine Rom. 3. and 4. which secludeth workes from faith in the act of our iustification Thirdly the words in this Text of Iames confirmeth this exposition that workes are put for faith shewed by works in ver 18. where he bringeth one in vrging to shew faith by workes Also when in verse 21. he had spoken of Abrahams iustification by workes he by and by saith verse 22. Seest thou how faith wrought by his workes And then thereupon produceth Scripture in verse 23. to proue not that Abrahams worke was counted to him for righteousnesse as Iames would haue done if he had intended to teach iustificatiō by works but that it was the faith of Abraham which did worke by workes that made him to be reputed righteous before God Gal. 5. 6. For in Iesus Christ neither Circumcision auaileth any thing nor vncircumcision but faith which worketh by loue Answ This place magnifieth sauing faith which worketh by loue for which we plead and therefore is nothing against but altogether for that which we teach for we speake not of alone faith but of onely faith in the act of iustification The places cited by the Gagger Matth. 5. 20. Except your righteousnesse exceede the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharises c. Answ This place is not to the purpose for here is no mention of faith nor of iustification by faith but here is one righteousnesse preferred before another That of the Scribes and Pharises bringeth not to Heauen for it was legall sought by workes and to establish their owne righteousnesse being ignorant of the righteousnesse of God Rom. 10. 3. which is Euangelicall sought by faith and inherent in Christ in all fulnesse of perfection which exceeded the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharises Mat. 7. 21 22. Not euery one that saith to me Lord Lord c. Answ This is nothing neither to proue the point This is against idle and vaine professors of Christ that haue not the faith that iustifieth Matth. 11. 26. Yea O Father for so it was thy good pleasure This is foolishly quoted Matth. 12. 33. Is of a fruitfull and fruitlesse tree Matth. 16. 16. Thou art Christ the Sonne of the liuing God Peters profession of his faith The very naming of these sheweth the vanity of this Gaggers citing of Scriptures Matth. 19. 17. If thou wilt enter into life keepe the Commandements Answ 1. This is nothing against iustification by faith onely which faith is neuer without obedience to Gods commandements 2. Christ speakes not of that which the young man was able to doe but he seeking righteousnesse by the Law Christ answered him thereafter legally intending to discouer to him his rashnesse and pride as the euent sheweth For the young man was couetous and loued his riches on earth more then treasure in heauen verse 21 22. Gal. 3. 12. But the Law is not of faith but the man that doth them shall liue in them Answ The whole course of the context is for iustification by faith and against iustification by works The eighth vers speaks of the iustification of the Gentiles through faith The ninth verse saith that they that be of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham The tenth verse pronounceth them that are of the deeds of the Law accursed The 11. verse confidently auerreth that no man is iustified by the Law in the sight of God and giueth the reason for the iust shall liue by faith In verse 12. is an argument to refell confidence in workes For the Law saith he is not of faith So as if we liue by faith wee cannot liue by the Law for it propounds life to the doers but not to beleeuers as the Gospell doth 1. Tim. 5. 8. If any prouide not for his owne c. Hath not he an idle braine is not he worthy to be gagged for a lewd babbler that will alledge this Scripture against iustification by faith onely when we speake of a holy liuely and obedient faith 1. Ioh. 2. 4. He that saith he knowes him and keepes not his commandements c. 1. Ioh. 3. 22. Whatsoeuer we shall aske because we keepe his commandements and doe those things which are pleasing in his sight Answ The first place condemneth knowledge without practice So doe we and such a faith too The second is an effect of that good confidence in God spoken of in verse 21. describing such as haue such boldnesse towards God by the true signes and fruits of