so many words the worshipping the Devil nor the second the casting himself down from the top of the Temple For in S. Matthew he alledgeth the law Mat. 15.4 honour thy Father and Mother and the ordinance he that curseth Father or Mother shall die the death against the traditions of the Scribes and Pharesies who hold that a child who is obliged by an oath or a rash vow not to give any assistance to its Father and Mother would not sin in refusing them the honour which is due to them And nevertheless neither of these two passages do formally and in so many words express what they would conclude from them To the Saduces who questioned him about the resurrection of the dead he produced that which God said in the Scriptures Mat. 22.32 I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob the Saduces remained confused and all the multitude admired the force and strength of this proofe Our methodists laugh at it and demand a formal passage and say that the consequences are faulty The Apostles follow faithfully the tracts of their Master they prove the truth of the gospel against the Jews not by formal passages of the old Testament but by consequences and reasoning which they drew from it In this manner holy Peter shewed the sending and comming of Christ to the world by the words of Moses Act. 3.22 Deut. 18.15 Act. 2.27.29 30 31. Ps 16 10. Rom. 4. Ps 32 1 2. Gen. 15.6 a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like to me his resurrection by that of the Psalms thou shalt not suffer thy holy one to see corruption so St. Paul concludes that a man is not justified by the law but by grace in those words of the Prophet blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven Rom. 9.8 and from that which is written that Abraham believed and t was imputed to him for righteousness Thus he proves in his epistles to the Romans and Galatians Gala. 4.28 that 't is by faith and not by workes that we are justified and by the word of the Lord to Abraham Gen. 21 12. Rom. 9.15.16 Ex. 33.19 in Isaac shall thy seed be called and that the calling of beleivers is not of him that willleth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy from that which God sayed to Moses I will be gracito whom I will be gracious and I will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy In the same manner he shewes the rejection of the Jews by these words of the Scripture Rom. 9.23.33 Hos 2 23. Rom. 14.10 11. Esai 45.25 behold I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and the calling of the Gentiles by this I will call them my people which were not my people and the last judgment by these other as I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me What shall I say of his Epistle to the Hebrews all interwoven with proofs of his nature as when he sheweth the excellency of Christ above the Angels by the words of David Heb. 1.5 Psal 2.7 Heb. 5.7 tot thou art my son this day have I begotten thee his eternal preisthood by the History of Melchisedeck in Genesis the advantage of his alliance above the ancients by the oath set down in Psalms 21.10 the Lord hath sworn and well not repert of it Heb. 7.21 I must wholy transcribe the Epistles of this divine man if I would deny here all the examples where he furnisheth us with these sorts of proofs for he disputes every where thus and draws from the holy Scriptures by the force of reasoning thousands of conclusions which cannot be read there expressly And if one cannot prove by the Scriptures except it speaks in so many words as the new method pretends how did the same Apostle dispute by the Scripture against the Jews of Thessalonica that it behoveth that Christ must suffer Act. 17.2.3 Act. 18.28 and that he should rise from the dead and that this Jesus viz. he who was crucified in Judea was the Christ and how did the Apostles demonstrate the same proposition by the same Scriptures certainly this proposition that Jesus is the Christ is found couched in these terms in no places of the old testament as every one confesseth How comes it then that Paul and the Apostles shewed it by this ancient Scripture it is be cause they shewed divers things in the Scripture from whence it necessarily followed for they gathered together all the marks of Christ contained in the books of the old Testament from whence they formed this proposition he who has such and such qualities who is born at such a time and in such a place who doth suffers and teaches such and such things is the Christ this being once so put they consequently apply to their Jesus all the marks and qualities of the Messias proveing by clear and irrefragable witneses that he had exactly in him all that the prophets had attributed to the Messias from whence the conclusion follows of it self that Jesus is then the Messias this is that which S. Luke calls to declare propose in the book of the Acts Acts. 17.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 useing two words most proper for this subject the first of which signifies to open the second to put one thing neer another to tell us that the Apostles prove these conclusions by the Scriptures first in making the prophecies appear clear and shewing the true sence of them and then in examining them with the events and comparing the figures with the things and the shadow with the body from whence the light of the truths of the Gospel shine forth of themselves Since the Lord and his Apostles used this way we must acknowledg that a proposition is lawfully and valuably proved by the Scriptures when one showeth that it evidently follows from the things which are contained in it although it be not there it self expressly except one were so desperate as to accuse the Soveraign Wisdome and his most faithful and intimate Ministers of having imployed vain and frivilous Sophisms instead of good and sollid deemonstrations But besides their examples they have authorized this way of proof by their command For our Lord according to the exposition of the most parts of the antient and modern Interpreters commanded the Jews in the fifth of St. Joh. 5.39 John to search the Scriptures Why should he command that we should search for other things then those which are directly expressed there all the circumstances of the passage shew that he wisheth them to learn who is truly the Christ But this cannot be drawn from antient Scriptures but only by consequences It follows then that the Lord expects that we should learn not only that which it tells us directly but also that which may be concluded from it by good and valid consequences Mat. 22.29 31 32. And in Matt. 22. disputing
Christ to good works which God hath prepared to the end we might walk in them Secondly I confess that St. James writes James 2 21. that Abraham was justified by his works when he offered up his Son Isaac upon the Altar But 't is clear that he understands not by this word that Abraham did receive from God the pardon of his sins by the merit of this his work since the Scripture saith as St. Paul reports it that before the birth of Isaac Gen. 15.6 Rom. â— 23 the faith of Abraham was imputed to him for righteousness St. James disputes in this place not of the manner or condition by which man is absolved from his sin before God but of the quality of the faith by which he is received into Grace viz. that it is efficacious in good works and not barren and unfruitful as that of which the Hypocrites boast And to prove it he alledges amongst other reasons the example of Abraham who indeed was absolved and received into Grace by faith but 't was by a lively faith and effectual in good works as he is justified by the admirable obedience which he rendred to God in offering his only Son to him in Sacrifice Then was clearly accomplished the Scripture which giveth him the praise of having believed in God it appears then that what is said of him is most true James 2.22 Abraham believed in God and it was imputed to him for righteousness His saith was finished or accomplished saith the Apostle that is to say 2 Cor. 12.9 it shewed its perfection and accomplishment by works in the same manner as St. Paul saith That the strength of the Lord is made perfect or accomplished in weakness that is to say that it sheweth his valour and perfection in our infirmities and afflictions 1 Tim. 3.16 This is that then which St. James means when he saith that Abraham was justified by works that is to say he proved and demonstrated by his works that which was real as when St. Paul saith That the Lord Jesus was justified in Spirit that is that he proved and demonstrated by his great and admirable works that he is true God blessed for ever And it is in the same sense that we ought to understand that which St. James concludes Vers 24. You see then that a man is justified by works and not only by faith that is to say the man sheweth and proveth what he is not only in believing but also in well-doing if we confess voluntarily that we do detest from our hearts this phantasm of faith which vaunts of believing without producing any good fruit and confess that it is unuseful it is exactly that which Saint James lays down at the beginning Vers 4. as the subject of all his designe What will it profit him if any one sayeth that he hath faith and hath not works faith or rather this faith can it save him CHAP. VIII That the Holy Scriptures doth not teach us that works merit eternal life 1. THat if the good works of the faithful merit not the remission of their sins much less can they merit eternal life To prove it is so they heap up divers places of the Scripture which shew that God will give eternal life to those who have lived holily as the following and other-like places Rom. 1.6 7.10 God shall render to every one according to his works viz. to those who with patience and well doing seek for glory honour and immortality eternal life But to those who are given to contentions and agree not to the truth but give themselves to iniquity shall be indignation and wrath Whosoever shall give to drink a Cup of eold water only to one of these little ones in the name of a Disciple Mat. 10.42 verily I say unto you that he shall not lose his reward Mat. 25.34 Then shall the King say to them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father possess the Kingdom which hath been prepared for you from the foundation of the world for I was an hungred and you gave me to eat I was thirsty and you gave me to drink I was a stranger and you took me in c. But neither these passages nor any like to them * As Mat. 5.12 16.27 2 Cor. 5.10 Heb. 6.10 10 25. 1.26 2 Tim. 4.8 Apoc. 21.7 22 12. Prov. 11.10 Esa 3.10 which are found in many places in the Holy Scriptures can prove that is in Question viz. that the dignity and the excellencie of the works of the faithful are such as are worth eternal life and that there is a certain proportion and equality between them and the Glory to come which precisely requireth that it should be given to them for reward God being there obliged even by the justice of the same thing and consequently cannot fail of it without violating the Justice which is between him and man This is that which the merit of works signifie which we denie and our Adversaries maintain Bell. de Justif l. 5. c. 17 18. All that one can lawfully infer from these passages is that God hath promised to give eternal life to those who live well and holily that one day he will accomplish perfectly this his promise on this condition eternal life is a consequent an acknowledgment and a reward of holiness and good works which the faithful who labour and persevere in their vocation may and ought to expect from God But who doubts of any of these truths all that we say is that we must expect this reward only from the Grace of God who hath promised and will give it because he is most good and not for the value and excellencie of our works which how good soever they be are but our duty with which we acquit our selves to God incapable by consequence of meriting any thing it being clear that he who doeth that which he ought and to whom he is obliged acquits himself only and doth not merit Secondly They alledge that the Lord speaking of the happy Luke 20.35 saith That they who shall be made worthy to obtain that life and the resurrection from the dead Rev. 3.4 and elsewhere that the faithful of Sardis should walk with him in white clothing because they are worthy of it and that St. Paul saith speaking of the Thessalonians that they were afflicted to be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God 2 Thes 1.5 But I answer that this word worthy signifieth the disposition and convenience of a thing and not its merit As when St. John exhorts the Jews to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance Mat. 3.8 that is to say convenient for the repentance which it answereth and not which it merits for this would be ridicule it is then in this scuse that the truly faithful who live holily and persevere constantly in piety are worthy of the Kingdom and white Vestments of the Lord that is to say
a flict you and to you who are afflicted deliverance with us when that the Lord Jesus shall shew himself from Heaven with the Angels of his power and with the flame of fire doing vengeance upon them that know not God 2 Tim. 4.1 Jesus Christ shall judge the living and dead at his coming and raign 5. That the Son of God is dead for oursins and bath Redeemed us in suffering death for us 1 Peter 3.18 Rom. 4.25 Gal. 1.4 Christ hath suffered once for our sins the just for the unjust that he might lead us to God Isaiah 53.5 He hath been wounded for our iniquities he hath been bruised for our sins The discipline of our peace is upon him and we are healed by his stripes Rom. 3.25 God hath propounded Jesus Christ a propitiator propitiatory by Faith in his blood to demonstrate his justice for the remission of sins past through the forbearance of God Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Eph. 1.7 Col. 1.14 Heb. 9.12 Revel 5.9 when he was made a curse for us for it is written cursed is he who hangs upon a tree 1 Tim. 11.5 There is God and one Mediatour Moyenneur between God and men viz. Jesus Christ man who hath given himself as a ransome for us all 1 Peter 1.18 19. Mat. 20.28 You have been Redeemed from your vain conversation which was given to you by your Fathers not by things corruptible as by Gold or Silver Act. 20.28 but by the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and spot Rom. 5 8. Luk. 22.19 John 10.11 15. 10 51 52. 2 Cor. 5 15. Gal. 2.20 Heb. 2.9 1 Pet. 2.21 4.1 1 Joh. 1.16 God certified his love to us in this that although we were yet abandoned to sin according to time Christ is dead for us Rom. 8.32 God hath not spared his own Son but hath given him for us all Eph. 5.2 Christ hath loved us and delivered himself for us an oblation and sacrifice to God an Odour of a good smell Tit. 2.14 Jesus Christ hath given himself for us to the end he might Redeem us from all iniquity and cleanse us to be to him an agreeable people given to good works 1 Peter 2.24 Christ hath born our sins in his Body upon the Tree Heb. 1.3 Joh. 1.29 1 Joh. 1.7 to the end that being dead to sin we might live to justice by whose bruisings we have been healed Hebrews 9.28 Christ hath been offered one time to abolish the sins of many 2 Corinthians 5.21 God hath made him who knew no sin to be sin for us to the end we should be made the justice of God in him Isaiah 53.4 5. Truely he hath born our greifs and himself hath carried our Sorrowes and we have esteemed him as leprous and stricken of God and abased and verse 6. The Lord hath put upon him the iniquity of us all and verse 11.12 This same is my just servant in justifying many by his knowledge and even he shall bear their iniquities therefore I will part to him many and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath given his soul to death and hath been reputed amongst the wicked and even he hath born the sins of many prayed for transgressors 6. That the Religion of the Lord consisteth in Faith and Charity 1 John 3.23 Behold the command of God that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he hath commanded â—s CHAP. VI. Of the Justification of man by the Grace of God and of the Nature of Faith 1 That God appeased by the Sacrifice of the death of his Son received into Grace all those who believed in him pardoning their sins and treating them as if they had never sinned â—Ohn 3.18 He who believeth in 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ shall not be condemnâ—d but he who doth not beleive is alâ—eady condemned John verse 24. Verily verily I say â—nto you that he who hears my word â—nd believes in him who hath sent me â—ath life eternal and shall not come â—nto condemnation but is passed from â—eath to life John 6.40 This is the will of â—im that sent me that who ever â—eth the Son and believes in him â—ath life eternal and therefore I will raise him up at the Last Day Romans 3.21 22 23 24. Noâ— the justice of God is manifested withâ— out the Law having witness of 〈◊〉 Law and Prophets viz. the justice 〈◊〉 God by the Faith of Jesus Christ foâ— all and upon all them which believâ— in him for there is no difference sinâ— all have sinned and have need of thâ— Glory of God being justified gratâ— by his Grace by the Redemptioâ— which is in Jesus Christ whom Gâ—â— hath Propounded a Propitiator bâ— Faith in his blood Romans 4.5 To him who workâ— eth not but believeth in him whâ— justifieth the wicked his Faith 〈◊〉 counted to him for Righteousnesâ— according to the good will of thâ— Grace of God And verse 23 24 Now that this was imputed to Abrâ—ham for righteousness was not oâ—ly written for him but also for us tâ— whom also this shall be imputed viz to us who believe in him who hatâ— raised from the dead our Lord Jesâ—â— Christ Romans 10.9 10. Rom. 5.1 If thou confesseth the Lord Jesus Christ witâ— thy mouth and believest in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation Ephesians 2.8 By Grace are you faved through Faith and this is not of your selves for it is the gift of God not by works least any man should boast For we are his workmanship being created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath prepared that we should walk in them 2 Corinthians 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their forfeits to them 1 John 1.19 If we confess our sins he is Faithful and Just to pardon our fins and cleanse us from all iniquity 1 John 2.12 If any one hath sinned we have an Advocate with the Father viz. Jesus Christ the Just For t is he who is the Propitiatory for our sins and not onely for ours but for those of the whole World 2. That those who believe in God and know him truely give themselves to Sanctification and good works James 2.26 As the Body without the Soul is dead so Faith without works is dead 1 John 2.3 By this we know that we have known him Gal. 5.24 viz. If we keep his commandements he who saith he knoweth God and keepeth not his commandements is a lyer and the truth is not in him 1. This is proved clearly thus who is begotten of God gives himself to holiness and good works and doeth no more the mystery of iniquity 1 John 3.10 By this is manifest the children of God and the children of the