Lyar. To the second Part if every Child of God keep his Commands as they are made the Condition of Life in the New Covenant then I hope it will be granted however that the greatest and most substantial Commandments are kept and how he should then neglect the lesser or remain unfaithful in the least Things I cannot understand for ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you faith Christ and he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much Now this great Commandment of Love being the Fulfilling of the Law must needs be therefore comprehensive of or take in the lesser Commandments and farther let it be seriously minded and considered that he that is come into the New Covenant or to be in Covenant with God is come into that Agreement and Union with him which this Covenant contains which admits not of the continuance of Sin or Breach of the Law of this Covenant and he that abides in Christ sins not he that dwells in Love dwells in God be not deceived he that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous 1 John 3. And this may answer what is said about the Child of God that as he is Righteous and Perfect he sins not c. and that when St. John speaks of sinning not we may observe how he counterpoises committing Sin with being Righteous or doing Righteousness to which this Author addeth The true Christian sins not so as he opposeth his being Righteous he commits not Sin as is contradictory to his doing Righteousness page 15. But still he seems here to leave Room for the Child of God's sinning or committing Sin in some Sense or other while in this World about which we differ and cannot be reconciled unless we both joyn in that Seed and Principle which lives in the child of God if we both did meet in that which is born of God which overcomes the World we should both agree about the State of him or whosoever to wit the Man of God or true child that is born of God whom the Wicked One cannot touch Sect. VIII Again since he saith The calm Protestants will grant to the Papists such a fulfilling of the Law as does constitute a Real true Righteousness and that which is perfect or entire according to the Covenant of Grace and so accepted of God unto Life c. page 15 16. Animad 'T is well that some Protestants grant thus much for this is repugnant both to the continuance and mixture of Sin and Corruption in the Children of God or with their Obedience for true and real Righteousness which is perfect and entire according unto the Covenant of Grace is what we do plead for both as to the Root and Fruits of it but I cannot see how this can consist with what he saith The most violent Papists will grant to the Protestant that this Righteousness nevertheless is not wtthout all Sin but doth both fail in the Degree which the Law exacts and is intermingled with many at least venial Transgressiâ—nâ— page 16. Although this doth somewhat agree with what this Author drives at against us yet such a mixture we cannot own nor such an interminglement of Sin with that Righteousness which is perfect and entire according to the Covenant of Grace and I see no Reason when the Soul 's great Enemy is overcome and the greater Sins washed off and the greater Pollutions done away why those venial Sins or lesser Sins should remain and there is no Reason that venial or pardonable Sins should remain or be continued after pardoned Man's Mind and Heart being changed and turned from them having repented thereof at the Time of his receiving pardon or when he receiveth Redemption through the Blood of Christ even Remission of Sins past As for standing on our own Righteousness when it is taken for Self-Righteousness in the Sense of the Prophet Isaiah chap. 64. 6. We do utterly deny and exclude it but as the Lord is oâ—r Righteousness by his inward Work of Grace and Sanctification in our Hearts we must forever own and stand by this with Respect to our Justification Acceptance and Peace with him as being the Ground and Original thereof to us and in us and they who exclude this inward or inherent Righteousness of God from Justification we can in no wise own their Doctrine Again between this Man 's Assenting page 16 17. that that Righteousness which is accepted of God unto Life is a real true Righteousness perfect and entire according to the Covenant of Grace and yet that this Righteousness is imperfect wherein we are justifiable by the Covenant of Mercy as Performers of the Condition here appears such an Inconsistancy as I know not how to reconcile for that which is perfect entire according to the Covenant of Grace is never deficient lame or imperfect nor yet intermingled with any Sin to make iâ— so as Christ being made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption we are only accepted in him justified in his Righteousness accepted in the Beloved whereby we do not exclude that Obedience on our Parts which Christ injoyns but are enabled and naturallized thereunto Confess He confefâ—eth that God gave his whole Law for a Covenant and if one Part only were transgressed the Condition of that Covenant is broken as well as if all were transgressed and that we must understand the like in reference to the Law of Faith or Covenant of Grace and its Observation page 17. Animad Must we so Then as perfect or full Obedience is required by the latter and unto it as by the former and much more Power and Encouragements attend this being established upon better Promises then were known under the other and in this Covenant of Grace God's Promises are Yea and Amen which concern perfect Holiness as well as the rest of the Saints Priviledges and both this Law and Righteousness of Faith require a sincere or perfect Obedience to the Word of Faith in the Heart and that in order to the compleating an absolute Justification and Salvation as the Law or Letter without doth to the Precepts therein contained but then the Man varies in what he addeth in the next Section Sect. IX Object viz. Let a Man's Sins be what they will so long as the Condition be performed he may according to this Law be judged no Transgressor page 17. Animad Whereas if this Law of Faith or Covenant of Grace must be as fully observed as the whole Law â—hat God gave to Man for a Covenant as before no Part whereof was to be broken how do these consist And if the Law be not made void through Faith but established and if it be not the Unrighteous that shall inherit the Kingdom of God but such as are washed and sanctified from all Uncleanness that are also justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God see 1 Cor. 6. Then I do not see that the Performance
as I find them 2 dly To consider whether his Reflections upon us are consistant therewith as touching our Principles Sect. I. As touching Justification he saith viz. To avoid needless Difference with Brethren I must distinguish Justification Justification we agree to be a forensical Act opposed to the laying any Thing to a Man's Charge whereby he may be condemned who shall lay any Thing to the Charge of God's Elect it is God that justifieth now there is a Double Charge the Charge of the Law that we are Sinners and so condemnable for violating of it and the Charge of the Gospel that we have not performed the remedying Condition which God requires of us for the escaping of that Condemnation And also he farther explains There is a farther Justification in regard to a particular Charge of the one or an universal Justification against all Accusations or the Charge of both as we must answer to the Charge of the Gospel by denying that Charge and pleading our Performance we answer the Charge of the Law by confessing it and pleading Christ's Satisfaction Our Faith aud Repentance is our Righteousness in Regard to the Gospel but Pardon of Sin together with this Righteousness may go both into universal Justification And that God justifying us by this Righteousness that is by Faith or Evangelical Obedience without the Works of the Law and that pardoning us as the Effect of that Act may both make up the Compositum of Vniversal Justâ—fication you see how tender I am of persisting in any Mistake wherein I have or may prejudice others I do not find that the Scripture doth denominate or pronounce any one Righteous or a Just Man from one End to another upon any-other Account then his doing Righteousness yet will I not quarrel with any that say we are made Righteous also by Forgiveness and that the Delivery of us from Sin from the Law and Condemnation by it is Justification though really I am apt to think that this Work is rather to be attributed with the Apostle to our Redemption Compare Ephes. 1 7. 2 Cor. 5. 19. Rom 3. 24. Animad Observe what is hereby granted 1 st That Justification is oppos'd to the laying any thing to a Man's Charge whereby he might be condemned aâ— who shall lay any Thing to the Charge of God's Elect The Questions therefore is whether God's Elect be chargeable with any Thing that is condemnable For against a Righteous Man there is no Law this answers the End of Christ's coming in the Likeness of sinful Flesh that he might not only condemn Sin in the Flesh but that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit and this then truly acquits and clears such who thus walk both from the Charge of the Law and of the Gospel there being no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus c. 2 dly That we cannot deny the Charge of the Gospel until we have performed that Remedying Condition which God requires of us for the escaping the Condemnation or rather until that true Faith and Repentance be wrought in us by the Grace of God as the Condition upon and through which God doth both pardon and justifie 3 dly That God justifieth us by this Righteousness that is by Faith or Evangelical Obedience without the Works of the Law it must be considered to be without those Works of the Law which the Apostle intended as namely those that were fleshly and shaddowy that were not essential to an Evangelical Righteousness and not that substantial and continuing Obedience of that Love which is the fulfilling of the Law 4 thly That Evangelical Obedience and doing Righteousness by which God justifies or pronounces any one Righteous and in which his Elect is not chargeable or condemnable either by Law or Gospel must needs therefore be a sincere Obedience without the Mixture of Sin or any Thing condemnable Christ being the Cause and Worker of that Faith Sanctification and Righteousness in the true Believer from whence his Obedience and doing of Righteousness proceeds all which seriously considered doth both shut out the Opinion of the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness to Men while actual in their Sins and the pronouncing them Righteous in God's Sight who are by his Spirit denounced or condemned in themselves as unrighteous and disobedient Persons for where real Faith and Repentance from dead Works is wrought in the Heart there is a real Cessation from those Works and evil Actions although the very Nature and Seed thereof is not immediately wrought out of the Heart but by Degrees But then I see no Cause why it should be said that Pardon or Remission is not any Essential Part or no Part of Justification but the Effect as in Page 4. Seeing that Pardon of Sin together with our Faâ—th and Repentance as the Condition goes both into Universal Justification as before though a Pardon of Sins past upon true Faith and Repentance be not alone the absolute Justification but also a Perseverance in faithful Obedience to the Gospel is necessary to an absolute justified Estate both being by the Grace of God in and through Christ wherein he looks upon the Creature that is truly humbled with an Eye of Compassion in remitting of Sins past and with his Fatherly Love and Goodness in preserving and keeping such in the Sense of his Goodness which doth obliege to Faithfulness and Continuance in the Truth unto the End so that in an absolute justified Estate there is both an Experience of true Humility living Faith Sanctification and sincere Obedience and the continuance of the same according to these Scriptures 2 Cor. 5. 17 18. Ephes. 1. 7. to the End Rom. 3. 24 25 26 27 31. ver compared with ver 21. see and observe also Titus chap. 3. 4 5 6 7. the real Experience whereof is beyond Mens Thinkings and Conceivings and it is only the true Believers and sanctified Ones who can truly say from an inward Experience of the Work of God in their Hearts that Christ is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption and he that spared not his only Son but delivered him up for us all how much more shall he not with him give us all Things Sect. II. And seeing it is also granted or at least implied that the State of Justification extends to a State of Perfection it is necessary we by the Way further take notice of some Truths laid down by this Author about Perfection as namely It is to be acknowledged 1st That there are and may be very many Scriptures easily pressed by the Quakers and Papists for the Service of their Doctrine so that there is no doubt but thus much is proved that it is our Duty to be as perfect as they would have every Sin is forbidden and every Good Thing that is to say by the Law of Innocency is commanded thus far true 2dly He cites Augustine
of the Condition of the Covenant of Grace can consist with Let a Man's Sins be what thâ—y will which Words have a Tendence to an Evil Liberty for a justified State is plainly opposed as contrary to that of the Unrighteous in this 1 Cor. 6. 9 10 11. Object It 's further added Though we fail in our Duty we fulfil the Condition page 18. Animad How can that be if the Covenant of Grace or Law of Faith be the Condition which we are to observe and obey as our Duty so far as it concerns us both as enjoyned and assisted by Christ Jesus our Life and Righteousness Is it not our Duty to fulfil the Condition and do we yet fail in our Duty whilest we fulfil it No sure As to David's Heart being perfect and that he kept God's Commandments or Precepts 1st This of his Heart being perfect respects what was sincere and uprght in David as a Spirit without Guile a sincere Desire Intention and Resolution of Heart towards God though for a Time he had Failings and was besâ—t with Temptations yet the Lord had Regard to his Uprightness c. 2 dly David's keeping God's Commandments or Precepts was when he was really clear and actually obedient walking in the Wayes of God and not as consistant with his sinning in the Matter of Uriah c. for which he underwent great Judgment and deep Affliction often imploring Mercy and Pardon praying for Cleansing Washing c. 3dly As he was a Man after God's own Heart he was according to and in God's Choice and Promise he stood in the Election The Lord hath sought him a Man after his own Heart 1 Sam. 13. 14. I have found David the Son of Jesse a Man after mine own Heart which shall fulfil all my Will this being fulfilled he was in a precious State not guilty nor condemnable for after God's own Heart was both â—is Sincerity Perfection and Purity Surely being a Man after God's own Heart and fulfilling all his Will could not concern David's worst but his best State Object But to answer that Complaint That his Sins were more then the Hairs upon his Head this Writer saith There are Sins consistant with Sincerity and inconsistant with it Animad Though I would as favourably construe his Words as I can yet this Phrase Sins consistant with Sincerity I can neither own to be sound scriptural or of a good Tendence but tending to gratifie both the sin-pleasing Professors unrighteous Imputarians and loose Antinomians of our Times for though I do graâ—t â—hat a sincere-minded Man may possibly be overtaken with a Fault through some great Temptation or Tryal yet not loose his Sincerity though it be clouded but retain his Integrity as Job did his until he be fully recovered restored and delivered wherein he differs from him that wilfully or designedly sins or is obstinate or wittingly dissembles and playes the Hypocrite yet no Sin or Neglect of Duty is consistant with the Sincerity it self which God hath begotten in the Creature but there is a daily or constant Travail and Warring in the sincere Mind and Soul until the Sin be overcome and really done away as it was with Paul when with his Mind he served the Law of God had travailed in Spirit for Deliverance from that Law of Sin which did embondage or captivate his Members in which low Estate of warring God hath an Eye to the upright and sincere Mind that waits upon him and subjects to his inward Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus and by his Spirit of Adoption doth help his Creature 's Infirmities until all that offends be subdued and the Soul becomes more then a Conquerer And so as for his Distinction between the Breach of our Duty and the Condition while he discourseth for Failing of the first and yet a Fuâ—filling the latter I cannot reconcile him herein nor own such Distinctions either as necessary or consistant with the real Experience of a Justified State wherein the Law of the Spirit of Life or Law of Faith in Christ is answered and followed and the Effect thereof experienced in them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit and in them the Righteousness Morality Good Order and Duty both respecting the Law and Gospel Nature and Grace is fulfilled by Christ Jesus and performed through his spiritual Assistance It 's true there is a Sin unto Death as he saith and a Sin not unto Death and no better then sinning unto Death can I look â—pon Men's Continuance in any known Sin or Unrighteousness all their Life Time against the holy and just Law of God in the Conscience the Sin of Impenitence as well as of Unbelief being persisted in incurs Death as it 's granted that David in the Mâ—tâ—er wherein he sinned in that present State could not have been saved if he had dyed but surely if the Condition of true Faith and Repentance be performed and the Nature there of be experienced the other Acts of Duty and Obedience will follow for is there any Sin or Neglect of Duty that 's not to be repented of and ceas'd from or can a true Believer see any Sin or Failing without believing or exercising Faith in his Warring against it till he overcome and he hath out grown it No sure he attains to the Accomplishment of his Warfare through valiantly fighting the Good Fight of Faith he reacheth unto the End of his Race by unwearied travailing on without Fainting Sect. X. To his saying Behold here a Kind of Heaven opened unto you who are the Children of God and fear his Name where all your Sins and Iniquities are removed and where every one of you are righteous and perfect and sin not for this is the Benefit and Fruit of Christ's Death and Redemption that he hath delivered you from that Law which you break Animad 1st That Heaven where all Sins and Iniquities are removed and where the Children of God are perfect and sin not is not of this Man's or any of their opening who oppose perfection of Duty and argue for Sin 's continuance in God's Children whilest in this Life for that Heaven wherein dwells Righteousness and they are all Righteous and sin not admits not of Sin to have any Place in it the Will of God being perfectly done therein 2 dly That 's the old Heaven and old Earth wherein dwells Unrighteousness and these must â—e shaken and removed for the New to take Place 3 dly Christ is the End of the Law for Righteousness and not to indulge Transgression or any Breach of that Law which is Holy Just and Good fulfilled and not destroyed in the New Creature and Covenant 4 thly 'T is true as he saith That Christ hath brought us under a New Law the Law of Grace which requires nothing of us but what sub Ratione Conditions we do keep for he gives his holy Spirit to enable us to the
Sins may relate to Sins that were past and forgiven as well as the accidental sinnings of any weak ones among them for he should have considered that if any Man sin is not that every Man must sin or tâ—at no Man can do otherwise but rather implies that they might also be kept out of Sin seeing he saith These Things write I unto you that you sin noâ— it seems he was not of this Man's Mind that they were Sinners all their Dayes or could be no otherwise Besides both John and others condescended to the lowest of those to whom they wrote taking themselves in as sharers in the same Conditions and suffering with them that they might help them To the weak I became as weak c. As for his Alledging and citing Eliphaz for Sin What is Man that he should be clean and he that is born of a Woman that he should be Righteous Because he putteth no Trust in his Saints and the Heavens are not clean in his Sight â—o this I say that I am no more of his Mind then Job was and I do not reckon such an Instance of one of Job's miserable Comforters to be any valid Proof against Perfection for doth God put no Trust in his Saints Doth he not give this Testimony of them surely they are my People Chiâ—dren that will not lye and so was he their Saviour And further observe that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite My Wrath is kindled against thee and against thy two Friends for ye have not spoken of me the Thing that is right as my servant Job hath Job 42. 7. â—â—is Author further adds We are all an unclean Thing saith the Church and all our Rightâ—ousnesses are as filthy Rags pag. 21. Animad I wonder he hath distinguished no better here for this as applied to the Church without Distinction contradicts all his Concessions to the Truth before both of universal Justification Perfection the Condition of Life and Salvation and Evangelical Holiness methinks he should consider that these are not intended in those Righteousnessâ—s that are as filthy Rags and that the Prophet Isaiah himself did personate and intend the Jews herein as disobedient rebellious and corrupt in their doings and not the Evangelical Church whose Righteousness the Lord is and concerning whom it was promiâ—ed Thy People shall be all Righteous Object There is one Text most full he saith which is that of David Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant O Lord for in thy Sight shall no Man living be justiâ—ied upon which he is pleased to argue If there is â—r ever was any meer Mortal on Earth that lived altogether without Sin then must this Text be false Animad This altogether without Sin hath a large Extent and it is not that which we lay the Controvesie upon we do not state this for Justification in God's Sight that any meer Mortal on Earth lived altogether without Sin for all generally have sinned and if we say we have not sinned we make him a Lyar and his Word is not iâ—us 1 John 1. 10. And further I will grant that if therefore God should enter into strict Judgement with any deservedly to punish them for all that ever they have done then there would be no Place either for Pardon Justification Salvation or Redemption by Christ and further by the Deeds of Law and all the Righteousness that is meerly performed by the Flesh shall no Flesh living be justified if God upon tâ—is Aâ—count should enter into Judgement then in his Sight should no Man living be justified â—ut seeing he hath provided and afforded a Gracious Remedy to wit the Sâ—ed of the Woman 〈◊〉 bruiseth the Serpent's Head thâ—t destroye the Devil and treads Satan under Feet hereby 〈◊〉 livers Man from Condemnation and Death although the first hath a Sense of the Sentence of Death and the Ministry of Condemnation in him as knowing that Commandment which kills and makes alive works Death and brings for hâ— Life And so I will further confess that no Man living in this State unto which he must dye in passing through the Law can be justified in God's Sight His saying that it is common for Men to alledge a few â—catered Scrâ—ptures against any Opinion which yet is true This both is a sleighty as well as an irreverend expression as touching the Scriptures and the Reflection implied in it against us as groundless Sect. XII Object If we are justified through Câ—rist's Redemption through Faith when none of us have performed the Condition required â—fus to our Justification by the Law of our Creation thâ—n must our Justification be of Grace c. Animad 1st Though Justification be of Grace yet this doth neither indulge nor allow us in the Breach of the Condition required by the Law of our Creation nor are Men justified in the Breach and Violation thereof if by the Law of our Creation the Law of Innocency or Image of God wherein Man was created be intended for a justified State by the Grace of God in Christ where compleated is where Men are saved through the Washing of Regeneration Tit. 3 4 5 6 7. Object If this Grace is obtained or purchased for us through Christ's Redemption then is God righteous though he accept of us seeing it is for Christ's Sake without that Condition Animad Without what Condition that which was required of us by the first Law or Law of our first Creation I deny that for without Innocency without the Image of God which consists in Righteousness and true Holiness none are accepted of God though it is true we are forgiven for Christ's sake through Faith Repentance of 〈◊〉 â—st before but our Acceptance is in the Beloved not out of him 〈◊〉 in him we have our Redemption Justification both from Sin and Condemnation of the Law and in him we have restored to us what Adam lost by Transgression and not only that but enjoy more Security and Stabillity And what doth God by his Spirit work in those that are chosen but perfect Holiness yea he will ordain Peace for us for he hath wrought all our Works in us Isa. 26. 12. page 23. Also it is an Untruth That the Perfection of the Quakers doth quite overthrow all this which the Apostle teacheth pag. 23. for the real Quaker is of the Apostle's Mind that Christ came both to condemn Sin in the Flesh to redeem us from ALL Iniquity to fulfil the Righteousness of the Law in us who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit that so we might be delivered from ALL Condemnation And also it is unjustly inferred from our Opinion That we have no need of such Grace or Christ's Redemption that is of any from Christ as without whereby we should be justified and saved and as untrue that the Righteousness of God or of Faith in Opposition to Works is below that of ours for in the Gospel which is the Power of God is his Righteousness revealed from
confest page 25. Our Faith and Repentance are a Fruit of his Spirit They must be real and true such as admit not of the Mixture of Sin nor of the Continuance thereof Object As for his saying It is true that no Men but sin and it is true what they sâ—y the regenerate sin not the Scriptures say both Animad Why are we then so much opposed and striven with either for holding this Perfection or that some Men sin not which we see not consistant with no Man but sins The Scriptures say both what that there is none but he may sin and yet he that is born of God cannot sin these then must both be considered with reference unto two Dispensations Estates or Degrees otherwise it would render the Scripture inconsistant but the Scripture cannot be broken Object The Child of God sins not so as that Sin hath Dominion over him when he sinneth page 25. Animad This still giveth too much Liberty and reflects upon the Child of God contrary to the Apostle John's Testimony of him 1 John 3. 5. 18. Psal. 119. 1 2 3. Object The prevailing Interest of his Soul is for God above the Flesh and the World and so long he is right in God's Sight right Righteous or perfect according to the Law of Grace although there be a Thousand Things wherein he might do more Good or less Evils then he doth and so is Imperfect Vnrighteous and a manifold Sinner c. page 25. Animad This is still worse and worse and a gross Reflection upon the Child of God in this latter Part which is inconsistant with the former and to me appears no other then Confusion which is a Fruit of Sin and Transgression for that the Child of God should be thus Righteous and Perfect according to the Law of Grace which is Perfect Pure and Holy and yet be chargeable with a Thousand Things wherein he might do more Good or less Evil then he does this appears very Unnatural as well as Inconsistant That We plead Justification according to some Law that we are Innocent according to that Law page 25 Is true and that is the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ the Law of Faith the Law of â—râ—ce the Law of the New Covenant which admits not of the Continuance of these or any Evils he seems to accuse the Child of God with Object This being seen they come on too fast that they sin not before they have learned to distinguish between Law and Law Righteousness and Righteousness Justification and Justification Sin and Sin page 25 26. Animad Though we do not judge it necessary for the Child of God to learn all this Man's Distinctions yet we cannot own his Charge that we come on too fast as not to sin for we know though it be an Estate attainable yet it is not by making haste nor by Man's own Willing or Running but by a Dependence on the Grace of God and it is sufficient for us that we have experimentally learned to distinguish what is necessary both in our spiritual Travail and conducing to a happy End which is a REAL RIGHTEOVSNESS and JVSTIFICATION according to the Law of Faith and Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus partaken of and enjoyed within Sect. XIV I must say with them where they have our Divines on the blind Side they are justified according to the Law of Faith or as they are judged at the Throne of Grace but no Flesh living can be justified according to the Law of Works Animad But then he keeps not to this but varies with his but they do sin they are Vnrighteous explâ—ins this Law of Works to be at the Baâ—r of the Ten Commandments whereas though I grant that by the Law of Works no Flesh living can be justified with all its own Endeavours of Conformity thereto because of it self it still fails yet I can never grant that the Law of Faith will suffer us to continue in Sin or be Unrighteous nor yet that the Apostle intends by the Law of Works the Substance of the Ten Commandments to wit Real LOVE to God and one to another I cannot believe that he excluded this from a Justified Estate but rather the Shadowy Part and Jewish Imitation of the Letter without Faith in Christ an absolute Justified State being according to the Law of Faith herein we must differ but again he assents to the Truth viz. Those that will follow Christ shall argue as strictly if we be justified by Grace then we must be righteous and perfect according to the Law of it the Orthodox are quite out that ☞ will have any justified without a Righteousness that is perfect according to the Law that justifies him Animad Oh! That he were but well accquainted with this Law of Faith and would keep to it then we should not have this strugling and turning about to uphold Sin or the Breach of the Ten Commandments in Justified Persons wherein he goes about again viz. Object The Quaker is quite out that will have his Righteousness perfect according to the Ten Commandments which doth not justifie him page 26. Animad No the sincere Quaker is within who owns the Life of God and Christ in his Heart and knoweth that God requires perfect LOVE with ALL the Heart and Soul c. and this in the New Covenant not to make void the Law of the Ten Commandments as to the Substance and End thereof for LOVE is the Fulfilling of the Law the Commandment is Love out of a pure Heart and do we make void the Law through Faith No we establish it yet it is neither meerly by the ten Commandments nor by any of our own outward or litteral Observatinon tâ—ereof that we are justified but by him that enables and strengthens us to the Real and Spiritual Obedience of Faith Now the Righteousness of God without the Law is manifested being testified by the Law and the Prophets see Rom. 3. 21. to the End Concess The lover of Truth and Mediocrity will have every man have the Righteousness of a perfect Heart for his Justification and yet no Man be justified but by the Grace of God through Redemption which we have in Christ Jesus page 26. Animad I wish this Man and all others that oppose or dispute against us were such Lovers of Truth and Possessors of this Righteousness of a PERFECT Heart so much pretended to and talked of and so little experienced amongst Men and that this Redemption which the Saints had in Christ Jesus were experienced and livingly possessed this would end the Controversie about Notions and Opinions It is true that Pardon of Sin and Justification may in some Sense be distinguished though not divided there is Pardon of Sin and Transgressions that were under the first Testament or of Sins past When the Act of Faith is known in the Blood of Christ which is in Order to Justification being some Degree of it there is a further Degree of Justificatâ—on
by him which together with Remedying Grace are Parts of his Law But then he bids us distinguish between sinning against one or other Precept of Christ's Law and sinning against it as a Conditional Covenant by none performance To this I must add 't is true that the Condition of Life cannot be left undone by any who are saved that is Faith and Repentance cannot be omitted by any such or no Man can be saved or inherit Eternal Life in a State of Unbelief but then if this great Condition of Life be performed or this Remedying Grace received and enjoyed sincere Obedience to Christ's Law in lesser Matters must needs follow for as the Performance of the greater Things must needs argue a Capacity to perform the letter so we ought to shew a sincere Respect and Faithfulness to our Lord and Master in the least Things as well as in the greatest for he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much and if they be Christ's Friends that do whatsoever he commands then it 's evident that in a State of Grace Favour and Union with him Christ doth not permit of sinning against one or other Precept of his Law upon any Account and though there be that which is called the Law of Works which the Believer is never under nor oblieged to perform in the Shadow in the Flesh or outward Part yet the Law of the New Covenant the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ the Law of Faith the Law of Love must be performed and faithfully obeyed by all that come into that Covenant or to be under Christ's Government in his Kingdom and as for his Covenant as Conditional or whâ—t is required thereby as the Condition of Life this admits not of the Continuance of Sin or Corruptâ—on see what the Author grants in this Case If thou wilt enter into Life â—aith Christ keep the Commandments neither Circumcision nor Vncircumcision availeth any thing saith the Apostle but Faith working by Love in one Place but a New Creature in another but keeping the Commandments of God in a third do we make void the Law through Faith No we establish it that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit the doers of the Law shall be justified it appears by a Multitude of such Scriptures as these saith he that the Law or Commandments of God are to be kept or fulfillâ—d that the Fulfilling them is required as necessary to the Person justified and consequently as the Condition which is all one of Pardon and Life Thus far he grants page 14. which is a large Concession Object But again To help us out here he saith we must distinguish after our more sober and best Divines the Law of God may be considered ridgedly or not ridgedly that is with Condescension to Human Frailty according to the Measure in every one of the Gift of Christ or according to our Model Strength or Grace in this Life and that Degree of Perfâ—rmance which God requires of us precisely in the New Covenant to the obtaining of Salvation it is in the latter the mild the gracious not in the former the ridged Sense that such Texts are to be interpreted that the Law or Commandments are fulfilled and that the Observation is made necessary to the justified and saved Animad 1st That there is a gracious Condescension in God towards Mankind as not to leave Man under the Severity of the Law without affording Remedying Grace is confest by us as also according to the Measure of the Gift of Christ in everyâ—one and according to our Strength and Degree of Grace which he affords us he doth condescend both in extending Pardon remitting Sin past delivering us from under the Severity of the Law and justifying us from all those Things from which we could not be justified by the Law of Moses as we receive and submit unto his Grace and New Covenant of Life and Salvation but still this mild and gracious Condescension of God his Law and Commandments appertaining to this Covenant admits not of the Continuation of Sin nor doth the least Measure of the Gift of Christ or Principle of Grace admit of Corruption or Sin to remain with it but by Degrees works out the very Seed and Principle of Corruption and sanctifieth the whole Man leavens the whole Lump in so much that this increaseth and Truth springeth up daily and the Fruit of the Spirit groweth and ripeneth in man as he comes thus to be prepared fittâ—d and hereby comes the Way of Life Salvation to be made easie and delightsome to him Take my Yoak upon you for my Yoak is easie and my Burden light saith Christ and this is the Love of God that we keep his Commandments and they are not grievous but joyous to us thus the Grace and Love of God makes Way through all Difficulties and makes all that he requires in the New Covenant to be not only possible but easie and delightsome to that Soul who comes to Christ who â—aid come to me all yee that labour that are weary and heavy laâ—en and I will ease you namely I will ease you from the Burden of your Sins and of your Failings in your Duty and of the Severity or Condemnation of the Law which you have been labouring and travailing under I will perfectly ease you and free you that you may the more cheerfully bear my Yoak and undergo my Burden and I will enable you to run the Way of my Commandments with Delight I will lay no more upon you then what you are able to bear and cheerfully to undergo be of good Comfort for I have overcome c. And I further grant God's merciful Acceptation of us for Christ's sake and of what we do through the Obedience and Oblation of Christ Jesus as he gives us an Evidence by his Spirit of our being in him accepted in the Beloved and this Acceptation extending to the least of his Children and Pâ—ople and to the lowest stature among them whose Hearts are sincere towards him so this is Encouragement unto them to persevere in Obedience according tâ— their Measures and Abillities in this Gift of Grace that they may continue therein and grow from Strength to Strength and from Faith to Faith untill they come to Maturity or to a full Age in Christ. Now the least Child or lowest of the Servants of God in obeying or being faithful to what he gives tâ—em to improve according to their Abillities such do not commit Sin therein Object There is no Man keeps the Commands of Christ so as never to fail in any thing of his Duty but every Child of God keeps them so as they are made the Condition of Life in the New Covenant page 15. Animad To the first it may be granted that no Man hath alâ—wayes kept the Commands of Christ For if we say we have not sinned we make him a
Faith to Faith his Parenthesis from Christ as without is needleâ—s and impertinent seeing neither Christ nor his saving Grace are divided whether without or within or both and the same Grace Virtue Spirit Life and Redemption that was in Christ as without is received from the same Christ as within Object But if Christ's Redemption lay altogether where they place it in bringing Mâ—â— off from Sin and Vnrighteousness unto Holiness and Perfection even such as to live without Sin in this World then Redemption cannot be Vniversal page 23. Animad Here we must distinguish to shew how groundless this Objection is for 1 st His Redemption is Universal for all Mankind as it is in him respecting his being an universal Sacrifice and Propitiation by his Death and Blood for all mankind while we were Enemies Christ died God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself the Price is universal But 2 dly It is they who only believe in him that receive this Redemption and they who are not only reconciled through his Death but also saved by his Life who by him have received the Attonement or Peace made by him so that though the Redemption and Price as in Christ or on his Part be universal yet the End thereof is not received by all but only by those who believe and live unto him and so the Glory of our Redemption Salvation we ascribe unto him who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity which answereth the End and manifesteth the compleatness of that Redemption for which Christ gave himself Object I Do not think that the Quaker alone is in the Dark about this matter yet these Men I count here are most of all out they look upon the Works of Christ's Redemption to be the Work of Christ within so they speak and so they think altogether and then wilfully confound Sanctification and Redemption Animad This is a Mistake we do not confound them yet must confess they are received together as inseparable where Christ is made unto any Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption for the receiving Redemption through his Blood even the Forgiveness of Sins cannot be without Sanctification which is both gradually carried on and effected by the Work of Christ within although I do confess Redemption was manifestly or publickly set forth and declared by Christ as without in his Sufferings Death and Blood as the Introduction and Preparation of the Way into the New Covenant he consecrated and set open the New and Living Way through the Vail that is to say his Flesh. Object The Quaker doth place Christ's Redemption in bringing us up to these Terms the Performance whereof is indeed our Gospel Perfection but he is here so miserably out that he both mistakes the Termes or this Perfection as if it were no less then the fulfilling of every Jot of the Law it self and also contradicts himself in the best Tenet he hath Animad Though we confess Christ Râ—demption to be twofold both as in him and in us respectâ—ng his Fulfilling the Law his suffering for us as also his fulfilling the Righteousness of the Law in us yet our Accuser is herein either overâ—een in wording his Matter or mistaken in the Matter it self for 1 st We place not Christ's Redemption in bringing us to fulfil every jot of the Law it self for much of it is abolished as the litteral and shadowy Part though the Substance thereof remains not to be made void through Faith but established yet this we have not obtained either by our own Strength or Imitation of the Letter but through the Righteousness of Faith in Christ bringing us up to the Word of Faith in our Hearts to obey it and do it so that our Redemption by him is not to serve in the oldness of the Letter which made nothing perfect but in the Newness of the Spirit which perfectly sanctifies 2 dly And in this we do not think our selves out but in even the Truth and within even in the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus not out in the Letter but within in the Spirit not out in the Righteousness of the Law which Paul calls his own but within in the Righteousness of Faith walking in the Spirit 3 dly And herein we are not conscious of Self contradiction in any of our Tenets much less in the best this Objection is taken off by our confessing Vniversal Grace and Redemption in Christ towards all and for all Mankind and yet this Grace and Redemption not taking effect in all but only in them who believe and repent which Men are not irresistably forced to but generally called and 〈◊〉 to Faith being also offered unto all by Christ and the World being reproved of their Sin of Unbelief by the Spirit of Truth Sect. XIII It is true what he saith viz. Our Divines we call orthodox do generally stumble upon this same Stone in their Dâ—nyal of Christ's Redemption to be Vniversal that he hath procured that all may be saved if they believe and repent which are our new Terms unless he hath procured also that they believe and repent but it is the Elect only do believe and repent and therefore they hold Redemption only of the Elect. Animad 'T is very true there are too many that stumble about this and deny Christ's Universal Redemption and the Sufficiency thereof and so oppose the general Extent of saving Grace partially limiting and restraining the universal Sense and intent of those Testimonies of Scripture which assert that Christ gave himself a Ransom for all and that by the Grace of God he tasted Death for every Man c. these they confine only to the Elect herein they are not Orthodox but are stumbling in the dark Object Let the Quaker then know it is not Christ's bringing Man up to the Terms of God but his bringing down God to the Terms of Man that is such as are suitable to his fallen State wherein the great Work he hath done for us is to be fixed page 25. Animad Truly the Quaker doth not know how to own this Doctrine in the Termes of it on either Hand as it is stated for Christ came to bring Man up to God and those Tearms that he hath tendered in Christ for Life and Salvation are his Tearms and God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself though it was God's free Love thus far to condescend in the Son of his Love for Man's Restoration yet Man must also be brought up to meet God in his own Covenant of Life in Christ who is the Mediator not to bring God down to the Tearms of Fallen Man but as a Mediator which is not of one but betwixt two both to bring God's Love and evidence his Kindness to man and also to restore Man out of his Fallen Estate into Covenant and Reconciliation with God so as God and his Creature meet in his Son Christ Jesus who is the Son of his Love Seeing it is