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
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
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
more absolute not only from all those Things from which we could not be justified by the Law of Moses but also in a constant Perseverance in the Grace and Goodness of God in Christ and faithful Obedience to him through the Spirit which is revealed in us Again we know no Opinion of ours that leads thâ—se Friends called Quakers from the Spirit and Life back to the Letter and Flesh and Ministration of Death but to bring men forward through the Law to be dead unto it and through the Sentence of Death to the Ministration of Life which exceeds in Glory that under this they might live unto God Though I own the Apostle's distinguishing between the Letter and the Spirit the Law of the Spirit of Life and the Law of sin and Death the old Covenant and the new the Law of Faith and the Law of Works yet his deeming the â—aw written in stone the Law of sin and Death page 27. In this I am not satisfied for the Apostle speâ—ks of two contrary Laws the Law in his Mind which was holy and the other Law in his Members which rebelled against the Law and led him captive Now I dare not exclude the Substance of what was contained in the Law written in Stone as not being contained in that Law in Paul's Mind though that Law in his Mind had a greater Effect and Force upon him then the Law without ever had before and when he said The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ hath made me free from the Law of sin and Death We may not understand him to be made free from answering the Righteousness of Love to God required in the Law written in the Tables of Stone so though it was in a more effectual and lively Manner written in the fleshly Tables of the Heart wherein it was renewed and became a New Commandment though in it Self an old Commandment yet this Commandment as renewed and made lively in the Soul remains still Love out of a Pure Heart and is â—veâ— that Commandment which is exceeding broad Sect. XV. The Law of Grace does require a sincere walking before God in all his Commandments and the Spirit of God doth certainly help us so far as we sin not against that Sincerity page 28. Animad Why then should we fall short of our Duty or of Perfect Obedience Can we desire better Help then that of the Spirit Object But the Spirit is not given to bring us up to the Terms of the Law and that we should not sin at all page 28. Animad Not That 's strange is not the Spirit given to lead us into all Truth throughly to sanctifie justifie c what can be requir'd more then to be in ALL Truth for a perfect sinless State Object The Galatians were seduced to the Opinion that they must keep Moses Law or else they could not be saved and this is their seeking to be made perfect by the Flesh the Flesh and Nature are synoynmous Terms the Works of the Law as given by Moses are called Flesh pag. 28. Animad 1st The Galatians then were seduced from the Spirit wherein they had begun to seek to be made perfect by the Flesh which cannot be justly chargeable upon us who seek Perfection by the Spirit desiring to continue and walk therein for that End 2 dly The Apostle doth not oppose Perfection but reprove their Foolishness for seeking it the wrong way viz. in the Flesh and not in the Spirit 3 dly Not all the Works of the Law given by Moses are called Flesh or Nature but such Works as the Galatians were turned again into from the Spirit such as were but shadowy ceremonial and elementary and such as stood in Fleshly Observations as the observing of Dayes Meats Drinks diveâ—s Washings weak and beggerly Elements of the World Circumcision c. which the Apostle so much argues against 4 thly â—f any turn from the Spirit and then seek to be made perfect by their Fleshly lmitation of the Law or Voluntary observation of the most weighty Precepts thereof without the Spirit 's Guidance and Assistance this is no better then a seeking to be made perfect by the Flesh and short of that which the Apostle travailed for on the behalf of the Galatians which was that Christ might be formed in them which is not a Fleshly Birth in the Shadow but a Spiritual Birth in the Life and Substance that lives to God for ever Object If the Quaker then is come to seek Life by such a following his Light as must answer the Covenant of Nature it self that is by a Perfection as is without sin against the Law he is plainly under the Notion of the Spirit brought at last to the Flesh for what he seeks page 28. Animad This is a gross Mistake and it no Wayes follows from our following the Light of Christ for Perfection without sin that we must be brought at last to the Flesh for what we seek this can be no wayes deducible from our following this Light within for it is neither Flesh nor Fleshly but Divine and Spiritual and the contrary Inference plainly follows for if we walk in the Light as God is in the Light then have we Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin observe from all Sâ—n what Sin then can remain behind Sect. XVI Object Concess It seems that these Friends do apprehend that our Doctrine which pâ—â—seth Perfâ—ction doth serve for the boistering up Men in their sins and lull them into security that though they live and dye in their Wickedâ—â—ss they must be saved and this being taught spiciall among us Protestants who believe that we are justified by Christ's Righteousness without Works doth appear very destructive to many Souls which makes them out of an Intention which we may suppose zealous for Godâ—ness and the Promotion of a Good Life to fâ—ll on our Divines with so much tragical Exclamation as they do on this Point page 28 29. Animad And we have Reason sufficient to exclaim against them on this Point for indulging and boâ—stering up men in their Sins to their Grave yea we may say to their Grave of Perdition and what this Man saith for such their divines and against Vs for an abuse herein page 29. will neither clear them nor prove us guilty of wronging them and I wish that he would no further contribute to their Sin in this Point though yet he himself is not satisfied with those he calls Divines as appears in divers Passages of his Book and particularly touching their unsound sense of imputed Righteousness which he sets aside in the same 29th page which we are now upon and I would seriously ask him if that their unsound Sense of Imputation doth not give us occasion to witness against them as too much soothing or bolstering up men in their Sins And if their Sense herein be not repugnant to Christianity But to excuse
bring Death and is the Ministration of Sin and Condemnation An. His Sigh Alas Sirs for us and Consequence upon us are both groundless and the Consequence of his own Mistake still as that we are ready to return into a Jewish or Natural Bondage o seek Life from that only which can bring Death c. this hath no Truth in it we neither seek Life from the Letter which killeth nor from any Ministration without the Spirit nor are we Ministers of the Letter nor do we sow to the Flesh but Ministers of the Gospel of the Spirit and of the New Testament knowing that 't is the Spirit that giveth Life And if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the Deeds of the Flesh or the Fruits thereof which are corrupt then shall ye live Sect. XVIII Object page 31. His other Consequence of our Doctrine is of Evils more secret and spiritual much more deadly to the Soul then their ordinary Sins as Persons wrought over to us immediately to look on all others at a distance even to a Contempt of the most grave serious holy Professors but as Men altogether in the Dark without Light or Life to be separated from c. as also Insolence and in finite Presumption falling into the Condemnation of the Devil Pride spiritual Pride the most damnable Pride proud of God's Grace Monstrous overweening Conceit of a Man's Self despising continually censuring and setting at nought of others c. An. These are sad Inferences we have enough of them he should have spared such censuring whilest he is opposing others for contemning and censuring but these are no wayes deducible either from our Doctrine or Testimony which is for a sincere Obedience and real Conformity to Christ Jesus and following of his Steps who left no such Example as either spiritual Pride Insolence Presumption or Self-conceit but of Meekness and Humility â—et gave true and severe Judgement against Hypocrites As for the Prudent the sober and pious among us whom he mentions they see no such Consequence of our Doctrine as this man suggests nor any Cause to mourn for any natural Effects of our Testimony but rather for their Miscarriages and Abuses who are disobedient to the Truth thereof and for such Professors as undervalue pervert and misrepresent that holy Testimony which God hath committed unto us they are at a real Distance from us and far from being the most grave â—erions or holy Professors It 's true as he saith That the Way of Christians is to be humble to debase themselves to make self of no Reputation after the Example of their Lord and Master and as he saith to live altogether on Dependence upon God each Man in Lowliness of Mind c. An. This is the Christianity and Perfection we aim at and bear witness unto and which many are pressing towards and what better what more pure and perfect â—tate is desirable then to live altogether on Dependence upon God But how well this Man 's opposing our Doctrine of Perfection and living without Sin agrees with his Concession of living altogether on Dependence upon God let the serious Reader judge Object Last of all there is that exceeding Danger in the entertainment of that Opinion that I am afraid at my Heart it cannot consist with the Grace of God and Justification of a Sinner by Christ it is a high Text that if you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing I am really afraid at my very Heart Sirs lest your Case be the very same in Effect with these viz. that of the Galatians and Jews which was a looking to the Law only for Righteousness not to the chief End of it which was through Conviction of Sin to drive them to God for his Pardon An. 1st Friend this Fear of thine appears a very dark and groundless Fear for first hast thou not confest that such a Perfection as to live without sin is our Duty 2dly That it is not impossible but that it is possible to attain this state of keeping God's Commandments and being without sin by Grace or the special Assistance of God's spirit page 6 7. 3dly That the Quakers ascribe not to themselves but to the spirit the Life the Power or to Christ within all that they do page 8. Well said come on enough to clear the Quakers from giving the occasion of such a Fear concerning them do not let such a Fear lie upon thy Heart for their Case is far enough from that of the Galatians and Jews who sought to be made perfect in the Flesh set up their own Righteousness being gone from the Spirit and Law of Life within into the Letter and Ministration of Death without whereas the Quakers Obedience through the Spirit the Life or Power of Christ within is no Self-righteousness nor Fleshly Perfection fetched or sought from the Letter without but very well both consistant with and springing from the Grace of God the Pardon and Justification of a Sinner by Christ who is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him and is only the Righteousness and Justification of such who believe in him obey him and walk sincerely before him Object But you have taken up an Opinion that the whole Law must be kept That 's a Mistake that you must live without sin and unless you come up to this Pitch you cannot be saved An. First It is not our Opinion that the whole Law must be kept but 〈◊〉 much of it as God requires that is what concerns the New Covenant wherein God doth both pardon and take away Sin 2 dly to â—â—ve without iSn is required in the New Covenant and is the Effect of Christ's saving Work who was called JESUS for this Cause and to fulfil this Promise namely He shall save his People from their sins and this no wayes hinders our acknowledging him to be our Advocate nor yet opposeth that Saying If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father even Jesus Christ the Righteous through whom both Pardon and Deliverance out of sin is obtained for If any Man sin is no positive Conclusion that every Man sinneth or that none of God's People live without Sin but rather implies that though it be possible that some may siâ— â—et they may be holpen preserved out of it there are or may become that do not sin for If any man sin is not that every Man doth sin As for These Friends meaning Quakers being at the Bar of the Gospel they see no Cause either to look upon themselves as declining the Grace of the Gospel or to have forfeited their Interest in that Freedom which belongs to honest Christian Folks through thy Redemption that is in Christ Jesus whatever this Man hath insinuated against them or charged upon them to the contrary nor will they appeal from thesâ— Terms under which they are brought by Christ or from the Terms of the Gospel to the Terms of the Law neither will they be judged by this Man's Consequences what Foolishness soever he therein chargeth upon them The Danger he surmiseth the sincere Quaker sears not nor are we who are called Quakers doubtful what shall become of us before the great Tribunal of God while we have the Testimony of a good Conscience holding our Integrity and abiding in Christ Jesus the Son of the Father's Love in whom we have Access with Boldness unto the Throne of Grace knowing also that he that abides in Christ sinneth not and if our Heart condemn us not then have we Confidence towards God near is he that justifieth who shall condemn who shall lay any thing to the Charge of God's Elect It is God that justifieth unto whom it is said thy People shall be all Righteous Finished London the 3d. of the 12th Moneth 1674. G. W. THE END Pag. 3 4. Pag. 5. pag. 6. pag. 7. pag. 6. pag. 8. pag. 8 9. Concess pag. 8 9. pag. 10 pag. 12. pag. 12 13. page 14. Luke 16. 10. see also Mat. 5 10. A plain Concession to truth pag. 14. pag. 15. pag ibid. page 18. page 18. page 18 19. And what he cites is also true viz. De. Peccato ad Mortem quoniam non exprâ—ssum est possuâ—t diversa sentiri ego autem dico id esse Peccatum Fidâ—m quae per Dilectionem operatur dâ—serere usque ad Mortem Concerning Sin unto Death because it is not expressâ—d dâ—vers Things may be thought of it but I say that sin is this to desert or never come up to that Faith which worketh by Love unto Death August de Con. et Gra. chap. 12. Concess page 19. Col. 1. 21 22. page 24. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Conâ—ess pag. 26. Concess pag. 26. pag. 27. Rom. 7 Concession to Truth 1 John 1. 7. pag. 29. Rom. 6. 4 5 6 7 11 15 22. 5. 17 20 21. His other Excuse for their divines pag. 29. Though 't is trnc herein this Author seems to dâ—sown them by â—nfessing a Possibility to live without sin through the assistance of God's holy Spirit page 7 8. yet this Man bordâ—rs too near their Doctrine for sin in not believing nor confessing to any of the Saints keeping Christ's Commandments or their perfect Obedience but in arguing for the contrary which reflects Sin and Imperfection on all the Saints of God and true Christians pag. 29 30. A supposed Objection yet not inconsistant with our Principle * Contrary to 1 John 4. 17 18. This is a plain Untruth Concess to Truth page 32. page 32. page 33.
THE Way of Life AND PERFECTION Livingly Demonstrated IN Some serious Animadversions or Remarks and Answers upon the Book ENTITULED The middle VVay of Perfection with Indifferency between the Orthodox and the Quaker Herein considered and the naked Truth as it is in Christ Jesus opened in real Love to the Souls of men By George Whitehead Let your Moderation appear unto all Men Doing nothing by Partiality Printed in the Year 1676. Friendly Reader THE Publication of this ensuing Treatise is from a Necessity that came upon me for the holy Truth sake to remove Occasions of stumblings out of the Way of the simple and honest minded Inquirers after the Way of the Lord which is perfect so that although by Reason of other weighty Concernments the Press being also clogged with other Books this hath lain by in Manuscript above a Year after it was finished being written at sundry Oportunities when I could find some spare time yet I could not be clear in Conscience that my Labour in it should so remain obscure or the Service frustrated which I hope it may be of to such serious and unprejudiced Readers as desire after the Knowledge of the Truth as iâ— is in Chrst Jesus which is the Aim and End of my Labours and Travails I could have been content only to have sent a Copy of this Treatise unto the Author of the Book stiled The Middle Way of Perfection if that would have cleared Truth from his Mistake and removed the Burden off me but that could not be sufficient in regard his Book was so publick and if he come seriously to consider and see wherein he hath been mistaken and misrepresented us called Quakers especially in the latter Part of his Book it is to be hoped that out of a Respect to that Christianity Justice and Moderation professed by him he will as publickly do us Right in retracting his Mistakes and Misconstruction put upon us as to some Things of weight and moment which in this Treatise are seriously and from a Sense of the Foundation of God spoken to and opened in Love both to this Man's Soul and the Souls of all who desire true Information in these weighty Matters of Salvation herein treated on London the 12th of the 12th Moneth 1675. G. W. THE CONTENTS Sect. I. OF Justification from the Charge of the Law and the Charge of the Gospel how far it extends and our Evangelical Obedience of absolute Necessity page 10. Sect. II. Of Perfection being our Duty and how attainable confessed by this Moderator or midle-man pag. 12. Sect. III. Some Objections alledged by him against the attaining to Perfection answered pag. 17. Sect. IV. His Objection against sinless Perfection for sinful Imperfection in this Life proceeds from his wanting the true Sight of that Seed and Nature wherein is Victory and Perfection pag. 19. Sect. V. His Alleganiots for Sin from these Scriptures viz. There is no Man that sinneth not not a just Man upon Earth that doth good and sinneth not No more I that sinneth but Sin that dwelleth in me in many Things we offend all if we say that we have no Sin c. considered and answered pag. 21. Sect. VI. Of Regeneration the two contrary Principles and concerning the Phrases Whatsoever is born of God and Whosoever is born of God c. pag. 23. Sect. VII The Law of Grace Condition of Life and greater Commandments being performed sincere Obedience in lesser things may not be omitted pag. 25. Sect. VIII The calm Protestants in granting a Real and True Righteousness and that which is perfect and entire according to the Covenant or Law of Grace do assent to the Quakers Doctrine of Perfection pag. 28. Sect. IX The Performance of the Condition or Covenant of Grace and David's Perfection or being found a Man after God's own Heart not concerned in a sinful State nor consistant with the Breach of Duty and of Sin unto Death pag. 30. Sect. X. That Heaven wherein Unrighteousness dwells is not the New Heaven of the new Law and Spirit 's Assistance to the Performance of Imputation being crucified with Christ Children of God c. pag. 33. Sect. XI Of Repentance what real and what not of Christ as Propitiation some Scriptures perverted for Sin by our Moderator of God's entering into Judgement c. pag. 36. Sect. XII Of Justification Grace Law of our Creation Redemption as in Christ and as in us as universal and as peculiar the Quakers opinion about Perfection misconstrued pag. 39. Sect. XIII That those called Divines who deny Christ's Universal Grace and Redemption are stumbling in the dark and not orthodox of God's Terms and Man's Terms of Faith Repentance sinning and not sinning c. pag. 42. Sect. XIV That the Quakers have the Divines on the blind Side that the orthodox are quite out about Justification c. confessed pag. 44. Sect. XV. The Spirit 's Help to that Perfection which is the keeping the Commandments or Perfection obtained in and by the Spirit and spiritual Birth and not by the Flesh in the Letter pag. 47. Sect. XVI The Charge of bolstering up Men in their Sins justified against the pretended Divines who oppose Perfection and they not at all cleared by this Advocate pag. 49. Sect. XVII His pretended Discovery of several Inconveniencies of our Doctrine as the hurling Men into Despair casting off God's Care c. no real or true Discovery but the Consequences of his own and his Divines Doctrine for Imperfection so much confuted by himself the State of the most mortified on Eâ—rth not consistant with Sin his reiterated Mistake against us pag. 53. Sect. XVIII His most dreadful Consequence and Conclusion of our Doctrine viz. of Evils secret and deadly to the Soul Contempt of most serious holy Professors monstrous overweening Conceit of a Man's self despising and setting at nought of others turned into a groundless Fear and proved inconsequent and his pretended Danger and Fear that it cannot consist with the Grace of God c. proved altogether causeless and groundless pag. 56. THE WAY of LIFE AND PERFECTION Experimntally Demonstrated c. WE must confess that the Author's Proposition near his Beginning is very moderate viz. As the best Physitians have been noted sometimes to take very great Regard to the ordinary Receipts of old Women and the meanest Persons so will it become the Mâ—dest Divine to endeavour rather to discover and sift out that Truth which lies in his Adversaryes Meaning then to expose and shame their Opinions As also that in the first Part of his Book there are divers Truths contained in which he hath exprest more Modesty and Candor then in the latter Part and because there appears not that universal Consistency in his Work which the profest Indifferency or Impartiality should have produced I therefore propose this Method in my Observations and Remarks upon them viz. 1 st To take Notice of those Truths in his first Part together with some Variations therefrom
will be in him as also he imposeth no Impossibilities upon his Church but freely affords Grace and Power to encourage and assist in Real and Perfect Obedience and he having sent his Son a sufficient Workman to redeem Man from all Iniquity and he works in us to will and to do what shall hinder the sincere Soul from its Duty if no Grace be wanting nor Divine Assistance witheld on God's Part nor a sincere Mind awanting on the Creature 's Part Where can there be a Place for Disobedience to remaine Shall any charge God's Elect or condemn his Chosen and Faithful Ones with Unwillingness to serve their so Gracious Lord and Master Let not such a Charge or Condemnation be left upon them who are God's Workmanship created in Christ unto good Works unto whom the Promise both of Power Sufficiency and of Willingness is made and so experimentally received in the Day of his Power and withal let it be considered that as through the first Work of Grace in the Heart there is a sincere Mind Desire and Willingness in the Creature to follow the Lord he deals gently with such and draws them on by Degrees even with Lovingâ—kindness he layes no more up on them then suits their Abilities given suffers them not to be tempted above what they are able and his Grace being sufficient for them he exerciseth Patience chargeth not Temptations as Sin upon them when they consent not he also dealeth with them as a Shepherd leading gently those that are with young in the Day when â—e maketh up his Jewels he spareth them as a Man spareth his only Son he attends and assists the travailing Soul in his Journey he gives the Babe Suck he affords them Time and Space for growing in Strength until they become Men he hath Regard to his own workmanship from the least or smallest Beginnings thereof O that the Work Dealings of God in his New Creation were seriously minded really experienced this is beyond all Mens acquired Notions Gatherings Distinctions and Professions that are without this Living Inward Experience of this Saving Work and this would end Controversie and Strivings Sect. III. Object But the Failings of such are recorded that were said to be Perfect pag. 8. Anâ—mad So also are their Deliverances as David's Job ' s and others Again if the End of Christ's Manifestation was to redeem us from all Iniquity to destroy the Works of the Devil to restore us out of Sin present us unto God holy and without Blame entire wanting nothing perfect and compleat in all the Will of God and hath purchased for his Church and People such a State as to be without Sin why should any go about to frustrate his End therein or invalidate his Purchase And why should any contend or argâ—e for the contrary End And what more can we desire of Perfection then is here granted But it is added that this State which is compleating alwayes must not be expected to be compleated until the other Life pag. 9. Animad We must look upon this to be a Diversion from Scripture Ye are Compleat in Christ as well as not answering the End for which Christ gave himself that is to wash and purifie his Church and to present her a Glorious Church without Spot or Wrinckle or any such Thing although in this Life she arrives not to that Fulness of Glory that shall be hereafter yet to such a Spotless Estate as to render her both Beautiful and Glorious else how could he say to his Spouse Thou art Fair thou art my Vndefiled there is no Spot in thee in which Christ presents his Church unto his Father as being the Effect of her being washed by Water through the Word which surely must be in this Life Object But while she is both a Gracious Church that is while she is in this Life she shall not be without her Wrinckles nor her Troubles pag. 9. Animad Such Kind of Reconciling and Suppositions together with this deferring or putting off perfect Freedom only unto the State of the Life to come I say such Work as this hath givâ—n many loose Professors and others too much a Liberty both to confound the State of Grace with that Universal State of Sin and so that of the Gospel with that weak Estate under the Law as also to oppose Christ's Work in this Life and to put off Freedom from Sin unto that which is to come and in this Faith many take a Liberty all their Lives to the Hazard of their own Salvation which if the sad Consequence of such Doctrine were seriously considered and prudently foreseen we should all preach up Righteousness and cry down Sin and excite Men to lay hold of Christ and believe in him for perfect Redemption and not argue for the Continuance of Sin all our Dayes knowing how apt Men are to lay Hold of that which most suits their corrupt Minds which are in the Evil Works we should not dispute for Sin or a Deficiency in Duty whatever Infirmity we perceive in our selves but in all sincerity wait upon God and exercise all Diligence through his Grace Light and Presence for Evil to be supprest and the Seed of Enmity to be extirpated both out of our selves and others that Righteousness might be exalted and run down as a mighty stream to wash away the Dirt and Corruption which greatly abounds among many who think to salve themselves and to quiet their justly disturbed Consciences with a Feigned Application of Christ's Righteousness and Merits however they neither allow him nor his holy Nature to have a Place in their Hearts whose unsound Doctrine as well as their unchristian Lives hath levened many into Hypocrisie as well as kept them in ignorance from the very Life and Nature of Christianity which consists in the inward Enjoyment of the Real Righteousness and Nature of the Son of God as inwardly revealed spiritually begotten born and brought forth in the Soul through the Spirit of Holiness What the Author saith concerning Perfectio Viae or Patriae Viatorum or Comprehensorum a Perfection belonging to the State whiles we are in the Way as Travelers or a Perfection belonging to the State when we shall get home or to our Country pag. 6. Adnimad It is granted that there is a twofold Perfection belonging to the Saints as namely to the State as Travailers in this Life and to the State of that to come and that which is to come doth exâ—eed the Estate that now is as to the Fulness of Glory yet granting a Perfection in the Way or Journey in Order to that furrher Degree at the Journeys End this then is a Perfection in the Way not out of it and what is the Way that conduces to a further Glory but the Way of Righteousness Thou wilt guide me by thy Counsel and afterward receive me to Glory With me to live is Christ and to dye is Gain The exceeding Weight of Glory which is prepared for the Righteous hereafter
that there is not a Good Man on Earth that sinneth not 2 dâ—y There is none that doth Good no not one cannot be taken â—universally for that were to contradict the Saying before of the Just Man doing Good and to bring this as a proof of the Saints State cannot be Just nor Right for it did not concern them but the Unconverted Jews and Gentiles and such as neither understood nor sought after God see Rom. 3. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16. 17 18. together with the Place in the Psalms to which this refers Object In many Things we offend all if we say we have no Sin we deceive our selves page 13. Animad Nor do these comprehend the highest Growths or Attainments of Saints and Good Men in this Life it was usual both with Apostles and Prophets to personate or take in themselves with the least and weakest of those they spoke and wrote to using the Particle WEE as instance in the same Apostle cited Jam. 3. 9. Therewith curse WEE Men and 1 John 1. 6. to the End and it is also said verse 10. If WEE say WEE have not sinned WEE make him a Lyar and his Word is not in us yâ—t see he declares the Remâ—dy as well as the Disease verse 7. If WEE walk in the Light as he is in the Light We have Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleansâ—th us from all Sin and further he shews his Holy Design in what he writes in these Words viz. My little Children these Things write I unto yuo that you sin not 1 John 2. 1. Object No Man is regenerate but in Part not as if one Faculty was sanctified and not another but there remains the Principle of Corruption together with the Principle of Grace which is infused that is both Flesh and Spirit in the same Person and whatsoever â—rodeeds from the one cannot be Sin as whatsoever proceeds from the â—ther cannot be otherwise pag. 13. Animad Herein we differ for we must confess that by Degrees the Work of Regeneration and Sanctification comes throughly to be effected or perfected in every one that continues in true Faith even to a through purging out of Corruption and to a perfect Mortification of that from whence Sin proceeds be ye sanctified throughout in Body Soul and Spirit and farther They that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh with its vile Affections and it is not the Flesh meerly of it self but as it is subjected to an Evil Principle or Seed of Sin that brings forth corrupt Actions but Christ's Work is throughly to purge Sect. VI. But further seeing this Author's Opinion is that no man is Regenerate but in Part and that there remains the Principle of Corruption together with the Principle of Grace how doth he dispense with these Scriptures cited by him viz. He that cammitteth sin is of the Devil Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is bâ—rn of God He that is born of God keepeth himself that the Wicked one toucheth him not 1 John 3. chap. 5. To salve this he tells us that St. Augustine doth lay some two or three of these Texts together and offers us this Solution That which is born of God saith he sins not which is as much as to say there is that which is born of God in the true Christian and that which is not born of him page 13. Animad I grant that there is that which is born of God as relating to a Thing or Principle spoken of in John's Epistles as WHATSOEVER is born of God overcomes the World and this is the Victory that overcomes the World even our Faith 1 John 5. 4. well this is to our Purpose still that WHATSOEVER is born of God overcomes the World and surely then this doth not leave the world's Principle of Corruption unsubdued in true Christians but there is also WHOSOEVER is born of God doth not commit sin for is Seed remaineth in him and WHO is he that overcometh the World who relates to the Man or Person that believes in the Son of God as well as the other doth to the Principle or Seed in him so that as the holy Seed or that which is born of God comes into Dominion in Man this takes in the Creature or Soul to partake of its Nature again as the Author hath added That according to the Prevalency there is of any of these two Principles in the Soul so is the Person to have his Denomination page 13. Very true then as the Good Principle becomes prevalent in the Soul man becomes a good man or an holy and just man As for his Allegation from the Apostle in Rom. 7. That the Apâ—stle did the Evil he would not saying it is no more I that doth it but Sin that dwelleth in me This it is true was a State that Paul knew in the Time of his Warfare and Travail and even in this State God had Regard to the Sincerity of his Mind wherewiâ—h he served the Law of God even while he was warring against the contrary Law but as I answered before this Apostle as well as others did so far condescend to the Weakness of others as not only to signifie such Exercises as he had past through but also to personate the Conditions of others to whom he wrote and spake for he could not be in all those different and various States that he represents in that Epistle to the Romans at one and the same Time when he then wrote viz. as to be both Carnal and Spiritual sold under Sin and yet freed by the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Rom. 8. 1 2. with many more Instances which â—ight be cited out of the same Epistle compare Rom. 6 7 8. Chapter read them seriously also how plain is it that Paul condescended to speak as one below his own present Attainment for I speak after the manner of men because of the Infirmity of your Flesh Rom. 6. 19. To the Weak I became as weak c. see 1 Cor. 9. 22. Object What is alledged by this Writer for the Principle of Corruption remaining in the Child of God for all Men being sinners and for every Man upon Earth sinning against the Law of Works in leaving undone what it requires or doing what it forbids in Thought VVord or Deâ—d even continually page 14. Animad I think he hath sufficienly answered himself with a Confutation distinguishing by these Texts Confession inserted in the next Section Sect. VII He confesseth That other Texts say that the Regenerated do not sin and the Blood of Christ cleanseth us from all Sin and there is no Man sins against the Law of Grace so as to leave undone what thaâ— requires as the condition of Life who is saved as also that all Power is committed to the Son the Law of Nature is put into Christ's Hands to be commanded
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
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
Sin and a Falling short in Duty is yet wiped off by all this man's Pleading to excuse and salve the Matter Sect. XVII And now whereas he pretends to discover several Inconveniencies that follow our Doctrine and bids let us see whether they do not require more heed page 30. Let us then see and heed what Inconveniencies he supposeth do follow our Doctrine Object First then where they say our Doctrine doth lead Men into Security Remisness of Life Neglect of their Duty a sinful Course how must their Doctrine hurle Men into Despair and lead them by that to the casting off the whole Care of God and their own Souls together pag. 30. An. No such Inconvenience doth follow our Doctrine as either the hurling Men into Despair or leading them to the casting off the Care of God and their Souls for there is no Cause to Despair of what 's possible or attainable through divine Assistance as is confest to live without Sin or to keep the Commandments of God and so to enter into Heaven is possible or attainable through the Assistance of Grace Men may despair upon Impossibilities or the Aprehensions thereof but they have no Cause on the contrary We both testifie unto true Faith and Hope in God through Christ and his Name and Power to enable the Soul to resist and overcome Temptations as also we preach up God's Love and Care over his Children for their Safety and Preservation out of Sin and Evil and that even he who is the God of Peace according to his Care over his People doth in his own due Time tread Satan under their Feet by his great Power which they believe in and partake of Object If it will not serve a Man for his Acceptance with God that he is sincere in his Desires and Endeavours of walking before him unless he attain to Perfection or to a Life that â—s wholely without sin in this World then must the Heart of the most holy and mortified Man upon Earth be quite broken and discouraged for ever There is Mercy with thee that thou mayst be feared saith David page 30. An. Sincere Desires and Endeavours of walking with the Lord God are acceptable to him they being begotten by his own Spirit but it is a Mistake that they fall short of attaining to Perfection or to a Life without Sin in this World who follow such Desires and Endeavours As also it is a gross Mistake That the most holy and mortified Man upon Earth did either fall short of such Perfection in this Wordlâ— or that he must have his Heart quite broke or discouraged forever on this account page 30. Besides Thousands do experience the contrary that our Doctrine of sinless Perfection hath no such Tendence nor Effect as this of Despair unjustly surmised to be the Consequence thereof Besides I suppose it is as hard a Matter for this Man to prove what Sin or Sins the most holy and mortified of God's Servants and People lived in all their Life time as to evince when where or how they came to be perfectly cleansed or throughly purged after their decease For our Parts we do not believe the Pope's Doctrine of a Purgatory after Death If God were not Good and Mercifull to consider Man's Frailty to pardon his shortness and Imperfections and bear with him we should not fear him that is worship or serve him for it were to no purpose to go about it seeing we could never please him An. Herein he saith true but then God's Goodness and Mercy in thus condescending and pardoning any such shortness or Imperfections which when confessed and repented of or where the sincere Desires and Endeavours are alive tends to engage the Creature the more to fear serve and worship him and to bring Man nearer and nearer to God with whom there is Mercy that he may be feared and the Fear of the Lord doth keep the Heart clean Object Alas that these Folks did but know what they do when they bring in such Doctrine who themselves must tremble to be judged by it O ye foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that you should depart from that Comfort and Peace which some of you I believe sometime had in believing and trusting in Christ altogether for your Pardon and Reconciliation with God that you should be brought now to the Woâ—ks of the Law page 30. An. The Man runs altogether upon his own reiterated Mistake in the State of our Doctrine and Case we know what we do and that we are none of those foolish Galatians in what we hold we draw none from the Spirit to be made perfect in the Flesh but do both direct Men to their Beginning in the Spirit and to persevere therein to walk in the Spirit obey the Spirit unto Mortification and Sanctification c. For if ye walk in the Spirit then are ye not under the Law And we through the Spirit have waited for the Hope of Righteousness by Faith and through the Spirit do still believe trusting in Christ for all the Good the Sufficiency the Strength the Joy the Soul's Comfort and Peace that we daily receive for without or separate from him we can do nothing yet all things through Christ that strengthens us Object page 30. Is there any indeed of you think that you are able and do continue in all things that are written in the Book of the Law or in all things that are written in the Tables of your Hearts to do them And are you ignorant that upon that account and that alone that none do or are able to do so the Apostle tells you as many as are of the Works of the Law are under the Curse An. A mistake still the Apostle no where tells us that none which as well concludes Christians as others do or are able to continue in all things that are written in the Tables of their Hearts to do them as for all things written in the Book of the Law outward they are not required of us Surely the Apostle's Testimony was that they could do all Things through Christ that strengthens them and it was neither Circumcision nor Uncircumcision that availed any Thing but the keeping of the Commandments to conclude that none are able to continue in the Law of Christ written in their Hearts is contrary to his Doctrine for abiding in his Love and his saying If ye love me keep my sayings or Commandments and in this is the Love of God manifest that we keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not grievous but joyous unto us Object page 31. Alas Sirs what mean you when we are under the Ministration of the New Testament which brings the Spirit and Liberty where the Spirit is there is Liberty and Righteousness for by the Law of Faith the Christian hath a Righteousness to pleaâ— and to be justified by and so Life you should be ready to return into a Jewish or Natural Bondage to seck for it from that only which can