to be attested by several That Believers under the Law had no clear Sight of Christ for it was Christ manifested in the Promise and not in the Flesh that they had immediately to Eye This is so clearly to be prov'd by many Testimonies of Holy Writ besides that in 1 Pet. 10 11 12. that I need not add any more for I think it will not be denyed This I observe of Mr. Chandler's Testimony that he still offereth to corroborate it with Mr. Acok as his faithful Second whereas there were divers others always present as well as he and yet scarcely any mentioned but he alone because he is filled with as much prejudice as himself Animadversions on the foregoing Head THE Design of the Charges under this Head seem very probably to me to insinuate this That there is no Difference between Believers now and Believers under the Law and therefore Believers then being under a Conditional Covenant of Grace as is alledged they are so still even now in Gospel Days But the Vanity of this Argument appears if we do but well weigh the Scope Argument and Design of many of the Writings of the Apostles both of Paul and others which was to shew an eminent difference between the Two Dispensations this the Apostle Paul doth on set purpose through the whole Thread of his Discourse in his Epistle to the Romans The like is done in that of the Hebrews c. Now grant that to be a Conditional Covenant of Grace yet now saith the Word of the Lord we are under another Dispensation far exceeding that and this in a greater preheminence above the other in that it is free in its Dispensation The former Covenant said Do this c. Rom. 10. But the Covenant of Grace the Rightousness of Faith saith on this wise Ascend not into Heaven to bring Christ from Above descend not into the Deep to bring Christ up that is perform no Conditions for Christ but what saith it the Word is nigh thee even in thy Word and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith and it is of Faith that it might be of Grace 2dly The Order of the First Covenant was quite different from this The First Covenant ran in this strain Exod. 19. 5. Now therefore if ye will obey my Voice indeed and keep my Commandments then ye shall be a peculiar People unto me above all People c. Whence observe 1st here is Doing and Obeying before there is a Right and Title to any Blessing The Order of the Second Covenant ran quite otherwise as you may see Jerem. 3. 35. Hebr. 8. 13. Where you have 1st The Cause the free pardon of Sin 2dly The Effects I will put my Laws in their Hearts and write them in their Minds v. 10 and the Cause must always precede the Effects Observe in the First Covenant Obedience is mentioned as the Condition of the Blessing 3dly This new Covenant is said to be established upon better Promises Hebr. 8. 6. The Promises of the First Covenant being chiefly Temporal and all Conditional but the Promises of the Second being Eternal and also Absolute and Free 4thly The First Covenant was faulty Not that there was any Fault in the Holy Covenant but in them that were under it For it is said expressly Heb. 8. 8. For finding fault with them c. And that is because they could not perform the Conditions of it therefore the Fault of the Covenant was in respect of them that were under it because they could not come up to the Terms of it But this Fault is fully amended in the Scond in that the Conditions are fully performed by the Mediator thereof and therefore the Blessings thereof are perfectly Free and Unconditional to them that are under it so that no fault can be found with the Covenant for requiring Conditions not to be performed for they are already performed by the most excellent Mynistry of the Mediator of this Second Covenant Nor can there be any fault found with them that are under it for they can plead the Performance already given in by their Surety and Representative This is the main Scope of the Apostle's Argumentation Heb. 8. ver 6 ad finem So that I conclude If the First Covenant were a Conditional Covenant of Grace yet it is evident that the Second has the Preheminence over it in that it is Free yea Absolutely Free to us without Condition I might add many Scriptural Reasons more to prove the Freedom and Unconditionality of this New-Covenant but that would be contrary to my designed brevity therefore let these suffice for the present I shall now return to the next Head of Charges In Prayer he said Lord we stand before thee without Sin And in his Sermon he objected Some say we are against Praying against Pardon of Sin to which he answered altho' we are Pardoned yet it is our duty to pray for Pardon for the Honour of the Father and of the Son Answ There is too much Sin cleaves to our Persons and Performances and we ought to acknowledge it but Believers in the Righteousness of another are so accounted which was meant if not added Though there be Spots enough upon us and upon our best Performances yet there is no spot in that Compleat and God-like Righteousness which is imputed to us The Expression is Scriptural Rev. 14. 5. For they are without fault before the Throne of God Cant. 4. 7. Thou art all fair my Love there is no spot in thee Why should the Expression then be offensive to any except to such who are enemies to the Righteousness of God which is by Faith 'T is true our Justification is true at our first Believing this truth is only sit for Bellarmine to deny and they that are like him therefore when we pray for the Pardon of Sin we pray for the greater Application of it to our Consciences and the continuance thereof this God requireth of us And certainly to obey him is to Honour him 'Pray in this Charge where is the Crime Lord thou lookest upon thy People even when they are sinning against thee and sayest Thou art all fair my Love there is no spot in thee These Positions are undeniably true 1. That the best of Believers do sin and the sin of Unbelief mixeth with their best Performances and that I take to be a very great Evil. 2. That God looketh upon them and dealeth with them always in the compleat Righteousness of his Son even then also when their Imperfections mingle with their best Holiness Else what would become of the Best 3. As this Everlasting Righteousness is unchangeable so is God's Act of Imputation for with him there is no variableness nor shadow of turning from whom this Good and perfect Gift cometh Jam. 1. 17. Jesus Christ that's make of God unto the Believer Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1. 30. is the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. Who is
testified against such notorious Forgeries some whereof were pretended to be delivered publickly others in private discourse accordingly therefore I shall divide them The first were alledged to be spoke more publickly 21. To preach Marks of Sanctification is a Doctrine of an old Covenant strain Answ If they had added legal Marks I would have stood by it and so I believe I expressed it But saving Faith has its saving Effects inseparably attending it which I often preach all Scriptures quoted to that purpose are expressive of the inseparable Effects of saving Faith 22. Sanctification is no Evidence of our Justification Answ I have often expressed it that some may mistake a legal Holiness for an evangelical one i. e. They are apt to conclude as I once my self was that when they have such a Catalogue of meer legal Qualifications to boast of then they think they may believe which I apprehend to be a seeking to be justified by the works of the Law But as for excluding Faith and its Effects from being Evidences I never did nor is it my judgment 23. Disciples grieve Christ when they mourn for Sin Answ But the truth of the matter is this I was thus glossing on that passage John 14. 1. Let not your heart be troubled That Christ seemed to be concerned that his Disciples were so grieved at the news of his departure And see good Reader how Malice has perverted it There needs no proof of so plain a matter therefore their ridiculous Confutation fights against a Man of Straw of their own setting up 24. God is the ultimate Object of a strong justifying Faith and Jesus of Nazareth the mediate Object of a weak Faith Answ I never used to separate the Godhead from the humane Nature What then I laboured to make out was this That weak Believers have not so full and distinct a view of the blessed Object of Faith as they that are more clear and strong in Faith This I think is so undeniable that it needs no further Proof than the stating of it thus 25. Christ and Believers are One in Intercession Answ That which was expressed in Prayer was this We are One with him viz. united to him who is our Intercessor This I think will appear afalse Doctrin to none but such as deny a Believer's Union to Christ 26. Believers dishonour Christ by relying on Promises Answ I then spake to this effect 'T is possible some may rely on the Letter of the Promise and not regard Christ in the Promise and they that do so do disrespect and dishonour Christ. Which Truth if these Libellers dare deny they are not fit to be talked with Thus far concerning the Charges of a publick Nature in Cambridge Now follows the Testimony of the Hearers concerning them WE whose Names are here under-written being present when Mr. Davis preached that Sermon in Cambridge when those erronious Doctrines were pretended to be delivered and hearing instantly of the misconstruction of his words through Ignorance and Malice did then while it was fresh in our memories bear our Testimonies against such notorious Falshoods and now testify the whole was false as charged and the matters true as stated in these Papers Jo. Craske James Toolidge Jo. Burges Thomas Greene James Speckman Andrew Craske Stephen Taylor George Godfrey Edward Rogers Joseph Juit William Bentchy Nicholas Spillman Henry Ellis Nathaniel Tench The three following false Charges were words wrested in private discourse which they put upon the Rack to make them confess what they please 27. To believe our Sins are pardoned is justifying Faith Answ To this purpose I have preached often To believe on Jesus for the pardon of Sin is justifying Faith And it was further added to this purpose That saving Faith doth accept of and rely on the pardong Grace that Christ hath already purchased Luke 14. 17. For all things are now ready The Apostle declareth that the first thing he preached to the Corinthians as the foundation of their Faith was That Christ diedfor their Sins according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3. And this they had been commanded to believe I never said that nothing was true Faith but what amounted to that degree of positive unwavering and sensible believing that our Sins are pardoned But this is certain that God giveth to many of his Children great persuasion of the pardon of their Sins and who dare deny that to be justifying Faith I do grant that Formalists and wicked persons may have a false presumption of the pardon of their Sin but this doth not impeach the Faith of God's Elect at all I only contend for that Faith that is of the operation of the Holy Ghost which purifies the heart lip and life I think it hath not been so well done of our latter Divines to depart from that definition of Faith given always by our first Reformers who as they lead the Van so no doubt they had most of the Spirit of Christ I judge it a safe way to form a definition of Faith from the holy Scriptures of Truth rather than from the dark low Experiences of weak Believers This may be explained as low as is consistent with Truth for the comforting of doubting Souls See the Apostles definition of Faith Hebr. 11. 1. with many other places and this Faith the Scripture presses us to Hebr. 3. 6. 10 22 35 c. and this was the Apostles Faith Gal. 2. 20. 28. Faith is nothing but a Persuasion that my Sins are pardoned Answ This hath been answered already and so I pass it by 29. Believers may not take Comfort in the actings of their Graces Answ This I do not remember but believe it to be an untruth For no doubt persons have peace and joy in believing and that is the acting of grace The exercise of Faith and other graces as flowing from it is very comfortable But this I have opposed and others contend for that inherent qualifications without Faith can be the actings of grace or bring any true comfort to the Soul WE whose Names are under written being then present at the discourse between Mr Hunt and Mr. Davis in Cambridge did hear Mr. Hunt with great prejudice wrest Mr. Davis ' s Words and ' Sentences and did then oppose and contradict him in so doing And we do protest the Particulars are true as Mr. Davis stateth them and false as the Informers do Jo. Craske Thomas Greene James Coolidge Henry Ellis The following Charges are miscellaneous being chiefly Sentences dropt in private discourse miserably rackt and tortured by the Libeller and not so affixed to places 30 Charge Whatever is supernatural is saving Grace Answ That that was said was this All saving Grace is supernatural And the Bedford Gentleman was then contradicted when he wrested it 31. Zeal is to be preferred before Judgment Answ This also was a wresting of words in private discourse and the occasion was this One in discourse with me at Kimbolton who it seems was highly conceited
any Witnesses ready nor could I till I knew what and who would evidence against me so that I had no publick way left me but this of Printing which I chose rather prudentially to have Recourse unto My 3d Reason and a very weighty one for not appearing was because I understood there was a great enraged Assembly gathered together that waited to make a Riot therefore I durst not go to affront and disturb the Government under which I enjoyed such Peace and Tranquility I had fresh in my memory how many Citizens suffered about the Guild-Hall Riots Besides I was advised by a Magistrate to this course It is more than probable if I had appeared there then it would have been of dangerous Consequence Yet when I understood the Rabble was gone away I went to them and having entred my Protest against their Proceedings left them Had they given a candid Answer to the Proposals made to them by the Messengers of the Church they might have received a speedier Answer It was proposed to them Whether they came as a Presbyterian-Classis or as Messengers of Churches or as Friends or lastly as avowed Opposers As a Classis we should have slighted them as we did as Messengers of Churches they confess they did not come If they had come as Friends they would never have come after that manner If they had been above-board and said they came as Opposers we should have defended the Truth against them to their teeth as the Lord should have enabled us provided it had not been in a tumultuous Assembly One little Gentleman there present would have proceeded to have past Judgment upon us there presently but I would have him seriously consider the judgment the Scripture passes upon his Actions in the late Tryals John 10. 12 13. Tho' they declared at Kettering they would conceal their matters till they came to the United Brethren at London yet two of them in their return home not only exposed us in Preaching but one especially at Hitchin published Heads of the Accusations even to my Friends A third being my former Acquaintance carried it like a just Man I am sorry he was one of them however I overlook it in him and for his Christian Carriage and Justice render him my publick Thanks Some weeks after this Transaction I received from London a Copy of what was deposed against me at Kettering in matters of Faith and Practice I shall expose it to the World verbatim because I know there is a great noise about it as most conceive more dreadful of it than it is together with the Witnesses Names that they may have the publick Honor they aspire to The Laws of Language and of the Land allow me to call them Informers who witness against a Man in matters of Religion but the Reverence I bear towards some of them forbids me that Term. Then I shall print-my Answer digested together with their Accusations into some general Heads Under every general Head I shall make bold to make some Reflections to evince what Truth of the Gospel is struck at annexing thereunto a short Defence thereof and it is as followeth A True Copy of what was deposed at Ketterin at their Visitation THat the Elect were actually justified from Eternity and are as much belov'd of God whilst in Rebellion against him as after Conversion and that God is reconciled to all that he will be reconciled unto Attested by Mr. Bland Mr. Ley and Mr. Chandler who wrote it from his own mouth and offered to produce Testimonies under the hands of Mrs. Seaton Mr. Acock and Mr. Nickolls We are justified ever since Christ's death Mr. Bland 't was also said that Mr. Hunt would confirm the same We asked Mr. Davis's Friends whether Mr. Davis did preach that we are actually justified before Faith And they owned that they could not deny it and one said they hoped they should own it to the death The Law doth not prepare for Conversion the Spirit of God doth not make use of the Law in order to Conversion Attested by Mr. Chandler Mr. Tomlins of Ampthil and Mr. Holledge of Kimbolton Mr. D. objected in his Sermon But the Law is said to convert To this he answer'd That it is the Law of the Gospel which is this I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy Mr. Chandler The Law cannot convert because the works of the Law are under a curse to the Soul Witnessed by Mr. Chandler who engaged to produce the Testimony of Mr. Acock of Caysoe The Law gives an impious sight of Sin Mr. Moor and Mr. Holledge Witnesses All that the Law doth is to drive Persons further from Christ and make some go away and hang themselves Mr. Ley. Mr. D. preached Believe not others who prophesie Lyes in the Name of the Lord who ever wears a rough Garment to deceive and tell you of John Baptist's preparing the way and preaching his Roughness his Repentance his preparatory Works and you must bring these Qualifications they prophesie Lyes in the Name of the Lord Persons Misery is their Qualification Mr. King who took it in writing from his own mouth Such as preach up preparatory Works are legal Preachers hinder Peoples comfort and keep them under bondage we should begin with high confidence in Christ and hold it fast unto the end Mr. King Here is the Redeemer Ay saith the Soul but I must be humbled more and pray more I say you may repent and be damned for this is slighting the Gospel Do you know how much you would have before you come to Christ Mr. Negus Sinners must come to Christ immediately and be united to him in all their Sins and Filth Mr. Carlile Some hold there must be preparatory Works which is a stumbling block Mr. Ainscomb The Spirit convinceth of no Sin but Unbelief Mr. Terrey the Minister Faith is a Persuasion that our Sins are pardoned Mr. Chandler Mr. Bland A Person may sincerely desire after Holiness and yet be nothing nay they may desire Christ to reign over them and yet not be savingly convinced When then are you savingly convinced You are savingly convinced when you can believe Christ died for you Mr. Robert Page At Willingham he preached That Christians must not try themselves by marks and signs of Grace this is as if a person should shut the doors and windows of his house to let in more light and produced Matth. 12. 38 39. to reprove this way of Heart-examination which he said lay with awe upon his spirit and he could not but mention it viz. An evil and adulterous Generation seek after a sign Adding Oh Generation of Professors I may say of Preachers that seek after a sign Mr. Marshall Mr. Gunton Some will tell you you must examin your selves whether you be in the Faith or no But I say look for no marks but a risen Jesus seek no other Mr. Negus Some will put you upon trying your state by such marks as Sincerity Universal Obedience Love to the
Rom. 9. 30 nor as much as to seek and ask after it Rom. 10. 20. But Isaias is very bold and saith I was found of them that sought me not I was made manifest to them that asked not after me Whilst the Jews were rejected with all their Qualifications Rom. 9. 31 32 chap. 10. 31. Therefore this Consideration destroys all such antecedent Qualifications Arg. 7. The holy Scriptures of Truth declare That Christ must first come to the Soul before the Soul can move to Christ For the Soul is dead in Sin before the first moment of Spiritual Life and the first moment of spiritual Life is when Christ actually uniteth himself to the Soul And how can they that are dead prepare themselves for Life before Life comes Arg. 8. The Word of God says That the Law cannot give Life For if there had been a Law given which could have given Life to the Apostate Race of Adam verily Righteousness should have been by the Law And if the Works of the Law cannot give Life they cannot prepare for Christ Arg. 9. The Gospel invites Sinners as Sinners and not as qualified Sinners to come to Christ If the Heavy-laden be called Mat. 11. the Lame Blind Hault and Maim'd are invited also Luke 14. 21. Mat. 22. So also the Highway-Sinners are compell'd to come in as they are Mat. 22. Luke 14. 28. Arg. 10. Lastly This Doctrine of previous Qualification contradicts not only the Doctrine of the Bible and of the first Reformers but also the Twelfth ond Thirteenth Article of the Church of England If any would be further satisfied in this Point let them consult Mr. Bridge of Evangelical Repentance And a Book lately Printed styl'd The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification which is a very solid and substantial Piece And now I shall proceed to the remaining Charges Faith is a Perswasion that our Sins are Pardoned I am almost perswaded Mr. Chandler never heard it But my Judgement is Faith is a Perswasion of the Pardon of Sin and Acquitment by the Lord Jesus Why should the word be offensive since it is Scriptural 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it self comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to perswade In that Prophetick Description of New Testament-Faith it is God shall persuade Japhet c. Abraham's Faith is defined by the same word Rom. 4. 21. The Apostle expresses his own Faith and the Faith of the Elect in the same words Rom. 8. 38. Gal. 5. 8. 2 Tim. 1. 12. To believe a Man's Sins are Pardon'd is Justifying Faith Answ 1. Their racking of Sentences I mind not But this I do affirm That Justifying Faith is to Believe on Christ for the Pardon of Sin which he has purchased and not a blind Consent of the Will to I know not what 2. That every Act of True Faith hath particular Application in it My Act of Faith relateth not to Sin in general but my Sin 3. Faith looks to Christ for what he hath already done for a Pardon already purchasad and an Acquitment already obtained Mat. 22. 4. Luk. 14. 17. 4. The least degree of True Faith hath some Assurance in it tho' not so much as extinguisheth nor yet so much as keepeth under but always so much as doth oppose and disapprove of unbelieving Doubts and Fears 5. Stronger Faith carries stronger Assurance with it The more clearly and strongly I rely on the Righteousness and Strength that are in Christ for me the more firmly I can conclude I am made Righteous in his Righteousness The Argument is Mr. Pemble's against Bellarmine which Mr. B in vain attempts to overthrow 6. Lastly The Spirit often-times cometh in a sealing Promise with irresistible Light assuring the Conscience of a Believer that his Sins are Pardoned and he is Justified so that during this time of Sealing all Doubts Fears and Questionings are silenc'd though when this is past they may revive again And who dare exclude this from relating to Justifying Faith Let 's have a care of contradicting and blaspheming the Operations of the Holy Ghost and offending against the Generation of the Just who have more or less met with such Promises Some will put you upon trying your State by such Marks of Sincerity Love to the Brethren Universal Obedience and Love to God and Christ But this way he denied and said Men make Idols of them and worship'd Stones and Stocks And such as put them on such ways of Tryal are like Baal ' s Priests It is to no purpose for me to fight with their wrested words I shall only therefore deliver my Judgment plainly as to Marks and Signs 1. I judge there is no Holiness or gracious Qualifications preceding Faith 2. To set up these as the Marks and Signs of our being Justified is 1. The greatest Cheat put upon the Soul in the World 2. It is the greatest Affront put upon the Spirit and Blood of Christ For thereby they thrust these that are Nothing into the Room and Throne of the Mediator and Comforter and they that do so are guilty of Spiritual and Mental Idolatry as if they worshiped Stocks and Stones As to that of Baal's Priests I remember nothing of But let the Coiners of this New Gospel that preach such Doctrines look to it lest they justly deserve the Name Some will tell you You must examine your selves whether you be in the Faith or no But I say Look for no Marks and Signs but a risen Jesus seek for no other I affirm That Faith is a great Evidence yea and Self-Evidence too Heb. 11. 1. The great Evidence of Faith is the once Crucified but now Risen Jesus It is Jesus that died is risen again and is set down at the Right-Hand of the Father and ever liveth to intercede They that look off of him to look within seek for a living Christ in a dead Frame I never was against Self-Examination performed in the Light of Faith acting directly toward the Object At Willingham he preached That Christians must not try themselves by Marks and Signs of Grace This is as if a Person should shut the Doors and Windows of his House to let in more Light And produced Mat. 12. 38 39. to reprove this way of Heart-Examination which he said lay with Awe upon his Spirit and he could not but mention it viz. An evil and adulterous Generation seeketh after a Sign And added O Generation of Professors I may say of Preachers that seek after a Sign c. 1. This is further my Judgment That the Scriptural Marks and Signs which are the inseparable Effects and Concomitants of Faith are one way or other some Evidence of our Justification 2. That they do also as Dr. Goodwin phraseth it eek out encourage and strengthen our Faith in a certain way and measure 3. That Souls are more prone to look to them than to Christ and his Grace the Object of Faith and that is very dangerous Spiritual Sense and Enjoyments though given us is something within us But Faith
to the whole revealed Mind and Will of God in his Word and upon his own Authority but as it is a saving Grace it is a work of the Spirit whereby a Sinner doth see and behold Christ in all his Excellencies and is persuaded and enabled to look to him to go forth from Sin and Self to lay hold of Christ and to rest and relie on Christ and his Righteousness for Acceptance with God and Eternal Salvation XVI Of Effectual Calling Effectual Calling is the powerful Voice of the Son of God by his Spirit accompanying his Word whereby a Sinner is enabled to accept of Christ upon his own Terms according to the Promise of the Gospel therefore it relates to Faith XVII Of Assurance Assurance is not a bare conjectural and probable Persuasion but the infallible certainty of Faith founded upon the Testimony of the Spirit of Adoption witnessing with our Spirits that we are the Children of God altho many Believers have not attained to this Assurance yet it is the Duty of all to seek after it and those that have attained to it may have it divers ways shaken and diminish'd through Sin and Temptations XVIII Of Perseverance The Perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own Free Will or inherent Grace already received but upon the Immutability of the Love of God in the Decree of Election the Efsicay and Merit of the Intercession of Christ The Nature of the Covenant of Grace and the abiding of the Spirit of God Altho true Believers cannot fall finally and totally yet they may fall into grievous Sins and may continue in them for a while whereby they grieve the Spirit lessen their Comforts wound their Consciences scandalise others and do come under the Rebuke of God's fatherly Corrections for their Recovery and Amendment XIX Of Adoption Adoption is an act of the free Grace of God in and for his only Son Jesus Christ whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his Children have his Name put upon them the Spirit of his Son given unto them are under his fatherly Care and Correction admitted to all the Liberties and Privileges of the Sons of God made Heirs of all the Promises and Fellow-heirs with Christ in Glory XX. Of Sanctification Sanctification is the Work of God's Grace whereby they whom God has before the Foundation of the World chosen to be Holy are in time through the powerful Operation of the Spirit applying the Death and Resurrection of Christ unto them renew'd in their whole Man after the Image of God having the Seeds of Repentance and of all other saving Graces put into their Hearts and those Graces so stirred up increased and strengthned as that they more and more dye unto Sin and rise up unto Newness of Life in the lively Actings and Exercises of Faith XXI Of Repentance True Gospel Repentance is a saving Grace wrought by the Spirit of God whereby we are enabled thorough believing on the Lord Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation to turn from Sin unto God XXII Preparatory Works Works done before Faith however good in themselves yet are vain fruitless sinful and not pleasing to God and therefore can't make us any ways meet for the receiving of Grace XXIII Of Good Works Good Works are then only Good when they are the Fruits of Faith and they ought to be carefully maintain'd by Believers not that they may thereby be justified or continued in a justified State but that they may glorifie God and answer the Ends of their Redemption by Jesus Christ XXIV Of the Moral Law The Moral Law holds the Elect during their Unregeneracy under its condemning Force 'till they believe and is unto all Believers a Rule for Obedience which they are enabled to conform unto by the Power of God's Grace XXV Of the State of Believers after Death and their Resurrection The Souls of Believers immediately after Death are made perfect in Holiness are received up to Heaven and behold the Face of God in Light and Glory Their Bodies in the mean time resting in the Grave till the Resurrection are then Re-united to their Souls in Perfect Blessedness and full Enjoyment of God forever XXVI Of the Last Iudgment God has appointed a Day wherein he will Judge the Quick and the Dead in Righteousness by Jesus Christ to whom all Power and Judgment is given of the Father for the Glorifying his Divine Mercy in the Salvation of the Elect and of his Divine Justice in the Eternal Damnation of the Wicked and Disobedient FINIS An Answer to some part of that Pamphlet Called A Plain and Just Account of a Plague being at Rothwell c. Wherein it will be manifest that they that gave the Account gave a very unjust Account in some Matters as in others they Charge as Errors the great Truths of the Gospel of our Lord. By Rob Betson Pastor of the Church of Christ in Wellingborough OH that my Head was a Fountain of Tears that I could Weep Day and Night for a Generation of Men professing love to Christ and Souls and yet their Mouths are full of Revilings and their Pens dipt in Gall as the first Page testifieth and several other places in the Book wherein they act like that Orator Tertullus in Acts 24. 5. We have found this Man a pestilent fellow and a mover of Sedition among all the Jews throughout the World and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens c. Thus he accused and the Jews assented saying That these things were so vers 9. And thus do the Writers of this Pamphlet accuse God's Servant Mr. Davis with many others which I question not but they are dear to our Lord Jesus But yet the People are ready to say all is true that can be spoken yea this I observe these Men will believe the Reports of the worst of Men against him when they will not believe their nearest Friends that speak for him tho what they speak they have seriously weigh'd which sheweth them to be of their minds Jeremy complaineth of Chap. 20. 10. Report say they and we will Report it But I believe the Lord in his own time will vindicate the Faith and Order of that Gospel which is now opposed by a Generation of Men that have not the Power of Godliness However I earnestly intreat all that fear the Lord to cease Reviling and take Paul's Counsel Ephesians 4. 31 32. Let all Bitterness and Wrath and Anger and Clamor and evil speaking be put away and be ye kind one to another And if you yet be in doubt take Gamaliel's Counsel Acts 5. 38 39. For we are very willing that whatever there is that is not of God should fall and we are also sure that whatever is of God you cannot overturn it therefore pray have a Care you be not found fighters against God And pray weigh very seriously what Mr. Davis hath written in answer to what is charged against him for I do trust that in
These Libellers by an unadvised blabbing out of what they have done concerning Silencing do declare what they expect will be hatched at last amongst the united Brethren at London viz. an old imperious Classis revived again But it would be Prudence in them to tarry first for the generating warmth of Royal Authority which I hope will never be The Story of Mr. Holcraft is a Fiction as divers in Cambridge-shire do attest I shall not mention what his Judgment was of a contrary Nature concerning me not long before his death but he is now in Glory And it is an easy matter to fix Stories on People when they are dead when the Reporters know they are secured from having their Fictions contradicted The Story of the two grave Ministers I shall consider in its place They speak wickedly to say that I make Disturbances in the Country but it is their Wickedness Lying Slandering and a bloody Spirit of Persecution they manifest every where that creates the Disturbance Could they or the Magistrates either have found any thing against me save in the matters of my God it would have been done afore now for the exactest Scrutiny has been made in order to Indictments Now I come to consider the formidable Charge relating to my Principles and Doctrines I have observed they have laid down four places especially where they pretend these Doctrines have been delivered viz. Rothwell and thereabouts Kimbolton and thereabouts Wellingborough Cambridge and thereabouts The Members and Hearers that usually attend my Ministry in these four places may make but one work of it to confront their Testimony in each place respectively Accordingly I shall methodically digest their Charge with my Answers suited to these four Scenes and the rather because my Principles and Doctrines as they alledge were delivered at Rowell or thereabouts are these following And first I begin with Rowell 1. Our Lord Jesus preached not Terror Answ I remember no such thing nor does the Church but I believe it false and so do they 2. A sense of Sin enrages persons against Christ Answ A sense of Sin purely legal in a state of Nature has a tendency to Despair and pure Despair always enrages Souls against Christ and his Grace 3. The Devil of lying has filled the tongues of many Professors Answ I do not believe I said so from their malicious charging of me tho' this cannot be said of all blessed be God yet 't is too notorious there is a lying Spirit gone forth in the mouths of very many Professors especially their Mouths and Pens concerned in the Libel 4. Actually justified from Eternity Answ It was thus I preached or asserted it If by being justified from Eternity be meant our being justified in the Decree and Compact I judge that to be Truth and God's Decrees and Covenanting are his Acts. This I know I have been chiefly on my Guard in this Matter And when it was first charged upon me I was in London and heard of it only on my return home Yet I do not deny but at first I spoke of Eternal Justification in Foro Dei as Dr. Twisse Mr. Pemble and many of the transmarine Divines have asserted as Mr. Baxter himself does acknowledg yet always restrained it to the fore-knowledg of God his Decree and the eternal Compact 'T is true finding the Decree of Election no where expressed by the name of Justification I waved at last that term and kept rather to that of eternal electing Love and Grace because I would not keep on foot a vain strife about words to no profit only to the subverting of the Hearers 2 Tim. 2. 14. When I seriously weigh'd Isa 50. 8 9. compared with Rom. 8. 33 34. and divers other Scriptures I cannot yet but maintain and assert A virtual Justification of the whole Elect of God tho' not yet called in Christ their common Head ever since his Resurrection Especially when I was so confirmed therein by the excellent discourse of Dr. Goodwyn on that Subject in his Triumph of Faith And they that take away the Representativeship of Christ the Foundation of our Gospel introduce a new Scheme of Religion that I cannot find in the Bible I do not see what need there is of all this noise about words as long as I have constantly preach'd and affirm'd That elect Sinners are dead in Trespasses and Sins and under the declar'd Condemnation of Law and Gospel till they believe and that then and only then they are freed from that Condemnation which I take to be actual Justification by Faith As to Justification by Faith I need not put my self to the trouble to define it as long as I am well satisfy'd with the definition given thereof by the Assembly and Savoy Confession by which I shall stand and let this suffice for an Answer to the following malicious Charges 5. That Charge tacked to this viz. That God loved us from Eternity does very much confirm the Suspicions I long entertained that under the Notion of eternal Justification they fought against eternal electing Love and Grace Mutato nomine pro te Narratur These Jealousies were first fomented in my mind by observing that not only well-meaning People violently with great Ignorance disputed the Point but Men of corrupt minds were the fiercest in the Contest And I further observed the Arguments they brought were the very same alledged by the Arminian Party to decry eternal Election and that made me the more willing oftentimes so to frame my method of Argumentation as made many honest People think I held an elect Person actually and declaratively free from the condemnation of the Law before Faith which was a mistake My saying and unsaying the same thing is but a Falshood charged upon me of the same piece with the rest The Country Divine the Libeller mentions was Mr. Chandler for with him I had discourse upon this Point and when he objected my timing of Justification I only replied I never told him yet when I timed it and continued on my Guard all the while 'T is true I asserted everlasting electing Love which he told me afterwards was one of my Blasphemies But I think he may as well charge it on the Book of God particularly two places Jer. 31. 3. Ephes 2. 4. which affirm it in plain terms 6. There must be no Works because God rested in Christ c. Answ What always was contended for which these Arminians and Amyraldists cannot bear was this that no Works must come into our Justification but Holiness as flowing from Faith I have always preached and pressed constantly affirming That they that have believed do maintain good works Tit. 3. 8. as hundreds can witness But perhaps these Prevaricators judge nothing to be preaching up of good Works unless they be urged as Terms and Conditions of our Pardon and Justification and Perseverance therein as the Terms of our eternal Blessedness 7. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life but ye
the Soul and antecedent to this Divine supernatural Power which is no other than Arminianism And to allow it one minute before Christ's uniting himself to the Soul is all one as to allow it him from his Cradle or all three together 12. A Man may simply without Self-design or Self-Interest aim at the Glory of God and yet be an Hypocrite still Answ This is attested by judicious or rather malicious N. A. All the occasion that he had for his false Testimony was that there was something spoke to this purpose That some may possibly perform some obedience to the Law not to get worldly advantage thereby or to gain the applause of Men but because God commands it yet seeking to be justified thereby it is not right but hypocritical because it is not done in Faith in the manner that the Lord requireth it and because it is seeking to be justified by the works of the Law The Apostle testifies for his Countrymen That they had a zeal for God viz. in obeying his Law but notwithstanding it was not according to knowledge because thereby they went about to establish their own righteousness and did not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God Rom. 10. 23. 13. The Law giveth 1. A little sight of Sin 2. A killing sight of Sin 3. An impious sight of Sin Answ Here also is a little mistake in the Information for it was not said an impious but an impure sight of Sin Thus I explained these three Heads 1. The Law abstractedly consider'd gives to the Sinner in a state of Nature in meer legal Convictions a short sight of Sin Reason Because they never seek out under the greatest conviction of Sin for any Righteousness better than their own to be justified by whereas if the Law abstractedly consider'd did give to a Sinner in a state of Nature a thorow-sight of Sin he would never so often as he doth lean upon a Justification by his own works nor pacify the rage of his Conscience with his own doings This the Law of God tho' perfect in itself cannot do to a Man in an unregenerate state in that it is weak through the flesh therefore God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the flesh Rom. 8. 3. 2 dly It is but a killing sight of Sin Reason This is plain from Scripture for to this the Apostle witnesseth when he says expresly the Letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life 2 Cor. 3. 6. which killing Letter he calls ver 7. The ministration of death ver 9. The ministration of Righteousness to which may be added as further proof Rom. 7. 9. 3 dly The Law in meer legal Convictions gives an impure sight of Sin First Reason The state is impure therefore all things in that state are impure too For Illustration thereof I may at least safely allude to those passages Haggai 2. 11 12 13 14. but more plainly proved from that as well as other places of Scripture Tit. 1. 15. Vnto the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their mind and conscience is defiled Second Reason A Conviction of Sin in a state of Nature hath a tendency to irritate Sin the more proved from Rom. 7. 5. For when we were in the flesh i. e. in a natural state the motions of Sin or the passions or ferment of Sin which were by the Law viz. convincing or restraining did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death Whence it is evident 1. That the Law in a state of Nature by its Convictions doth ferment and irritate Sin 2. That Sin thus irritated doth work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death To which agreeth what is experimentally recorded ver 7 8. says the Apostle there For I had not known Lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not covet But did this Conviction diminish or extinguish his Concupiscence No but rather encreased it for it instantly follows ver 8. But Sin taking occasion by the Commandment wrought in me all manner of Concupiscence Yet it is true the Law by God's Ordination oftentimes restrains the outward Acts of Sin even then when Sin defiles the Conscience most with monstrous Unbelief and a violent establishment of a Man 's own Righteousness Now considering all this it is undeniably plain to me that the Law abstractedly consider'd in meer legal Convictions giveth to the Sinner an impure sight of Sin whether we consider the impurity of that state that defileth all things or the effects of such Convictions WE whose Names are under-written being constant Hearers of Mr. Davis in and about Kimbolton do testify and affirm That his Accusers have dealt injuriously with him in wresting his Words and perverting his Sentences that his Account is according to Truth and that the tenor of his Preaching amongst us has been to advance the Free-grace of God in Christ and to promote Gospel-holiness upon Evangelical Principles Witness our Hands Edward Marlin Stephen Richards William Custance John Conquest Samuel Gurrey Thomas Woodham Robert Elum John Wollaston George Hull These are said to be preached at Wellemborough 14. Such as preach up Qualifications are legal Preachers keep People in Bondage and are Enemies to their comfort Answ There has been and is too much preaching of such and such legal Qualifications not only antecedent to but abstracted from Faith Nay Faith itself is made no more of by them than a work of the Law and as for such I continue to maintain they are legal Preachers 15. People must beware of three sorts of Preachers Babylonish Graceless and such as mix the Law with the Gospel Answ Suppose it true I do not see how it can be charged as a Crime nor how can any understand my thoughts so as to know whom I mean But if Mr. King takes it to himself I shall heartily consent thereunto 16. Saints under the Old Testament had no spiritual life but in doing Answ This I asserted viz. That Saints since the giving forth of the Law at Mount Sinai had most of their spiritual life from their obedience thereunto And now I shall give my Reasons for my Assertion 1. Tho' I grant that all before the coming of Christ that were saved were saved the same way that the Saints now are viz. by the blood of Christ the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world yet whether they knew that way of salvation as well as Saints now is to me a Question especially when I weigh these Scriptures 1 Pet. 10. 11 12. Ephes 3. 8 9 10 11. 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. From which Scriptures with divers others well consider'd 't is evident to me there is a far greater discovery made now to the Saints in Gospel-days than to them before 2 dly I query whether they had not much of their Peace of Conscience from their Obedience and Sacrifices And this to me is undeniably proved from
therefore with this Assertion That if Justification be an immanent Act of God as God absolutely considered it is an Act of Eternity But if a transient Act of God considered as Judge and an Act of his revealed Will 't is an Act of Sin The Law doth not prepare for Conversion The Spirit of God doth not make use of the Law for Conversion I Answer The Law or the Covenant of Works doth not prepare for Conversion That the Spirit of God doth not make use of the Law in Conversion is an addition of their own Mr. Davis objected in his Sermon But the Law is said to convert To this he answered That it is the Law of the Gospel which is this I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy c. The Law cannot convert because the works of the Law are under a curse to the Soul To the best of my remembrance I framed my Objection thus It is written Psal 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul Answer By this Law is meant the Doctrine of the Gospel or the great Law of distinguishing Grace held forth in the Gospel puts forth converting power which was proved by comparing this with Gal. 2. 19. Rom. 8. 2. together with Rom. 9. 15 16 and 18 as also with 2 Tim. 1. 9. lastly with Rom. 3. 27. from all which places 't is evident the Gospel converts a Soul Rom. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth So 1 Cor. 4. 15. For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel 'T is also evident from the holy Scriptures That as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse Gal. 3. 10. How then can the works of the Law convert a Soul The Law giveth an impious sight of Sin My judgment is That Convictions of the Law in a state of Nature are impure because the state is so and the effect thereof in such a state are impure also Rom. 7. 5 7 8. see more under Head 14. All the Law doth is to drive persons farther off from Christ and make some go away and hang themselves This is put with a false grain too This I preached That the Law convincing and condemning a Man for Sin in a state of Nature hath a tendency to drive Souls to despair and that is far enough from Christ And some forced with the terrors thereof have executed themselves witness Judas Mr. Davis preached Believe not others who prophesie Lyes in the Name of the Lord. Whosoever weareth a rough garment to deceive and tells them of John Baptist ' s preparing the way and preaching up his roughness his preparatory works and that you must bring these qualifications they prophesie Lyes in the Name of the Lord. Persons misery is their qualification I am not concerned how they wrest matters But this I affirm That they that preach up the preparatory works as qualifications that must recommend persons to Christ so far they depart from their Commission and so far they prophesie Lyes in the Name of the Lord. And if there be any thing that makes persons the Subjects of God's free mercy it is misery The Physician is not for the whole but the sick Such as preach up Preparatory Works are Legal Preachers hinder Peoples Comfort and keep them under Bondage We should begin with high Confidence and hold it fast unto the end Such as are afore-mentioned are Legal Preachers hinder Peoples Comfort and keep them under Bondage The Gospel commands Sinners to believe and to be strong in Faith whether they attain to it or no. The Gospel hath no Degrees of Commands As first commanding a more imperfect Faith mix'd with a great deal of Unbelief and then a more perfect Faith and less Unbelief The Imperfections of our Obedience must not be the Measures of Gospel-Commands I never said Sinners must arrive to such a degree of Faith before it can be saving But this I do affirm That the Gospel doth require of Sinners to believe in Hope against all Hope And there are several Instances in the New Testament of such great Faith at first And the Word of God commands us to hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end Heb. 3. 6 14. chap. 10. 19 22. and likewise ver 35. There is the Redeemer Ay saith the Soul but I must be humbled more and pray more I say you may repent and be damn'd for this is slighting the Gospel Do you know how much you would have afore you come to Christ I Answer I shall not mind their wrested Sentences But this I have preach'd and this I will stand by That Souls that delay their Obedience to the Gospel-Command of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ under pretence that they are not humbled enough and qualified enough for Christ do slight the Gospel I also say further That there are many that have had legal Repentance enough that are now in Hell It is said Judas repented and yet he perished ☞ Sinners must come to Christ immediately and be united to him in all their Sins and Filth This I know I have preached as my Judgment That Sinners must come to Christ as Sinners and not as made Saints first And the Gospel biddeth them come immediately To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 1. 3 7 8. Nor do I know where they must leave their Sins afore they come to Christ In that moment they are United to Christ is the Change made they do not continue in a filthy State any longer Yet I do not see how their State is changed or they can leave their Sins before an actual Union with Christ Some hold There must be Preparatory Works Which is a Stumbling-block I Answer That such as do preach up Preparatory Works as afore-mention'd do lay Stumbling-blocks in the way of Sinners A Person may sincerely desire after Holiness and yet be nothing Nay he may desire Christ to reign over him and yet not be savingly convinced Answ I do think it is possible a Person may have sincere desires after that which the New-coin'd Divinity calls the Lesser Holiness afore Faith as Conditional of their Justification and yet be nothing because they seek to be Justified by the Works of the Law And so it was with the Jews Rom. 9. 31 32. Rom. 10. 20 21. And it is possible they may desire Christ to reign over them to subdue many of their Iniquities to this intent that for their subdued Iniquities they might be Justified When then are you savingly convinced You are savingly convinced when you can believe Christ died for you Robert Page attested as affectionately in this as when he witnessed Mr. Bear was one of us when he is not But to the Matter in hand I judge then a Soul savingly convinced when he is so convinced of Sin and Misery that he sees nothing but the Righteousness
of Christ will do When he is convinced of the Suitableness and absolute Necessity of this Righteousness to him and that nothing short of an Interest in it will satisfie his Conscience Also When he is convinced of his great Evil in leaning so long on his own Righteousness and the proneness of his Heart to do so still And Lastly When he is convinced of an evil Heart of Unbelief The Spirit convinceth of no Sin but Vnbelief Sure Mr. Jerry was under a great Mistake For it was this I inferred from John 16. 7 8 9 10. 11. That the first Sin the Spirit savingly convinceth a Man of is his own evil Heart of Unbelief and his Evil in trusting to his own Righteousness But see how strangely it is wrested What will not Envy and Prejudice put a Man upon For any to look to their Sanctification was an hindrance to their closing with Christ 'T is true in a good sence they have no Holiness afore they close with Christ and what should they look for that to bring with them they cannot possibly have afore they come ANIMADVERSIONS The Reader may easily perceive that the tendency of all these Charges under this general Head is to support Two Principles I. That there must be antecedent Works as Conditions of Justification Or at least II. There must be antecedent Works to fit and prepare us for Christ The First Principle I cannot fall in with for these ensuing Reasons Reas 1. God Justifies us freely as well as he Chose us freely and Christ died for us freely God chose the Elect and Christ died for them without any regard had to foreseen Conditions Rom. 9. 11. with 13. 15. Rom. 5. 6 8. So he also Justifies Rom. 9. 16. So Rom. 3. 24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Reas 2. The Word of the Lord says That God Justifies the Elect not as Saints nor as reformed Sinners but as ungodly Sinners Rom. 4. 5. But believeth on him that justifies the ungodly Therefore he does not Justifie upon precedent Conditions Reas 3. To make the Works of the Law to be the Conditions of our Justification is to seek to be Justified by the Deeds of the Law I which the Word of the Lord expressly condemns Rom. 3. 20 28. Gal. 2. 11. 3. 11. Reas 4. If the Sinner may be allowed to have the Works of the Law as Conditions of his Justification then he has ground of boasting in himself But the Law of Faith that receives Justification freely as a free Gift Rom. 5. 16. excludes all manner of boasting from the Creature Rom. 3. 27. Where is Boasting then It is excluded By what Law Of Works Nay but by the Law of Faith Reas 5. The perfect Law or Promise of an infinitely Holy Righteous God must needs require Perfect Conditions Therefore Imperfect Obedience cannot be the Conditions of Justification Reas 6. Whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin and all Works done before Faith put on the Nature of Sin and that that is sinful cannot be the Conditions of Justification Reas 7. They that are performing Conditions in a State of Nature are under a Curse Gal. 3. 10. For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse And how can that that is under a Curse be the Cndition of Justification Reas 8. This Doctrine of Antecedent Conditions of Justification as it is contrary to the Word of God so it is contrary to the Doctrine of the first Protestant Reformers and also expressly contrary to the Tenth Eleventh Twelfth and Thirteenth Articles of the Church of England which most of the Dissenting Ministers in the Kingdom have subscrib'd to Neither can I be for the Second Principle Viz. That there must be antecedent Qualifications at least to fit us and prepare us for Christ Before I give my Reasons I shall first tell what the Question is not And then what it is 1. The Question is not Whether an Elect Soul may not often be under the Convictions of the Law before Grace cometh For that we all agree in 2. Or Whether God doth most commonly lay hold of a Sinner by his Grace when he is under strong Convictions of Sin by the Law For this I readily assent to 3. Or Whether since Actual Justification as it is an Act of God terminated in the Conscience is an Actual Discharge there for the sake of Imputed Righteousness that it is necessary there be the same moment an Actual Conviction or Arraignment by the Law in the Conscience which is called a Sight of Sin to make the Soul see its need of the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus But the Question is Whether legal Convictions do prepare and fit the Soul to receive Christ i. e. By enabling the Soul the more or making the Soul the more willing to receive Grace antecedent to the State of Grace And this I do deny All the aforesaid Arguments against Conditions of Justification are edg'd against such antecedent Qualifications also However I shall add a few more Arguments Arg. 1. The Word of the Lord says That God walks by the same rule in Calling as he did in Election and the Eternal Compact 2 Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Whence it is convincingly evident That as he hath chosen the Elect and promised them all Grace in Christ their Common-Head before the Foundation of the World without any regard had to their fore-seen Qualifications not according to their Works So he also saveth them with an holy Calling in time without the least regard had to their then previous Works For it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom. 9. 16. See further Eph. 2. 8. Arg. 2. The Spirit is as free in Application as the Father in Election and the Son in the Work of Redemption and therefore the Spirit in Conversion regards not antecedent Qualifications Arg. 3. 'T is in Christ Jesus we are God's Workmanship created to good works Eph. 2. 10. Therefore there is no power for Good Works antecedent to our actual Union with Christ Arg. 4. The first Work of God Souls are put upon is Believing Joh. 6. 28 29. And we are pressed in Scripture to other good Works after Believing Tit. 3. 8. Therefore there can be no previous Qualifications preparatory of Faith Arg. 5. Faith it self is receiving a free Gift as freely given Rom. 4. 16. Eph. 2. 8. Therefore ex Naturâ rei excludes all manner of such antecedent Qualifications Arg. 6. The Promise was by Faith that it might be sure to all the Seed Rom. 4. 16. Even to the Gentile Seed who had no manner of Qualifications to bring For the Scripture saith expressly they had not so much Qualifications as to follow after righteousness