nify our Entering upon it, and our Continuing in it; then all is regular, and all is secure, Salvation is of the LORD. CHRIST has the Honour and Glory. While We have an Ark, which no Waves can overwhelm, no Rocks can shatter.

Once more, therefore, let me observe, in Pursuance of this important Remark; That Faith is represented as laying hold on GOD our SAVIOUR *; leaning upon our BELOVED+; cleaving to the LORD - Please to take notice of yonder Vine. Its Shoots are weak, and its Branches flimsy. Being absolutely unable to fupport themselves, they are furnished with a very remarkable Set of Claspers. Which, like so many Fingers, lay hold on the Pegs of the Wall, or fasten themselves to the Poles within their Reach. Without such a Provision, the Boughs must lie proftrate on the Ground, and be exposed to the Infults of every Foot. Whereas, by this kind Contrivance of Nature, so creeping a Plant, will climb into the Air, and enjoy the Breeze; so feeble a Plant, will stand out the Winter, and defy the Storms.-An instructive Admonition to Sinners! And no contemptible Illustration of Faith, especially in its principal and most diftinguishing Employ! Thus let Us apprehend the blessed JESUS; hold Us fast by our adored REDEEMER; cleave to his ineffable Worthiness, as those twining Tendrils, by repeated Circumvolutions, adhere to their substantial Supporters. Then shall We rise, by Merits not our own, from the most abject and miferable Condition, to a State of everlasting Honour and Joy.

F4

* Ifai. xxvii. 5. † Cant. viii. 5.

Ther.

‡ Acts xi. 23.

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Ther. Some People, I believe, would hardly forbear smiling at the Peculiarity of your Diction and might be inclined to call your Discourse Canting, rather than Reasoning, For my own Part, I must acknowledge, that, as all your peculiar Phrases are derived from the Scriptures, I hear them with Reverence, and without the least Disposition to sneer. Was my Friend delivering a Latin Oration, it would be a sufficient Warrant for any of his Expressions, to prove that they came from the Ciceronian Mint. And will it not be an equally sufficient Authority, for any Modes of Speech used in a theological Effay, to alledge that they bear the Stamp of the Bible?.

Afp. Thanks to my Friend - replied Afpafio, making a low Bow-Thanks for his indulgent Conceffion. Yet let Him know, that He has manifefted his Judgment, as much as He has exercised his Candour. The Scripture is the Rule, not only of our Faith, but of our Language also, whenever We would explain that sacred Subject. Can any Expreffions be more proper or more emphatical, than those which unerring Wisdom has selected for our Ufe? Impossible! Therefore We are commanded to hold fast a Form of found Words *, as well as a System of found Principles. Can any Phrases express divine Things, with greater Precision and Perfpicuity, than those which the divine SPIRIT has employed for this Purpose? Arrogance itself dares not entertain the Thought. Therefore We think it unexceptionably right, to declare the Truths of the Gospel, not in the Words which Man's Wisdom teacheth, but which the HOLY GHOST teacheth t.

Ther.

2 Tim. i. 13.

+ 1 Cor. ii. 13.

Ther. Though I make no Objection to your Language, I have yet another Scruple with regard to your Doctrine. Do the antient Fathers adopt or inculcate this imputed Righteousness? If it was fo important an Article of our Faith, furely it could not be unknown in those early Ages, which were so near the apostolical Fountain. It would not have been omitted by those zealous Preachers, who chose to endure all the Rigours of Perfecution, rather than renounce their holy Profession.

Afp. I think, it were fufficient to answer this Question, a by asking another-Do the Apostles, does the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD speaking in Scripture, inculcate this Doctrine, or display this Privilege? If so, We need not be very folicitous for any farther Authority. To the Law, and to the Testimony *, is our grand, our final Appeal. Amidst all the Darkness and Uncertainty, which evidently run through the Writings of the best of Men, this is our unspeakable Happiness, That We have a more fure Word of Prophecy; to which We do well to take beed t.

However; to be a little more particular-It cannot be expected, that We should find many Passages in those pious Authors, very strong and very explicit, upon the Point. Because, in their Days, it was not so profefsedly opposed; and therefore could not be so exactly difcuffed, as in later Ages. Nevertheless, they have left enough behind them, to avouch the Substance of what We affert; That a Man is not justified by any Works, Duties, or Righteousness of his own, but only by Faith in JESUS CHRIST.I cannot fay, that I have charged my Memory with their

† 2 Pet. i. 19.

their very Words; and for that Reason, must not attempt at present to make any Citation. But, when a proper Opportunity offers, and their Works are before me, I may possibly produce a few of their Teftimonies.

In the mean Time, I can mention a Set of Writers, whose Attestation will, I imagine, carry as much Weight with my Friend, as the united Voice of the Greek and Latin Fathers.

Ther. Who are they?

Afp. Our venerable Reformers. The Homilies compofed by those excellent Divines, are as express to my Purpose, as they are unexceptionable in their Evidence. This is their Language-" The true " Understanding of this Doctrine, We be justified

freely by Faith without Works, is not, that this " our Act to believe, or this our Faith in CHRIST, " doth justify Us: for that were to count Our" selves to be justified by some Act or Virtue, that " is within Ourselves. But the true Meaning "thereof, is, That although We hear GOD's " Word, and believe it; although We have Hope " and Faith, Charity and Repentance, and do " never so many good Works: Yet We must re"nounce the Merit of all our Virtues and good " Deeds, as Things that be far too weak and in"sufficient, to deserve Remiffion of Sin, and our "Juftification. We must trust only in GOD's "Mercy, and that Sacrifice which our High" Prieft and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, the "SON of GOD, offered for Us upon the " Crofs."

The Homily subjoins a very appofite Illustration; which may conclude our Discourse with perfect Propriety,

3:

priety, and I hope with equal Efficacy." So that as St. John Baptist, although He were never fo virtuous and godly a Man, yet in the Matter of "forgiving Sin, He did put the People from Him, " and appoint them unto CHRIST; faying thus " unto them, Behold! Yonder is the LAMB of "GOD, which taketh away the Sins of the World: "Even so, as great and as godly a Virtue as the "lively Faith is, yet it putteth Us from itself, and " remitteth Us unto CHRIST, for to have only " by Him Remiffion of Sins or Justification. So "that our Faith in CHRIST, as it were, faith

unto Us thus, It is not I that take away your "Sins, but it is CHRIST only; and to Him " only I fend You for that Purpose, forsaking " therein all your good Words, Thoughts, and "Works, and only putting your Truft in "CHRIST*."

Ther. If there be any tolerable Sense of the Notion under Debate, I think, it must be understood as follows. CHRIST's Performance of the Law of his Mediation, or, in other Words, his unfinning Obedience to the moral Law, and the spotless Sacrifice of Himself to the vindictive Justice of GOD; these are the only valuable Confideration, on Account of which, the gracious GOD restores guilty Creatures to a State of Acceptance with his Divine MAJESTY.

Afp. If this is what You mean by the Law of Mediation, I am far from denying your Propofition. I would never defire to wrangle; but, if possible, to acquiefce. I would not wish to espy Faults, but rather

• See the second Part of the Homily on Salvation.