When even the Inherent Righteousness, upon which they hang all the weight of their Salvation, Yet such an Ordinary Attainment do they make of it; that a Heathen man, or an Unregenerate Sinner, might undertake to reach and accomplish as good a Righteoufness. For Regeneration, they treat as a Child of the Imagination: And only for the Sport that it gives 'em, they might pass it over in deep Silence. Belike they may not think themselves concern'd in our Lord's Determination; Mat. 18. 3. Except ye be Converted, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And John 3. 3. Except a man be Born again, be cannot see the Kingdom of God. Yea for (that which is their Pride,) the very Morality; Yet I know the cafe, wherein they can make it a Dispensible Quality. For I have heard some of 'em, fetch off an Egregious Swearer, Drunkard, or Scandalous Liver, for a very Good Honest man; of whose Happiness they seem'd not to make any doubt : Because they were perfuaded he meant no Hurt; but only had fuch Failings. And at that rate, as Loose as they count our Dotrine of Faith in Christ; We may say of their Self-Righteousness, Wide is the Gate; and Broad is the Way: Who almost, can miss it? They are indeed the quickest Operators to relieve a Troubled Conscience. And if what they lay down, would but serve the F4 turn; turn; 'Twere the easiest matter in the World, to do that, which Elibu, Job 35. 23. took for the work of an Interpreter, one among a Thousand; To shew unto a man his Uprightness; To point out that, which will be a Convincing Evidence of ones Title to the Kingdom of Heaven. But however the Righteousness of Faith, may be Charged, as Destructive of Good Life; (and let others take their Liberty to Judge as they find;) As far as my own Experience reaches, I must needs Testify, That I know no such Holy, Humble, Charitable, Heavenly, Livers, as fome of these censured Believers. And many that Live and Lean by Faith on the Son of God, have much more of the Goodness to shew in their Conversations; than others that would Engross it all to themselves, in their Disputations. Nor can I so admire any, even the best, of the Socinians; As to think, they do Exceed, or come near to Equal our holy Reformers: Who yet were the known Maintainers of this Doctrine of Faith: And even Built the Reformation upon it. And as they Lived great Examples, to Honour it: So they Died faithful Martyrs, to Affert it. And they that cry, It is no thanks to the Doctrine, if fome mens Conversation under it, be as becomes the Gospel; Talk like those that do not know the Truth, as it is in Jesus: Nor what L : # what an Operative Principle, is the Faith of Chrift, to produce all the Fruits of a Godly Life. For if indeed I do Believe in him, as Dying for my Sins; and making my Peace through the Blood of his Cross; How can I but Love him; Yea Love him the more, the more I Believe he has done, on my Account? And I cannot Love him, but I shall fet my self to Please him. And then sure am I like to do him more Ingenious and Acceptable Service; than when I work only as a Slave, for Dread; or as a Hireling, for Wages. I know, the Papists also Traduce ours, for a Loose Religion; Because we teach this Justification by Faith only. And yet how often have we seen the Loose Livers among us, run over to them for Ease, and fuch Hopes in an ill way, as we could not give 'em? If Faith in Christ be any part of our Goodness, (as I cannot but think it is; Because God has commanded it, and promis'd everlasting Life to it ;) Is it not enough then to bring the whole Pretension of their Goodness under Suspicion; who make so bold, to Explode and Ridicule this Faith; as a thing of more Mischief, than Benefit to the World? And they that use to be so Saucy with Gospel Mysteries, do not afford Faith any more Civil Usage: But that which Su Paul calls the Mystery of Faith; Tim. 3. 9. It is doubt, is still fuch a Mystery to them, That when Fs when they make it their Bauble, to Play with; and their Eye-Sore, to Rail at; They Feer, and they Strike, at they know not what. But if the Well-Living greatly depends upon the Sound Believing: The Credenda, then, I think, ought to have a fair Treatment, as well as the Agenda. And if some did Believe of our Lord Jesus, as they Should; They would shew a little better Manners, and more Reverence to him, than they do. And as he Commended the Centurion, Matt. 8.10. I have not found fo great Faith, no not in Ifrael: I wish I could not say it, to the Reproach of some, that would thrust themselves for Shelter under our Ifrael : I have not found so great Infidelity, no not in Rome. Where an Honourable Author, (in his Acute way,) has long since told 'em, They make a Jest of Christ's Three Offices: Yet they have not gone about to Plunder him of his Eternal Deity, and his Infinite Satisfaction; On which depends all our Juftification here; and our Salvation for ever. But they that can allow and plead for the Worshipping of our Saviour; and yet tell us, We need not Concern our selves, Whether he be God or not: Would thus run us upon the fame Abfurdity, as he condemn'd in the Samaritan; John 4. 22. To Worship we know not what: Yea to give the Glory of God, (for ought we know,) to a Creature. And And then we are like to be Good Livers, when such foul Idolaters. But (after all the Oftentation,) I should not doubt to find as good Life and Morals, yea as good Righteousness and Religion, as theirs ; even among the old Ethnick Philosophers. Nor do I question but St. Paul, who was as great a Scholar, was also as Good a Liver, as Socinus : Yea how incomparably Better ? And yet he Believed, That Jesus Christ was over all God Blessed for ever. Rom. 9. 5. And that we are Justified by Faith in him, without Works of the Law: Yea by Faith, in Contradistinction from Works. Rom. 11. 6. If it be by Grace, (lays he,) then it is no more of Works; otherwise Grace is no more Grace. But if it be of Works, then it is no more Grace; otherwise Work is no more Work. And of this Faith and Doctrine, 'Tis most evident, He was a most Zealous Promoter. They therefore that asperse it, as tending to Ill Life, and Dissolution of Manners, must needs reflect on him, as a very Shallow Preacher, or none of the best Liver. But fure it can be no part of their Goodness, to Justify themselves; and Pride it in their own Righteousness; and remain too sturdy, ever to Submit to the Righteousness of God; and Wriggle themselves out of that Meekness of Faith, which his Word makes their duty; as much as the Holiness of Life. But |