If I am not to speak in an apostolical language, why did my Lord of _Gloucester_ give me an apostolical commission, “whose sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they are retained?” And I hope, my Lord, using the words which JESUS CHRIST used, is not taking upon me the character of CHRIST.
(Page 36.) “When they profess to plant and propagate a _new Gospel_, as unknown to the generality of ministers and people, in a christian country.”
’Tis true, my Lord, in one sense, mine is a new gospel, and will be always unknown to the generality of ministers and people, even in a christian country, if your Lordship’s clergy follow your Lordship’s directions. For what says your Lordship, (page 46.) “I hope, that when your ministers preach to you of _justification by faith alone_, which is asserted in the strongest manner by our church, they explain it in such a manner, as to leave no doubt upon your minds, whether good works are a _necessary condition_ of your being justified in the sight of GOD.”
But pray, my Lord, where has the scripture made good works a necessary condition of our being justified in the sight of GOD? St. _Paul_ says, “by grace ye are saved, through faith, not of works, and that, least any man should boast. For eternal life is the gift of GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.” Your Lordship exhorts your clergy to preach _justification by faith alone_, and quotes the 11th article of our church, which tells us, “we are justified by faith only, and not for our own works or deservings.” At the same time, your Lordship bids them to explain it in such a manner, as to leave no doubt upon their minds, whether good works are a necessary condition of their being justified in the sight of GOD.” Your Lordship, in my opinion, could not well be guilty of a greater inconsistency. This, my Lord, is truly a _new Gospel_. I am sure it is not what the Apostles preached; and it is as contrary to the doctrine of the church of _England_, and the whole tenour of the gospel, as light is contrary to darkness. Had your Lordship insisted on your clergy’s preaching up good works as a _necessary fruit_ and consequence, instead of a necessary condition of our being justified, your Lordship would have used your authority aright. For we are commanded to shew forth or declare to others, that we have a true faith by our works. And the 12th article of our church says, that “good works _follow_ after justification;” and how then, my Lord, are they a necessary condition of our justification? No, my Lord, salvation (if the gospel be true) is the free gift of GOD through JESUS CHRIST. Faith is the means whereby that salvation is applied to our hearts, and good works are the necessary fruits and proof of that faith.
This, my Lord, is the doctrine of JESUS CHRIST, this is the doctrine of the church of _England_, and it is, because the generality of the clergy of the church of _England_ do not preach _this doctrine_, that I am resolved, GOD being my helper, to continue instant in season and out of season, to declare it unto all men, let the consequences, as to my own private person, be what they will.
As for your Lordship’s blaming me for rashly censuring the clergy, for their practice, none are concerned, but my _indolent, earthly-minded, pleasure-taking brethren_ (page 39.) And surely, your Lordship will not stand up in their defence. No, I hope your Lordship will not fail to rebuke them sharply. And as for your Lordship’s suspicions, page 50. (For your Lordship’s sake I would not mention them) I hope my life and doctrine will always prove them to be groundless.
Would time permit, I could now proceed to satisfy your Lordship more particularly about the case of Mr. _Benjamin Seward_: but as that is done in a letter sent to my Lord of _Gloucester_, and as I am now to embark in a few hours, I hope your Lordship will excuse me, if I only add my hearty prayers for your Lordship’s temporal and eternal welfare, and subscribe myself, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s obedient, though unworthy son and servant,