It is true, our author would appear an advocate for both; but does not his _third query_, page 9th, plainly prove him a real friend to neither; especially the latter? He there asks, “whether in particular, the carrying the doctrine of justification by faith alone to such a heighth, as not to allow, that a careful sincere observance of moral duties is so much as a condition of our acceptance with GOD, and of our being justified in his sight; whether this I say, does not naturally lead people to a disregard of those duties, and a low esteem of them; or rather to think them no part of the christian religion?” It is plain from hence, that one of these extremes to which these itinerants exalt christianity, and whereby it’s queried, whether they do service or disservice to religion, “is their carrying the doctrine of justification by faith alone to such a height, as not to allow that a careful and sincere observance of moral duties is so much as a condition of our acceptance with GOD, and of our being justified in his sight.” Our author it seems is for another way of salvation, _query 5th_, page 10th, _viz._, “for men’s gradually working out their own salvation, by their own honest endeavours, and through the ordinary assistances of GOD’s grace; with a humble reliance upon the merits of CHRIST for the pardon of their sins and the acceptance of their sincere, though imperfect services.” This is our common divinity. This is what my Lord of _London_ in his last pastoral letter against luke-warmness and enthusiasm, exhorted his clergy to preach. But how contrary is all this to the articles and homilies of our church? For what says the _11th article_? “We are accounted righteous before GOD, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore that we are justified by faith only is a most wholsome doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the homily of justification.”
And if both the article and homily of the Church of _England_ expresly declare, that we are justified before (or in the sight of) GOD, by faith, and faith only, how can “a careful and sincere observance of moral duties be a condition, my Lords, of our acceptance with GOD, and of our being justified in his sight?” And if the doctrine of being justified by faith only be a wholsome doctrine, and very full of comfort, how can this author in the latter part of this query now before us, enquire, “whether preaching this doctrine does not naturally lead people to a disregard of moral duties, and a low esteem of them; or rather to think them no part of the christian religion?” Does he consider, that in writing thus, he directly symbolizes with the infidel, _Romans_ vi. 1. who is introduced after the apostle had been insisting at large on this doctrine of justification by faith only, as speaking like our author, “Shall we sin then that grace may abound?” The apostle immediately rejects the motion with a _me genoito_; and so reply these itinerants, my Lords, “GOD forbid.” For what says the _12th, article_ of our Church? “Albeit that good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away sins, and endure the severity of GOD’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to GOD in CHRIST, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith, may be as evidently known, as a tree discerned by the fruit?” And do we then by preaching the doctrine of justification by faith only, naturally lead people to a disregard of moral duties and a low esteem of them, much less to think them no part of the christian religion? Do we not rather establish them, by laying a foundation whereon true moral duties can only be built, so as to be acceptable in the sight of GOD? for what says our _13th article_? “Works done before the grace of CHRIST, and the inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to GOD, for as much as they spring not of faith in JESUS CHRIST, neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the school authors say) deserve grace of congruity; yea rather, for that they are not done as GOD hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.”