To this query our author annexes the following observation. “The words of the pious and judicious Mr. _Chillingworth_ are very material to this purpose: For my part, says he, I do heartily wish that by public authority it were so ordered, that no man should ever preach or print this doctrine, that faith alone justifies, unless he joins this together with it, that universal obedience is necessary to salvation.” What piety and judgment Mr. _Chillingworth_ might be remarkable for, I know not; but if by “universal obedience being necessary to salvation,” he means what our author does (or otherwise this quotation is nothing to the purpose) justification in the sight of GOD, then Mr. _Chillingworth_’s writing after this manner is a specimen neither of his piety or judgment; because the quite contrary doctrine is contained in our articles, and established by public authority. So that to wish for justification by faith alone to be put down by public authority, what is it in effect but to wish for the utter subversion of the grand doctrine of the reformation? Perhaps it may not be impertinent, or a vain repetition, if I here beg leave to transcribe a passage (which I lately printed in my answer to the Prebendary of _St. Paul_’s) out of the _Honeycomb of Free Justification_, written by one Mr. _Eaton_, of _Trinity College_ in _Cambridge_, printed at _London_ in the year 1642. “Free justification was first enjoined to be diligently taught, for the reformation of the church, by King _Henry_ VIII. but was by King _Edward_ VI. and Queen _Elizabeth_, principally established by parliament, and singled out from all the rest of the established articles of religion; and reduced into sermons and homilies, to be (after the people’s sight of their lost estate, and woeful misery by sin) _principally taught_, and chiefly known and understood of all the subjects and commons of the land, for these four causes.
1st. “Because it is the only immediate cause and means of our peace with GOD. For being justified by faith we have peace with GOD, _Romans_ v. 1. and our assurance of free salvation by JESUS CHRIST, and is therefore called the justification of life, _Romans_ v. 18. ‘For whom GOD justifieth, them he also glorifieth,’ _Romans_ viii. 30.
♦3d. “Because it is the chiefest cause and means to discover and suppress the _Romish_ antichrist, popery, &c. and all other superstitions, sects, errors and schisms out of the land; and to establish unity, peace and concord in matters of religion, and of assurance of free salvation, and makes every man to keep in a lawful vocation, and to do it profitably in love. _Galatians_ v. 13.
♦ A second point is not mentioned.
4th. “To direct ministers, ὀρθοποδεῖν to go with a right foot to the truth of the gospel, _Galatians_ ii. 14. in sound preaching, and pure declaring of the word of GOD, by a true faith of free justification, because (saith the established doctrine of our church) sincere preachers ever were, and ever shall be but a few; and their preaching of GOD’s word, most sincere in the beginning, by process of time waxeth less and less pure, and after is corrupt, and last of all quite laid down, and left off; because free justification is a doctrine hardly learned in a church, and soon lost again, _Galatians_ i. 6. and yet is the true strength, happiness and safety of the whole land, _Isaiah_ lxii. 1‒6.”
“Hereupon, the 5th part of the sermon against disobedience and rebellion, established by Queen _Elizabeth_, teacheth the commons, that such bishops or ecclesiastical persons, as by pride and ambitious rule, do by terms of error, schism, or heresy, hinder this _main light of GOD’s word_ from the people, are the _chiefest traytors_ in the land: and the 6th and last part largely teacheth, that such subjects and commons to whom, through ignorance of GOD’s word, this light of righteousness, and this sun of understanding doth not shine, although they may brag, as did sometimes the _Jewish_ clergy and people, that they cannot lack knowledge, yet are such by their blind dead faith, traytors to GOD, traytors to their king, traytors to their own souls and bodies, and traytors to the whole land and country.”
Thus far Mr. _Eaton_. And whether he or Mr. _Chillingworth_ wrote with most piety and judgment on this head, I leave to the author’s consideration. And at the same time appeal to your Lordships, whether the Methodists, by preaching up the doctrine of _justification by faith alone_, carry christianity to an extreme? or, whether or not this author, by making moral duties a condition of our acceptance with GOD, and of our being justified in his sight, is not himself guilty of an irregularity which amounts to a violation of the laws both of church and state?