OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. S75
tions. And hereby they may happen also to frighten poor, simple people into a compliance with them, whilst they peremptorily de- nounce damnation against them unless they do so. And none, for the most part, are more fierce in the denunciation of the condemnatory sentence against others for not believing as they do, than those who so live as that, if there be any truth in the Scripture, it is not possi- ble they should be saved themselves. For my part, I believe that, as to Christians in outward profession, all unregenerate unbelievers who obey not the gospel shall be damned, be they of what religion they will, and none else; for all that are bom again, do truly believe and obey the gospel, shall be saved, be they of what rehgion they will as unto the differences that are at this day among Christians. That way wherein these things are most effectually promoted is, in the first place, to be embraced by every one that takes care of his own salvation. If they are in any way or church obstructed, that church or way is, so far as it doth obstruct them, to be forsaken ; and if there be any way of profession, or any visible church state, where- in any thing or things absolutely destructive of or inconsistent with these things are made necessary unto the professors of it, in that way, and by virtue of it, no salvation is to be obtained. In other things, every man is to walk according unto the light of his own mind ; for whatever is not of faith is sin. But I return from this digression, occasioned by the fierceness of him with whom we have to do.
For the objection itself that hath fallen under so perverse a ma- nagement, so far as it hath any pretence of sobriety in it, is this and no other: " If God justify the ungodly merely by his grace, through faith in Christ Jesus; so as that works of obedience are not antece- dently necessary unto justification before God, nor are any part of that righteousness whereon any are so justified, then are they no way necessary, but men may be justified and saved without them." For it is said that there is no connection between faith unto justification, as by us asserted, and the necessity of holiness, righteousness, or obe- dience, but that we are by grace set at liberty to live as we list ; yea, in all manner of sin, and yet be secured of salvation : for if we are made righteous with the righteousness of another, we have no need of any righteousness of our own. And it were well if many of those who make use of this plea would endeavour, by some other way, also to evidence their esteem of these things; for to dispute for the ne- cessity of holiness, and live in the neglect of it, is uncomely.
I shall be brief in the answer that here shall be returned unto this objection; for, indeed, it is sufficiently answered or obviated in what hath been before discoursed concerning the nature of that faith whereby we are justified, and the continuation of the moral law in its force, as a rule of obedience unto all believers. An unprejudiced
376 ON JUSTIFICATION.
consideration of what hath been proposed on these heads will evi- dently manifest the iniquity of this charge, and how not the least countenance is given unto it by the doctrine pleaded for. Besides, I must acquaint the reader that, some while since, I have published an entire discourse concerning the nature and necessity of gospel holi- ness, with the grounds and reasons thereof, in compliance with the doctrine of justification that hath now been declared. Nor do I see it necessary to add any thing thereunto, nor do I doubt but that the perusal of it will abundantly detect the vanity of this charge. Dis- pensation of the Holy Spirit, chap, v.^ Some few things may be spoken on the present occasion; —
1. It is not pleaded that all who do profess, or have in former ages professed, this doctrine, have exemplified it in a holy and fruitful conversation. Many, it is to be feared, have been found amongst them who have lived and died in sin. Neither do I know but that some have abused this doctrine to countenance themselves in their sins and neglect of duty. The best of holy things or truths cannot be secured from abuse, so long as the sophistry of the old serpent hath an influence on the lusts and depraved minds of men. So was it with them of old who turned the gTace of God into lasciviousness ; or, from the doctrine of it, countenanced themselves in their ungodly deeds. Even from the beginning, the whole doctrine of the gospel, with the gTace of God declared therein, was so abused. Neither were all that made profession of it immediately rendered holy and right- eous thereby. Many from the first so walked as to make it evident that their belly was their god, and their end destruction. It is one thing to have only the conviction of truth in our minds; another to have the power of it in our hearts. The former will only produce an outward profession ; the latter effect an inward renovation of our souls. However, I must add three things unto this concession : —