To have passed over, then, this whole business in silence would have seemed to me much the best course, had I not seen a man of so great integrity and impar- tiality as Mr B. (who so much complains of want of candour and truth in others) counting it so necessary to vindicate himself from imputations as to multiply books and apologies to that end and purpose, and that under the chains of very strong importunities and entreaties to turn the course of his studies and pains to things more useful, wherein his labours, as he says, have met with excessive estimation and praises ; and may doubtless well do so, there being, as he informs us, " too few divines that are diligently and impartially studious of truth, and fewer that have strong judgments that are able to discern it, though they do study it" (pref.) : which though Mr B. arrogates not to himself, yet others may do well to ascribe to him. 1 hope, then, he will not be offended if in this I follow his steps, though "baud passibus tequis" and " longo proximus intervallo." Only in this I shall de- sire to be excused, if, seeing the things of myself are very inconsiderable, and what- ever I can write on that account being like the discourses of men returning " e lacu furnoque," I multiply not leaves to no purpose. I shall, then, desire,—
1. To enter my protest that I do not engage with Mr B. upon the terms and conditions by him prescribed in his preflice, as though I were wiser, or better, or more learned than he; being fully assured that a man more unlearned than either of us, and less studied, may reprove and convince us of errors, and that we may deal so with them who are much more learned than us both.
2. To premise that I do not deliver my thoughts and whole judgment in the business of the justification of a sinner; which to do I have designed another opportunity, u eios ^sXs/, xai ^'jVo., and shall not now prevent myself.
These things being premised, I shall, — _ _
1. Set down what I have delivered concerning the three heads wherem it is pretended the difference lies between us.
596 OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST,
2. Pass through the consideration of the particular places where Mr B. is pleased to take notice of me and my judgment and arguments as to the things of the con- tests wherein he is engaged. And this course I am necessitated unto because, as Mr B. states the controversies he pursues in the beginning of the eighth chapter, I profess myself wholly unconcerned in them.
The things, then, that I am traduced for the maintaining and giving counte- nance unto are: — 1. The justification of the elect from eternity; 2. Their justifi- cation at the death of Christ, as dying and suffering with him; 3. Their absolu- tion in heaven before their believing; 4. That justification by faith is nothing but a sense of it in the conscience; 5. That Christ suffered the idem which we should have done, and not only tantundem. Of all which very briefly.
1. For the first, I neither am nor ever was of that judgment; though, as it may be explained, I know better, wiser, and more learned men than myself, that have been and are. This I once before told Mr B., and desired him to believe me, " Of the Death of Christ," p. 33 [works, vol. x. p. 449.] If he will not yet do it, I cannot help it.
2. As to the second, I have also entreated Mr B. to believe that it is not my judgment, in that very book on which he animadverts, and hoped I might have ob- tained credit with him, he having no evidence to the contrary. Let the reader see what I deliver to this purpose, pp. 34, 35 [pp. 451, 462]. In what sense I main- tain that the " elect died and rose with Christ," see pp. 82-84 [pp. 472, 473].
3. The third, or absolution in heaven before believing. What I mean hereby I explain, pp. 77-79 [pp. 470, 471]. Let it be consulted.
It was, on I know not what grounds, before by Mr B. imposed on me that I maintained justification upon the death of Christ before believing : which I did with some earnestness reject, and proved by sundry arguments that we are not changed in our state and condition before we do believe. Certainly never was man more violently pressed to a wai'fare than I to this contest.
4. That justification by fliith is nothing but a sense of it in the conscience, I never said, I never wrote, I never endeavoured to prove. What may a man expect from others, who is so dealt withal by a man whose writings so praise him as Mr B.'s do !
5. For the last thing, what I affirm in it, what I believe in it, what I have proved, the preceding treatise will give an account to the reader. And for my judgment in these things, this little at present may sufiice. Mr B.'s animadver- sions, in the order wherein they lie, shall nextly be considered.
The first express mention that I am honoured withal is towards the end of his preface ; occasioned only by a passage in my brief proem to Sir Eyre's book of justification. My words, as by him transcribed, are: —