their opinions, in any plausible manner, with the statements of St. Paul. Let one passage suffice to settle this point. It is said (where the point in ques- tion is expressly debated), " If Abraham were justified by zoorks, he hath whereof to glory." But what works could the Apostle mean ? Those of the ceremonial law ? The ceremonial law was not promulgated till four hundred and thirty years after the time that Abraham was justified ; and, consequently, the works which are spoken of as incapable of justifying him, were not those of the ceremonial law, but works generally, of any kind whatever.
To make known our views, then, in few words : We consider justification as an act of sovereign grace and mercy, vouchsafed to sinners, on account of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done and suffered for them, and in no respect on account of their own merits or deserts : and it is solely through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, that we do, or ever can, obtain this mercy at God's hands.
Now, then, the question is, whether this be the doctrine of the Holy Scriptures, or not.
Let us then address ourselves to this important subject, and make our appeal to you, as men of wis- dom and judgment, to determine, whether or not our statements be right, and whether they be of such fundamental importance as we profess them to be.
But here it may be thought that we shall merely bring forward some passages of St. Paul's writings, which may be differently interpreted ; and that, after all, the question will remain where we found it. But this shall not be our mode of proceeding. If the point be as we maintain, we may expect that it will run, like the warp, throughout the whole Scriptures, and not depend upon any particular expressions that may here and there be interwoven with it by one favourite author. We will take then, but with all possible brevity, a comprehensive view of the subject ; and will inquire — L What is the true way of our salvation ? and