( 94 ) hediftinguifheth it fromHope and Love : For otherwife, we are Paved by Hope, and Faith is the fubftance of things Hoped for, &c. Con. 21. I think that the Jews Conceit was, that Gods Law deliveredby Moles was fo perfed and excellent,that the Doing of of the works therein prefcribed, in a laborious task of Ceremoni- al obiervances, and in Golly facrifices and offerings, did by the Dignity and value of thework derived from the Dignity of the Law, procure ofit fellthe pardon ofall their fins, and their full Acceptance with God ,without any facrifice of a Mediator : and that this is it that Patti difputeth againft. So that their principal intent was to extol and maintain the perfedionand fufficiency of ,Moles Law, as wanting nothing neceffary to Justification and felicity ' not underftanding how Chrift was the end ofit ; and in Conjuntiionwith this confequentially they trufted to the Merits ofLegal works. Accordingly I think that Pauls fcope is both to take down (Mores Law ( efpecially its neceftity and conceited fufficiency) , and the Dignity ofLegal works ( and confequently ofany works.) I think therefore that by works, Paul meaneth to exclude only Merits, or works which are conceited Meritorious, or which for the worth ofthe Deed done, thould procure pardon and Acceptance with Go& without a Mediators blood. And fo 'Paul himfelfdefcribes theworks that he fpeaks againft, Rom. 4.4. That they are fuch as make the Reward to be not ofGrace,but of Debt. Con. 22. Our Divines againft the Papifts do commonly place the Controverfie here, and fay, that the Qeftion is, whether we are Juftified by Works, that is, by the Merit of Works? making them all one. SoDr:Fowns,Rivitu, and it is the common voice. Yid. MelanEl.Loc. Com. p. 427,429. and Exam. p. 689. & 699 & Sotinium The f & 12 Yoh. Crocius de 7ssfiiftc. Dill,. I 2. paffiro. 6 On. 23. I do not think therefore, that under the name works, 'Paul cloth exclude the ads of faith before mentioned,the Love of Chrift,or Thankfulnefs for Grace, or the Confeffion ofour great unworthynefs, and our extolling theFreenefs ofGrace,or our dif- claiming Merits, or our owning the true God for our only God, &c. I fay, thefe ads confidered,not as fatly Conceited Merito- rious, but as Means toLife, (and force ofthem to Justification at
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