V E R.S. 6phefians, Çhap.2. This man makes it a fpeciall part of his Religion, to be talking of other mens bloody fins , but cannot abide (with the Stork) to peckhis own breaff, that it may bleed afrefh for his own fins, and to grieve , and complainof his own infirmities andwants. Howfoever hePoem forward in religion, and very precife outward- ly, yet he will have an eye (till to the door, and to inrich himfelfby any unconfcionable cheat. Laftly, outward croffes in the world prejudicial) to his Efate, or tohis good name, makes him in the end to renounce and caft away all religion, and to curfe himfelffor all his forwardneffe. Tilde and the like Sympromes ahvay accompany a temporary Faith : theprof- fers whereof I grant are in the beff, but ever encountredand oppofed by the prowcffc and valiancieof the Spirit. Here is rich comfort to every beleever, this is a happy priviledge for him , that he is not liable to damnation : he is juftified in Gods court from his fins; for by Faith he is made one with Chrift,Ram.8.1. Go thy way, thyfaith harh_aved thee. All are hence to be admonifhed ; firft, to try our Faith, bring it to the Touch-flone. We would be loath to take a peeceof money that were counterfeit : Oh then take heed the devil cheat us not with mock. faiths , which profit nothing. Such as never try their Faith, it is a figs they have not Faith in truth. Secondly, thou muff ufe all ende:ìvour to come to Faith ; it is begotten by the Word preached, as the onely inftrumcnt, Rom. z.26. Rom.10.14. True Faith is begot- ten , and continually nourifhed by the Word , it is theayr in which it breatheth. Not of your (jives.] Obferve hence, That no power in man doth quickenhim, nor no venue, quality or dignity, when he u now quickned, doth merit his fàlvation. Paulaccounted this inherent righteoufneffe conformable to the Law, droffe and dung in this cafe. Oh what can it do, that in us is as water in a muddy channel) e What is the power of ir, to work falvation e Which (if the ftrength of God fhould not for his mercie fakeuphold) it wouldbe quenched unceffantly : What can our dignity do in meriting e As Sons, we are intitled to the in- heritance : but the claimof Sonfhip and Merit are flat contrary. The Papifts confeffe that life is merited by Chrift, and is made oursby the right of inheritance : So far we go with them ; yea, touching works, they hold many things with us. a. That no works of themfelves can merit life everlafting. 2. That works done before converfion, can merit nothing at Gods hand, much le(fe life everlafting. 3. That there is no merit at Gods hand, without his mercie, no exaft merit, as often there is amongft men. All there are true. The Point whereabout we diffenr, is, that with the merit of Chrift, and free promife, theywill have the merit of works joyned, asdone by them who are adopted children. Now that which dircttly muff be oppofed unto this , is , That gods gracious promifing , and giving L tt I 249 s 6. 7. Yfe z. Comfort to Beleevers. Vfe3. Two -told ad- monition. I. a. Dolt. Nothing of our own me- rits falvation. Phil. 3. 7, 8. Difference be- tweenus and Pupils, about the meritof tooth,. a. 3.
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