454. We mull not lean to any Itigbteoufnefs within us. C H A P. 3; whoworketh all our works in us; and worketh in us both to will , & to do Efai.26:I2. Phil. 2: 13. The queflionis not , whet her we should have good in us , or not ? but whether we should.not fay , with Paul i. Cor. 4: 4. Even when we know nothing by ourfelves , yet are we not hereby justified ? and whether we should not fay with him Phil, 3: 8, 9. that we count all things but lofs,for the excellency of the knowledg of Christ Jefus,our Lord, & count them dung , that we may win Chrilt , & be found in him , not having our own Righteoufnefs, which is of the Law , but that which is through the Faith of Chrift the Righteoufneliwhich is of God by Fait h. The question is not , whether Chriff be made Sandtification to us ; but whether that San- ctification , be any part of that Righteoufnefs, which Christ is made of God to be unto us ? What more ? He addeth. It is God, who honoureth these, that honour him,, >ir praifeth hit Saints , as the excellent on the Earth , d.^"his. Jewels & peculiar Treafure, adorneth with his own lovely image , & partakers of the divine Nature , and members of Chriff, as his own flesh. Ind it is Satan di wicked men that vili. fie 0' dishonour them. Anf. This is but a Continuance of the fame cheat : for it is no part of the queftion , whether the Saints should be vilified-, or ho noured ? But the question is , whether the Saints should rob God of his glo- ry, and afcribe that unto themfelves , which is due unto-him, .be it inlets, or in more ? We know , the Saints are God's excellent ones , his Jewels & his peculiar creature ; but all this is through the free underferved grace of God , making them beautiful & lovely with his own graces , and partakers of his divine Nature : And therefore we fay , that for all that they ought to be humble , knowing what their birth & uativity was, and whence all this is come ; and who ought to have the glory of all this ; and uotwithftanding of this , what is the foie ground of their juftification before God , and what is that Righteoufnefs , upon. the account whereof they are justified in the fight of God. And I have oft lamented it (faith he turder) that thele very mrn, that hold this kind cf dedrineof felf- abofement, arhsvingno part of Righteoufnefs, nor sha re at all in -any good work , are yet too oft Jo proudly ?conceited of their own good - nefs (even for holding; that they have none for which they are praise worthie ) as that their pride is no fmall trouble to the Churches d7 all about them. Anf. I shalt not plead for pride , or proud conceits in any : but whether f: :ch as -ay down dodtrinal groutxis-ofpride, and teach men to be proud-, or filch as lay down contrary grounds, but do not pradtife accordingly be moll blame worthie; I leave Mr. Baxter to judge. One thing I would ask : How Mr. Baxtercame to know : that Inch , as heoppofeth-bere , were proudly conceited of their own goodness.? Pride & a proud conceit lyeth m ®ft within, & is nor ob- vious to the view of every one, efpecially being upon fucha ground... hhope Mr. Baxter will not take upon him to judge of hearts : And if it be by their contendings for that, which they conceive to -be truth : If this be an infallible mark ; no man can-be judged more proud , than is Mr. Baxter, none having rn this matter contendedby fo many & fo great volumnes, as he hash ,. fince his.A,phorifrrres come abroad, &. that indeed to the no- fmall trouble of the Chur.ches.,
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