Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

Who are to per( rm the dutie of prayer. abftein from all things forbidden , if he do not allo the things commanded, if he do not all, and that in that manner and meafure which the law prefcribeth, if he do not continue in doing all the things requi- red, but breaketh the courfe of his obedience by any one finne, though but of omiffion, though but in thought, he is notwithftanding all his obedience by the fentence of the law not onely a finner but al- foaccurfed, Gal. 3. io. By this righteoufneffe no man fence the fall of Adam could be faid to be righ- teous, Chrift onely excepted : but we had all need ro pray with David,Pfal. 243.2. Enter not into judge- ment with thy fervant, o Lord; for in thy fightfhallno flefh living be jufdified. viz. by the works of the law, Gal. z. i 6. For there is not a j uft man upon the earth that cloth good andfnneth not , Eccles 7. zo. Tea, in many things we offendall, faith S. James, chap. 3. z. And íf we fay we have no finne, faith S. John, i .epift. x.8. we deceive our fives, and the truth is not in us. Wherefore the law concludeth all under finne , and confequently under the curfe, Gal. 3. z z. So that there is no man fo godly and righteous, but in him - felf by the fentence of the law he is a finner. Which ferveth notably to confute the Popifh hypocrites, which teach that none are juflified but fuch as are formally juft by a righteoufneffe inherent in and performed by themfelues ( that is , habitual! and aCtuall) according to the law of God; and that no man who is a finner in himfelf, by reafon of finne inherent can be faid to be juflified. But whatfoever Pope -holy men do conceive of themfelves,we muff confeffe with the forenamed Apofiles, that we are D z (inners_ 35 ,