( 335 ) BOOK. V. NECESSITY OF HOLINESS FROM THE CONSIDERATION OF THE NATURE OF GOD. CHAP. I. (1.) The necessity ofevangelical holiness owned by all Christians: doctrinesfalsely chargedwith an inconsistency with it. (2.) Though owned byall, yet practised byfew and disadvantageouslypleadedfor by many; the true nature ofit briefly expressed. (8.) First argument for the necessity of holiness from thenature of God; fre- quently proposed unto our considerationfor Mat end. (4.) This argument cogent and unavoidable; pressed with its limitation.(5.). Not the nature ofGod absolutely, but as he is in Christ, thefoundationofthis neces- sity, anda most effectual motive unto the sameend; the nature and efficacy of that motivedeelared.--(10.) The argument enforced, from the consideration of our conformity unto God by holiness; with that communion and likeness with him which depend thereon. (18.) With our future everlasting enjoyment of him. (14.) True force of that consideration vindicated; merit rejected.(15.) And the substitution of morality in the room of gospel-holiness. (16.) False accusations ofthe doctrine ofgrace discardedAnd, (17.) The neglect ofthe true means ofpromoting gospel-obedience, charged. (18, 19.) The principal argumentfarther enforced, from the pre- eminence ofour natures andpersons by this conformity to God. (21.) And our accesses unto God thereby, in order unto our eternal enjoyment ofhim. (22.) As it also alone renders us usl in this world unto others. (23.) Two sorts ofgraces, by whose exercise we grow into conformity with God.(24.) Those that are assi- milating, asfaith.And, (26.) Love. And, (28.) Those which are declarative of that assimilation, asgood- ness or benignity.And, (81.) Truth.(82.) An-objection against the necessity of holiness, fions thefreedom and efficacy ofgrace, answered. THATwherewith I shall close this discourse is, the consideration of the necessity of that holiness which we have thus far described, unto all persons who makepro- fession of the gospel, with the reasons of that necessity, and principal motives unto it. And for our encourage- ment in this part of our work, this necessity is such, as that it is by all sorts of Christians allowed, pleaded for, and the thing itself pretended unto; for, whereas the gospel is eminently, «T,tsa, or Il&44-%arl. 4 x eoo,pe,K 1 Tim. vi. 8. Tit. i. I. The truth or doctrine which is according unto godliness, or that which is designed and every way suited unto the attaining, furtherance, and practice of it, no men can, with modesty, refuse the 4 P trial oftheir doctrines by theirtendenvy thereunto. But what is of that nature, or what is an hinderance there- unto, that many are not yet agreed about. The Soci- nians contend, that the doctrine of the satisfaction of Christ doth overthrow the necessityof an holy life. The Papists say the same, concerning the imputation of the righteousness of Christ unto our justification. The same charge is laid by others against the doctrine of the gratuitous election of God, the almighty efficacy of his grace in the conversionof sinners, and of his faithful- ness in the preservation of true believers in their state ofgrace unto the end On the other hand, the scrip- ture doth so place the foundations of all true and real 3I
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