in the Epíflles of S. Paul, &c. 443 be denied. The late exceptions of fome, That this Do ±rive of Jus`lification by Faith, without Works, is found only in the Writings of S. Paul, and that his Writings are obfcure and in- tricate, are both falfe and fcandalous to Chriftian Religion, fo as that in this place we (hall not afford them the leaft con - fideration. He wrote 4`911f as he was moved by the Holy Ghofl. And as all the matter delivered by him was facred Truth, which immediately requires our Faith and Obedience, fo the way and manner wherein he declared it, was fuch as the Holy Ghoft judged molt expedient for the edification of the Church. And as he faid himfelf with con- fidence, That if the Gofpel which he Preached, and as it was Preached by him, though accounted by them foolifhnefs, was hid, fo as that they could not underftand, nor compre- hend the Myftery of it, it was hid unto them that are loll; fo we may fay, That if what he delivereth in particular concerning our 7uftification before God, feems obfcure, diffi- cult, or perplexed unto us, it is from our prejudices, cor- rupt affec }ions, or weaknefs of underftanding at belt, not able to comprehend the glory of this Myftery of the Grace of God in Chrift, and not from any defect in his way, and manner of the Revelation of it. Rejecting therefore all finch perverfe infinuations, in a due fenfeof our own weaknefs,, and acknowledgment that at belt we know but in part , we Ihall humbly inquire into the Bleffed Revelation of this great Myftery of the Juftification of a firmer before God, as by him declared in thole Chapters of his glorious Epiftle to the Romans ; and I {hall do it with all briefnefs poffible, fo as not on this occafion to repeat what hath been already fpoken, or to anticipate what may be fpoken in place more conve- ment. The firft thing he doth, is to prove all men to be under fin, and to be guilty before God, This he giveth as the conclu- lion of his preceding difcourfe from chap. t. I8. or what he L 11 2 had !.
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