456 The nature of 9ufiification, as declared what place our Works or Duties of Obedience, can have in our Jufhification. For why Ihould we trouble our (elves to invent of what confederation they may be in our Juftifica- tion before God, when he himfelf affirms, that they are of none at all. Neither are the words capable of any evading interpretation. He that worketh not, is he that worketh not, let men fay what they pleafe and difkinguifh as long as they will. And it is a boldnefs not to be jutiified, for any to rife up in oppofition unto fuch exprefs Divine Teflimonies, however they may be harnefled with Philofophical Notions and arguings, which are but as Thorns and Briars, which the Word of God will pafs through and confume. But the Apoftle further adds in the defcription of the Subjel2 of 7uflification that God juflifieth the ungodly. This is that expreflion which hath furred up fo much wrath amongff many, and on the account whereof, Come feem to be much difpleafed with the Apoflle himfelf. If any other per - fon dare but fay that God juftifeth the ungodly, he is prefently refleéted on, as one that by his Doarine would overthrow the neceflìty of Godlinefs, Holinefs , Obedience, or Good Works. For what need can there be of any of them, if God juftifieth the ungodly ? Howbeit this is a Periphrafïs of God that he is ó J1k014 7G cic ii he that juflifieth the ungodly; this is his Prerogative and Property, as fuch will he be believed in and worfhipped , which adds weight and Emphafis unto the Fxpreffion. And we mutt not foregoe this Tefti- mony of the Holy Ghoft, let men be as angry as they pleafe. But the difference is about the meaning of the words. If fo, it may be allowed without mutual offence, though we fhould miftake their proper fenfe. Only it muff be granted, that God juflifieth the ungodly. That is, fay Tome, thole who for- merly were ungodly,not thole who continue ungodly when they are juflified. And this is molt true. All that are júftified were
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