in the Epifile.r of S. Paul, &c. 525 3. The Apoftle gives another reafon why it cannot be of Works, and withal obviates an ObjeF ion, which might arife from What had declared, v. to. For we are his workrisan- fhip, created in Chrifl jefiss unto good Works, which God bath before ordained, that we fhould walk in them. And the force of his Reafon, which the caufal Conjun5ion intimates the Introduftion of, conlfts in this : That all pod works, thole concerning which he treats , Evangelical, Works , are the Eîts of the Grace of God in them that are in Chrift Jefus, and fo,are truly juftified antecedently in order of nature un- to them. But that which he principally deligned in thefe words, was that which he is (íi11 mindful of, wherever he treats of this Doctrine, namely to obviate an objec`lion that he,forefaw foe would-make agáinft it, and that is this ; if good Works, be thus excluded from our 7uflification before God, then of what u fë are they ? we may live as we lift, utterly negteti them, and yet be juftified. And this very Objection do Tome men continue to manage, with great vehemency againft the fame Doctrine. We meet with nothing in this caufe more fre- quently thin that .if'our Juffification before God be - not of Works fome.way or other, if they be not antecedaneoufiy re- quired thereunto,if they are not a previous condition of ir,the a there is no need of them : Men may fafely live in an utter negle t of all Obedience unto God. And on. this Theme men are very apt to enlarge themfelves, who otherwife give no great evidences of their own Evangelical Obedience. To me it is marvellous, that they heed not unto what party they make an Accefíion in the management of this Obj lion namely unto that of them, who were the Adverfaries of the DoFdrine of Grace taught by the Apoftle. It mutt be elfewhere confidered. For the prefent I (hall fay no more but that if the anfwer here given by the Apottle be not fatisfaftory unto them, if the Grounds'and,Reafons of the neceflity and;"ufe of good Works here declared, be not judged by them fuffi- cient
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