in the Epi files of S. Paul, ewe. -5 3 an affertion. That it is contrary unto many exprefs Tefti- monies, and j"nconfiftent with the freedom of the Grace of God in our 3u/üfcation , as propofed in the Scripture, hath been proved before. Nor do any of the places which affert the neceffity of obedience and good Works in Believers, that is, Juftified Perlons unto Salvation, any way belong unto the Proof of this Affertion; or, in the leaft exprefs, or intimate any fuch thing. And in particular, the Affertion of it is ex- prefly contradiëtory unto that of the Apoftle, Tit. 3.4, "5. But I forbear, and proceed to the confideration of the fpecial anfwerr, that are given unto this testimony, efpecially thole of Bellarmine, whereunto I have as yet, feen nothing added with any pretence of Reason in it. z. Some fay, that by his own Righteoufnefs which the A- poftle rejeês, he intends only his Righteoufnefs ti bµe, or by the Works of the Law. But this was only an outward exter- nal Righteoufnefs, confisting in the obfervation of Rites and Ceremonies, without refpeft unto the inward frame or obe- dience of the heart. But this is an impious imagination. The Righteoufnefs which is by the Law, is the Righteoufnefs which the Law requires, and thole works of it , which if a Man do, he Jhall live in them; for the doers of the Law (hall be juffified, Rom.2. 16. Neither did God ever give any Late of Obedience unto Man, but what obliged him to love the Lord his God with all his heart, and all his foul. And it is fo far from being true, That God by the Law required an ex- ternal Righteoufnef only, that he frequently condemns it as an abomination to him, where it is alone. 2. Others fay, that it is the Righteoufnefs whatever it be, which he had during his Pharifaiím. And although he should be allowed in that ftate, to have lived in all good Confcience, inTlantly to have ferved God day and night , and to have had refile& as well unto the internal, as the external Works of the Law 5 yet all thefe Works being before Faith, before Y y y 2 Corr
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