Imputation of ('hrifl's Righteoufnef r. 545 nuation of the moral Law in its force, as a rule of Obedience unto all believers. An unprejudiced confideration of what hath been propofed on thefe heads will evidently manifeft the Iniquity of this charge, and how not the leaft countenance is given unto it by the Do &ring pleaded for. Befides, I mutt, acfuaint the Reader that fome while fence I have publithed an entire Difcourfe concerning the nature and neceffity of Goípel Holinefs, with the Grounds and Reafons thereof in compliance withthe Do &rive of Juftification that hath now been declared. Nor do I fee it neceffary to add any thing thereunto, nor do I doubt, but that the perufal of it will abundantly dete& the vanity of this charge (Di f j9enfat. of the Holy Spirit, Book 5.) Some few things may be fpoken on the prefent occafion. I. It is not pleaded that all who do.profefs or have in for- mer ages profeffed this Do&rine, have exemplified it in an holy and fruitful converfàtion. Many it is to be feared have been found amongft themwho have lived and dyed in fin. Neither do I know but that fome have abufed this Do &rive to countenance themfelves in their fins, and negle& of duty. The beft of holy things or truths cannot be fecured from abufe, fo long as the Sophiflry of the old Serpent hath an in- fluence on the Tufts and depraved minds of men. So was it with them of old who turned the grace of God into lafciviouf- nef ; or from the Doetrine of it countenanced themfelves in their ungodly deeds. Even from the beginning the whole Do&rine of the Gofpel with the grace of God declared therein, was fò abufed. Neither were all that made profefïi- on of it, immediately rendered Holy and Righteous thereby.. Many from the firft, fò walked as to make it evident that their Belly was their God, and their end deflruc` lion. It is one thing to have only the conviaion of truth in our minds, ano- ther to have the power of it in our hearts. The forni r will produce an outward profeffion, the later only effea . an in= A a a a ward
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