56o -The Doúrine j St. James; Finely inffired, and Divinely guided to reveal the truth : for the information of the Church. As unto what is delivered by the Apóítle timer, fo far as our Juflification is included therein, things are quite other - wife. He doth not undertake to declare the 'Doctrine of our Jujiification before God, but having another defign in hand as we {hall fee immediately, he vindicates it from the abufe that tome in thole days had put it unto, as other Doctrines of the Grace of God which. they turn'd into licentioufnefs. Where- fore it is from the writings of the Apoftle Paul, that we are ,principally to learn the truth in this matter, and unto what is by him plainly declared is the interpretation of' , other places to be accommodated. 4. Some of late are not of - this mind : They contend ear- nefcly that Paul is to be interpreted by James, and not on the contrary. And unto this end they tell us that the Writings of Paulare obfcure, that fundry of the antients take notice thereof, that many take occafion of errors from them, with fundry things of an alike nature, indeed fcandalous to Chri- ítian Religion. And that James writing after him, is pre - fumed to give an interpretation unto his fayings, which are therefore to be expounded and underftood accordingunto that interpretation. Anf ( i) As to the vindication of the Writings of St. Paul,, which begin now to be frequently reflected on with much feverity ( which is one effect of the fecret prevalency of the Atheifm of thef days) as there is no need of it, fo it is defigned for a more proper place. Only I know not how any perfon that can pretend the leaft acquaintance with Antiquity can plead a a{lage out of Ire- Imo" wherein he was evidently himfelf miftaken, or a rath word of Origen, or the like in derogation from the perfpicui- ty of the Writings of this Apoftle, when they cannot but know how eafie it were to overwhelm them with Teftimo- nies unto the contrary from all the famous Writers of the Church
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=