574 The DoUrine of St. James, to the Faith of the Gofpel, and therefore although he be deftitute of good Works; and live in fin,he is accepted with God and [hall be Paved ? will indeed this Faith fave him ? this therefore is the queftion propofed : whereas the Gofpel faith plainly, that he who believeth flball be faved ; whether that Faith which may and doth confift with an indulgence unto fin, and a negle& of Duties of Obedience, is that Faith whereunto the promife of life and Salvation is annexed ? And thereon, the enquiry proceeds,how any man, in particu- lar he who fays he hath Faith, may prove and evidence himfelf to have that Faith which will fecure his Salvation. And the Apoftledenies that this is fuch a Faith as can confift without Works, or that any man can evidence himfelf to have true Faith any otherwife but by Works of Obedience only. And in the proof hereof dotla his whole enfuing Difcourfe confift. Not once doth he propofe unto confederation the means and caufes of the Juftification of a convinced fanner before God, nor had he any occafion fo to do. So that his words are openly wrefted when they are applied unto any fuch intent i- on. That the Faith which he intends and defcribes, is altoge- ther ufelefs unto the end pretended to be attainable by it ; namely, Salvation, he proves in an inftance of, and by com- paring it with the love or charity of an alike nature, v. 15.16. If a Brother or Sister be naked and deflitute of daily food, and one of you fay unto him, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithfanding ye give them not thole things which are needful to the body,what cloth it profit ? This love or charity is not that Gofpel Gracewhich is required of us under that name For he who behaveth himfelf thus towards the poor, the love of God dwelleth not in him, i Joh. 3. 17. whatever name it may have, whatever it may pretend unto, whatever it may be profeí %d or accepted for, love it is not, nor bath any of the effe &s
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