C. XiII. Affertors ofStsPerf. compared with their Adverfaries. 312 contempt ofthem that profeffe theFeare of the Lord,withwhom we have to do. For the ReafonofMr Goodwin's Faith in this thing, concerning the rea dineffe ofthe GodlyMinifters ofthis Nation, toApoflatize from theDo Trine ofthe Saints Perfeverance,namely, their manifeftingthemfelves tobe poffeff- edofmany Principles ofacontrary tendency unto it, in the applicatory.parts oftheir Sermons ; the vanity ofit bath been long fincedifcovered 5 fo that there is no farther need to layopen the unreafonableneffe thereof. 4.14 M. Goodwin miftruftinghis ability to perfwade men,that the Perlonsof whom hehath difcourfed were not cleare in their Judgments, as to an oppo- fition to that Do&rive which he pófitively owneth,and zealoufly contendeth for, and knowing that it cannot be denyed but that they were menof emi- nency for Godlineffe, and dolewalking in Communion with God all their dayes: Yet he excepteth as his 1aft refuge, That it cannot be manifefled, that this opinion hadthe leafl influence in theirpious converfation,which iswholly to beafcribed to other commendable Principles that they embraced. This indeed may bePaid ofanypart of theDoc`trine whatfoever that they received,&fome ofthem fuffered for. Atheifts may fay it , of the whole profeffion ofChrifi- anity,& afcribe the goodnes ofthe lives ofthe belt ofthem that profeffe it,to force other principles common to them with the refidueofmankind,& not at all to anyofthofe whereby they are dif}ingunifhed,asfuch. This they pro- feffed tohave apowerfull Efficacy to prevaile with them for that exa&neffe in walking with God, which byhisGrace they attained unto. And why they thould not be believed herein, as farreasanymen whatever; bearing thelike Teftimony toanyDo&rinewhatever, I know not. Betides the intendment of this inftanceofthe Perlons and their Piety who formerly Believed, and fpake forth this Do&rine,was,tomanifeft by an eminent experiment,that therewar not in it,nor is any tendency to a contraryframeunto.Piety& .Holines,which it is injurioufly charged withall; & ifby theconfederation thereof; we do not obtaine that it bath a proper anddire& ferviceableneffe to the promotionof Godlineffe,yet at leaft we have a convincingdemonftration that it is no way obflruetive to it. 4.15 Nextly, Se&.26. Mr Gòodwin entreth upon his defenfative to the charge againft his Do&rine, whole Foundation is laid in the unworthineffe of its Au- thors in this Nation before it fell upon his hand. Thefe he confeffeth tobe the war/I ofour late Behops,withfuch asRomanized,er tyrannizedamong them,with theirclergie creatures& favorites,Perfonsmanyofthe o ffaperflition,loofnes QÌ much profanenes. Ofthe Apologie (hoped for the clearingof the Do&rinehe maintaineth from aparticipation with them in their unworthineffe, there are three parts. In the s. whereof,hedenieth,that thisDollrine didany way induce them to the loofenefe that was found upon them: In theothertwo,giveth asmany teafons oftheir receivingofit,and cleaving to it. As for thefirft part, I (hall willinglyaflent to him that theHolineffe or un- holineffe of Profeffors : is not to bechargedon the Religion they protege (I meane appearing Holineffe in theprofeffionof it,)unleffe there bean evi- denceofa connexion betwixt their principles& pra&ifes;which iwthiscafe,to us &our apprehenfionofthem who charge this Do&tine with the mifcarria- ges of thofemen,there is;At leale we may infift on this,that thereis a fuitable- neífe in the wholesyfleme ofthe Doetrine, whereofthe Apoflacy of the Saints is an eminent parcell,to that frame of Spirit which is in menof look and fuperflitious wayes, enemies of the Grace of God and power of Godlineffe. Neither can there anyother reafon be tollerably afíigned or alledged, for the embracement ofthatDodrine,bythofe Perlons formerly mentioned,but only theirignorance of,& envy to the great Mifkeryes of the Gofpell,theCovenant of
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