SECTION VI. 587 remarks on Cavenor's questions. The first is, that he has not so much as attempted to refute my arguments for the necessity of this doctrine, except only in mollifying the sense which I have given of two scriptures : So that almost every thing I have said Stands in its full force, though he has been making queries on thecontrary side : And, secondly, I beg Charistes to observe that the greatest part of Cavenor's defence may be applied to deists and infidels, as well as to Agrippa, with a little change of the words. And my last remark is this, that Cavenor supposes a man may be truly pious and religious, in the practice of faith, repentance and holiness, who renounces this great and important doctrine ofthe gospel of whichwe have been treating ; but this is what I cannot well assent to : And besides, I think there is a great deal of difference between the mere ignorance of these doctrines in a person whohas no advantages for knowledge, and the renouncing them when they are set in so plain a light as to appear to be the express language and dictates of Christ and his apostles: And now I entreat you, Charistes, and I join with Cavenor to beg this favour of you, that you would tell us your sentiments on this subject. SECT. Vi.The Doctrines affirmed, and their Necessity limited and adjusted. Charistes was very unwilling to become an. umpire in such an awful and difficult debate ; yet being much importuned, he did at last prevail upon himself, and began to explainhimself in the following manner : With regard to the arguments usedby Paulinus in vindica- tion of these doctrines, I think, when put all together, they carry such weight and forcewith them, that I do not see how any reasonable person, who reads the New Testament, can well re- sist them, except he lies under the powerful and prevailing in- fluence of some culpable prejudice.- I must acknowledge also the reasonableness of Ferventio's zeal in a matter of so great importance in christianity. As these doctrines are so evidently a part of that faith which was once delivered to the saints, I do not wonder to see Ferventio contend so earnestly for them. Ìt is proper to have their importance set before the mind in a solemn and awful light ; and most of the arguments he has used seem to carry such a degree of evidence in them, as ought to awaken the spirits of those who are searching after divine know- ledge, to take heed lest they drop any necessary part of the great salvation. I amof Ferventio's opinion, that our charity' must not beboundless : It must have its proper limits according to scripture : Yet, I fear, he has expressed himself with a little too much severity and too little charity in someparts of his dis- course on this subject.
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