Rich. Baxters apology against the modest exceptions of Mr. T. Blake and the digression…

2. Do but read over all those verses, and put [working-faith] in stead of [Works] and try w•at sense you will make.

2. Do but reade over all those verses, and put [working-faith] in stead of [Works] and try w•at sense you will make.

3. No doubt but Paul and James handle two distinct Questions▪ but not the two that you here express. Paul speaks of Meritorious Works, which make the Reward of Debt, and not of Grace, if you will believe his own description of them, Rom. 4.4. But James speaks of no such Works, but of such as have a consistency with Grace, and necessary subordination to it: I prove it: The Works that James speaks of, we must endeavour for and perform, or perish (supposing time) But the works that Paul speaks of, no man must endeavour, or once imagine that he can perform, viz. such as make the reward to be of Debt and not of Grace. Paul speaks indeed of faith collaterally, but of Christs Merits and free-Grace, directly and purposely: So that the chief part of Pauls controversy was, Whether we are justified freely through Christs Merits? or through our own meritorious Works? But James's question is, Whether we are justified by faith alone, or by faith with obedience accompanying it; and both as subordinate to Christs Merits? Paul's question is, Of the meritorious Cause of our Justification: James's question is, Of the condition on our parts, of our interest in a free Remission; supposing Pauls question determined, that Christ only is the Meriter. Paul speaks of Justification in toto, both in the beginning and progress, but especially the beginning: But James speaks only of Justification as continued and consummate, and not as begun: For both Abraham's and every mans was begun, before Works of Obedience: Though a disposition and resolution, and engagement to obey do go before.