166. These four Causes now were enough to constitute, and so prove •s righteous against the Charge of being damnandi, if we were questionable no further. But the turning point of the day is yet behind; 1. Our •llegation of Justification by Christ and the Covenant may be denied. •t may be said by the Accuser, that the Covenant justifieth none but penitent Believers, and giveth plenary Right to Glory to none but saints •nd persevering Conquerors, and that we are none such. Against this Accusation we must be justified or perish; else all the rest will be un•ffectual. And here to say, that it is true, I died an impenitent Person, •n Infidel, Hypocrite, or Ungodly, but Christ was a penitent Believer for 1•e, or sincere and holy for me, or that he died to pardon this,] all this will •e false and vain. Christ's Merits and Satisfaction is not the Righteousness it self which must justify us against this Accusation; But our own personal Faith, Repentance, sincere Holiness and Perseverance,] purchased •y Christ, and wrought by the Spirit in us, but thence, our own acts. 2•e that cannot truly say, The Accusation is false. I am a true Penitent, sanctified persevering Believer must be condemned and perish. Thus •aith and Repentance are our Righteousness by which we must thus far •e justified.
166. These four Causes now were enough to constitute, and so prove •s righteous against the Charge of being damnandi, if we were questiona•le no further. But the turning point of the day is yet behind; 1. Our •llegation of Justification by Christ and the Covenant may be denied. •t may be said by the Accuser, that the Covenant justifieth none but •enitent Believers, and giveth plenary Right to Glory to none but saints •nd persevering Conquerors, and that we are none such. Against this Ac•usation we must be justified or perish; else all the rest will be un•ffectual. And here to say, that it is true, I died an impeninent Person, •n Insidel, Hypocrite, or Ungodly, but Christ was a penitent Believer for 1•e, or sincere and holy for me, or that he died to pardon this,] all this will •e false and vain. Christ's Merits and Satisfaction is not the Righteousness it self which must justifie us against this Accusation; But our own •ersonal Faith, Repentance, sincere Holiness and Perseverance,] purchased •y Christ, and wrought by the Spirit in us, but thence, our own acts. 2•e that cannot truly say, The Accusation is false. I am a true Penitent, •anctified persevering Believer must be condemned and perish. Thus •aith and Repentance are our Righteousness by which we must thus far •e justified.
- 1Of our own personal performance, or righteousness, how far necessary to our Justification.
- 2Mr. W. Thomas of Ubley, in his Book against Speed the Quaker, saith, pag. 42. part. 2. [This is an old Popish trick to make much of the Doctrine of the St. James in a mistaken interpretation, and to lay aside the Doctrine of St. Paul, Rom. 3. 28. when they should join both together, and ascribe to Faith the justification of men as sinners, and to work their justification as Believers.] This is sound, and needeth but fuller explication.Mr. W. Thomas of Ubley, in his Book against Speed the Quaker, saith, pag. 42. part. 2. [This is an old Popish trick to make much of the Doctrine of the St. James in a mistaken interpretation, and to lay aside the Doctrine of St. Paul, Rom. 3. 28. when they should joyn both together, and ascribe to Faith the justification of men as sinners, and to work their justification as Believers.] This is sound, and needeth but fuller explication.
