An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 51. It is true, That when Heretics have put an ill sense upon a good word, we must use it more cantelously than at other times and places: But if thence we absolutely reject and accuse it, we shall harden our Adversaries, and strengthen the Error which we oppose, by running into the contrary extreme, which will soon disgrace it self.

§. 51. It is true, That when Hereticks have put an ill sence upon a good word, we must use it more cantelously than at other times and places: But if thence we absolutely reject and •ccuse it, we shall harden our Adversaries, and strengthen the Error which we oppose, by running into the contrary extream, which will soon disgrace it self.

§. 52. It is a great advantage to the Papists, that many Protestants wholly disclaim the word, and simply deny the Merit of Gospel-obedience: For hereupon the Teachers show their Scholars, that all the Fathers speak for Merit, and so tell them, that the Protestants Doctrine is new and heretical, as being contrary to all the ancient Doctors: And when their Scholars see it with their Eyes, no wonder if they believe it, to our dishonour.

§. 52. It is a great advantage to the Papists, that many Protestants wholly disclaim the word, and simply deny the Merit of Gospel-obedience: For hereupon the Teachers shew their Scholars, that all the Fathers speak for Merit, and so tell them, that the Protestants Doctrine is new and heretical, as being contrary to all the ancient Doctors: And when their Scholars see it with their Eyes, no wonder if they believe it, to our dishonour.

§. 53. All Orthodox Christians hold the foredescribed Doctrine of Merit in sense, though not in words: For they that deny Merit, confess the [Rewardableness] of our Obedience, and confess that the Scripture useth the term [Worthy] and that [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew] may be translated Meriting and Merit, as well as Worthy and Worthiness; and we think it fitter to expound such Scripture-words than to accuse and reject them: And they all confess, that man's Duty hath God's Promise of Reward, and that Holiness in its nature is suitable to the End or Reward, as disposing us to enjoy it, and is pleasing unto God and glorifieth him: And this is all the same thing in other words, which the ancient Christians meant by Merit. And to hear many godly persons at the same time, most earnestly extol Holiness, and desire that Preachers should convince the People that the Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour, and yet denying all Merit, and reviling all that assert it; this doth but show, that they understand not the word; and think others also misunderstand it: And so we are reproaching one another, where we are agreed and know it not: Like the Woman that turned away her Servant upon the Controversy, Whether the