Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions…

By the latter, which is the lively and effectual Assent working on the Heart, we do credere in Christum, and receive him to be our Saviour, whereupon necessarily followeth Affiance in Christ, and love of him as a Saviour. Thus then by a true Belief we receive and Embrace Christ, in our judgement by a lively Assent: in our Hearts, desiring earnestly to be partakers of him (which Desire we express by our Prayer,) and in our Wills resolving to acknowledge and Profess him to be our only Saviour, and to rest upon him alone for Salvation. So that a true lively and effectual faith is the work of the whole soul: that is to say, as well of the Heart as of the Mind, Rom 10.10 Act. 16.14. Act. 8.37.] so far Dr. Downame. Is not this as much as I say? and the very same? I only mention him (having many more at hand) because 1. you urge him, and 2. I conjecture, you think you ⟨p. 392⟩go his way about the nature of faith. If this be not as much as I say do but add what he saith▪ pag. 15. and I think you have as much: (in this particular.) [The true meaning (saith he) of the Question [whether we are justified by Faith or by Works?] is not as opposing the inward Grace of Faith to the outward acts of Obedience, which indeed a•eths fruits of Faith: But as opposing the Righteousness of Christ apprehended by Faith, to the righteousness which is Inherent in our selves, and performed by our selves.

And truly Sir, I use to charge my conscience to enquire what may be the plain meaning of a Text, and to embrace that, and not against Light to be carried by prejudice: and this conscience tells me that this Resolution of Dr. Downame being so plainly agreeable to Paul, is not to be rejected. When I impartially, consider what Paul driveth at, my Judgement tells me that it was never his intent to advance any one simple Act of the soul into the office of justifying, excluding all the rest; but to advance Christ against mens own works which stood up then in competition with him: And that Paul never meant that Assent Justifies, but not Veil, Acceptare, Consentire, Eligre, Fiduciam habere, &c.