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

Now you come purposely, I perceive to deal with me. I confess the repute of Abettors doth much to bear up opinions through the world, even with them that speak most against implicit faith. But you need not despair of casting off the repute of them you mention Mr. Robertson and Mr. Crandon can teach any man that will learn that lesson.

Treat. ib. The Question is not, Whether we are Justified by works, though flowing from grace, as meritorious or efficient of Justification. ⟨p. 95⟩This the Opinionists we have to deal with, do reject with indignation. To make Works either merits or efficient causes of our Justification before God, they grant it directly to oppose the Scriptures; yea they seem to be offended with the Orthodox, as giving too much to faith, because its made an Instrument of our Justification: therefore they are to be acquitted at least from gross Popery.

Treat. ib. The Question is not, Whether we are Iustified by works, though flowing from grace, as meritorious or efficient of Justification. ⟨p. 95⟩This the Opinionists we have to deal with, do reject with indignation. To make Works either merits or efficient causes of our Iustification before God, they grant it directly to oppose the Scriptures; yea they seem to be offended with the Orthodox, as giving too much to faith, because its made an Instrument of our Iustification: therefore they are to be acquitted at least from gross Popery.

Answ. This is one passage which I understand by your Preface to you Sermons on John 17. you looked for thanks for: and I do freely thank you for it: for the world is such now, as that I must take my self beholden to any man that doth injure me with moderation and modesty. But you might have done that justice to us Opinionists, as to have put [any causes at all] instead of [efficient causes] when we had so often told you (the Orthodox) that we disclaimed all true causality; and then your Reader would have been ready to hope that we are free also from the finer Popery as well as the gross. But since I have heard of late times, what it is that goes under the name of Antichristianity and Popery, even with many that are able to call themselves Orthodox, and others that dissent from them, worse then Opinionists; I confess I begin to have charitable thoughts of a man that is but freed from the charge of gross Popery: and if those tongues should free him also from the imputation of all the finer Popery, I should begin to suspect that somewhat is amiss.