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

Having heard that Mr. — disliked some things in my Aphorisms, and by the persuasions of some, intended a Confutation of them: I wrote to him an earnest Request, that he would acquaint me with what he disliked, annexing his Reasons to convince me of my Errors, professing my earnest Desire of Information, especially from him: To which he replied, as followeth.

HAving heard that Mr. — disliked some things in my Aphorisms, and by the perswasions of some, intended a Confutation of them: I wrote to him an earnest Request, that he would acquaint me with what he disliked, annexing his Reasons to convince me of my Errors, professing my earnest Desire of Information, especially from him: To which he replyed, as followeth.

Dear Sir, I Have indeed declared to some, who happily may have informed you of it, as I desired, that there were several▪ Doctrinal points asserted in your Book, to which I could not pedibus ire, much less cord; such are many positions about Christs Righteousness, about faiths Justification in your sense, and the Efficacy of new Obedience in this work as well as faith. Yea Love made some kind of the actings of Faith: The good old sound definition of Faith waved, and a new one substituted. Not the [Greek or Hebrew], credere, but the [Greek or Hebrew] operari also called into Evangelical Righteousness, and this made our personal Righteousness. These things and divers others do make me vehemently dissent from you in the matters asserted. Yet I do really honour you, for your great Abilities and zealous Piety, earnestly desiring of God that he would prolong your life, and have mercy upon his Church by sparing this Epaphroditus. But whereas you have been told, that I had animadversions on your Book, this was a mistake: for the truth is, though I have cast my thoughts upon some part of it, yet I have not any digested or prepared considerations about it: but do defer such a work, till I shall have opportunity to discharge that part I have publicly promised about imputed Righteousness; which Subject I cannot yet prosecute, being hindered by other avocations: It is true, I have had advertisement from some honoured friends of mine at London, that it is expected, I should do something in those points, because by your Inscription of my name (which I take as an Act of your real Love and respect to me, though I am unworthy of any such Testimony) they