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

for I believe God hath spoke plainer in fundamentals, and not laid folks salvation upon that which none but Scholars of a better or worse judgement then I can understand. I know there is that kind of difficulty in Divine things which requireth the spiritual illumination of the understanding: but not such in foundation points that necessarily requireth so much humane learning. 3. Your way hath not one word of Scripture for it: Where doth Scripture say (in phrase or sense) that faith Justifieth as an instrument; or that it is such? Active or Passive? Or that it is this or that only Act? But now for the Doctrine I teach. 1. Neither your self nor any solid man denieth it (that faith is a condition and so justifieth:) and that it is a Moral receiving, and by the whole soul, especially the hearty consent, and acceptance of the will, most Divines teach, as I could show but for wasting time. 2. I prove it further, that it is but this plain Moral reception, thus. As Christ is offered, so he is received (therefore the Assembly say [as he is offered in the Gospel]: But Christ is offered Morally in the Gospel, and not Physically; therefore he must be so received. 3. Rejicere est no•le; Ergo, reci•ere est velle. To reject Christ is the condemning sin of infidelity: but that lies in an unwillingness to have him to be their Redeemer, Saviour, ⟨p. 224⟩and especially Lord: therefore receiving Christ is a willingness, consent or acceptance of him for Redeemer and Lord, Joh. 1.10. His own received him not; What is that but they refused him? and not that they were not Passive physical receivers of Justice, Luke 19.27. These mine enemies that would not I should reign over them, bring hither and destroy, &c. Then willingness of his reign is part of that faith which justifies: Even willingness of his Reign, as well as to be pardoned, justified and saved from Hell by him; (or else few among us would perish; For I never met with the man that was unwilling of these.) 3. And then it will easily appear, Whether your Doctrine or mine be the more safe. 1. Yours hath the many inconveniences already mentioned. It maketh man his own justifier, or the causa proxima of his own Justification, and by his own Act to help God to justify us: for so all instruments do help the principal cause. And yet by a self-contradiction it maketh faith to be of no Moral worth, and so no virtue or grace.